[skeller001]

Hello, I am heading to the keys with my wife and 22 yr od son in March. We rented a place on the beach so I could do some fishing right in front of the house. I also booked a day of fishing with a local charter service. My question is what can I fish for in early March on my own, what bait/tackle should I use, etc? Any help will be appreciated. I have never been to the keys before and can't wait to get there to fish and take pictures.

 

[Capt Bob]

lets start with where in the keys will you be staying??

the mullet should be starting their run which means some truly huge Tarpon can be found around the bridges as well as Big Snappers, HUGE GOLIATH GROUPERS, Big Cudas and well a whole lot more species as well

any reputable tackle shop can show you the basic knocker rig and give you some good advise...I'll be waiting to see where you will be to give more advice

 

[jaycir]

The great tarpon run happens around that time. You should see tarpons in the 130lbs range if your lucky. If you are around mile marker 80 (Islamorada) go to Bud & Mary's Marina and find a good guide to take you out one day. You will really like it. The Grouper fishing and snapper fishing should be good as well. Good luck!

 

[skeller001]

Thanks guys!

Do you think I may have any luck fishing at the house which is on the ocean side? I would like to do some of that to so I can increase my fishing time. I would like to bring my own rods and reels. What would you suggest for length and weight, etc. I can visit a tackle shop when I arrive for the bait and tackle.

 

[Capt Bob]

a 12 lb and a 20 lb spinner should get ya thru most of what you'll run into except of course unless you find a hungry Goliath or one of the Wreck gods( BULL SHARK) shows up I'd use a 7 ft from the beach and that should suffice for the boat also
use a knocker rig or a float rig depending on your bait

 

[skeller001]

Thanks again! I really appreciate the help!

Now off to find what a knocker rig and a floater rig look like....

I think I will bring a fly rod along too.

 

[Capt Bob]

knocker is nothing except a sliding egg sinker right up against the hook, keeps you from getting hung in the bottom and the fish don't care if the sinker IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE BAIT
floater... just a float...I use 3 in oval foam...lets most baits pull it down and struggle against its pulling them back up attracts a lot of species

 

[skeller001]

Capt Bob, Are you a capt in the keys???? If so can you email me some info?

check out Weekly Fisherman Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments, Tips, New & Used Boats, Fishing Charters, and Fishing Catches and google boatless fish and check out the boatless fisherman site for shore based info

 

[Capt Bob]

Not Chartering down here...what info are you looking for??

 

[skeller001]

Well... We are going off shore trolling with a charter. But I would also like to do some other type of fishing that we don't have around here. My son and I have done a lot of fresh water fishing but have only fished for striper, blues, & flounder in saltwater. Someting like grouper, tarpon, snapper, jack, or anything else thats different. Basically anything that bites.