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In early April we (2 families) are heading down to the middle keys for a week. I am bringing the boat so we are looking for a house with a dock and a pool. What area do you recommend, Islamorada, Marathon, ??? What can we expect for the fishing? Is any thing we "must do" while there? This is our first trip down there so any help would definitely be appreciated
Thanks Billy
We've got a place we usually go to in Key Largo, which is nice...close enough to certain amenities (Publix Supermarket, K-Mart, etc.) while still in "The Keys." Islamorada is really nice as well. Really, I guess you can't go wrong in the Keys depending on the house you end up renting. Make sure you know whether you want to be on the Bay or Ocean side, and figure out how close/convenient it is to get from one to the other.
I would wager to say that a "must do" a few months ago would have been a trip to Robbies (http://www.robbies.com/) to see/feed the most massive tarpon I have ever seen, but the cold has really put a hurtin' on the tarpon and I don't know that it would be worth a trip. A few friends went down about a month ago and didn't see a single tarpon...the place is normally saturated with them....
Capt. Billy, April can be a great month with the weather warming back up. The Tarpon that that fellow mentioned at Robies are resident Tarpon and stay there most of the time till a cold front comes then they move off and come back, they know where to get fed. Islamorad can be a great area with that size boat, try and look for a place in Vanician Shores with access to Bay and Ocean side without spend a lot on fuel. Lots of close by shopping and Sunsets by the waters edge.
I would recommend Marathon, closer to KW for non fishable days, and has all the bars and restaurants and shopping that Islamorada does and it is not a bad drive to Islamorada if you have to see Outdoor
world. Only problem is where you can find a house, it can be a long run to get to either side if in the middle. Key Colony(North end of Marathon) is a great area to keep in mind.
__________________ If you think Education is expensive, try ignorance.
Marathon has lot's of conveniences and great fishing.
I have a house in Key Colony that sleeps 10 and has 60 foot of dockage and a pool.
Let me know if you have interest.
I would suggest you not leave anyone that is a THT member from Anderson behindjk
Great trip and you will have a blast
Plenty of homes on VRBO and that is what we did last time we went but we fished in June so not much help with this time of year.
I would prefer easy/quick access to the Atlantic and most houses will have a dock on a canal
Also be sure and get a chip for you gps if you do not already have one for that area.
Also try the Florida Sportsman web site, VERY GOOD KEYS INFO there and they will tell you where to go and what is biting what. Very good group of folks on that board
__________________ 210 CC Sea Pro
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI
I have dreamed about doing the same thing. Finding the other family is probably the biggest challenge, I also was wondering if its justified to trailer the boat from RI. Good luck
I have dreamed about doing the same thing. Finding the other family is probably the biggest challenge, I also was wondering if its justified to trailer the boat from RI. Good luck
Several good boat rental companies in the Keys if you get lined up in time, next time we may rent a boat instead of towing mine
__________________ 210 CC Sea Pro
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI
Where ever you decide to go...get the address of the place and google earth it...some places have docks but are so far from the bay or ocean that you have a 45 minute ride at idle speed going and coming....kinda nasty in the heat.....
OK we have rented a house in Islamorada off snake creek. I have noticed that there are two bars on my in every afternoon from fishing. So there are at least two places I wil visit. What els do y'all suggest??
(tprice we have you a spot............waiting on the check)
If you are planning on renting a boat for only one or two days that are not together you will most likely be on the end list for the boat rental company. Best to check now what might be available, especially in Islamorada. They, as business people, are looking for their long term rentals first. Delivering a boat to your dock for only a single day is not profitable for them. Good Luck, maybe consider a full week's rental.
__________________ Capt. Ron Teke, www.KeysMagic.com, charter for the middle keys- Marathon. 28' Cat w twin 225hp Yamahas.
Thanks Teke, but we will be dragging our boat down. I was thinking of using the Founders Park ramp to launch. has anyone on here used it before?
Oh yea and how are the Lobster Tacos @ the Island grill?
Thanks Billy
Help with the Keys 
