Keys Fishing: Early March

[Tightlines72]

Hey guys, haven't been to the keys in a few years, but have loved my stays in the past. We'll probably be staying somewhere around Marathon but I'm willing to drive as far as I need to go to find a good charter. I'm not really sure what's running around that time, but I'm interested in doing whatever is going to produce the most fish (offshore, nearshore, whatever). Any advice you guys can offer is much appreciated. Also, if you guys have any places to fish around Marathon on my own, I'd love to hear about 'em. Like I said, I've got no real idea what's running at the time and don't really care what type of fishing I'm doing. Just want to get out there and get on the fish

[jodywoj]

Check out Best Bet Charters. Jason Long is a blast to fish with.
http://www.bestbetsportfishing.com/
He has a boat at the Seven Mile Bridge and also a Cabo in Key Colony Beach.

[Steve_250]

You can also check out Saltwater Experience (web site too), they are located on Duck Key. I went with them last month, they run the Yellowfin.
They can do any type of fishing.

[Door#3]

You might want to connect with someone that can do ocean, bay, or flats. At that time of year the wind blows a lot. I've had weeks where only one or two days was fish able in Feb & Mar.

At that time you'll find king macs just beyond the reef, probably have a shot at sails on the kite. Plenty of good reef fishing (yellowtails, etc...), and spanish macs a short way out on the Gulf side.

[Prop Blast]

What Door#3 said.

Fishing can be excellent that time of year -- water's warming up, but still cool enough (for Florida ) that the pelagics are still around. Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin & Blackfin Tuna offshore; Grouper, Snapper & Mack's nearshore; Permit, Bones, and maybe early Tarpon inshore. Nothing promised, but he possibiities are definitely there .

The biggest variable in the spring is WIND. As fronts push down from up north, they're followed by 2-5 days of wind. The direction of the wind tells you where you can fish. Wind out of the NE or E direction means no offshore fishing (it's running head on into the Gulf Stream and things get stacked up nice & ugly).

Look for a guide that is versatile and can do the inshore/backcountry and offshore depending on conditions.

PB

[lemaymiami]

One other option to consider is near the Keys... but not nearly so exposed when the winds play up, it's Everglades National Park out of Flamingo. Most guides that work out of the upper Keys normally work back toward Flamingo when they're fishing the backcountry that time of year. On bad weather days that area can turn into a chocolate milkshake as it muds up. When it's like that the interior areas of the 'Glades -- Whitewater, Oyster, and Tarpon Bays will still have crystal clear water (stained dark but still very clear) and great fishing. That's actually where most of the really early season giant tarpon can be found. When conditions are right the stars of light tackle and fly fishing show up then every year to do their filming....

It's not Keys fishing, but it's close enough to be a great option when the weather is really tough... and it's all light tackle in sheltered areas, mostly sight-fishing.

[UNCFISH]

give Capt. Len Roberts on this board a PM. I've fished with him and he has the ability to be very versatile (offshore, inshore, etc...)

[Tightlines72]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll keep all of this in mind

[Mike Shaler]

A bad day in the Florida Keys is better than a good day at work.

Fish more / Work less.