Florida Fishin'

[simplefish]

I'll be headed to Florida this fall, down to ?Marko? island on the SWern tip. Was wondering if anyone has been down there fishin' and if they know any good guiding services close to that area.

[Guest]

Dang, I'm jealous. I've been to Florida 46 times. The first 36 were for work, the last 10 to visit friends I made while I was there.

If you figure it's 4 planes a trip, that's almost 200 airplanes I've been on just to Orlando...

But in any case, please post any reports you have when you get back. I've fished in the swamps down there and caught bass and crappies (called "specks" down there, cuz they is covered with specks ) but I've never gotten out to the ocean.

The best fishing experience I had was a trip where I caught nothing but saw a 12' gator and a few manatees. Another time we went swimming in sight of a whole group of gators. The key is to swim faster than your friends

Anyway, if you're going to an island on the SW tip, I assume you're in the keys. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a guide service or information about the area. They are all over the place.

If you get a chance, go on the Atlantic side of Florida and fish the Intercoastal. I've heard it's great. It's the area between the mainland and the barrier islands. My friend Sean and his wife Kelly that I go visit down there go out pretty often.

[This message has been edited by Consultant (edited 06-11-2003).]

[Dave B]

No guide info, but Marco is Snook country. The are a fun fish growing to around 40" very good eating and hit the same baits a northern or walleye would do.

For action, go to any gas station and get some shrimp. Sheephead (black and grey striped fish-look like a bit like and angelfish) will bite all day long from any dock. Good eating too. I would bring some good jigs and some stinger hooks-I didnt have any and got picked clean constantly.

Lots of other species and action-and lots of fisherman too.

[Sand Burr]

I just fished the mosquito bay area in May. It was the most incredible fishing I have ever did. I had a tarpon on for 2 1/2 hours and broke the line right at the boat when the dang thing finally tierd out! 5 minutes before the tarpon I faught a 40 lb jack fish for 45 minutes. Drop me an email at [email protected] and I will give you my guides HSOforum and I'm sure he will do it or he knows someone down there.

[Sturgeon46]

Pack a favorite long-casting rod, lots of plastics and jig-heads.. You can catch a lot of great fish just poking around off shore. Make sure to rinse everything often with lots of fresh water.