OT: Marathon FL - Keys

[Uncle Ruckus]

Now that I've got flights figured out, we're going flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving to Marathon for a week. I've never been and it's always been a one of the places I had to go. What are some must-do's in the Keys? I imagine 75% of my time will be spend in the sand with a drink, but what about the other 25% for places to go and restaurants to eat at? Another thing, is there any good wade or surf fishing areas? I know some beaches do not allow fishing, and I am not sure yet about the resort where we are staying, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy a couple travel rods or not.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

I’m love to hear the responses to this thread. I’ve never been to the Keys and would also love to go. I’d always heard that the beaches were rocky, not sandy.

 

[Dawg1979]

my advice, find a hotel before going. i worked at Disney in the summer of 2000. me and 3 others went to Key West for the weekend. of course before the internets took over. we were just going to find a room. we sent a girl in to one place, she came running out. said we couldn't stay there. guy at the desk told her clothing was optional. it was a nudist resort. haha. we had a hell of a time finding a place to stay. and the only public beach was having an issue with sewage. a major pipe has burst and was spewing raw sewage all over the beach.

was still an awesome weekend and a great place. enjoy!

 

[Palmettodog]

Been twice, never set foot in the sand. Fished all day, everyday. We rented a house on VRBO both times. I can't remember the name of the restaurant but a couple of nights we took our catch to the restaurant and they cooked it however we liked. I think most restaurants will do the same.

 

[dogmatic]

If you're interested in fishing at all, you owe it to yourself to book at least a half-day charter with a local captain. The Keys sit on one of the world's greatest fisheries and any hook-and-line aficionado should experience at least a taste of what it has to offer.

I did a half-day trip with Capt. Tony Murphy a while back with the goal of just seeing what there is to see, and we caught nine different species in just a few hours. I kept a yellowtail snapper and a mangrove snapper and took them to a restaurant that prepared them a couple different ways.

We fished reefs around Key West and the flats out by the Marquesas Keys. We didn't target any of the large pelagics, but that's certainly an option too, as well as back country fishing and light tackle specialties.

Capt. Murphy owns The Saltwater Angler store in Key West and operates The Key Limey sport fishing boat. If you're staying in Marathon and fishing out of there, I'd go to www.fla-keys.com and use it to search for a fishing experience. I set up my fishing trip with a media contact through the agency that runs that site.

Here are a couple stories out of that trip: Feeding Frenzy about the variety of fish, and Essential Tactics with DIY Keys-fishing info.

I've been a few times but have always stayed in Key West. I'm looking into staying in Big Pine or Cudjoe Key next time - will be interested to hear your report from Marathon.

The Keys are home to a different state of mind, definitely a tropical way of life.

Ask your fishing guide or someone local for advice on where to eat. Barring that, I use TripAdvisor.com. Restaurants turn over so quickly, keeping up with the best is like chasing rumors.

 

[ShrubDog]

You will have access to a number of state parks. Take a trip to the Dry Tortugas national park, Sombrero beach and Big Pine etc. Don’t be surprised when you see some stuff is still torn up from the hurricane, insurance companies are moving slow.

Grab a snorkel, mask and fishing pole. Get on a charter and tear them up.

 

[57stratdawg]

You might be surprised about the 'sand' part. Key West doesn't really have a beach (never been to any of the other Keys). The diving, snorkeling and fishing are very solid though.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

We did. We’re staying in a “house” at a resort. It’s more like condos thatare standalone, not part of a high rise.

 

[maddawg00]

When are you going? Check the spiny lobster season to see if dates match up. Several years ago, the wife and I met old roommate from Tallahassee who had brought his boat. Snorkeling to catch them was a lot of fun, but you may need to find some sort of charter. Only need a net a prod and some gloves. Plenty of great food down there, but hard to beat fresh lobster. We spent all our time fishing as there wasn't much to the beaches around Big Pine or others there south. There was a restaurant near Big Pine/Cudjoe called Square Grouper that was pretty good if you get out of Marathon.

If you go to Key West, Dry Tortugas would be cool to see and you should definitely experience downtown and Duval St after dark, haha!

 

[Arthur2478]

75% of my time will be spend in the sand

The keys are not near as beachy as people think. They are basically a coral reef chain that is no longer below sea level. Mostly of the shorelines are rocky. But, you should have a blast regardless. May is an excellent time to go fishing down there. You can catch plenty from the shore under most any of the bridges, but taking a short charter out of there is well worth it. Most of the charters there are smaller boats doing 6hr trips. You don't need anything longer because you really don't have to go very far offshore to get to good fishing grounds.

As far as what todo, there is a famous marina in Islamarado called Robbie's. You can stop in there on your way down and hand feed tarpon. Plenty of pics and videos of it online, just Google Robbie's Islamarado. It's a tourist trap, but still worth the visit. Other that, just spend plenty of time on the water. Boating, snorkling, fishing, jet skiing, etc. I'm jealous. It's a great place. It's essentially the Caribbean that you can drive to.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Our resort has a beach. It’s small and private, but it’s a beach with a small swimming area. If we weren’t flying I’d carry my kayak, so we’re definitely doing a charter. I’ve been to the Bahamas in August and all of the migratory fish were gone, but we’re going to Marathon the day after July 4th, so hopefully some good fish species will still be lingering. If I can catch a snook on light tackle I’d be pleased.

 

[Lhughes1983]

There is a place you should stop for some bridge jumping in sugar loaf. Just google sugar loaf cave jumping and some info will pop up. Local spot that tourists don’t know about ilbut it’s cool and it’s free.

 

[HumpDawgy]

You might be surprised about the 'sand' part. Key West doesn't really have a beach (never been to any of the other Keys). The diving, snorkeling and fishing are very solid though.

This. Some resorts might have a small, sandy area, but don't expect miles of white sand. The keys are best for fishing, scuba/snorkling, eating, and of course drinking. I usually stay in Islamorada which is nice little place, but you have to make a trip for some bar hopping on Duval in Key West at least one night. Expect very slow traffic flow with all the draw bridges and large amount of cars on a small highway. What looks like a quick, hop, skip, and a jump will take you FOREVER.

 

[coach66]

Naked Lunch Key West, you can thank me later*

nm

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Would Yancy approve of this place?*

 

[MaroonCrusader]

One of my best friends runs a spear fishing charter out of marathon. It’s called Spearcrazy if you’re into that. It has blown up over the past couple years down there. Also, Barracuda Grill is a great place to eat.

 

[Scottfield1]

Now that I've got flights figured out, we're going flying into Ft Lauderdale and driving to Marathon for a week. I've never been and it's always been a one of the places I had to go. What are some must-do's in the Keys? I imagine 75% of my time will be spend in the sand with a drink, but what about the other 25% for places to go and restaurants to eat at? Another thing, is there any good wade or surf fishing areas? I know some beaches do not allow fishing, and I am not sure yet about the resort where we are staying, so I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy a couple travel rods or not.

I have spent probably close to six months of my life in the Keys through vacation. Each Key is somewhat distinct. Key Largo and Key West are the tourist destinations, with Key Largo being more family friendly and Key West being more for adults. I’ve grown up spear fishing and the Keys are average at best compared to other locations. If you dive, Key West to Islamorada are the best places to leave. Best dive is USS DEWAINE. 80 ft dive on a Coast Guard Cutter. Full of barricades. Holiday Isle in Islamorada is a great place. Huge tarpon at night and great outdoor bar. Whale Harbor is next door and full of Deep water charter boats. Highly recommend bone fishing. Pound for pound the hardest fish you will ever catch. If you want to drink and have fun in Key West, go to Captain Tony’s. and the Green Turtle. Marathon is about 30 minutes north of Key West and 40 minutes south of Islamorada. Cops are all over the Highway 1 and speeds change often.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

I’m not certified, so are there spear fishing options for free diving? bone and snook are the two species I want to target. Definitely something I want to do. I really want to wade fish on my own if possible with light tackle or a fly

 

[Scottfield1]

I’m not certified, so are there spear fishing options for free diving? bone and snook are the two species I want to target. Definitely something I want to do. I really want to wade fish on my own if possible with light tackle or a fly

Unfortunately not, I’ve never caught a snook. Bone fish are in extremely shallow water. They are typically fished on the Gulf side of the Keys in the mangrove. The boat captain will pole through the shallows looking for them. I have to be honest. I’m better fishing under the water than above. I have back lashed rods I was told before using, were impossible to do. I forgot to mention, I have not been back to the Keys since the hurricane.

 

[Dawgbite]

If you are in Key West there is a Cuban restaurant called El Sibony, doesn't look like much but the skirt steak in one of my top five steaks of all time.

 

[mcdawg22]

You’ll hate it Ruckus, because you are a miserable person. But if you can get past that go to Bahia Honda State Park and wade fish. I only caught a Stingray when I went during the Orange Bowl, but fly fishing those flats was heaven to me. It’s a tourist trap but Islamorado Fish Co has the best damn key lime pie I’ve ever had. And I’ve tried a lot. Plus it’s cool when they feed the tarpon and nurse sharks. Other than that, throw away your watch and just enjoy the time. It’s a great place.