Fla. Keys & guided kayak fishing

[jallen355]

May be headed down there end of the month and am considering taking a guided kayak fish. Anybody have any recommendations on a guide or service?

[Where Y'ak?]

The last time I was there, I had difficulty finding a good kayak guide. There are tons of guides, but not many for kayak fishing. Perhaps with the growth of the sport, there may be more available now.

If you want to go it alone, there are some kayak rental services if you bring your own fishing gear. You will be getting there just when tarpon season is starting to rev up. The tarpon will be in any of the major passes and near the bridges. Bonefish and Permit will also be on the flats.

I've been to the Keys many times and have a Timeshare on Key Largo. If you need any specific info, just let me know.

[Paul Barnard]

I would recommend kayaking the mangrove tunnels. The kayak fishing here is so much better than it is there, but the mangrove tunnels are a sight to behold. When I go down there I take self guided kayak snorkelling tours.

[CwitdeR]

Capn' Charles Wright

[GreenWave]

Captain Danny Wray raved about a guided kayak trip he took down there. He wrote a Marsh & Bayou article about it and recommended the guy to me as well. I didn't get a chance to charter with him when I was down there. You could try getting in touch with Danny through his website.

http://calmwatercharters.net/

[barhopper]

Will be there Mon thru Sat. Will be fishing non-yak with wife and another couple. Staying at Key Lime sailing club in Key Largo. Fishing through Robbies Marina. Can't wait !:buttrock:

[Where Y'ak?]

Since you're fishing out of Robbie's, I'm sure you'll do the tarpon feeding thing there-- it's a don't miss activity in the Keys!

[Paul Barnard]

There are a couple of easy paddles out of Robbies that I highly recommend. The mangrove tunnels are a must. The water will still be clhilly, but snorkeling around the park is great. Visit the kayak rental guy right next to Robbies and chat with him. It will be well worth your while.

[jallen355]

Thanks guys. I'll let everyone know if/when we finalize plans. I hope we get to put this one together.

[jallen355]

Sorry guy! Barely had my eyes open this morning when I typed that.

[jallen355]

Damn guys. I know I mentioned Key West, but ya'll are gonna make me not want to go. I hope it's not fruit-fest down there that week....

[Where Y'ak?]

"Fantasy Fest" is in October--So I've heard!

[jallen355]

Whew... Thank god for the little things!

[Skee]

honestly i wouldnt waste money on a guide... we went down there in february and there is fish everywhere...
fish structure like birdges for snapper and hit the mangroves ( Sugarloaf Key ) for snook. this weather was unusually cold when we went and the bite was slow but we ended up with about 20-30 snapper

[all_in]

Before Katrina I fished down there with some friends from Gainsville 3 years in a row. We stayed on Big Pine Key and fished offshore most of the time, but the days we stayed inshore we some of the best. In particular, we caught a lot of fish at the Bahia Honda Bridge (a very nice tarpon hole), the mangroves around Big Pine (my first snook) and the reef around Looe Key (this would be an 11 mile paddle, but if the winds were light, it would be well worth it). If I were to go back, I would balance between things I could do without a guide - like snapper/tarpon fishing - and backcountry fishing for snook etc where a guide would really help. You should definately bring a snorkle and fins because the protected reserve is some of the best snorkling in the US. Good luck and have fun!

BTW - Fantacy Fest is not all that different from Mardi Gras - just a lot more skin.

[jallen355]

Fortunately, or infortunately depending on how you look at it. We won't be headed to the Keys. Decided not to spend the money on that trip. However, as a good alternative, we have rented a camp in Grand isle from 4/24 thru 4/29. As far as a guide goes, we will fish with Capt. Danny one day while were there. I'm quite certain we can and will gain some good knowledge from him and are l;ooking forward to that part of the trip. We are also bring the 18' bass boat along with our yaks, so the possibilities are endless for the weeks stay.

Oh, if anyone is down there during those times, give us a shout and we'll see about putting a trip together soemwhere.

P.S. Eric, you and the wife need to make it down there that week/weekend for a trip.