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probably going to isla this fall, or at least somewhere in the keys between key west and miami.

anything i should definately do or not do? i'm going to key west for a day, and probably going snook fishing in the keys, peacock bass fishing in miami, or bass fishing in the glades.

othere than that, it's a pool and a blender for me and mama...

resteraunts to do/avoid?

For diving or snorkeling - we go out of Bud and Mary's Marina right around MM80. Alligator Reef is just offshore. For a great meal, try Gallagher’s Little Gourmet on Grassy Key. Another cool place on Grassy Key is the Wreck.

On your way to KW stop by the Seven Mile Grille, end of Marathon, on the right before you start across the 7 Mile Bridge. Great Cheeseburgers, grouper sandwiches, cold beer and KEY Lime Pie!!!!

Breakfast at the Hungry Tarpon and feed the tarpon afterwards. Try the Green Salsa Omelet.

I am ready to go!!!!

thanks, that sounds like exactly the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

you don't happen to know any flats/backcountry guides do you?

ihavefoundmeahome wrote:thanks, that sounds like exactly the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

you don't happen to know any flats/backcountry guides do you?

Make sure you take the Card Sound Road exit which is the first one off US1. Go to Alabama Jacks. You won't be sorry you did! and if you like conch fritters.. get theirs!

never had conch fritters, but i am going to try them...

Yes, Alabama Jack's, just before the toll booth.

And if you get to Big Pine, take the side road that
goes to No Name Key and hit the No Name Pub.
It's also just before a bridge. And if you cross that
bridge, tell the Key Deer 'hi' for me.

Across from Bud and Mary's Marina is a neat restaurant/bar/marina (approx. MM80) called Papa Joe's. I have eaten there many of times....

www.papajoesmarina.com/2_pj_restaurant/intofranks.htm

I also rented boats from them and there are a bunch of Back Country Charters that work out of this marina.

I also found this flats/backcountry link in the Islamorada area:

http://www.fla-keys.com/listing.cfm?id=43

Good luck - If you charter from one of these guides, let us know how you did and what you thought of the guide...thanks.

PS - Gotta do the Fritters, kind of like trying different types of key lime Pies....Also try some "cracked conch"...lightly fried. Herbies in Marathon does a great Cracked Conch.

I am getting hungry!!!!

what kind of boats can you rent and how much? if i could do that, it would likely be more fun.

i've been fishing for about 25 years, and i think i could figure out how to catch something. i'm not interested in trophies or numbers anyway.

i'd just like to experience some of the shallow water keys fishing.

really interested now............

ihavefoundmeahome wrote:what kind of boats can you rent and how much? if i could do that, it would likely be more fun.

i've been fishing for about 25 years, and i think i could figure out how to catch something. i'm not interested in trophies or numbers anyway.

i'd just like to experience some of the shallow water keys fishing.

really interested now............

We usually rent an 18' to 20' center console. Need some room for coolers and kids. We usually head to the reefs for a day or two. Flats boats are probably harder to come by as far as rentals. Boats usually rent for $100 to $200 a day but some places rent cheaper for multiple days.

If you rent, might want to get some decent charts...lots of shallows and flats but pretty easy and deep water out towards the reefs. The reefs also have mooring buoys to tie off to. No anchors on the coral!!!

Lots of great fishing....Grouper and snapper around the bridges, dolphin offshore, trout and reds and snooks in the back country...

I've enjoyed the Islamorada Fish Company before, but they seem to have become a subsidiary of Bass Pro Shops now.

I'm headed to Key Largo for 2.5 days next weekend. Those 3-day vacations become such a bore.

ihavefoundmeahome wrote:thanks, that sounds like exactly the kind of stuff i'm looking for.

you don't happen to know any flats/backcountry guides do you?

I know this guy (Capt. Steve).

http://www.afishingguide.com/newsletter/default.aspx

I don't fish...so I can't speak to that. However, Steve's wife, Chris, is a Parrothead friend of mine and I stopped to visit them both on my last trip through the Keys. Good people!

Manny & Ilsa's is always a 'have to' stop for lunch on Ilsamorda. It's a little Cuban restaurant located about 100-150yrds south of the hurricane monument. Talk about KEY LIME PIE! Manny has one of the few Key Lime orchards left in the Keys. Homegrown Key Limes and about 3 inches of meringue on top. Yum!

Would have to say that the Islamorda Fish Co. was a pretty disappointing dinner stop last time I was there. Maybe it was just a bad night in the slow season, but if I actually leave shrimp on my plate....it's pretty bad.

Have fun!

If you're not the easily offended type, go see Big Dick & the Extenders!! He's hilarious!!! (Warning: Don't sit too close to the front unless you like being the butt of jokes! )

Fall....let's see. In Sep - Dec Bonefish are great in the flats. Springtime (right about now) is the best time to be here on account of the migration just about to happen. Alot of people down here are pulling in Dolphin offshore right now. sailfish and kingfish are there, but a little sparse for the next couple weeks word is. On the flats, tarpon are hot right now. Don't know if you've ever fought one of these, but it is a thrill. In the backcountry of Florida Bay alot of people are talking about permit and cobia.

Snook, reds, and bonefish are coming up good in the flats this month also.

Remember, a good charter operator will know not only good spots, but what time of day and in what weather to strike. If you happen to get a strong windy day, a good ace in the hole is bonnethead shark fishing in the flats.

I could roll off a rambling list of places to eat and avoid, but like the fishing season, it changes with the passing months as well. One place I have been stopping in recently ( last week most recently) is the Islamorada Fish House. Don't mistake this with the Islamorada Fish Company, different place.
Craigs in Islamorada (just south of Tavernier Creek Marina) has had one of the best grouper sandwiches for quite a while. No outdoor view or anything, but that doesn't make the food crappy.
A great view in Key Largo (but s*&tty food) is Snappers MM 84. Great place for a drink. A place recently that has had a ton of cars by it is Pizza in the Magroves. Haven't had a chance to stop in yet, but they seem to be doing something right.

I live about :20 min. from Alabama Jacks, if you want to share a cold one drop me a line.

chalksoperations....Off topic here, but....three cheers for Chalks Ocean Airways! I have been daydreaming about Bimini all week (what can I say, it is helping to get me through a boring work project) and flying into Alice Town on Chalks is always part of it.

ihavefoundmeahome....If you haven't decided where to be yet, you might check out Rainbow Bend Fishing Resort on Grassy Key (MM 58 ). The daily room rates include a full American breakfast and half/day use of their Boston Whalers, sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Some friends and I stayed there a few years ago and liked it a lot.

http://www.rainbowbend.com/

If you go (or are anywhere nearby), be sure to hit Mike's Hideaway Cafe for a special dinner one night. Mike's is onsite at Rainbow Bend and is worth every penny to do a full appetizer through dessert type meal.

chalksoperations wrote: I live about :20 min. from Alabama Jacks, if you want to share a cold one drop me a line.

anybody that lives 20 minutes from alabama jacks is my idol! LOL

how'd you get stuck livin in a crappy place like the keys?

Would have to say that the Islamorda Fish Co. was a pretty disappointing dinner stop last time I was there. Maybe it was just a bad night in the slow season, but if I actually leave shrimp on my plate....it's pretty bad.

No, you're right. It was great the first time. The couple of times I've been since I've not been impressed.

I'm headed to the Anglers' Club and Ocean Reef next weekend. Won't be able to get down into Key Largo proper probably, but I *will* make a stop at Alabama Jack's on the way back out to the airport, unless we're running way behind.

Made it here by hard work, chance, and a little fate. I was stationed in Boca Chica once upon a time, worked my way back here when I started working for Chalks. I knew I wanted to live where I could go dive the reefs or go catch a ballgame on any given afternoon. Lucky enough to have a couple bad deals gone good and found a great place with just the right mix of tropical fruit trees to live off of when the fishing goes bad.

When you roll into town, look for a local rag called Time Out. It's published monthly, and it gives you the latest on what is happening, places to eat and such. It is broken down by upper, middle, and lower keys.

I would say this is the best way to find any local happenings and what is still open.
And remember, that cute little place your friends stopped in last year could very well now be one of those gay biker sushi bars.
Always good to have a plan B.

Go to the 7 Mile Cafe. It's got great food and outside tiki bar atmosphere.

My weekend in the Keys was beautiful.

Glad to hear that. I would not expect anything else. The best place in the world.............