Fishing in the keys

JJags3

Seaman
Joined
Feb 14, 2008
Messages
51
I will be fishing out from Marathon Key the first week in April. Do you recommend the ocean side or gulf side? I have a 20' CC and can go offshore any distance. I prefer bottom fishing, hopefully for grouper or snapper. Any suggestions on bait and tackle?

Thanks
 

mpsyamaha

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
400
Re: Fishing in the keys

im not exceptionally familiar with that area of the keys but.... i can tell you if you want to bottom fish you will be primarily on the atlantic side. the west side of the islands is very shallow and is more flats fishing. if you want big grouper, you cant beat live pinfish or grunts. chumming shallow wrecks is a popular technique for snapper. night fishing is good down there.
 

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Re: Fishing in the keys

What are you fishing for? My wife and I had a blast fishing around the 7-mile bridge a couple years ago, but we weren't after the big groupers. If you're going for Jacks, find a shrimp boat and fish near it.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Fishing in the keys

while there take a day, and venture down to Big Pine Key, take the snorkeling trip to Looe Key, well worth the time. these guys are great. on the right going south, just before the bridge to Little Torch. about 20 miles from Marathon. we spend August on Little Torch.
Strike Zone Charters
Phone: (305) 872-9863
Big Pine Key , FL 33043
 
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