April in the Keys Help

[Dieselhp]

We are coming down to the keys the first week in April and could use some info. My wife and two kids (13 and 16) will be renting a 19' boat for four or five days. How much gear should I bring? I fish Salmon, Srtiper's and freshwater. I do have a few heavy boat rod's, should I also bring them. We are looking to catch all types of fish. I would like to get some reds, Tarpon and whatever I can reach with the 19 footer and being safe.
Will be staying at Knights Key Campground in Marathon.
Any thoughts?
Thanks for any help.
Rick

[Capt Bob]

knights key is very close to the 7 mile bridge,,,bring your heavy gear,,,BIG Bull Sharks and Hammerheads cruise the bridge chowing down on the big Tarpon that hang there,,,Big Goliaths there also... I use 50W Tld's with 100 Power pro and it isn't really heavy enough for the Goliaths but I make do and get by...Reds will be a stretch but you can trailer or Run ( I'd trailer) up to Islamorada and fish some of the back country but be careful other wise you could spend some time in there waiting for the tide to float you free ( if you were lucky enough to go aground at low tide) also running aground down here is a MAJOR NO-NO!!!!
BIG fines for damaging bottom....Snook will be around as well in the back country...lot's of smaller sharks 6-7 ft...FYI ... Barbra at Capt Pips ( Porky's) will gladly show you the off limits area if no one else will

Weather permitting head east ( get one of the free charts and make note of the OFF LIMITS AREAS...no fishing...again BIG FINES) you should be able to have a ball with Yellowtail Snapper, groupers of various species, Mangrove Snapper, Lane Snapper, Cubera's, tarpon, Permit, all the hard fighting Jacks you handle...the Hotspot charts that some people tout only show what any decent angler could find just by reading a chart...the freebies are fine for the visitor and they are at most tackle places and other places at times you can see the Sombrero tower from shore and it marks the edge of the reef, beyond that you can find King Macks, Dolphin, and some Sailfish and further out Blackfin tuna and Marlin...and some others species from time to time depending on weather...

pick up a copy of the Weekly Fisherman it's free also it will have all the current fishing reports...

you'll be staying Near Porky's Too Bayside it's good but understand it's a joint but a good one, one of my old VA license plates and a cap from when I chartered up in Va hangs in porkies...The Island Fish house and Tiki bar ( my personal favorite) is at the north end of Marathon...good food...reasonable prices...great people...you can't miss it it's the one with the helipad out back...they've got one of my license plates too...The Wreck and galley is further North on Grassy key next to the DRC and it has the only Club Sandwich I've found down here and the Potato salad is a killer...lot's of nightly specials at almost every restaurant down here...Burdines and Castaways are also close to where you will be staying...the Keys fishery and restaurant on the end of 35th St gulfside has a killer Lobster Reuben and they will give you fish scraps to feed the resident Tarpon and Snapper and other species

if the wind kicks up...come into Hawks channel and fish the humps just watch your bottom machine...mark fish anchor up wind or current and put out copious amounts of chum and they will come...Yellowtail, Grouper, Spanish macks and a whole bunch more...when the Sharks show up stop chumming until they leave or pull anchor and go find another spot...fish the bridge channels as well...from Channel two on south...find a wreck or two on the Gulfside and the options are wide open on what you could catch...shallow water fishing can be found near Annes Beach near the Channel Two bridge, Sombrero beach is a nice beach for the sun worshipper and swimmer...contact the MArathon visitors center or stop on the way down get the map of Marathon...it will help you locate everything...most places go by Mile Marker down here...it helps to have an Idea od about where each is...you'll be staying near 45/46...The Wreck and DRC is like 59 to give you an idea of mileage...check out the reference sites on the header post sticky for more info...enjoy Paradise...

as for tackle...shrimp imitations and jigs tipped with squid/shrimp/tails will catch fish...white with yellow has been a good one for me...
hooks some # 8's for catching bait ( pinfish) UNLESS YOU ARE WEalthy and want to buy all yourr bait...buy some live shrimp and keep them well aerated ...fressh bally hoo chunks will catch almost everything...if you are not sure what is up...catch a trip on the Marathon Lady head boat...you'll catch fish AND they will tell you a lot about where to go and for what...we use egg sinkers almost exclusively to help avoid hanging in the corral bottom with very short Flouro leaders...you will be able to see bottom on 40 ft of water...a couple of 10-12 lb spinners and a 20-25 lb spinner or two will get you by with the heavier stuff as mentioned..a selection of hooks as well as wire leader, ( not the black type with snaps on the end...real doit yourself wire) we have a lot of toothy critters and some of them get over 5 ft in length...DO NOT LIFT FISH BY THE LIPS...almost everything has teeth down here!!!...nets, gaff, boca grip...take in the free seminar on Thursday nights and ask dave about what's happening he will tell you the straight stuff...he owns WORLD CLASS ANGLER in MArathon just south of the K mart...don't forget a license...you can get them ay the K mart...

[Dieselhp]

Thanks for all of the info Capt Bob!

[FINNBOB]

Very interesting article , Capt.BOB... I lived in KeyWest during the early 70's, and while there had a blast catching loads of fish from tons of locations. But, now , am thinking about a trip to Marathon for a little fun inda sun and you've supplied some good facts for me to ponder...... I'll be using this thread as a guide, for sure....

[Dieselhp]

Capt.BOB,
How about Pompano, are there any around?
Thanks
Rick

[kellerl2]

Capt. Bob

Great information, thanks, I'll be in Islamorada the first three weeks in May. We tow our 19' CC and fish everyday, it's our third year, what a great place. I can use some of this info. Thanks again. Larry

[Capt Bob]

the guys up on the mainland get some pompano from the beaches but they don't seem to get this far down...at least not in any numbers worth chasing...they do get some of the big African Pomp's off some of the offshore wrecks

[clodhopper]

K mart in Marathon has everything an angler could want. You'll be amazed at the size of the fishing section. They even have rigged ballyhoo. Capt. pips has good boats. Have fun. I sure miss my trip this spring.