Best place/plan for a canoe camping trip?

bigfinn35

Hey all. Been fishing up in the Sarasota/Venice area for years now but haven't ventured far to the south much at all. A few of my friends and I are putting together a camping trip in the near future, and I'm curious as to your thoughts/advice on where to go. We're currently trying to decide between camping on an island in Biscayne Bay or doing the same after launching out of Flamingo/Chokoloskee, camping for 2-3 nights via canoe in either case. I'd like to be able to catch enough eating fish for a good sized feast over the fire and will be able to bring along 3 or 4 rods. 

If we were to do Biscayne, is patch reef fishing feasible by canoe? For a more Everglades-focused trip I was planning on fish the mangrove creeks with shrimp/jigs at high tide and moving out to the flats during lower water. Will bring my net but I figure bait will be scarce with the colder weather.

lemaymiami

Biscayne Bay is no place for a canoe (big open waters and camping spots on Elliott and Boca Chita are a long way from your starting point).  What I’d recommend is Everglades National Park out of Flamingo or Chokoloskee... Contact the Park directly at (305)242-7700, the Visitor’s center.  They’ll be able to assist with trip planning.

Good luck, the ‘glades are my favorite place in this world...

limitless

Capt LeMay gives you very good advice.  If you haven't been to the ENP's 10,000 Islands you need to get there.  There are some good camping spots from Chickees to islands and the fishing is unparalleled.  You'll need a park pass and to reserve camp sites, but good planning will ensure a great trip.  As you do your research, several forums offer really good tips and advice about the ENP.

catchemup

Captain Bob gave you the best feedback possible. Don't consider anything else and follow his sage advice. Good luck.

bigfinn35

Thanks for the advice everyone. Any general fishing knowledge for the area I should be aware of beyond the obvious of fishing mangroves during high water? Will contact the park for planning purposes today

bigfinn35

My group has decided we're going to reserve some sites on Rabbit Key for 12/19-12/21 and launch from Chokoloskee