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Kenyakevin
Posts: 165 Officer
Shark Fishing Florida Keys
Kenyakevin
Posts: 165 Officer
Hi guys,
My 1st trip to Florida Keys (Jan 2015) was reasonably successful.
I caught small Bull sharks, Blacktip sharks, sadly no hammerheads (or Bonnetheads)
The general fishing there impressed me very much, I was staying on Ramrod Key, and also took a charter out of Key West to catch Blackfin Tuna, Yellowtail Snappers, Kingfish ect, also tussled with a big shark that snapped me off, but it was not helped by the fact I was not fishing for sharks and only had a 40lb nylon leader on.
We fished the Cudjoe Key Bridge a lot and lost count of the species we caught, the bites were prolific, although many of the fish were small.
I'm already planning a return trip, but want to do it differently, with targeting specific species there. Hammerhead or large sharks generally, and Goliath Grouper trip, maybe Cubera Snapper and Swordfish trips too.
My 1st question is, best time of year to try for a Hammerhead?
Or best time of year for sharks generally?
Are there skippers there that could help me target 1 or more of my hit list species?
I really enjoyed Ramrod, Big Pine area of the Keys and prefer to stay again in this region rather than Key West (it's only a short drive there anyway)
Ideally I'd like to book 2 or 3 charters max, as I will be looking at renting a skiff on my next trip too for around 7 days, something I had planned to do in Jan, but my mate was not keen and this meant I missed out on some better fishing than we had off bridges.
Open to suggestions, tips and links to people or charters I can contact to complete my trip plans for 2016.
Thanks
Kevin
My 1st trip to Florida Keys (Jan 2015) was reasonably successful.
I caught small Bull sharks, Blacktip sharks, sadly no hammerheads (or Bonnetheads)
The general fishing there impressed me very much, I was staying on Ramrod Key, and also took a charter out of Key West to catch Blackfin Tuna, Yellowtail Snappers, Kingfish ect, also tussled with a big shark that snapped me off, but it was not helped by the fact I was not fishing for sharks and only had a 40lb nylon leader on.
We fished the Cudjoe Key Bridge a lot and lost count of the species we caught, the bites were prolific, although many of the fish were small.
I'm already planning a return trip, but want to do it differently, with targeting specific species there. Hammerhead or large sharks generally, and Goliath Grouper trip, maybe Cubera Snapper and Swordfish trips too.
My 1st question is, best time of year to try for a Hammerhead?
Or best time of year for sharks generally?
Are there skippers there that could help me target 1 or more of my hit list species?
I really enjoyed Ramrod, Big Pine area of the Keys and prefer to stay again in this region rather than Key West (it's only a short drive there anyway)
Ideally I'd like to book 2 or 3 charters max, as I will be looking at renting a skiff on my next trip too for around 7 days, something I had planned to do in Jan, but my mate was not keen and this meant I missed out on some better fishing than we had off bridges.
Open to suggestions, tips and links to people or charters I can contact to complete my trip plans for 2016.
Thanks
Kevin
Catch and release some fish
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
Replies
I'm aware of Piner, he was going to be contacted last trip, but as my mate had different views about hiring a Skiff or Centre Console, where in the end we didn't do either, there wasn't much point.
My plan next trip is to AGREE prior to trip with whoever comes with me what our plans are.
Then obviously budget accordingly, and save hard.
This is how I plan it next time......
Right time of year.
Stay in the best location for target species.
Hire a Skiff or Centre Console for 7/10 days.
Hire a skipper for first 2 days of boat hire.
Book 2 or 3 charters for the end of my vacation, so last 4 days. (I could do this in my first 4 days there also)
I'm aware this will mean an expensive trip, and more so with tips added.
I live in UK and have had an interest in Sharks for many years, especially the Hammerhead which just fascinates me. I have a personal bucket list of fish I would like to catch, and although I'm reaching 53 this year, I'm fit and able to catch big fish still. This also goes with my desire for a Goliath Grouper.
I'm aware that Florida guys are generally uninterested in catching these, but hopefully that means more chances for me
It's just a one off catch for me, and I'm likely to not want to do it again afterwards. Especially after how hard it is based on what my mates tell me who have caught these there.
I will look up these bridges you mention in above post and research accommodation in that area if needs be.
Does this need to be during your annual Tarpon run though?
Although I am aware there are Tarpon resident all year in smaller numbers.
These bridges look best served from Big Pine Key
This would suit me fine
Off to research boat hire and charters in that region.
Thanks
Kevin
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
To attract the Hammerhead we used mackeral as chum. I don't know if sharks especially like Mackeral but it sure attracts them.
This is to tick off my big Marlin of 500lb+ hopefully, I've had a few 190lb to 220lb.
They have had several there in recent months well over 1000lb.
A good chance to get my Tiger Shark there too, and maybe other species such as Amberjack to 100lb and some good Groupers, although not of the Goliath Grouper size.
Florida Keys
Boat hire, proving harder than I thought, as I am not an experienced boater.
I'm solving this by completing a Power Boat Level 2 course here in the UK and doing a Radio course during the same time.
I've had it made clear to me that some places will NOT hire boats out without experience.
I may stay at Marathon Key now and hire boat there too.
Sombrero Beach area.
Accommodation rates are quite steep and Jan seems highly booked up, this would of been my preferred date again, but it's not essential, I'm self employed.
I will research March and April dates too.
Is this the Tarpon run time?
A nice Tarpon would be a bonus
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
http://southfloridasharkclub.com/
This sounds interesting
Might need to save harder, I was catching Blackfin Tuna out of Key West in Jan, near some sunken submarine well offshore using live pilchards.
Great fun
But those Kingfish were hard work to get in using nylon leaders, and they were not keen on a wire leader, neither were the Blackfin, but we still caught some of those.
I dropped a live pilchard down for a Amberjack, got hit and within 3 turns of the reel this Amberjack was hit by a big Shark, which I had on for about 10 min before being bit off.
It was exciting though.
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
Saved to favourites to read through tomorrow.
Thanks
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
I felt very unhappy back in Jan when my mate didn't want a boat option.
It's obvious the better fishing is going to be from boats to get to those better spots.
Got interest from my usual fishing groups on FB now too, don't think it will be a problem getting a like minded fishing buddy for the trip.
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
Would I be better visiting Boco Grande region for my charters?
Or will I get similar chances at most species from say Marathon Key?
Tarpon, Hammerhead, Goliath Grouper, sharks generally, Cubera Snapper?
Are these species plentiful in this region, because Internet swings more to Boco Grande region for the better fishing from the search results coming up so far.
Be interested In your thoughts if you've fished both regions.
Thx
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
I know the Upper Keys best myself. I have had a few days of adventures in the Boca Grande area. During the June Tarpon run there I tried to catch a Tarpon but had to be content to watch other boats catch them. My motor wasn't idling very well and folks complained that I wasn't getting out of the way fast enough as they are fighting those Tarpon so I left. Offshore in the Gulf in some depth over 40 feet I watched my buddy catch and release a nice Goliath.
I loved the Keys in Jan, definitely see myself becoming a regular there, but Chew On This charter sounds good and comes highly recommended by my mate who used them for his Goliaith Grouper trip, they do twin days too, targeting 2 seperate species. That really appeals.
But it's a long way from Marathon Key and a couple of days there prior to coming to Marathon Key sounds like hard work, but potentially good too.
Having checked mileage and travel time driving, it's not too bad
Just over 300 miles and just over 5 hours. Half the time of a busy day for me.
I'm a chauffeur here in the UK doing 500+ miles several times a week when busy.
Boco Grande to Marathon Key
Just need to time it for off peak traffic.
More to think about, oh dear
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.
There also is a fast? boat from Fort Myers to Key West, which is a more direct route than driving. 3.5 hours and as low as 119 round trip. ferryservicestokeywest.com
wrecks anything, anytime u don't know what you might get once you drop on it.
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IMO, Piner wahoo was pretty accurate in his species/time of year assessment. Of course, there can be plenty of overlap, according to weather conditions and what kind of Winter it has been in general that year.
I've also chatted to my mate on his quest last Nov and decided to partly follow in his footsteps, but target some different species too.
1 week in Boco Grande hopefully with Chew On This charter for
1 day Tarpon/Goliath
1 day Hammerheads/sharks (hopefully Bull sharks too)
Maybe a 3rd charter (not yet decided who with) for either Cubera Snapper, Redfish, Snook ect.
Some self guiding shore/beach/pier/bridge fishing.
Drive to Marathon Key......
2nd week
Charter a Centre Console, hire Piner 1st day hopefully, maybe a 2nd day.
And explore the fishing around the Bahia and Seven mile bridges.
If I can convince whoever comes with me, 1 day charter too.
Appreaciate all your replies and I started getting my $'s yesterday
There are anglers tomorrow who want to catch too
Just because there is a upper limit, doesn't mean you keep it all.