Keys/S Florida mid April...

tod osier

tod osier

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Last minute trip planning going on, we just decided to make a run to FL for spring break and I'm behind on planning. I haven't been very far South in FL and not for a long time, we are thinking out the keys for a couple days, few days in the everglades, will have camper in tow. Any thoughts suggestions? I'm thinking of a charter for something kid-friendly and fun for a day would be neat (air boat or fishing). Mostly we are just checking things out. Thoughts?

T
 
Buddy of mine goes from CT to KW every year at this time, they are down there now. They drove their Tesla, cost them about $40 in electricity!

Anyway, they love it this time of year but I don't think they have ever gone down in spring/summer.
You might want to start calling campgrounds to see if they even have any vacancies during April. Between snow bird season ending & spring break & summer season starting, you never know.
Snorkeling and a trip to catch grouper & yellowtail snapper would be high on my list. Permit and Tarpon are great to catch, but grouper & yellowtail are tasty!
 
We stayed at Hawks Cay on Duck Key the year before the storm and it has been redone since, it was amazing then, I can't wait to see it since the resto. We were there in Feb and it was gorgeous. Chartered a boat one day and buzzed all over. Caught probably 15 different species and had a great time.
If you want to go cheaper, closer and cooler, check out this place on the west coast in Englewood (Manisota Key)we've been 4 times and can't wait to go back. TONS to do and a very old Florida cool area.
http://wannabinn.com
 
Snook and redfish, baby! Lots of guides in Chokoloskee or Everglades City.

I've never fished with him, but I have watched him with clients on landlocked salmon here in Maine and many friends of mine have fished in Maine or Florida with Dan Legere. Never heard a bad report, and he's an awful nice guy. Just won the Maine Legendary Guide Award. More here: https://maineguideflyshop.com/guide-services-florida/

Paddling the backcountry could be good, too.
 
Tod, there's a KOA and also a state park you can bring campers to. They aren't in Key West, but you could drop the camper and make a day drip out of it. As far as the fishing goes..... you could take the kids out on one of the head boats for a day trip or night trip. They would enjoy it I'm sure. Hope that helps.
 
Paul Mc said:
We stayed at Hawks Cay on Duck Key the year before the storm and it has been redone since, it was amazing then, I can't wait to see it since the resto. We were there in Feb and it was gorgeous. Chartered a boat one day and buzzed all over. Caught probably 15 different species and had a great time.
If you want to go cheaper, closer and cooler, check out this place on the west coast in Englewood (Manisota Key)we've been 4 times and can't wait to go back. TONS to do and a very old Florida cool area.
http://wannabinn.com
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Seconded on the Englewood area, I grew up fishing down there and it is second to none. If you go that route Eldreds marina allows camping if you are self contained, also there are flats and offshore charters available that leave from there. From there down towards everglades city is about as old Florida as it gets.
 
Tod,

On your way south make a stop at Homosassa Spring State Park and see wild manatees: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ellie-schiller-homosassa-springs-wildlife-state-park

Tom
 
Tod, it's been years since I have been down to the Keys so I don't have much to offer other than there are a number of state parks. They fill up FAST though. My gramma went down there one year and had to make a reservation a year in advance. Perhaps the time of year or maybe it is like that year round. So I would keep that in mind. Pennekamp (sp?) was really neat. I enjoyed Big Pine Key and getting to see the Key Deer. I think that Robbies rebuilt after Irma went through and that's where you could feed tarpon from the dock.

good luck and enjoy if you end up going

Dani
 
OH and if it's gonna be mid April......that is leatherback nesting season....not quite the peak, but there should be a good chance for you to see one on the beach early one morning

Juno Beach is a really high usage area for leatherbacks....if you are interested in that I can give you more info....
 
Carl said:
Buddy of mine goes from CT to KW every year at this time, they are down there now. They drove their Tesla, cost them about $40 in electricity!

Anyway, they love it this time of year but I don't think they have ever gone down in spring/summer.
You might want to start calling campgrounds to see if they even have any vacancies during April. Between snow bird season ending & spring break & summer season starting, you never know.
Snorkeling and a trip to catch grouper & yellowtail snapper would be high on my list. Permit and Tarpon are great to catch, but grouper & yellowtail are tasty!
Click to expand...

Yeah, we could have started earlier, but we had an opening that we could make work. All the state campgrounds are full on the keys for that time, but there is good availability for private places to stay (lots of availability in the everglades). Realistically it will be just a couple three days in the keys and a couple three in the everglades plus transit time. Lots of decent looking fishing, just have to narrow down our needs there. we are looking to lock just a thing or two in now and that will set the schedule. Gus and Jen and planning some snorkeling, too.
 
The private campgrounds we have stayed at were quite a shock compared to our state parks here in AL.
The last place we stayed at in FL, the spots were so crammed in, you could almost touch the camper next to you. 5-10' between campers, max.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Snook and redfish, baby! Lots of guides in Chokoloskee or Everglades City.

I've never fished with him, but I have watched him with clients on landlocked salmon here in Maine and many friends of mine have fished in Maine or Florida with Dan Legere. Never heard a bad report, and he's an awful nice guy. Just won the Maine Legendary Guide Award. More here: https://maineguideflyshop.com/guide-services-florida/

Paddling the backcountry could be good, too.
Click to expand...

That looks great, I was thinking of a backcountry fishing experience like that. I'll check out his dates and if he can accommodate the three of us. We were thinking of bringing the canoe, haven't checked the details out yet other than to discover that there is no open season on manatees.
 
Paul Mc said:
We stayed at Hawks Cay on Duck Key the year before the storm and it has been redone since, it was amazing then, I can't wait to see it since the resto. We were there in Feb and it was gorgeous. Chartered a boat one day and buzzed all over. Caught probably 15 different species and had a great time.
If you want to go cheaper, closer and cooler, check out this place on the west coast in Englewood (Manisota Key)we've been 4 times and can't wait to go back. TONS to do and a very old Florida cool area.
http://wannabinn.com
Click to expand...

I'll check it out. Thanks.
 
Jeffrey Nelson said:
Tod, there's a KOA and also a state park you can bring campers to. They aren't in Key West, but you could drop the camper and make a day drip out of it. As far as the fishing goes..... you could take the kids out on one of the head boats for a day trip or night trip. They would enjoy it I'm sure. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Jen is working through campgrounds, at least one of the KOAs is closed due to hurricane damage. It seems like there is decent availability, otherwise, though.

Gus or Jen have never fished on a head boat, Gus would enjoy the atmosphere on a good one.
 
Dani said:
Tod, it's been years since I have been down to the Keys so I don't have much to offer other than there are a number of state parks. They fill up FAST though. My gramma went down there one year and had to make a reservation a year in advance. Perhaps the time of year or maybe it is like that year round. So I would keep that in mind. Pennekamp (sp?) was really neat. I enjoyed Big Pine Key and getting to see the Key Deer. I think that Robbies rebuilt after Irma went through and that's where you could feed tarpon from the dock.

good luck and enjoy if you end up going

Dani
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All the state parks are full, so you were right on there! :). We are planning on looking for Key Deer. Robbie's dock is rebuilt and we are planning a stop for sure. will check out Pennekamp.

I had checked on turtles and eliminated it due to dates giving it a quick read, but that is GREAT to hear that I should look again more carefully, that would be super cool to be able to add that. This will be travelling faster than we are used to, but we need to do what we can.
 
Carl said:
The private campgrounds we have stayed at were quite a shock compared to our state parks here in AL.
The last place we stayed at in FL, the spots were so crammed in, you could almost touch the camper next to you. 5-10' between campers, max.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, google earth is a friend there. We can deal for a couple days, not ideal, but what can you do.
 
tod osier said:
We were thinking of bringing the canoe
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I went canoe camping in the Everglades almost 20 years ago. It was an absolute unique experience camping on the chickee platforms. Probably the coolest thing was watching a pod of dolphins chasing a small school of fish up through the mangroves. I have some pictures but they were shot on film and are in an actual photo album somewhere. If you do it, make sure you are ready to be in the tent and stay in the tent as soon as it gets dark...the mosquitoes will carry you away. As many times as I have heard people gripe about blackflies, this was something to behold!

Chuck

PS we failed to fill our manatee tag
 
Tod, If you get a chance to fish/explore the flats by all means check it out. The number and different species of marine life is incredible. And you're right on top of them up close and personal in clear water about 3-4' deep. I went out of Islamorada. The Bass Pro Shop there is fun to stroll through and there are plenty of 1/2 day or full day charters. Enjoy your trip.
 
I stayed at the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge last year with my family. We pitched our tent but most used campers. The campground is clean and we would go again. Key deer were wandering around the campground every day. Big Pine Key Boat Rentals has some boats right there and she has some down the road a bit as well. We rented a small CC and ran offshore to the Looe Key reef for some snorkeling and hit some inshore patch reefs as well. A lot more fun having your own boat and doing your own thing.
 
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Eric Baisch said:
I stayed at the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge last year with my family. We pitched our tent but most used campers. The campground is clean and we would go again. Key deer were wandering around the campground every day. Big Pine Key Boat Rentals has some boats right there and she has some down the road a bit as well. We rented a small CC and ran offshore to the Looe Key reef for some snorkeling and hit some inshore patch reefs as well. A lot more fun having your own boat and doing your own thing.
Click to expand...

We hadn't considered that idea. Thanks. That looks awesome. I spent some time this morning and that is very reasonable and very much our style. Really appreciate it idea. THANKS!
 
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