Keys vaca

[Goose]

I'm guestamating this jack is about#10, 'tore her up' . we went out on the Seadog for $65 an angler. IMO this is for the person who doesnt fish. IMO Party charter boats down there are a business geared for people who don't fish. Cheap rusty terminal tackle and rod/reels. After the first fish was landed one of the crew members said that the treble hook broke and that it was the only one onboard. WTF!! During another fight the reel seat broke off the rod, guy had reel in one hand rod in the other. He was told to do his best gripping the reel against the rod. There where large schools of big jacks around the boat and not a lure on board!... shame on me too but I was told we'd do bottom fishing and no bottom fish to be found but a few grunts. On the way out they had me convinced we'd catch big grouper. If you go bring good tackle!! The captain was totally hacking the fillet job, Im not the greatest either but I had to get in there and cut my own.

[Goose]

Our resort had all the commendations of a more expensive place. As a return customer you get better rates and January was also the low season.

[Goose]

I had a blast never knowing what would come up next. If anyone wants a few tips as to what bridge's or how I fished them shoot me a pm. The snappers where bigger then what most of the locals where catching because I ran into a great fisherman at a tackle shop on day one and she spilled her gutts to me, except what bridges...I found those which was half the fun. I'll try and do what DZ did next year, plenty of tarpon at the keys.

[BEETLE]

[Finaddict]

Those are some nice grey snapper ... although the jacks are rather oily ... the bigger ones are awesome on poppers, flies, live bait ... we used to find them daisy chaining similar to tarpon, although they were not in single file, more like a vortex of them ... and throw a fly or plug near them and they'd go crazy ...

As for the Sea Dog ... that's too bad ... there are so many great charter captains that will steer you straight and give you a great experience in the Keys, but unfortunately you got one of the bad ones ...

...like you said, you would have been better off renting a boat and doing it yourself ... catch some grunts and other small fish off the reef or go to a nearby marker with a sabiki rig, load up and then drift them live by the drop off, over a wreck, never know what you will catch and can be fun and exciting, or chum up some nice yellow tail around the reef, wreck, patch reef, drop off ... drift back some bait and you can be into some great fun and eating ...

... the other option, which is more costly is to hire a good guide but your memories are better ... some boats will split fares for $175 for a half day ... but if you were able to do that well from the bridges, you could manage some great fishing on your own with a boat ...

[Fly Rod]

Glad U had a great time in Marathon...been going there the last 5 years....I basically target the yellowtail snappers when fishing on the Marathon Lady...this boat has great mates....anyone that knows something about fishing would not use their rods they R heavy for big game fishing... I compare their fishing rigs like using the gear in Maine smelt fishing.. always bring my own spinning tackle...next door to this place U can if U want have your catch cooked for about 8 bucks w/fries & coleslaw.

Goose, I'm sure U hit the Sunset Grille for happy hour and great sunsets...there is Lazy Days too for food & sunsets...on chilly rainy days there is Castaways its in doors drinks and food is reasonable...those of U that like burgers Burdines is the place on good days..its open air dinning on the waterway....If ya love italian Franks is the place, need to make reservations one to two days ahead.

Anyone ever looking for a half day trip on the Marathon Lady U need to book the stern four days in advance to be gaurranteed or U will be on the side....cost 45 bucks for half day...I buy a booklet of 12 for 37 bucks a trip.
http://www.fishfloridakeys.com/marathonlady/

[Clammer]

i JUST CHECKED MY TIME SHARE ....... THEY HAVE 4 PLACES IN mARATHON ........... I used a 3 month time frame & came back .......... with a Zero ...........