Any QJers have info on paddling (canoe or kayaks) in the Florida Keys?
Perhaps flpaddler will weigh in on this.

I will be down in Key West in early March. Would also welcome any info on rentals.

I have found some info on the many national and state parks and wildlife areas.

Thanks in advance...

The Beaver 8)

Throw a post up on paddling.net

I would venture you get a lot of responses in a short time.

wrote on Jan 10^th, 2006 at 8:11pm:

Any QJers have info on paddling (canoe or kayaks) in the Florida Keys? Perhaps flpaddler will weigh in on this. I will be down in Key West in early March. Would also welcome any info on rentals. I have found some info on the many national and state parks and wildlife areas. Thanks in advance... The Beaver 8)

Hey Beaver,
Florida Bay would be my recommendation it separates the Keys from mainland Florida. If you can swing an over nighter try Rabbit Key somewhat of a long paddle over open water but worth the trip. Here is a   (You need to Login or Registerto an outfitter that can answer your questions concerning rentals and other must see places.

flp

Contact Dave at Key West Kayak Fishing. Spending a half day with him will educate you enough to venture on your own. He offers eco tours/fishing and can really put you in some nice paddeling.
Bahia Honda S.P. at mile marker 35 has sit on top kayaks for rent, real nice paddle around the island for a day trip. Also has the best beach in the keys.
How long are you there? Fishing?
                               Jeff

Thanks to all who posted.
I booked a flats backcountry fishing charter with Capt. Steve Lamp. He also hooked me up with a kayak/snorkeling trip so I am all set.

The Beaver

I'm now also headed to the Keys for spring break with my wife & 3 kids.  Paddling will be minimal (rented kayak for 1/2 day, not venturing too far), but I'm wondering about fishing.  I don't have the funds to take a family of 5 on a 1/2 day charter (seems like they're ~$300 or more each  :o :-[), but I'm wondering if there are opportunities close to shore (for someone who really doesn't know salt-water fishing at all) if we just rent our own boat for 1/2 day. -- Thoughts??

I'm not looking for big fish, just a little fun.  I.e., what's the ocean version of bluegill?

Quote:

I'm wondering if there are opportunities close to shore (for someone who really doesn't know salt-water fishing at all) if we just rent our own boat for 1/2 day.

Is it ok to give fishing tips for Florida, Old Salt? :-X ;)

Not showing off but there are many places to fish along the bridges on Highway 1 as you head south towards Key West. From Key Largo down to Key West there are 42 bridges. The key to fishing here is knowing when the tides run. No tide=slack water and no fish. But when the tide is high all kinds of fish are accessible from the bridges. You can catch everything from grunts and snappers to permit, tarpon and sharks.

Where are you staying in the keys? I can get you more detailed info if you want.

The Beaver

wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2006 at 4:24pm:

I booked a flats backcountry fishing charter with Capt. Steve Lamp. The Beaver

Beaver, please post a report here or send an IM. I hope you have a great time and am interested in hearing about the fishing.
KF

Quote:

Beaver, please post a report here or send an IM. I hope you have a great time and am interested in hearing about the fishing. KF

Thanks KF...will do on the trip report. Capt. Steve is a guy we use as a guide for our Mercury photoshoots....ex Coast Guard diver and all around good guy. Should be a blast...I will keep you posted.

The Beaver

Here you go Beaver,
Something to wet your appetite, 45 Mins of fishing grossed 6 fish and netted three it's not the Keys but it's just a little North. Everglades National Park last week of Jan. 2006   (You need to Login or Register   (You need to Login or Register.
I hope you enjoy your trip.
flp

Awesome photo! Trout? Looks beautiful and way too much fun.

The Beaver

No... I think thats a man in a yellow yak showing us what appears to be bait.  Just kidding, I'm jealous, you need to stop having fun until the ice melts up here. :'( cedarstripper

Quote:

I'm not looking for big fish, just a little fun.  I.e., what's the ocean version of bluegill?

Hey Mk631,

Check out the latest (March) issue of Saltwater Sportsman. The issue has a ton of fishing stories on the Keys, including bridge fishing. Very informative with lots of "How To" and "Where to Go" features, including maps.

Good Luck.

The Beaver

Thanks - I'll check it out!
-mk

Hey, just got back from the Keys & had a good time.  

This trip was mostly for relaxation, but one of the highlights was a 4 hour kayak trip with the wife & kids.  In calm backwater areas we saw sharks, rays, sea turtle, barracuda, snakes and the ever present huge schools of tiny fish plus some bigger ones;  don't know what kinds any were.

We did go out in the ocean proper to fish and snorkel.  Snorkelling is like swimming in a fish tank with big barracuda. Kids caught colorful fish on a reef that looked like they should be in an aquarium.  Very fun!

-mk

Glad you had fun...I got back from the keys about a month ago. I didn't get to paddle to didn't post a report...but did fish and caught a ton of jacks and snapper and one very large 'cuda...on 8# test and a medium weight spinning rod.

The Beaver