Going to the keys in the spring. Whats running down there then? Would like to go after some marlin or other big trophy fish.

You didn't mention which key you will be visiting in the spring but I would highly recommend Islamorada, the fishing capital of the world. It really doesn't matter which key its just great to go fishing. Dolphin, Sailfish, Marlin, Kingfish & Wahoo, or anchor just off the reefs for bottom huggers such as Grouper and Snapper. You may want to hire a boat & a Captain to take you where the fish are bitting or you can just rent a boat & go out on your own. They all have rentals for half or full day excursions. Most of the boats are okay but if you don't know ask some of our locals & I'm sure they will recommend a couple to ya. Or you can get the local paper & see for yourself which one fits the bill. Ask the clerk or the owner at the hotel who they might recommend, always pretty good with there recommendations. When you are dinning out look for some fishermen in the establishment & ash them, thet will know. Hope this helps & enjoy the trip & the fishing. :)

I had not given where exactly to go any thought. I was just planning on going to Key West and fishing there. You make a strong case for Islamorada though. I figured finding a boat would not be a problem. Thank you Ron that sounds like good advice!

there's good fishing all over the keys. we went out from key west for the whole day charters on the gulf and from isla when we went in the flats. but its all good.

Well it is almost time. Thanks for the advice now I have got to pull in the BIG fish! I doubt I'll do any freshwater fishing while I am down there though. There is enough of that up here! Looking forward to the bottom fishing though. I'll let you know how I do.

If you fish off of Key West call the Key West Fishing Club out of Garrison Bight. They are some of the best Captains around.

The best place to go for fishing information and guides, etc. on the island is the Saltwater Angler. Great store. Great guides. They know everything. The owner, Jeff Cardenas, is very cool. Their phone numer is 305-294-3248. They are located down on the docks by the Hilton... just off Front Street.

I agree with Toni. I buy a lot of clothes in this shop. The store is located at the back of the Hilton, where you check-in, right on the Hilton Marina boardwalk. If you pass the little Ice Cream shop, its right to left, if you are walking up the sidewalk path. Great reply Toni! :D

Jeff is a very nice guy and if you are into fly fishing that would be a place to look. They have some great salt water flys which look more like an art project then a piece of tackle. lol! They do have some other fishing guides that can do light tackle and some off shore but they are great for fly fishing.

Gary, to answer your first post marlin is usually caught in late all and early summer but sailfish are best in April and May and they are always a good fight. Tarpon and tuna are also good this time of year. Have fun!

Thanks grglnswsh! I'm hoping for the marlin then! But sailfish would be just fine.

What's this I hear about some "black water" near the Keys? I just caught a snippet of something about it on the news and haven't heard anything else. Does anyone know anything about that?

I have not heard much. If you go to Keysnews.com and look at Wednesdays paper, there is a front page article about it.

Man now I see news about it everywhere. I just hope the "black water" doesnt move to the Keys before I get down there. I don't need any bad mojo when I'm down there!

There's an amazing picture on a NASA website that shows the extent of the black water over the past several months. The good news is that it appears to be breaking up into several smaller pockets... the water appears to have normal salinity and oxygen levels, but it does cause the fish to leave the area of black water... with any luck it'll disappear and fade into Keys folklore...

To see the whole series, click here.

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Well, the Florida Marine Research Institute is reporting that the "black water" is caused by a cousin of red tide. By all accounts it appears to be a natural phenomenon unrelated to pollution and, it seems to be non-toxic.

Read a report on it here.