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Thread: Key West

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Des Moines, IA
    Posts
    1,484

    Default Key West

    My wife told me she was tired of all this snow and cold, so we are flying to Key West the end of this month. We will be staying at the Naval Air Station. So I am trying to decide if I should take a fly rod with me. So I have some questions.

    1. Is the water warm enough this time of year to wet wade?

    2. What type of fish can I expect to catch?

    I have a 4 pc 8wt rod that I could take. I have Ross C4 reel with RIO Clouser 8wt wf floating line. Since I don't have acess to hooks for the salt, I would most likely buy a few flys when I get there as opposed to tying some up ahead of time.

    Dave
    " If a man is truly blessed, he returns home from fishing to the best catch of his life." Christopher Armour

  2. #2

    Default

    As I recall there is an Orvis shop in Key West, and I remember something about fishing under the lights at night. How about some help here folks?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Broussard, Louisiana
    Posts
    613

    Default

    Orvis shop is by the Weston hotel. They can give you info on fishing possibilities without a guide. Remember this is a coral key, not a sandy key. Wading is best done up at Marathon or Duck Key.
    Water temp is currently in the 60s, surface temp in the 70s.
    Guided trips are always available for about $600.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    St. Paul, MN, USA
    Posts
    240

    Default

    Dave,

    You're from Iowa, it's winter and close to zero. Hell yea you can wet wade. It'll feel great to you. The locals on the other hand??? I remember my first winter living in South Florida. I was outside in a pair of shorts, a lady walks by with her kids and they were wearing winter coats (like we have here inMinnesota) and stocking hats. I just looked and laughed.

    As far as fishing goes, I was in grad school at the time. Didn't do any fishing, but had a few research cruises that went in and out of Key West. If I remember correctly there might have been a trip or two to the local bars

    Kevin

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Des Moines, IA
    Posts
    1,484

    Default

    Thanks for the info. I'll check with the Orvis Shop. $600 for a guided trip is not within my budget, but maybe some night fishing under the lights might wiork.
    " If a man is truly blessed, he returns home from fishing to the best catch of his life." Christopher Armour

  6. #6

    Default

    So I am trying to decide if I should take a fly rod with me. So I have some questions.

    1. Is the water warm enough this time of year to wet wade?

    2. What type of fish can I expect to catch?

    I have a 4 pc 8wt rod that I could take. I have Ross C4 reel with RIO Clouser 8wt wf floating line. Since I don't have acess to hooks for the salt, I would most likely buy a few flys when I get there as opposed to tying some up ahead of time.

    Dave[/QUOTE]

    YES...take your rod...the 8wt is perfect and so is floating line...get a couple clousers and a couple bonefish flies...ask for local favorites at the shop...all flats have bones at some point plus many fish at bridges both day and especially at night...you will need wading shoes if wading, which is something I recommend if not guided...

    you can expect baby tarpon and snook under the lights you should get jacks in the day and cuda...bones if lucky
    Last edited by bonefishwhisperer; 02-07-2010 at 11:45 AM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Des Moines, IA
    Posts
    1,484

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bonefishwhisperer View Post
    So I am trying to decide if I should take a fly rod with me. So I have some questions.

    1. Is the water warm enough this time of year to wet wade?

    2. What type of fish can I expect to catch?

    I have a 4 pc 8wt rod that I could take. I have Ross C4 reel with RIO Clouser 8wt wf floating line. Since I don't have acess to hooks for the salt, I would most likely buy a few flys when I get there as opposed to tying some up ahead of time.

    Dave
    YES...take your rod...the 8wt is perfect and so is floating line...get a couple clousers and a couple bonefish flies...ask for local favorites at the shop...all flats have bones at some point plus many fish at bridges both day and especially at night...you will need wading shoes if wading, which is something I recommend if not guided...

    you can expect baby tarpon and snook under the lights you should get jacks in the day and cuda...bones if lucky[/QUOTE]

    Can I get buy with a pair of flats boots instead of wading shoes?
    " If a man is truly blessed, he returns home from fishing to the best catch of his life." Christopher Armour

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