Sunshine key Jan. Feb. March

[Hobo2]

Has anyone taken a boat to keys for winter and did you get offshore much? How was the winter fishing? We're you trolling or bottom fishing. Did you use electric reels for deep dropping?

[JoeH]

It really depends on what kind of boat you have and how the wind is. There have been times when it would blow for days making it uncomfortable/unsafe to be out in a small boat. Other times, you can take a dink out past the reefs on flat water. Just depends. If the ocean side is rough, poke around on the bayside. Looks like you'll be there for 3 months, so I'd say go for it and take the boat-- you will definitely have some good days

[NanciL]

We winter in the Florida Keys.
For what it is worth; the Keys are probably the best place on the east coast for fishing.
You can troll or bottom fish and you'll fill your boat.

With that said, if you have never been there before with a boat, make sure you know the waters or pay attention to the charts.
On the Florida Bay side when the tides are low, you can be five miles off shore and go aground.
On the Atlantic side make sure you stay in a channel until the markers end in deeper water.

The biggest problem last winter were the many days with 15 to 20 MPH winds that called for small craft warnings.

Jack L

[dockmasterdave]

What is winter? we had 2 cool days last year.