Last week, DW and I made our annual trek to the Florida Keys for some kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and general relaxation. I want to make sure the photos post ok before doing a full on report, so please check back once I get this posted and hopefully there'll be something worth your time.
We drove for 2 days and arrived at Long Key State Park to set up shop for the week:
The weather was great! Warm but not hot and sustained 20 mph winds to keep the bugs at bay. We settled in the next morning since after arriving right at sunset, we just wanted to relax and enjoy the water and beach before tucking in.
The Bonefish Express looks right at home on the white, carbonate sand.
We set out the chairs, rug, and all the other goodies and proceeded to enjoy all the Keys have to offer.
There were nice beaches to walk on right outside our door:
And for me that meant a chance to stalk some bonefish, barracuda, or even tarpon and permit, should one venture onto the flats.
The stooges kept an eye on the truck for us while we were out:
Some of the locals looked a bit shifty, like this crab that was the size of both my hands put together:
We went for a paddle in the mangroves and I cast some deceivers at the snook and cudas, but didn't interest any in eating until I switched to the good ol' Clouser minnow in chartreuse over white. Then I caught some small cudas and snappers like this. Nothing huge, but lots of fun.
Of course during this time, I managed to soak my iPhone in the briny deep and lose all the photos I had taken up till now. The ones I have here are off another camera (waterproof) and unfortunately don't include the fantastic trips we took to the Sea Turtle Hospital in Marathon, the Wild bird Center in Key Largo, or Crane Point. But all is not lost. Because with my mighty waterproof camera in hand, DW and I went snorkeling in the Oceanside flats and visited with our aquatic neighbors.
Sadly, our week was up before we knew it and we were on our way back to Tejas. But not before a stop in the Everglades to visit the Skunk Ape Research center to stock up on t-shirts, magnets, and hot sauce for friends and family.
No skunk ape in sight, but we did check out these honest to goodness, 100% not faked at all, authentic and real footprint casts that were set out among the knick-knacks. Totally convincing!!!
As you can imagine, there are tons more photos and lots more that I could say, but I think this gives a reasonable and not too excruciatingly boring summary of the week. If you've ever been to Long Key, you know how great a place it is. If not, check it out some time. The bonefish weren't eating this year, but they were last! And hopefully they'll be hungry next spring too.
Thanks for reading this far, if you've made it!
We drove for 2 days and arrived at Long Key State Park to set up shop for the week:
The weather was great! Warm but not hot and sustained 20 mph winds to keep the bugs at bay. We settled in the next morning since after arriving right at sunset, we just wanted to relax and enjoy the water and beach before tucking in.
The Bonefish Express looks right at home on the white, carbonate sand.
We set out the chairs, rug, and all the other goodies and proceeded to enjoy all the Keys have to offer.
There were nice beaches to walk on right outside our door:
And for me that meant a chance to stalk some bonefish, barracuda, or even tarpon and permit, should one venture onto the flats.
The stooges kept an eye on the truck for us while we were out:
Some of the locals looked a bit shifty, like this crab that was the size of both my hands put together:
We went for a paddle in the mangroves and I cast some deceivers at the snook and cudas, but didn't interest any in eating until I switched to the good ol' Clouser minnow in chartreuse over white. Then I caught some small cudas and snappers like this. Nothing huge, but lots of fun.
Of course during this time, I managed to soak my iPhone in the briny deep and lose all the photos I had taken up till now. The ones I have here are off another camera (waterproof) and unfortunately don't include the fantastic trips we took to the Sea Turtle Hospital in Marathon, the Wild bird Center in Key Largo, or Crane Point. But all is not lost. Because with my mighty waterproof camera in hand, DW and I went snorkeling in the Oceanside flats and visited with our aquatic neighbors.
Sadly, our week was up before we knew it and we were on our way back to Tejas. But not before a stop in the Everglades to visit the Skunk Ape Research center to stock up on t-shirts, magnets, and hot sauce for friends and family.
No skunk ape in sight, but we did check out these honest to goodness, 100% not faked at all, authentic and real footprint casts that were set out among the knick-knacks. Totally convincing!!!
As you can imagine, there are tons more photos and lots more that I could say, but I think this gives a reasonable and not too excruciatingly boring summary of the week. If you've ever been to Long Key, you know how great a place it is. If not, check it out some time. The bonefish weren't eating this year, but they were last! And hopefully they'll be hungry next spring too.
Thanks for reading this far, if you've made it!
Nice bone! Yes, we make reservations ahead of time since sites fill up quick and it's hard to just show up and get one. Last year, we saw several bonefish each day in front of the campground and along the mangroves to the east. Even fed a couple:
The wind never let up once this year though. Even the poling skiffs were nowhere to be seen. Usually there's at least a couple staked out for tarpon or actively looking for bones. Still great to be out on the flats though. Saw a ton of lobsters while out snorkeling.
The wind never let up once this year though. Even the poling skiffs were nowhere to be seen. Usually there's at least a couple staked out for tarpon or actively looking for bones. Still great to be out on the flats though. Saw a ton of lobsters while out snorkeling.
Nice report, thanks for sharing! I have always wanted to seek the bones down in that area as I have heard they run pretty big.
I had the opportunity to fish for them in Christmas Island (aka Kiribati, 900 miles south of Hawaii) and had a blast. They are one of the most interesting fish in terms of their fight and speed. Here is a shot of one of the little buggers from there:
We had pretty strong winds there and had a guide for the first day. He would say, "Cast 30 yards at 2 O'Clock" and I was amazed how well that he could see them in the water while myself and my buddy were both fishing blind for them. I had polarized sunglasses but I was there for a couple weeks and never was able to see them, is there a trick?
I am headed to Florida next month for my fishing trip there and I am looking forward to it. Do these camping spots on the Keys accept online registrations, then?
Cheers,
Mike
I had the opportunity to fish for them in Christmas Island (aka Kiribati, 900 miles south of Hawaii) and had a blast. They are one of the most interesting fish in terms of their fight and speed. Here is a shot of one of the little buggers from there:
We had pretty strong winds there and had a guide for the first day. He would say, "Cast 30 yards at 2 O'Clock" and I was amazed how well that he could see them in the water while myself and my buddy were both fishing blind for them. I had polarized sunglasses but I was there for a couple weeks and never was able to see them, is there a trick?
I am headed to Florida next month for my fishing trip there and I am looking forward to it. Do these camping spots on the Keys accept online registrations, then?
Cheers,
Mike
