Hey guys, does anyone have some info on what to expect for a mid-april trip to Big Pine Key? Going to be a mix of inshore, offshore and diving. We want to fill our coolers but get some tarpon pics too. Any tips?
big pine got wacked by the hurricane. the lodge was almost wiped out. i hope you have a place to stay.
Gene Morrison
Military Appreciation Day, Inc
Charleston Chapter Pres.
We’ve got a place booked. It either made it through the storm or they feel confident it’ll be in order when we get back.
We’re trying to decide if we want to book a charter for the beginning of the trip and use the knowledge from that for the rest of the trip or if we’re decent enough fisherman (we are decent) to find the fish ourselves. I don’t want to be on day 3 with nothing but barracuda on the hook and can’t get a clue but I’d also like to save that money for something else.
Tarpon bite should be decent, grouper season won’t be in yet, dolphin bite should be getting started, Blackfins should be good at the humps.
Most important thing, is to make sure you can catch live bait (Pilchards, ballyhoo). If fishing is slow, you can always head out to 70-90’ and fish for YellowTails. Good luck, we’ll be heading back down to Islamorada towards the end of May.
One option is to hire a captain to go with you for one day to show you some spots and how to fish them. It shortens the learning curve for sure. Give Harlan Trammell with American Allegience charters a call at (305) 394-7400#8236;.
There are a ton of good spots to shoot fish on the reef. You’ll be a bit early for grouper but plenty of other stuff out there. Good time of year to find the bigger dolphin coming through.
Fishing will be easy as long as the weather lets you get to them. C&H stubby bubblers and rattle jets will catch all the dolphin in the ocean down there or find the birds and catch schoolies until you’re blue in the face on cut bait. Run to Bud and Mary’s and get live crabs to Catch tarpon off the bridges, prime time for that as well. Great time to be down there.
Hope the wind don’t blow you away! Great fishing that time of the year