Florida in May Suggestions???

[Keepah]

We have decided to change this years guys get away up north to sunny Florida. We would love to get into tarpon and I guess the last week in may is prime time in many places down there. I have never been on a florida fishing trip before and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions and advice on where to go. We usually rent cabins on the water up north with boat rentals for the week and really enjoy that. I know it is not commonplace down south like it is up north for such fishing lodges but, was wondering if they exist. I would really like to stay somewhere right on a beach with decent to great opportunites right outside the door. I also would like a marina nearby with boat rentals. I am not opposed to staying at a motel on the water but, was looking more at a condo on the beach or beach cottage?? I am also interested in other species such as crevalle jacks, snook and trout. I would appreciate any info, as the sooner I can plan it the cheaper the flights. Also if anyone has a rental of their own feel free to pm me. Thanks in advance.

[DAQ]

Keepah,

I usually go to the Keys in May or June, no matter where you stay you are near water. If you want cabins, the state rents some right in Bahia Honda state park.

The flats right in the park have Bonefish, Permit, Cuda, sharks and Tarpon. There are also several deeper water shore spots where you can catch jacks, Smacks, and grouper as well as several other types of fish.

D

[pkw1689]

Key West & Sanibel are two great places to consider for that time of year -- and I'm sure you'll get many other suggestions. Part of the consideration may be quality & variety of nightlife. KW quite exuberant; Sanibel pretty sedate, in my experience. I can dig out some names of guides, if that would help.

[flyfishsalt]

in the last few years I have been guiding in S.W. Florida for Tarpon in May. I can tell you this, the crowds swell after Memorial Day weekend. The number of Tarpon on the north bound migration is in full swing and there can be periods of time that last 2-3 days between waves of fish but they are around from the middle of March in my area...

[Onshore]

I've had great luck fishing the flats just north of Port Canaveral - Indian River, Banana River, Mosquito Lagoon and Merrit Island Refuge. John Kumiski, formerly from Newburyport, Ma. guides out of Titusville. He has also written a best selling book on fishing for Redfish. Reach him at: www.hotspotfishing.com/ (http://www.hotspotfishing.com/)

Also, check out www.camirl.com/ (http://www.camirl.com/) for more information and reports for that area of east coast Florida.

[bigblue]

I'm also planning to flyfish in Florida in May or June. I'd like to catch a Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Peacock Bass and a Bonefish on the trip. --127-3-

I know that's a big order but that's what I'll aim for. :)

[CMP]

Chokoloskee for fishing. That's the place to be that time of year. Fishing the 10,000 islands is like stepping back in time to a better place and the fishing is fantastic. Stay north in Naples and drive the 45 minutes to fish-there are plently of condos availabel for rent that time of year...

CMP

[soundownsam]

I would second the cabins on the water at Bahia Honda State Park. I have never stayed at the cabins and only camped at the park, however, the cabins look very nice. May should be prime time for tarpon in that area with bonefish and permit also being an otion as well as Dolphin just offshore if the weather is nice.

Try and get reservations now as the park fills up quickly.

Trout and snook oportunities will be better from Choko up through SW Florida.


Sam

[flyaddict]

Look up Dan Malzone, Russ Shirley, and Rick Grassett.
THese guy fish Tarpon hard. THey may already be booked.
THe whole stretch of beach from St. Petersburgh to Clearwater has an awesome fishery. Look at FOrt De Soto Park also. THere are many wadeable, kayak friendly, backcountry and guideable areas around. On my last trip I caught a jack crevalle, snook, spanish mack, ladyfish and sea trout form the beach outside our condo.
Tarpon are there as well. THere are rental in the area.
Tight Lines

[bigblue]

I think I can catch the Peacock Bass in one of those canals in Miami. Am I right about that and can I do it from the shore? I've seen fishing shows on ESPN and OLN that had guys catching them with a fly from shore.

I doubt if I'd try to tackle the Permit on my first visit down there. I definitely think I could get a Tarpon and a Bone fish though. :brow

[RJ]

Check out Florida Magazine for May of 2005, 2004, etc.

If you want inshore action with a taste of off shore try the East Central Coast out of Stewart or West Palm Beach.

There are several guides targeting species for long rodders out of those two towns.

Try Ron Doerr - I think he has "Biteme Charters" out of Stewart.

Twenty pound Fat Alberts, Flack Sails, Dorado and spinner sharks on the fly with max peak inshore activity in May and June!

The Gulf Stream is very close to east central Florida Ports and the chance for monster fish inside its edges is top of the line in May.

I'll be there fo sure!

[bigblue]

RJ: have you ever caught a Tarpon or Bone fish on a fly? Tell us about it! --127-3-

[RJ]

BB - Bonefish in Biscayne Bay just south of Coconut Grove
several times during visits tomy son's place in 2002 and 2003. All on Crazy Charlies while wading the shore line south of a boat launch just down the highway from Coconut Grove. Caught a few ladyfish there too! It is part of a City or State park. Very accessable and excellent firm bottom wading! I used an 8 wt. most of the time and a 10 wt. on windy days.

Tarpon - never have. I had shots on them at the southern tip of Florida where the road stops at Flamingo, FL.in 2002.
Caught snook and ladyfish back in the Everglaedes that were a hoot on that trip!

Monsters rolling and leaping right behind the motel run by the US Park Service.

But never a hook up!

How about you! When and where?

[bigblue]

I haven't tried it yet. :)

[vinnymackeral]

May is awesome fishing in and around sebastion inlet banana river. I caught a 26 lb snook there one day in midmay as well as 20 other species including redfish seatrout grouper snapper jack crevalle ladyfish cuda etc. the guide i used was terry parsons he operates the wabasso tackle shop and always did well by me

[soundownsam]

RJ

Those tarpon rolling behind the hotel in Flamingo could tie any fly you toss at them. It is good casting practice though.

Sam

[vossman]

Look up Ryan Logan with Cheerio Charters in the keys. Went out with him one day and hooked 4 Tarpon, landed 2. Biggest was 120 and smaller was 90. He's a great guys and will put you on fish.

[benmed]

I have been fishing the Sarasota area for Tarpon every May for the last 5 years. The experience is unbelievable. You sit on the boat and watch huge pods of 100+ pound fish cruise by every 5-10 minutes. If you hook one you have a 30-60 minute fight in store (assuming they stay on). Tremendous experience. The whole west coast from Tampa south is good that time of year. Plenty of reasonable motels/hotels on the water with Marina's every few miles. I would recommend CB's on Siesta Key as an outfitter to start (http://www.cbsoutfitters.com/).

[bigblue]

How much would a GOOD charter and motel cost?

[RJ]

BB - Good luck on your May trip! Let us know how you made out!

I hope you catch all the species you hope to!

Merry Christmas

[danny]

big blue, or whoever else is interested... pm me if you're serious about going down there, i guide down there part of the year and i can also recommend some of the best guides in south florida, they are people i grew up with. if you are wanting to catch all of those species on one trip, i would also suggest making absolutely sure you are a great caster, and have the time to put in. it can be done, but it's a tall order. you will also have to drive, since most of those species are found in a somewhat different place than peacocks.

[Onshore]

I've also had some awsome Snook fishing in the surf outside Sebastian Inlet. I go down every year as I have both a son and daughter living in Melbourne, FL

[albacized]

Although there are 'bigger fish to fry' elsewhere in Florida, you can't beat the southwest coast of (anywhere from Sarasota to Boca Grande) for some top notch light tackle fishing, including snook, spanish mackeral, ladyfish and jacks. Although, I haven't been in several years I used to go down to Venice every year to visit relatives and fished the south jetty every morning during those visits. At that time of year, I enjoyed success almost without fail. There are also redfish in the area, although I never got them from that particular jetty. But you don't have to run far to find redfish.
Also, during May, that same area starts to see the beginnings of what is usually a prolific Tarpon run....not a light tackle foe, but yet another option.