First trip to the Keys

[hubris 1]

to fish down there without a guide. local knowledge is everything. i guarantee you will run aground with out one. hope the tide isnt falling. keys fishing is a combination of hunting and fishing. enjoy the boat, but you will spend all week finding a spot to fish before you catch anything. just my own experience. hire a guide at least the first day......its worth it!

[Logan9581]

Lots of great info, Thanks!

While we are at it, any recommendations for watering holes and restaurants in the Marathon area?

Make sure you go to the No Name Pub on Big Pine.

[Wild Life Management]

Key's Fisheries Restauran

No Name Pub on Big Pine.

Yes, and Yes.

If you are down by Big Pine, a place called Boonedocks is a little more down the road that can be a good time on the right night. But if you are that far south, you can head to Key West for a night also. That is a whole other story.

[Danno]

If you have a boat and a Captain, I can't give you better advice than he can. What I would recommend is take a few extra gold spoons. Expect to fish with live crabs or eel this time of year for tarpon.
If you go out on your own to do any reef fishing you are required to use non-stainless circle hooks and are required to vent your fish. I am attaching regs and info reef fishing, as well as the new venting regs.
Fishing is complicated as heck down here.
Keep a tight line.

Now on the night life, keep an open mind. At least your not going down in October.

[flcaptbob]

If you have a boat and a Captain, I can't give you better advice than he can. What I would recommend is take a few extra gold spoons. Expect to fish with live crabs or eel this time of year for tarpon.
If you go out on your own to do any reef fishing you are required to use non-stainless circle hooks and are required to vent your fish. I am attaching regs and info reef fishing, as well as the new venting regs.
Fishing is complicated as heck down here.
Keep a tight line.

Now on the night life, keep an open mind. At least your not going down in October.

Capt. Pips has Porkys resturant on premises. Plenty of tarpon under the 7 mile bridge, you're at the east end. Also snapper grouper.
Most posts here are good--except the monkey--!
I live on Key Colony--6mi. other end of Marathon.
There are some small chartwer boats at the 7 mile marina, see what they're targeting.
Tight lines, Capt. Bob