Florida..East Coast vs West Coast...pros/cons

[Big Fish Billy]

Well I'm getting ready to buy a place in FL, for Winters, and was thinking the best place to hear pros and cons for each coast is probably right here. We have friends in Jupiter, Boca, Hollywood, Lauderdale, and Marathon Key that want us to go to their spots, and other friends on the West coast that say they'd never go to the East coast. I kind of like cruising and bar hopping along the Inland Waterway, and fishing in the Marathon area, but am I missing anything by not considering West coast.

Thanks,

Bill

[Hatterized]

East Coast is great....although do not overlook Clearwater Beach/Sand Key area......Gulf out front with ICW behind......Bars.....both inshore/offshore fishery/golf/great food/casinos/etc.....

Tampa & St Pete Airports close....

Cruise Ship terminal.....

Pro Sport Team Venues and Spring Baseball.....

what would cost 1M on East Coast would be 600-700K on Gulf.....

all in all.....a little slower and easier going than the hustle/bustle of the Atlantic side

[Big Fish Billy]

Thanks, good points, the westerners are in Cape Coral and Marco Island, and as you say there is affordable property near each. The traffic kills me in the Lauderdale area, being a near Bostonian has worn me out in that department. Hadn't considered the sports angle...good points..thanks...

[marlineer]

Look hard at St. James City and Cape Coral. My P's own a home on Sanibel and the fishing is insane. always somewhere to fish and boat. With the right boat You can be in the Keys at the end of a nice ride! There are miles of canals with more dockside "pit stops" than You can believe. We love the West Coast and have tried both. It is more spread out and laid back for sure. We have been looking as well and there are some really great deals down thar!

[Deep C]

Ok here goes. Lower east coast (Jupiter and south) Gulfstream and blue water a stones throw away. Big game at your doorstep. Drawback is fairly crowded. If you get farther south (Lauderdale - Miami) english is secondary language... Crime a bit of an issue close to urban centers too.


West coast. More laid back and inshore species like trout or redfish will be your game. Too far to blue water unless you're in panhandle and thats still a long run. Economy in much of the west side of the state is on its ass. Record foreclosures as we speak. One every few seconds in some places.

[Big Fish Billy]

Thanks guys, it's sounding Cape Coralish, evidently there's a nice house with a dock on a canal for $165,000...I'm going to go down for a look next month. Need a place for my 40' Jersey, unless I change it up for a Post...looks like 150 miles to Hallandale and my wife's relatives, my wife's cousin is wintering out at a marina in Key West, so as you say it's a good destination...had my share of big game fishing, so something smaller will be fine..the Mrs. doesn't want any blood on the deck anymore, and the fighting chairs been changed out for a cocktail table...deep sea drinking is the game now...thanks for the info.....

[Deep C]

Leave the big boat home if you're going there. Get a flats skiff and let er rip. No need for a big boat in that area. Like 140 miles or more to blue water.

[blackwell50]

there is some incredable bottom fishing in the gulf 30 to 40 miles out.If you find some good spots,it is well worth the ride.Anna Maria Island is a great place.I grew up there.

[Reel Fanatic]

Buying a place in Florida is a good problem to have. It's a great state and there is so much to do as a fishermen. I will keep my personal opinion relative to fishing for the most part. When you're ready to pull the trigger on it, let us know and we'll all come down and help you break the new place in.

East Coast:
Pros
More varied fishing (inshore, offshore, big game)
Very little travel time to get to deep water.
With the right boat, you go to the Bahamas for the weekend or fish the east side of the stream.
Cons
Spring break crowd
More hurricanes


West Coast:
Pros
Awesome inshore fishing and near shore fishing.
Grouper and snapper fishing is great as long as they keep the seasons open...
Cons
Long haul to get to deep water for big game
more red tide
sail cats
hurricanes...just not quite as many as the east side.

[Logan9581]

Thanks guys, it's sounding Cape Coralish, evidently there's a nice house with a dock on a canal for $165,000...I'm going to go down for a look next month. Need a place for my 40' Jersey, unless I change it up for a Post...looks like 150 miles to Hallandale and my wife's relatives, my wife's cousin is wintering out at a marina in Key West, so as you say it's a good destination...had my share of big game fishing, so something smaller will be fine..the Mrs. doesn't want any blood on the deck anymore, and the fighting chairs been changed out for a cocktail table...deep sea drinking is the game now...thanks for the info.....

Be careful with those canals in Cape Coral. Some houses are an hour and a half of no wake zones before you can go anywhere. Some canals have low bridges, others locks. I lived there for a short time and they "roll up the sidewalks" at 8pm in Cape Coral. Nothing to do, no where to eat.