Going to Key Largo with the kids and want to make if fun for them

sammythebu11 · 08-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Can anyone point me to general areas where I can put my kids on some snapper, grouper, small sharks in the Key Largo area?
lobster spots where you can snorkel with a 16yr old and two 11 yr old kids?
the 16yr old and I dive but we want to make it a family affair so I guess snorkel is the way this time.

thanks,

Sam

TTesterman · 08-03-2009, 08:18 AM

be careful and look at a chart! lots to look at in the shallow water and in a cpl boat lengths your catching groupers. hope this helps. don't go to far north or you will be in the park.

sammythebu11 · 08-03-2009, 12:44 PM

Thanks, I do have the charts.

weekley rehab · 08-03-2009, 07:11 PM

I go out Harry harris park, much easier shot out to ocean. you must look on your maps and let the kids snorkel molasses reef, the reefs are awsome out of john penny camp also. just be careful not to fish in protected areas. you can not go wrong fishing down there, the humps are easy to find and most productive area. tons of reefs to find bait and bottom fishing.

miamiangler1 · 08-03-2009, 07:26 PM

Harry Harris Park is a good place , has a boat ramp , lots of places to snorkel around also a great place to catch Bonefish at the north end of the park

sammythebu11 · 08-03-2009, 07:47 PM

Great, thanks W.R. and Willy, the hotel I'm staying at has a ramp and parking but I will ask around for the Humps. what works best for bonefish? you just cast in front of them?
thanks to all for the tips.

weekley rehab · 08-03-2009, 08:43 PM

sammy I stayed at the holiday inn down there is that the ramp ? be aware of tides or you may not be able to get your boat in there. and they work on keys time. that is why I mention the public ramp at harry harris park. the shot out to deeper water is very direct and easy to navigate the first time. lots of reefs must use extreme caution or weekend will end fast.

sammythebu11 · 08-03-2009, 09:11 PM

I'm staying at the Marriott Key Largo, i'll call them and ask them about the depth from the ramp to the ocean. I always take an extra prop.
the hotel is about 10miles north of the Harry Harris Park. I do not mind the extra drive to save the boat.

thanks again,

Sam

miamiangler1 · 08-04-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammythebu11

Great, thanks W.R. and Willy, the hotel I'm staying at has a ramp and parking but I will ask around for the Humps. what works best for bonefish? you just cast in front of them?
thanks to all for the tips.

Live shrimp if you can find good sized ones . 1/0 hook with a small split shot at the end of the hook . If you see them tailing (Low Tide ) Cast a little ahead of them .They should find it ! too close and they will spook !

Brandon · 08-09-2009, 04:51 PM

I agree with them about Harry Harris Park, nice dock but it doesnt open until 7:00 and I beleive it might be 10 dollars for a trailer and boat and 2 dollars a person after that... It is a safe channel with easily viewable markers and Ibeleive there is only one barrier island between you and your hotel... and as for snappper and grouper, anchor in 60 feet and begin to catch some mangroves and yellowtail, then send one or two to the bottm and lock the drag. walllah

good luck

miamiangler1 · 08-09-2009, 06:07 PM

Thats not bad if you ever use Haulover it`s 12 bucks to put in anyway , but for the Key`s It`s a safe place to park while out in your boat ,better then some of the ramps that are on the side of US1 down in the lower Keys !

Harry Klauber · 08-09-2009, 10:21 PM

The only problem with Harry Harris Park and that is there is limited parking and once all the slots are full you are S.O.L

Many guys have gotten there to find the park closed to anything other than launch and take your vehicle and trailer elsewhere. The city used to allow parking all around the park on the road but now it's just a trap and they tow you away if you try it.

If you do use the park it's great as there are big markers and you are right out into the ocean from the ramp. It also closes at dark so night fishing is not an option. Harry

Captain Juan · 08-10-2009, 11:49 AM

You can also launch at the Caribbean Club or Pennekamp right near the Marriot.

Instead of Molasses, I much prefer northern Key Largo for snorkeling, lobstering and fishing. The areas between Garden Cove and Caryfort are the best.

Juani

sammythebu11 · 08-10-2009, 02:48 PM

Juan,

that's exactly what I did, I went to Caribbean Club and launched there and kept the boat at the hotel's marina. found out the hard way that there are no lobsters by the Moasses/French reefs but there are plenty by the northern areas.
thanks for the info, I wish you would have read this post before I left....

Captain Juan · 08-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Sammy:

I was out of town myself and answered late. Sorry.

J

sammythebu11 · 08-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Not your fault, just bad timing... but thanks for the info.

08-02-2009, 09:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	Going to Key Largo with the kids and want to make if fun for them Can anyone point me to general areas where I can put my kids on some snapper, grouper, small sharks in the Key Largo area? lobster spots where you can snorkel with a 16yr old and two 11 yr old kids? the 16yr old and I dive but we want to make it a family affair so I guess snorkel is the way this time. thanks, Sam

08-03-2009, 08:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
TTesterman Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 773	go right off pickles reef... be careful and look at a chart! lots to look at in the shallow water and in a cpl boat lengths your catching groupers. hope this helps. don't go to far north or you will be in the park.

08-03-2009, 07:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
weekley rehab Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deerfield Beach Boat: Weekley Rehab contender 33T Best Catch: 250 lb sword , 20lb mutton, 18lb black grouper Occupation: General Manager Posts: 972	I go out Harry harris park, much easier shot out to ocean. you must look on your maps and let the kids snorkel molasses reef, the reefs are awsome out of john penny camp also. just be careful not to fish in protected areas. you can not go wrong fishing down there, the humps are easy to find and most productive area. tons of reefs to find bait and bottom fishing. __________________ God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

08-03-2009, 08:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
weekley rehab Hooked Up Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deerfield Beach Boat: Weekley Rehab contender 33T Best Catch: 250 lb sword , 20lb mutton, 18lb black grouper Occupation: General Manager Posts: 972	sammy I stayed at the holiday inn down there is that the ramp ? be aware of tides or you may not be able to get your boat in there. and they work on keys time. that is why I mention the public ramp at harry harris park. the shot out to deeper water is very direct and easy to navigate the first time. lots of reefs must use extreme caution or weekend will end fast. __________________ God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

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08-03-2009, 12:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	Thanks, I do have the charts.

08-03-2009, 07:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
miamiangler1 Grander Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north miami, keystone point Boat: ,live bait ,deep dropping,swordfishing Best Catch: 7ft sailfish on 10#test with diawaBG20, 100#tarpon on 6#test baitcaster bass rod Occupation: selfemployed,real estate, painter,model builder Posts: 1,685	Harry Harris Park is a good place , has a boat ramp , lots of places to snorkel around also a great place to catch Bonefish at the north end of the park

08-03-2009, 07:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	Great, thanks W.R. and Willy, the hotel I'm staying at has a ramp and parking but I will ask around for the Humps. what works best for bonefish? you just cast in front of them? thanks to all for the tips.

08-03-2009, 09:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	I'm staying at the Marriott Key Largo, i'll call them and ask them about the depth from the ramp to the ocean. I always take an extra prop. the hotel is about 10miles north of the Harry Harris Park. I do not mind the extra drive to save the boat. thanks again, Sam

08-09-2009, 04:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
Brandon Lines In Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boynton Beach Boat: 22' CC - LUNCHBOX Best Catch: Est. 300 pd. Blue Marlin Occupation: switchin Posts: 54	I agree with them about Harry Harris Park, nice dock but it doesnt open until 7:00 and I beleive it might be 10 dollars for a trailer and boat and 2 dollars a person after that... It is a safe channel with easily viewable markers and Ibeleive there is only one barrier island between you and your hotel... and as for snappper and grouper, anchor in 60 feet and begin to catch some mangroves and yellowtail, then send one or two to the bottm and lock the drag. walllah good luck

08-09-2009, 06:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
miamiangler1 Grander Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north miami, keystone point Boat: ,live bait ,deep dropping,swordfishing Best Catch: 7ft sailfish on 10#test with diawaBG20, 100#tarpon on 6#test baitcaster bass rod Occupation: selfemployed,real estate, painter,model builder Posts: 1,685	Thats not bad if you ever use Haulover it`s 12 bucks to put in anyway , but for the Key`s It`s a safe place to park while out in your boat ,better then some of the ramps that are on the side of US1 down in the lower Keys !

08-09-2009, 10:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Grander Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 1,089	The only problem with Harry Harris Park and that is there is limited parking and once all the slots are full you are S.O.L Many guys have gotten there to find the park closed to anything other than launch and take your vehicle and trailer elsewhere. The city used to allow parking all around the park on the road but now it's just a trap and they tow you away if you try it. If you do use the park it's great as there are big markers and you are right out into the ocean from the ramp. It also closes at dark so night fishing is not an option. Harry

08-10-2009, 11:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Captain Juan Grander Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hollywood, FL Boat: Contender 25 Best Catch: 63 lb. wahoo, 26 lb. mutton, 11 lb. peacock Occupation: Dir. of Communications Posts: 1,084	You can also launch at the Caribbean Club or Pennekamp right near the Marriot. Instead of Molasses, I much prefer northern Key Largo for snorkeling, lobstering and fishing. The areas between Garden Cove and Caryfort are the best. Juani

08-10-2009, 02:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	Juan, that's exactly what I did, I went to Caribbean Club and launched there and kept the boat at the hotel's marina. found out the hard way that there are no lobsters by the Moasses/French reefs but there are plenty by the northern areas. thanks for the info, I wish you would have read this post before I left....

08-10-2009, 03:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
Captain Juan Grander Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hollywood, FL Boat: Contender 25 Best Catch: 63 lb. wahoo, 26 lb. mutton, 11 lb. peacock Occupation: Dir. of Communications Posts: 1,084	Sammy: I was out of town myself and answered late. Sorry. J

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08-10-2009, 04:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
sammythebu11 Hooked Up Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stuart, FL Boat: Proline 23' Sport Occupation: Network Engineer Posts: 427	Not your fault, just bad timing... but thanks for the info.