I will be in Key West for a week or so and need to know if anybody has some suggestions for guides or charters.

I'm not interested in a $1,500 trip on a boat for Marlin where I never touch the rod and cruise around all day rather bored with nothing to show for it. And then have a rude crew that almost doesn't acknowledge you're onboard. (done that)

Don’t need a mega $$$ trip for Bonefish where we might see one and I’m supposed to be thrilled by it either.

Something more like a Panga you can charter from the dock in Mexico from a local, simple and hands on, where you most likely will catch a bunch of fish in various species. I know this isn’t something the Keys are noted for, but it might exist.

I typically rent a boat and do it myself and have a great deal of fun, but this time I want to try a guide again for at least one trip.

The reason for the negative attitude on charters and guides is because I have spent a good deal of money on trips that were so bad I still regret going on them. Bad gear, captains that are out to take you for a boat ride, lack of fishing knowledge, I’ve even had them not show up at the meeting place, so I went to the guys house and he was mowing his lawn. Most tourist sites (traps) are one hit deals, they don’t ever expect to take you out again, so it really doesn’t matter what happens after you pay and get on the boat. Also most of the tourists have no clue about fishing, so they don't even know it was a terrible trip.

I did have one very good guide there, but that was 14 years ago and he retired.

Try Mike up at Ted's, He had a buddy in Florida that guided...
425-743-9505

Superfly knows folks down that way. Vedder also knows folks down there, I believe.

I have fished 5 days with a fellow by the name of a Rich Bursin out of Islamorada. He calls himself RUfishing yet. do a Google you should find it easily.

He is expensive but no more so than any of the rest of them down there.

I have booked in for 4 days in May for tarpon next year.

When are you going and do you prefer Flats or Blue Water? The time of year is key to where / what / when you fish.

I have lots of KW guides for both inshore and offshore - all of which are Hard Charging High Liners. No Nancy boy tourist boat BS with these dudes...

<....FYI - my sig pic is from KW fighting a HUGE permit Offshore....(yes, I said OFFSHORE )

If your interested in some lights out tarpon fishing.... Djohnson flyfishing

I'll Be there next week. As to flats or blue, I just want some hands on action and actual catching.

Going for Fantasy Fest eh? Buy your beads here to take with and save some cash for beers and fishing.

PM'd you with a contact...

Jody,

See if Richard Stanzyck is still at Bud N Mary's in Islamorada.

He probably doesn't guide any more but should be able to
give you some information.

If he is no longer there, I would think the staff would be helpful.

I fished with him several years ago and did flats and back into
the Everglades, plus took his son Nick and a couple of other kids
on a bottom fishing charter.

A 15 foot Boston Whaler is $165 a day, plus gas, or $845 a week
at Bump & Jump Boat Rentals according to their website.

www.keysboatrental.com 1-305-664-9404

I would suggest a day into the Everglades to fish for Specks,Reds, and
various snappers with light tackle if it is the right season ?

1-305-664-2461

Doug

Here's a couple of pix from the trip into the Everglades I did several
years ago with Richard and his son Nick and a another boy. Nick would be in his late 20's by now.

Thank you for your suggestions, this gives me some people to check out, should be enough names to find one with an opening.

Picked up 3 new travel rods and a couple reels for this trip, a new Avet Raptor arrived yesterday.

Let us know how it goes.

We are going to be in Marathon for a week this summer, I will definitely be trying to get on the water for some portion of it. Actually, we have a house that we are staying in which has a dock. The owners tell us that we can fish right there for a few different species.

Rocket -

Find out if the dock is on the open ocean or if its tucked way up in a canal on the inside of the island. Obviously the closer to the open ocean, the more species you can find. Eating fish like Specs, Mutton Snapper and maybe a Snook or two are usually around. There are also always the odd ball fish (small shark, stingray, parrots, pipefish). Light steelhead gear and standard NW steelhead or Crappie jigs can produce. If you want to bait fish, you can toss dead shrimp, clams or sand worms on a pyramid sinker or even live Pilchards under a float! If you have a kayak, you might even be able to find a close by Yellow Tail spot - which would be most choice...

Just got back.

I only fished twice and that was from a half day party boat. The first morning I was there the weather was nice and I grabbed this trip on short notice and it was fun.

Forecast for the rest of the week was 20-30MPH winds with 4-6' (bigger at times) waves at 6, this churned the water inshore to less than a foot of vis in most places. I did go back out on that same boat the next morning before it got really bad though. Reports said it died the day I got there and it probably wasn't worth going out to just get beat up. Had I driven 2+ hours back to Key Largo I probably could have fished in more protected waters.

The scenery in Key West during this week sort of makes up for not being able to fish much though.

Here are a couple pics from Key West, I ain't Mingo...but I tried.

Who "guided" you to those?

Rich Burson is the man, I fish with him and I turned vedder on to him and he is a great dude, alot like myself......lol

anyways hit him up you wont be disappointed

thanks fly