What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

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hhager23
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What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by hhager23 »

I'm going down to the middle Keys in late May. Can anyone tell me if what kind of live bait I might be able to catch? At home (in VA) I'd either net some bait, use some crab or dig for sand fleas but I don't know what my options are in the keys. Should I consider cast net, digging, sabiki, or minnow trap? Any suggestions for good locations in or around the seven mile bridge area would be greatly appreciated as well.

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fishnfool73
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by fishnfool73 »

You can sabiki grunts or pinfish if you tip them with squid or shrimp. Chum and you may get ballyhoo to show. Soaking a crab trap overnight in slow current areas you may get blue crabs or maybe just get your trap stolen. No sand fleas down there.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

SaltyDog
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by SaltyDog »

Crickets

hhager23
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by hhager23 »

I use crickets in fresh water. Will anything bite them in saltwater?

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Green Tide
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by Green Tide »

Salty dog

You have a bite
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You shoulda been here yesterday!!!

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HJared
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by HJared »

crickets in saltwater are an old florida secret. Grouper inhale them whole like potato chips at times.

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kblue
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by kblue »

SaltyDog wrote:Crickets
You are revealing everything...stop it

buddyg125
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by buddyg125 »

What kind of cricket? Big or small

xtremeh18
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by xtremeh18 »

I wonder if worms would be better?

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PhishingPhanatic
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by PhishingPhanatic »

Some things just aren't sacred, are they guys?

Only a couple bait shops in the Keys carry crickets, and you have to ask for them. I know Yellow Bait House usually has them, and sometimes they even have hand-picks for a buck more per dozen.
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phillybass71
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by phillybass71 »

Everytime I use them I always get hit by big bull sharks damn thing love them.
Plz put back the small ones.

SaltyDog
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by SaltyDog »

My preferred rig for these Paulie is a knocker 5 oz to be exact 7/0 offset circle so many grouper......

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fishnfool73
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by fishnfool73 »

and people whine about this site being a joke :roll:
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

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swordfish
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Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?

Post by swordfish »

fishnfool73 wrote:and people whine about this site being a joke :roll:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
hhager23 wrote:I'm going down to the middle Keys in late May. Can anyone tell me if what kind of live bait I might be able to catch? At home (in VA) I'd either net some bait, use some crab or dig for sand fleas but I don't know what my options are in the keys. Should I consider cast net, digging, sabiki, or minnow trap? Any suggestions for good locations in or around the seven mile bridge area would be greatly appreciated as well.
Lookup Tommy's How To in the Keys Bridges and you'll have a good idea bud.

People laugh about the crickets... However I can tell you that when frogs are running after summer rain storms, a rubber weedless one will outfish everything when it comes to Snook and Tarpon in some areas. The fish KNOW they are moving and to them food is food. Just something to think about!

-Swordfish
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