What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
-
- Fisher
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:01 pm
- Location: Not close enough to the ocean
What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
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.
- fishnfool73
- AMBASSADOR to the... BF FORUM
- Posts: 8703
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:18 am
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
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.
-
- KING MACKEREL
- Posts: 751
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:34 pm
-
- Fisher
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 1:01 pm
- Location: Not close enough to the ocean
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
I use crickets in fresh water. Will anything bite them in saltwater?
- Green Tide
- SHARKER
- Posts: 2604
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:52 pm
- Location: Monroe County wannabe
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
Salty dog
You have a bite
You have a bite
- HJared
- KING MACKEREL
- Posts: 910
- Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 2:13 pm
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
crickets in saltwater are an old florida secret. Grouper inhale them whole like potato chips at times.
- kblue
- SHARKER
- Posts: 2542
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:58 pm
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
You are revealing everything...stop itSaltyDog wrote:Crickets
-
- Fisher
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:02 pm
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
What kind of cricket? Big or small
-
- Old Salt
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:17 pm
- Contact:
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
I wonder if worms would be better?
- PhishingPhanatic
- BLACK FIN TUNA
- Posts: 6785
- Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:52 pm
- Location: 204 Miles From Long Key
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
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.
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.
- phillybass71
- BOATLESS FISHING Honorary Guide
- Posts: 298
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:28 pm
- Location: Sebring
- Contact:
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
Everytime I use them I always get hit by big bull sharks damn thing love them.
Plz put back the small ones.
-
- KING MACKEREL
- Posts: 751
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:34 pm
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
My preferred rig for these Paulie is a knocker 5 oz to be exact 7/0 offset circle so many grouper......
- fishnfool73
- AMBASSADOR to the... BF FORUM
- Posts: 8703
- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:18 am
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
and people whine about this site being a joke
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
- swordfish
- SHARKER
- Posts: 2333
- Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:32 pm
- Location: Palmetto Bay
- Contact:
Re: What live bait is available in the Middle Keys?
fishnfool73 wrote:and people whine about this site being a joke
Lookup Tommy's How To in the Keys Bridges and you'll have a good idea bud.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.
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