Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style, Part Two

We’re glad you’re back. We are about to embark on the second part of our journey down the Florida Keys to Key West. The first stop is Marathon, the largest Key in Monroe County. If you didn’t get a chance to get a bite to eat yet, stop by the 7 mile Grille, MM 47, Bayside. The atmosphere is traditional Key West style and the food is phenomenal. After your meal and before you embark on the journey over the famous 7 mile bridge, mile marker 47.5, you’ll want to take a walk over the old 7 mile bridge to Pigeon Key. This was the basecamp for Henry Flagler and his crew who engineered “The Railroad that Goes to the Sea”. As you can imagine, the views are spectacular.
As you cross over the new 7 mile bridge, you may want to note this is the only time you will see the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean surround you for a full 7 miles. It is truly a peek in to Paradise.
Next stop, mile marker 36.8, Oceanside is Bahia Honda State Park. The Bahia Honda beach was voted the best beach in the Continental U.S. by Conde Nast traveler. You can rent Kayaks, snorkel, or just walk the beach and look for shells.

If you like nature, be sure to stop at the Blue Hole and Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine, Mile Marker30, Bayside. The refuge is the primary home of the famous Key deer, a small subspecies of the Virginia white tail deer. The deer are best observed in the early morning and early evening hours
Up next, Cudjoe Key. Look out for the big building with the red roof at Mile Marker 21, Oceanside. Believe it or not, that building hosts one of the best spas and restaurants in the Keys. Try a facial at Nadine’s Day spa, or have a quick bite at the Square Grouper. The appetizers there are original and indulgent. Our favorites are the flash fried conch with wasabi ginger sauce and the bacon wrapped barbequed shrimp. They will fill you up just enough for the remaining adventure.
Just a few more miles and we’ll be in Key West.
Stay tuned for more Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style in our next post.

Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style

Plan on driving to Key West? Not only is the view breathtaking, there are so many hidden treasures along the way, you really should see at least a few. We have so many Fish On Favorites that we’ll only be able to touch on about half of them in this post.

So you have a frame of reference, we’ll need to explain how we navigate in the Keys. Did you know that Mile Markers are commonly used navigational references in the Keys? They can be seen each mile along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers, beginning at 126 near Florida City & ending with 0 in downtown Key West. Oceanside and bayside are additional reference points to help navigate around the Keys. Oceanside refers to places on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Overseas Highway. Bayside refers to the side of the road next to Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico.

So let’s begin. The first Fish on Favorite spot can be found at MM 102, Oceanside. You won’t want to miss John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The snorkeling is second best in the United States in our opinion, and our number one pick is also on the list. Divers from around the world visit John Pennekamp State Park to explore the spectacular living reefs of the Florida Keys and experience diving amidst the area’s extraordinary wildlife. John Pennekamp is also where you can find the famous "Christ of the Deep" statue located at Key Largo Dry Rocks reef.

Next stop, MM 84 Theater of the Sea, Bayside. This Marine Mammal Adventure truly can’t be missed. Here you can swim with Dolphins, Rays, and Sealions. An adventure for all ages.

If you have someone with you that can be the designated driver, stop next door at the famous Islamorada Tiki Hut, Rumrunners located Oceanside at MM 84.5. As the name suggests, they are famous for thier frozen Rumrunner cocktails, we also love their Pina Coladas.

Another favorite is MM 77 where you’ll find Robbie's Marina, bayside. For some small change, you can marvel at the beauty of the many tarpon here and offer these magnificent creatures a snack. It’s well worth the stop and a great place to stretch your legs.

Now one would think by looking at the map that Marathon would be the next stop….but don’t be so certain. Grassy Key is another wonderful place to stop and visit the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, MM 59, Bayside. The Dolphin Research Center is an education and research facility and home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. To reach as many people as possible, the Center provides a variety of programs that allow the public a chance to learn firsthand about the world of the dolphin. Truly a Fish On Favorite.

Also due an honorable mention is the Turtle Hospital Mile Marker 49, Bayside. The turtle hospital provides rescue and rehabilitation to sick and injured Turtles.

There is so much more we have to share. Stay tuned for more Touring the Florida Keys Fish On Style in our next post.

Fishing Tip From Captain Shannon of the Miss Budweiser

Take the time to stop and catch live bait on your way offshore. Threadfin hering are around markers and hawk channel or catch live ballyhoo on top of the reef. As the Florida Keys has just had it's first cold front of the season, Sailfish & Blackfin Tuna will be showing up just off the reef edge.

No luck with the Sails? You can also drop the same baits to the bottom of a deep water structure such as rubble piles or wrecks to try and land black grouper.

Good Luck, Fish On!