Marathon what 's to catch

[jerseyhunter]

Going for Permit and Flounder/Fluke what lb test and sinkers? and or lures or jigs ie. spros.  Gulf of Mexico side of the keys.  I imagine Fluke fishing is the same as here.

[Skin]

I have never seen a flounder in Marathon. Surf fishing off Daytona, tons of 12 inches. Jacks are fairly easy to find, even in the canals. But permit is still a challenge.

[Mummichog]

When are you going?  Do you have a boat?  In the Keys, you can fish the Atlantic and Gulf in the same day.

 

I have caught southern flounder in Florida, but much further north.  On sand/mud bottom, 150 miles north of The Keys.  The Gulf where you are will be mostly turtle grass bottom with scattered rock, coral, sponges.  It would be pretty tough to drift fish on the bottom.  Not sure how you would target flounder. 

 

Depending on the time of year, you will have snapper, speckled trout, red drum, snook, tarpon, bonefish, permit, houndfish, barracuda, jacks, various sharks, ladyfish, bluefish, spadefish, grouper and various other species I'd have to think about to remember.   

 

Permit might be tough to DIY on the Gulf side.  If you are going with an experienced guide, then you have a good shot.  I've caught all my permit on the Atlantic side, over 100-115 foot deep wrecks.

[jerseyhunter]

Was asking for Bil down now.

[Mummichog]

Down there now, on the Gulf side, there will be speckled trout, mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel and sharks.  Cobia are around as well.  Permit may be harder to find in the cooler weather but not impossible.

 

Do they have a boat?  Fishing from the dock?  Bridges?  Guides/charters?   How are they fishing?

[jerseyhunter]

renting a boat

[Skin]

I was in the vicinity (Key Largo and Islamorada) Sun/Mon. I think that the wind was coming up later in the week. Fished partyboats, had yellowtails, out of season hogfish, out of season grouper, no muttons, no mangroves, saw plenty of kings. saw the usual grunts/trash/poisonous fish. If shorebound, plenty of heavy tackle sharks.

[RAW]

Permit are easy in that area if you have a boat option.PM me   50 yrs.