Boatless Fishing Forum, Reports, Info

Saturday was an amazing day.

we woke up around 6 in the morning and had reached Tavernier Key around 8:30-9:00.

Our target species was barracuda and MAN on the fifth cast with my chartruese (spelling?) tube lure i was on.

It took me 40 Minutes to bring in this bad boy, and the best part was that i was using 8 lb. test. WHAT A FIGHT . The drag on my bass rod has never sang me a song like it did that day.



I estimated it to be between 10-15 lbs. It was released safely.

Later on my dad was throwing an x-rap around the entire jetty and had a 11 inch. Mango hit it!!! We couldn't believe it!



Since the jetty is a big square and is fed through the ocean i went to one of the mesh gates and i saw some pretty decent sized mangroves in about 4 feet of water. But no matter how hard i tried to hide the hook they always attacked the chum i threw instead of my line. Anybody got any tips for smart mangroves?

The rest of the day was slow, but relaxing. Harry Harris is a nice place to kick back and enjoy the weather.

Yea I bet on 8lb test it was fun, I have never been there will have to take the Family looks like a nice place to have lunch and hang with my little girl.

Boatless: You should definately check it out. It's great how the park is family/fisherman compatible so to say. I believe that it's at Mile Marker 93

Bridgefisher: Thanks for the info, now im really gonna try to out smart mangos.

Neat spot, Dave. I'd never heard of it before. I have to carefully balance my fishing time with my wife/daughter quality time. This looks like a fun day trip - where both could be satisfied.

Judging by your photos on Sunday, it doesn't seem very crowded. How is the parking capacity? I'd hate to make the trip down from Ft. Laud. to find the lot full.

Tirpmo wrote:Neat spot, Dave. I'd never heard of it before. I have to carefully balance my fishing time with my wife/daughter quality time. This looks like a fun day trip - where both could be satisfied.

Judging by your photos on Sunday, it doesn't seem very crowded. How is the parking capacity? I'd hate to make the trip down from Ft. Laud. to find the lot full.

In a funny way, i can relate...



but yeah, there is plenty of parking close by. It is very convienient that the jetty encloses a section of the beach and is safe for kids so swim and have fun. Harry Harris Park is a slice of paradise for fisherman and their family

Very cute. My daughter is 18 months old and still isn't big enough to stand up to the shoreline waves at my local beaches - but that doesn't stop her from making a bee-line to the water. I think the lagoon would be perfect for her.

Thanks so much for the info. I am already planning the trip.

You have a Beautiful family FishinDave,

Tom: thanks, a little earlier than expected but a wonderful family none the less. My little girl is 5 months now and has already sprouted a little tooth so now the fun begins ...

Johnny Thanks for the info. I'm definately hooked now on trying to catch mangos.

looks like a great time...Can you fish all the way around the barrier?

Yup. you sure can. you can also fish on a jetty a few yards away that is on the other side of the boat ramp...LOTS OF OPTIONS!

Nice Cuda man! 8 lb. test is a nice fight for a fish like that. Nice catch.

Thanks a lot, man.

i once caught a 22 inch mango on the inside of the jetty in the lagoon. i was just messing around with a shrimp on a jighead and bam. i have a pic but its not digital i love it there my great aunt has a house between mm 96 znd 97 so when ever i visit i hit hh park.

Be carefull when swiming in the lagoon because the rocks and the lagoon is full of aptasias. Aptasias are a type of anemone although you can't get stung by them the do sting (painless) and will make you really itchy later. If you want to snorkle to the right, outside the lagoon is a nice artificial reef. Full of cinder blocks and sunken debris maybe like 30 to 40 yards out. I have seen mangrove schools there in the hundreds.