Daniel Jus
I would like to go this friday with my family to Florida Keys, but i want to be at a good campsite close to a good fishing spot where i can go just walking.
Answer
I just returned Thursday from 5 weeks of fishing sw florida. I know, pretty cool right! Although i can't help with spots or campgrounds I can tell you to prepare for spring-like conditions. Big pompano, aggressive spanish mackeral, tons of sheepshead at high tide near structure, the ever present Ladyfish, lunker speckled trout, etc. all from shore.
Pay attention to the wind, you want a s or sw on south facing beaches, or a gentle east for east facing beaches but not enough east wind to compete with baitfish fighting the tides. Water clarity is very important, the clearer the better.
If fishing from shore, load up on 1/2 and 3/4oz metals like Kastmaster, the chinese versions on ebay are good enough but the real deal Kastmasters produce much better. Pink banana jigs with a small white bucktail teaser 12 inches up on a dropper loop for pompano will double you up, sand fleas for sheepshead around pilings and structure, be patient, only fish for sheepshead around high tide.
If your budget allows, the Keys guides know where the fish are holding, expect to limit out on speckled trout and mangrove snappers.
I'm envious, wish I was still there.
I just returned Thursday from 5 weeks of fishing sw florida. I know, pretty cool right! Although i can't help with spots or campgrounds I can tell you to prepare for spring-like conditions. Big pompano, aggressive spanish mackeral, tons of sheepshead at high tide near structure, the ever present Ladyfish, lunker speckled trout, etc. all from shore.
Pay attention to the wind, you want a s or sw on south facing beaches, or a gentle east for east facing beaches but not enough east wind to compete with baitfish fighting the tides. Water clarity is very important, the clearer the better.
If fishing from shore, load up on 1/2 and 3/4oz metals like Kastmaster, the chinese versions on ebay are good enough but the real deal Kastmasters produce much better. Pink banana jigs with a small white bucktail teaser 12 inches up on a dropper loop for pompano will double you up, sand fleas for sheepshead around pilings and structure, be patient, only fish for sheepshead around high tide.
If your budget allows, the Keys guides know where the fish are holding, expect to limit out on speckled trout and mangrove snappers.
I'm envious, wish I was still there.
Beach camping in Georgia/ Florida/ South Carolina?
Lauren
Hi! My friend and I want to do some beach camping... on the beach. Lots of sights have camping near the beach, but do you know of any places where you can pitch a tent on the beach? I would really appreciate it!
Answer
Camping on beaches can damage natural resources and wildlife nesting areas.
Leave no trace.
1. Key State Park | Long Key
Long Key's campsites are literally right on top of the Atlantic Ocean. This is the only state park where you can leave your campsite, walk 100 feet and catch a permit or bonefish. The park has several nature trails, including one for kayakers that runs through a shallow-water lagoon, and 60 waterfront campsites, each with a picnic table and grill.
Call (305) 664-4815 or go to floridastateparks.org/longkey.
2. Cayo Costa State Park | Boca Grande
Surrounded by water on all sides and only accessible by private boat or public passenger ferry, Cayo Costa boasts splendid isolation. With 9 miles of deserted beach to roam and explore, you won't have to worry about crowds. The warm gulf water is great for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. Each tent site can accommodate up to eight people. Showers, toilets and potable water are centrally located. Visitors must bring food and drink, but the extra work is well worth it. This is wild Florida at its best.
Call (941) 964-0375 or go to floridastateparks.org/cayocosta.
3. Fort Clinch State Park | Fernandina Beach
Among Florida's oldest state parks, Fort Clinch has one of the best-preserved 19th century forts in the United States. It never saw any action, but it was occupied by troops during the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Located just north of Fernandina Beach off A1A, this state park has great surf fishing, swimming and a 6-mile trail for hikers and bicyclists. Fort Clinch has two campgrounds, one overlooking the beach and the other in a hardwood hammock overlooking the Amelia River.
Call (904) 277-7274 or go to floridastate parks.org/fortclinch.
4. Grayton Beach State Park | Santa Rosa Beach
Another one of the nation's top beaches, this state park is famous for its sunsets. After you get tired of playing in the emerald-colored water, take off on one of the park's nature trails, which weave through a windswept coastal forest that looks like a set from Lord of the Rings.
Hikers and cyclists have more than 4 miles of trails to explore, and canoeists and kayakers can check out Western Lake, a classic salt marsh. The campground has been called one the finest in Florida, and subsequently, people book 11 months in advance.
Call (850) 231-4210 or go to floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach.
5. Anastasia State Park | St. Augustine
Four miles of unspoiled beach is this state park's top draw. Anastasia hasn't changed much since Spanish explorers made landfall here nearly 500 years ago. Besides great surfing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, the park has an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to create the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest Spanish fortress in America. Explore the dunes and stunted oak hammocks via the nature trail or paddle Salt Run, a tidal salt marsh, in a canoe or kayak. The well-shaded campground is one of the best in the state system.
Call (904) 461-2033 or go to floridastateparks.org/anastasia.
6. Sebastian Inlet State Park | Melbourne Beach
One of the premier surfing and fishing spots on Florida's East Coast, Sebastian Inlet State Park has 3 miles of beachfront real estate. As expected, the park is popular with anglers and wave riders, but the adjacent Indian River Lagoon is also a great place to canoe or kayak. They call this the Treasure Coast because after big storms, beachcombers still find coins washed ashore from the doomed Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1715. The park's tent campground is within easy walking distance of the beach.
Campsites are $23. Call (321) 984-4852 or go to floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet.
7. Bahia Honda State Park | Big Pine Key
Henry Flagler's railroad from Miami to Key West put this tropical paradise on the map. Twelve miles south of Marathon, this state park has turquoise water, balmy breezes and an endless supply of sunshine that would make Bahia Honda a great location for a five-star resort. Luckily for us, the land has been preserved for the public's use, giving regular folks an easy access point to the Florida Keys' world-famous coral reefs. The park has two boat ramps and three campgrounds, which are a testament to the park's standing as a vacation destination.
Call (305) 872-2353 or go to floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda.
8. T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park | St. Joe
Consistently rated as one of the top beaches in the United States, this Panhandle park has some of the finest white sand in Florida. With access to the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay, canoeists and kayakers can spend a day paddling and never run out of new territory. This coastal barrier peninsula is also an international destination for bird watchers. To date, more than 240 species have been sighted. The park has 119 sites in two campgrounds: The Gulf Breeze area is open and can accommodate large vehicles; the Shady Pines area is more shaded and secluded.
Call (850) 227-1327 or go to floridastateparks.org/stjoseph.
9. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area | Flagler Beach
Named after Florida folk singer Gamble Rogers, this recreation area has access to both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular spot for boaters, canoeists and kayakers. Sit and watch the shorebirds as they feed on the beach or take a hike along a winding nature trail through a coastal forest of scrub oak and saw palmetto. The 34-site full-service campground overlooks the Atlantic.
Call (386) 517-2086 or go to floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers.
10. Fort De Soto County Park | Tierra Verde
The only county-owned property to make the list, this Pinellas County park has a 238-site, full-service campground that seems to have been created with families in mind. The amenities include picnic tables, grills, fresh water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a camp store. The park has more than 7 miles of waterfront recreation, including two fishing piers, nature trails, paved bike trail and a canoe trail.
Call (727) 582-2267 or go to pinellascounty.org/park.
Camping on beaches can damage natural resources and wildlife nesting areas.
Leave no trace.
1. Key State Park | Long Key
Long Key's campsites are literally right on top of the Atlantic Ocean. This is the only state park where you can leave your campsite, walk 100 feet and catch a permit or bonefish. The park has several nature trails, including one for kayakers that runs through a shallow-water lagoon, and 60 waterfront campsites, each with a picnic table and grill.
Call (305) 664-4815 or go to floridastateparks.org/longkey.
2. Cayo Costa State Park | Boca Grande
Surrounded by water on all sides and only accessible by private boat or public passenger ferry, Cayo Costa boasts splendid isolation. With 9 miles of deserted beach to roam and explore, you won't have to worry about crowds. The warm gulf water is great for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. Each tent site can accommodate up to eight people. Showers, toilets and potable water are centrally located. Visitors must bring food and drink, but the extra work is well worth it. This is wild Florida at its best.
Call (941) 964-0375 or go to floridastateparks.org/cayocosta.
3. Fort Clinch State Park | Fernandina Beach
Among Florida's oldest state parks, Fort Clinch has one of the best-preserved 19th century forts in the United States. It never saw any action, but it was occupied by troops during the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Located just north of Fernandina Beach off A1A, this state park has great surf fishing, swimming and a 6-mile trail for hikers and bicyclists. Fort Clinch has two campgrounds, one overlooking the beach and the other in a hardwood hammock overlooking the Amelia River.
Call (904) 277-7274 or go to floridastate parks.org/fortclinch.
4. Grayton Beach State Park | Santa Rosa Beach
Another one of the nation's top beaches, this state park is famous for its sunsets. After you get tired of playing in the emerald-colored water, take off on one of the park's nature trails, which weave through a windswept coastal forest that looks like a set from Lord of the Rings.
Hikers and cyclists have more than 4 miles of trails to explore, and canoeists and kayakers can check out Western Lake, a classic salt marsh. The campground has been called one the finest in Florida, and subsequently, people book 11 months in advance.
Call (850) 231-4210 or go to floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach.
5. Anastasia State Park | St. Augustine
Four miles of unspoiled beach is this state park's top draw. Anastasia hasn't changed much since Spanish explorers made landfall here nearly 500 years ago. Besides great surfing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, the park has an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to create the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the oldest Spanish fortress in America. Explore the dunes and stunted oak hammocks via the nature trail or paddle Salt Run, a tidal salt marsh, in a canoe or kayak. The well-shaded campground is one of the best in the state system.
Call (904) 461-2033 or go to floridastateparks.org/anastasia.
6. Sebastian Inlet State Park | Melbourne Beach
One of the premier surfing and fishing spots on Florida's East Coast, Sebastian Inlet State Park has 3 miles of beachfront real estate. As expected, the park is popular with anglers and wave riders, but the adjacent Indian River Lagoon is also a great place to canoe or kayak. They call this the Treasure Coast because after big storms, beachcombers still find coins washed ashore from the doomed Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1715. The park's tent campground is within easy walking distance of the beach.
Campsites are $23. Call (321) 984-4852 or go to floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet.
7. Bahia Honda State Park | Big Pine Key
Henry Flagler's railroad from Miami to Key West put this tropical paradise on the map. Twelve miles south of Marathon, this state park has turquoise water, balmy breezes and an endless supply of sunshine that would make Bahia Honda a great location for a five-star resort. Luckily for us, the land has been preserved for the public's use, giving regular folks an easy access point to the Florida Keys' world-famous coral reefs. The park has two boat ramps and three campgrounds, which are a testament to the park's standing as a vacation destination.
Call (305) 872-2353 or go to floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda.
8. T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park | St. Joe
Consistently rated as one of the top beaches in the United States, this Panhandle park has some of the finest white sand in Florida. With access to the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay, canoeists and kayakers can spend a day paddling and never run out of new territory. This coastal barrier peninsula is also an international destination for bird watchers. To date, more than 240 species have been sighted. The park has 119 sites in two campgrounds: The Gulf Breeze area is open and can accommodate large vehicles; the Shady Pines area is more shaded and secluded.
Call (850) 227-1327 or go to floridastateparks.org/stjoseph.
9. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area | Flagler Beach
Named after Florida folk singer Gamble Rogers, this recreation area has access to both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular spot for boaters, canoeists and kayakers. Sit and watch the shorebirds as they feed on the beach or take a hike along a winding nature trail through a coastal forest of scrub oak and saw palmetto. The 34-site full-service campground overlooks the Atlantic.
Call (386) 517-2086 or go to floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers.
10. Fort De Soto County Park | Tierra Verde
The only county-owned property to make the list, this Pinellas County park has a 238-site, full-service campground that seems to have been created with families in mind. The amenities include picnic tables, grills, fresh water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a camp store. The park has more than 7 miles of waterfront recreation, including two fishing piers, nature trails, paved bike trail and a canoe trail.
Call (727) 582-2267 or go to pinellascounty.org/park.
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