Necessary Keys Information!

[Bonecracker]

1. Fill up boat in Georgia, it is cheaper! I have a 50 gal tank in my Hewes and we filled it up twice. My gas bill was over $200 for the boat and never run close to empty.
2. Thomasville, Ga. to Homestead, Fl. a little over 500 miles. Running 70 to 75mph it took around 8 hours. I ran from Thomasville to Valdosta and shot straight down 75 to the Turnpike. Just keep going straight and do not miss the Homestead turn off before Maimi.
3. Once in the Keys, it will take you twice as long to get anywhere as traffic moves on the average of 45mph which is enforced! I got pulled over doing 53 in a 45 and I actully thought the guy was going to give me a ticket. I ended up all the necessary paper work and a crying baby worked like a charm. I think Key West is somthing like 160 miles from Homestead.
4. My GMC Serria Z-71 used 2 1/2 tank fulls to get from Thomasville, GA to Summerland Key pulling my flats boat. Boat and tailer weight aroyund 2000lbs. My tank hold 26 gallons.
5. Take the TurnPike! It is quicker but costs more. It cost $35.50 pulling a single axle boat trailer one way or a total of $71.00 for the whole trip. Use SUN PASS. Do it on line and you keep moving vs waiting in line to pay your tolls. I guess I am not big on waiting!
6. Halfway point is Turkey Lake Plaza around Orlando. You need to fill up here for most folks. I think it was 255 miles from Tville, Ga. At least that where I have filled up over the last 10 years no matter what truck I was driving.
7. Fill up again at Homestead, FL and you are good to go for the week.
8. Motel rooms run around $100 - $150 - $200 per night not including the fee to leave your boat in the water.
9. Last few years we easily spent over $1000.00 on motel so that is why we decided to rent a nice house with friends. It actually came out cheaper doing this way and you get your own pool to pee in!
10. New to boating in the Keys, stay above Marathon. The ocean floor is real soft if you hit anything vs below Big Pine Key, very unforgiving and expensive! Hard coral bottom does not give!!!
11. Remember, BROWN YOUR DOWN!!!
12. Get a good GPS with Blue Chart. It can save your rear!
13. Get a Hot Spots map for fishing information in your area. They are all good, you just have to understand how the tide affect the fish in your give area!
14. You do not need a big boat to enjoy the Keys. Many great places to fish in the back country and fun for all!
15. He who has the most chum wins! Chum cost $5.00 a block but can provide more fish for wife and kids than anything I have ever used. Not only that, you will have fish to bring home!
16. Go to NO-Name Pub on Big Pine! Great food and if you are short on a tip, help yourself to the wall! There must be $50,000 in wallpaper! Get a tee-shirt. I have had more conversations over that one tee shirt than any I own than any other!
17. I plan my Keys trips baised upon moon phases. Full moon or new moon creates more tidal movement and fishing is better.
18. Do not go to the Keys duing a holiday! I did that once and it took me almost 4 hours to go from Homestead to Marathon. Holidays mean more people and more boat traffic. To me, that means less tranquility! If you want Lobster then go during Lobster season. I just cannot handle boats everywhere!
19. One day fight the traffic in Key West and go exploring! Neat town with good food. Pepe's is one of our favorites! Great shopping for the women and even better fishing for the men!! I think Mallory Square is where they put on all the shows in the evening and fun for the entire family.
20. Go to the Marquesas once and your ruined for life! Nothing seems to compair!

[birddog]

Solid advice. Thanks for taking the time to type all that up.

[bman]

great post - I'm ready to go!
Give up the name / rental company on the house....

[Reel Cowboy]

Thanks for the pointers

[fishful_thinkin]

Thanks for the Advise we leave satdy mernin headin that way!!! I cant wait!