FunFlatsFishing Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 Has anyone made the run from Key west to the marquesas keys? I have a 22' pathfinder and am considering doing it. Second question, is it worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
localangler Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 I just recently looked at this. I to am curious about the general consensus of people who have done it. Of course the weather window would be my first concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 I did it in a HB Marquesa (imagine that) awhile ago, whether it's worth it is up to you. Yon can take the Lakes Passage in your Pathfinder just realize some of the passes are pretty shallow and you must pay attention to the markers. The sketchy part is Boca Grand channel, the tide smokes through there and you're still 6 miles from the Marquesas. You get a decent wind against the tide it's gets pretty gnarly I hear. Our trip was very smooth an uneventful, we did it in the late fall when the storms are more predictable and crossed Boca Grand Channel at slack tides. As I'm sure you realize you're 30 miles from Key West and if you're out there at low tide in a bay boat, any boat for that matter there is nowhere to hide because you won't be able to get to cover. The bad part about this is that if you're out there for the first time at high tide you gotta be careful you don't run out of water. I'm by no means the authority as I've only done it once, I'd definately do it in the Spring or Fall the first time if you're doing it by yourself and if the wind is blowing north or south pay attention to the tides at the channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 I also did the trip in HB 16fter,but with a old time guide who had made the trip a 100 times. Spring time and perfect weather otherwise it could have been a disaster. We got into permit and bones,but I think it's a long trip except for the experience of going there. Pick PERFECT weather nuf said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Been there in my 16' Redfisher. Lakes Passage is the way to go . Boca Grande has a KILLER sandbar ... We love sandbars !!!!!!!!! Hope for good weather on the six mile crossing . It gets deep and tide is swift. The biggest challange for us , was the ramp in Key West. As with everything there , it was unique . Think its called Key West City Ramp at Garrison Bight. Perfect location. But unless you are the first couple cars there , you have to drive across the street , then unhook your trailer in a space , then park your truck. After a long day , it makes getting your boat timely. But.. The ramp puts you right at Mallory Square . Its nice to watch all the street action from your boat . Have fun ! PS ITS WORTH IT X2 PICK PERFECT WEATHER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted June 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 So I routed the channel markers in the lakes passage in my chart plotter. Definitely looks like the way to go. There is quite the gap between marker to marker. How shallow is it in the channel and what kind of bottom is it mainly throughout the lakes passage? Attached is the route I am currently planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 It's sand n grass . Plenty deep , for your boat. The last dot you have on your map , is a beautiful beach . Nice place to stop , on your way back. A few hundred yards in from that last marker, think its the second to last marker before the end , is a shipwreck, if you like to snorkel. Had a nice adventure there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 This is the tip of Boca Grande . The shipwreck is in the creek just to right of those two boats . We have been to many sandbars , and this one is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted June 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Looks like a pretty cool beach. I've seen pics of several boats posted up there. Will definitely check out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE OUTLAW Posted June 12, 2016 Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 This is the sandbar we were at on the west end of Marquesas . The snapper , in that creek were so thick we put the kids on non stop action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted June 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Awesome. I'm hoping the fishing, lobstering and diving are all great out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Oceanside Marina on Stock Island has truck & trailer parking. If you go during the week or arrive super early on the weekend the ramp by Charter Boat Row has room for truck & trailer as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue dolphin Posted June 13, 2016 Report Share Posted June 13, 2016 Oceanside is closed, undergoing condo conversion. Public parking at City Marina with good ramp Run Lakes Passage all the time in Freeman plenty of water, watch entrance at Northwest Passage and exit as shallow bars are close Boca channel conditions vary greatly due to wind and tide, get both in opposite directions and it can get ugly. Can be a long 6 miles when it kicks up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason p Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 On June 13, 2016 at 7:56 AM, blue dolphin said: Oceanside is closed, undergoing condo conversion. Where are all the people making under $500K going to live now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue dolphin Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Oceanside which had two dry stack barns and Sunset Marina which offered rack outside storage have both closed. Both, reportedly were bought by the same entity to be converted to condos. Construction is underway at Oceanside, nothing yet at Sunset.the gas dock is gone at Oceanside, the transient slips are still there. Don't know if the condos will come with a slip or if any arrangement has been made for boat storage for owners. Cheapest gas is now at new marina in commercial harbor at stock island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodwalker78 Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Your route looks good! I was born/raised in Key West, have made that run many times since the late 60's. More boats make the crossing now a days but the fishing is still good! In the summer you have to be very careful of the weather! Those afternoon storms come out of nowhere with the afternoon heating and can be very nasty! Boca Grande Channel or "flapjack channel" as the locals called it can be as bad as some of the inlets on the east coast when the tide opposes the wind, especially on a spring tide! You'll get "standing men" type waves that stack and can be big trouble for a flats boat. We've spent the night down there waiting for calmer conditions in the channel the next morning. I won't run my HPXS down there, because of the flat bottom, but we don't hesitate to make the run in my brothers 17 Master Angler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoak352 Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I made the run last summer in my then, 18' Hewes with no problem at all. Went through lakes passage, which was crystal clear. I will definitely be doing it again the next time I go. You should have no problem in your boat. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
localangler Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Slightly off topic but still related and not worth its own thread. I'm planning my 2017 trip to the keys and last time we went before grouper season opened. Does it traditionally open on June 1 in the Monroe County? I'm thinking about adjusting it if need be just so I won't have to release a delicious meal if we catch a legal fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted August 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I will be making the trip next week. Hoping for good weather. Will let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Island Style Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Funs Flats Fishing what are your dates you will be down there? We stayed in KW last year and made the run several times. Outlaw I agree we stopped at both of the spots you mentioned and had a great time. Keep your eyes open for the blue rafts on the islands and check them out if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted August 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 13 minutes ago, Island Style said: Funs Flats Fishing what are your dates you will be down there? We stayed in KW last year and made the run several times. Outlaw I agree we stopped at both of the spots you mentioned and had a great time. Keep your eyes open for the blue rafts on the islands and check them out if you can. I will be down there 8/23 through 8/28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Island Style Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 gotcha please give us a report when you get back if possible. GL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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