08-22-2015, 02:04 AM
Mike,
I've been going down 1-2 times most years to the Keys and Everglades for over 30 years. Naples is as far north as any self respecting fishermen would want to live. Everything south of Naples except Marco Island is worth considering. Isle of Capre is a far better choice than that piece of Cleveland in South Florida. Everglades City has great access to 10,000 Islands but might be too far in the boonies for family. Marathon down to Summerland Key is the best of the Keys. Just be warned the Keys seldom dropped below 80 in the Summer months. The highs are usually low 90's but the heat index is usually approaching 110. The mainland feels downright cool on a summer morning compared to the Keys. It can only cool down so much when you're surrounded by 85-90 degree water on all sides in July and August. The other issue with the Keys is the traffic. At anytime a wreck on Highway 1 can add 30-60 minutes to a drive. Of course boat traffic and no wake cuts from Gulfside to Oceanside seldom slow you down more than a few minutes and are quite predictable.
Good Luck on your search.
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I've been going down 1-2 times most years to the Keys and Everglades for over 30 years. Naples is as far north as any self respecting fishermen would want to live. Everything south of Naples except Marco Island is worth considering. Isle of Capre is a far better choice than that piece of Cleveland in South Florida. Everglades City has great access to 10,000 Islands but might be too far in the boonies for family. Marathon down to Summerland Key is the best of the Keys. Just be warned the Keys seldom dropped below 80 in the Summer months. The highs are usually low 90's but the heat index is usually approaching 110. The mainland feels downright cool on a summer morning compared to the Keys. It can only cool down so much when you're surrounded by 85-90 degree water on all sides in July and August. The other issue with the Keys is the traffic. At anytime a wreck on Highway 1 can add 30-60 minutes to a drive. Of course boat traffic and no wake cuts from Gulfside to Oceanside seldom slow you down more than a few minutes and are quite predictable.
Good Luck on your search.
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