Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina

Great value guided fishing from just £1345pp (7 nights accommodation and 5 days guided fishing based on 2 travelling)

Located an hour and a half south of Miami, on the southern tip of beautiful Islamorada in the Florida Keys, you will find Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina. Established in 1944 and home to over 40 legendary fishing captains and guides, it is the oldest and largest fishing fleet in the Florida Keys.

Islamorada is known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, and rightfully so. More world record fish have been caught from our waters than any other location on earth. What facilitates Islamorada's reputation is that the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico all surround this island in the central Keys. Every fish that swims in our hemisphere can be caught here. GREAT FISHING TRIPS FOR 2 TO 20 PERSONS... Tailor made inclusive holidays. Great for serious anglers and couples.

Accommodation

Comfortable, friendly small family owned resort right on the harbour and within a short drive of beaches. Restaurants/bars are within walkning distance to a short drive.

There are 4 standard twin rooms with bathroom and TV. A penthouse suite with balcony has two twin bedrooms and a large lounge. There is a 3 bedroom bungalow with beach. All are close to a small cafe for breakfast and lunch packs. The marina/shop is onsite.

Dave Lewis on Bud n’ Mary’s - April 2012

Once again our April group trip to Bud n’ Mary’s Marina at Islamorada in the middle section of the Florida Keys was voted by all who came as a resounding success. When we arrived we were greeted with the news that for several days the wind had blown at 20-30 knots out of the south-east, and that as a consequence of this fishing for tarpon and even sharks had been difficult.

One of the main reasons we base ourselves at Bud n’ Mary’s is that there are so many different fishing options from which to choose, so if plan A doesn’t work we can move on to plan B, C, D and wherever until we find some action. The other reason we come here is that many of the very best back country fishing guides currently operating in the Florida Keys are based at this iconic location.

Fishing during the first couple of days, despite the strong wind, was pretty good, with most boats catching plenty of redfish, snook, speckled trout, snapper and groupers. One or two big tarpon were jumped and a few big sharks, stingray and sawfish were landed.

On day three Capt’s Jim Wilcox & Bill Basset took four of us on an two mile run north to explore and fish the secluded mangroves around Cape Sable, the most southerly part of mainland America. The fishing we experienced for redfish, snook, trout and a multitude of other species far exceeded our greatest expectations, in three days my boat partner Andrew Leaves and myself caught and released over 100 redfish. Consequently we spent a total of three days fishing this amazing and obviously little fished part of Florida.

During this time the rest of our crew targeted tarpon, which had started to show as soon as the strong winds eased. Good fish were caught by all who fished for them, several topping 100lb. Del Elliot looking to catch his first sawfish ended up catching no less than three of these prehistoric sharks in one day, the biggest estimated at 600lb+. The general shark fishing also improved considerably, notably producing a 150lb hammerhead for Bob Clements.

On the last day I elected to fish the inshore flats with Capt Ed Cale and while we failed to find any of the bonefish we were hoping to catch, I returned to the dock more than satisfied with a new personal best permit. It was a stunning chrome flanked beauty that Ed estimated weighed 25lb, one of several to which I sight cast a live crab to on the ocean side a few miles south of Bud n’ Mary’s.

Needless to say we are going back next year, and already the first week we are planning is filling very quickly. I can honestly say that if ever I find myself restricted to fishing abroad for just one week a year, I would not hesitate in choosing a week at Bud n’ Mary’s. To be absolutely blunt, if you don’y enjoy a week fishing here I suggest you look for another hobby!

Dave Lewis Bud n' Mary's Group Trip April 2013

My last trip produced action packed fishing on most days. We concentrated on the Guld waters, fishing deeper channels and holes close to forests of mangroves. These warm sheltered waters are super rich and contain a real diverse selection of species. Snook, speckled trout and redfish congregate in vast shaols and experienced guides know all the hot spots. The wildlife is stunning and the fishing will leave your arms aching from almost non stop action.

Shark, tarpon and huge sawfish hit our baits and lures. The catch and release action is explosive, you never quite know what you are going to hook into next.! I escort small groups of angling in the prime fishing time, usually April/May. Check out my dates for 2013 they always fill fast.

For the latest information about group trips, either those escorted by myself or private trips, ring Anglers World Holidays on Tel: 01246 221717.

SERIOUS FISHING GUARANTEED... Holiday itineraries to suit your requirements.

World class saltwater fishing for a wide variety of species all with extremely professional and friendly guides. We operate regular group trips and virtually all guests re book. You are guaranteed a holiday trip of a lifetime. Dave Lewis personally landed his biggest tarpon on a fly - 140 to 150 pounds.! Clients caught Sawfish to 700 pounds, 400 pound Bull Shark, bonefish and redfish on fly and baits, big Tarpon on lures, Sailfish on baits - to name but a few of the many species here. Giant Swordfish trips available too. Prime time is March to May but good fishing is available November to February too.

Besides fishing, Bud N' Mary's offers:

• Tackle Shop
• Bait, Ice, Fuel
• Dry Boat Storage/Mechanic
• Bridge Fishing Information
• Transient Dockage - to 60'
• Outdoor Cafe
• Party Boat Fishing
• Motel Accommodations
• Boat Rentals
• Dive Shops - Dive Boats

How to get here

From Miami International airport - take the Florida turnpike south to exit 4 homestead/key west (approx 1hr) this meets U.S. 1 In Florida city. U.S. 1 takes you to Islamorada, some 45 minutes south. We are MM 79.8 Oceanside (left)  Mile markers - abbreviated as MM, mile markers are located along the overseas highway (U.S. 1) On the right shoulder of the road. Small green signs with white numbers, the markers begin at MM 126, just one mile south of Florida city on U.S. 1. Bud n Mary’s marina is at MM 79.8.

Ecotour Information

Customized fishing packages are available through seethefloridakeys.net . Captain Ricky Stanczyk also does Florida Keys Ecotours for persons and families that would like to sightsee, snorkel, swim, and do a little fishing if you like, without the pressure and additional cost of hiring a guide!

Everybody who visits Islamorada and The Florida Keys loves the natural beauty of the area. There is no better way to see that than out on the water with your family and friends, with a knowledgeable captain who can take you for an ecotour, snorkeling & diving, for a sunset cruise, relaxing at the beach, sight-seeing, bird watching, or doing a little fishing! Many visitors, especially families with children, would love to do such a thing, but often find that most captains down here run strictly fishing charters.

If you would like an easy day on the water and not spend the money on an expensive charter, then a Florida Keys Ecotour with Captain Rick is your best bet! I run a 20' SeaCraft bay boat, which comfortably can take up to 4 passengers with snorkeling/diving equipment, fishing equipment, or just plain lunch, cameras, and beach bags! I've grown up in The Florida Keys <http://www.floridakeys.com> over the last 25 years, and know much about the history of the area, as well as great places to sightsee, fish, and get in the water. The wildlife in the keys is phenomenal, with a huge variety of different fish and marine mammals, tons of different migratory birds, and other unique creatures such as alligators and turtles. The only living coral reef in the U.S. is found here off of South Florida, and has amazing coral heads and different reef fish. The everglades national park has many different mangrove islands, channels, lakes, and beaches going up through towards the mainland of Florida, and is truly a unique place unlike anywhere else in the world! Many of the different islands that make up the keys are connected by very historic bridges, which hold many different kinds of sea creatures around them as well.

Destinations Within In Bud N' Mary's Marina