Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

Joined
Jul 21, 2008
Messages
11
I will be camping at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys this summer. I have a 12? aluminum jon boat with a 40# thrust electric trolling motor. I thought I would be able to get a small gas motor, but that didn't pan out. I?ve never been to the Keys before. Will this boat and trolling motor be adequate for exploring and maybe doing a little fishing in the areas around Bahia Honda Key, No Name Key, and Big Pine Key? Thanks.
 

capt sam

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
878
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

If you stay right around there you'll be fine, there's two bridges right off the beach, Bahia Honda bridge and the old railway bridge, there's also a flat off the beach on the southeast side of the island which holds bonefish certain times of the year. Watch the wind as chop develops quick and some of the boaters don't give much way to smaller boats.
 

pine island fred

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
1,144
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

WOW, good thing I caught you! Under no circumstances should you show up without a real motor. Using an elect. motor down there would be like CRAZY HORSE riding side saddle, a real girly man. Women would laugh and children would kick sand in your face. You will have to be MACHO and burn some gasoline. You have the rest of winter and all of spring to come up with a motor or dont come down.
A real motor would eliminate range and speed restrictions. No more overnight battery charging. Daylight is very long. Do you want to be stuck with a dead battery when you have to make a beer run in the evening? Never mind you could take the car, beer runs are much more enjoyable in a boat, your on vacation. Dont blow your vacation by not having a motor. Anything will work. How about one of those air cooled 2 1/2 hp. if they are still made or a briggs/ straton? A good INVESTMENT would be one of those small 2 hp. 4 strokes. You can flush it in a pail, you would have it for the rest of your life and pass it on in your old age. You owe it to yourself to have a real motor, right? Borrow from a relative, bounce a check, hold up a convenience store, what ever it takes it is justified. If you need anymore justification, let me know.
Now it is your turn to help me justify buying a new truck. regards FRED
 

pine island fred

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
1,144
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

One more thing. The government is going to send all of us a lot of money real soon. Spend the money now and help get the economy going. I got more reasons if you need them. FRED
 

capt sam

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
878
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

the closest place from Bahia Honda to buy beer is Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, , he could make that run easily on a battery, granted a small outboard would be better but he wouldn't be the first to make that run.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

we spend August on Little Torch Key, next one south of Big Pine. we see kids in jon boats & trolling motors, all the time. the area can be calm as a frog pond, or get scary rough. just have to pick your time, and watch the weather.
this was when Hurricane Gustav was approaching last year, the boat came out of the water shortly after.


this was the days before and after.
Keys2008001.jpg


Keys2008013.jpg
 

Clam Biter

Cadet
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
18
Re: Jon boat with trolling motor in Florida Keys

While you are in the Keys, take a run down to Big Coppit Kay and tell me if Ye Olde English Pub is still there. Have a pint o' bitters if it is.
 
Top