Speaking of Christmas in the Keys...my family will be in Big Pine Key over Christmas vacation.

I am dragging the V behind the RV...you will have to come down and go fishing with us.

where are you staying in Big pine?

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, mile 33.

Sounds like a Merry Christmas in store for The Halls of Goose Creek!!...with or w/out the McKee...I know it's some extra $$ and effort, but w/all the opportunities you'll find yourself in the middle of, you'll be kicking yer own @$$ if ya don't...:sun:

definately take your boat, little trouble now, but worth it when you get there. like destroyer said, grease your hubs , take a spare one, & a couple of spare tires. i always only took one tire until i had a blow out & needed it, then i spent 3 hours on & off the interstate looking for another. you could also trailer down to big pine & meet up with rmb, and go out to looe key or into the back country out by no name key.

Ive drug a few boats back and forth to the keys, take the McKee. Like every one else said, have your bearings and tires in good order, and check your springs, i had one crack while down there and its no fun paying fl keys west marine prices for one much less laying in the gravel changing it out when you could be enjoying yourself.

well, for no one to blame other than myself( I didn't finish it), I'm leaving the McKee here in SC next week, just had too much going on lately and was laid up all last week with the flu. we still plan to enjoy ourselves while we are there, and I'm still taking tackle. Randleman, give me a shout while you're down there (843) 532-9148

well we made in late last night(1:00 am), 755 miles from Goose Creek to Marathon. Did a quick walk aorund this morning, we're staying on a canal.Plenty of boats around. The home owners have a nice selection of kayaks in hte back yard, but unfurtunately, they are all locked up. Looks like I'm bank fishing for the week. I'll post up pics later.

Boats are readily available down there to rent, and I'm sure this time of year they would be willing to make a deal on a rental. Marathon area has al lkinds of fishing, and you can always go a little furthur down to Bahia Honda on the other side of the 7 mile bridge and walk out on the bridges and stuff.

Spare, PM sent