Spearfishing in Tavernier

[WOPSTER]

I will be in Tavernier in June. Does anyone knows of any FWC pubblication or Coast Guard pubblication on where we can spearfish around there? I am not very familiar with that area and I don't want to get my A#$ in trouble. The FWC in Lakeland did not know very much about the spearfishing regulation in the Keys area. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance. :p

[keezdiver]

since it's north of long key, you need to be 3 miles from shore, and then the other boundary you need to be aware of is the south edge of Pennecamp park...most charts should have that line on them.

[richhermes]

You also have the "no-take" zones around Conch reef (I think that's where they are). They are marked by the huge yellow ball buoys.

[junior]

Also, Everglades National Park is just on the north side of the islands along Key Largo and Tavernier. No lobstering is allowed inside of the park boundaries.

[keezdiver]

got some specifics from somone who works for the FWC:

illegal to spearfish north of the old Key Largo Marine Sactuary. the boundary runs from the north side of rodregez key out to molasses reef (aproximately) it should be visible on some charts.

south of that line you have to go beyond the 3mile boundary, which should also be shown on charts. most of the outer reef is shootable since it's farther than 3 miles.

the south boundary of that is a North-South longitude line that intersects the last bit of land on the south end of long key (aprox 80.50.00 long). southwest of that line you are free to spearfish any waters on the ocean side.

obvious exceptions are the standard 300' from fishing per, within a SPA or sanctuary preservation area (yellow bouys) and the rest of the basic regs

[WOPSTER]

Thanks Keezdiver that helps, once we get there I will be able to find more detailed charts on what the boundaries of the park are and the no take zone.

[Spearboy1]

So I can spear South of rodriguez key in the entire ocean side, and I can spear north of rodriguez key as long as I'm 3 miles out?

[keezdiver]

nope

on a chart, draw a line from the north side of rodregez key, out to molasses reef

this is the aproximate line where you CANNOT spear anywhere north of it.

from that line south to the 80.50.00 line (aprox) you have to be 3miles out

from the 80.50.000 line, south west (since the keys are turning towards the west by then) of that line you can spearfish anywhere

[keezdiver]

i know this is crude, and not to scale, but hopefully it will clearify things a bit

drawing (http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/243000-243999/243722_178_full.jpg)

[WOPSTER]

I finally spoke with FWC in Marathon and she told me that even pass the 80.50.00 line we still need to be 3 miles from land at low tide, no spearfishing inside the marine sanctuary, you need to be in federal waters. I guess we will know more once we get there and talk to someone of the FWC

[keezdiver]

ah...the power of mis-information:rolleyes:

i pm'd you...

trust me you CAN shoot inside 3miles south of long key

[keezdiver]

the reg book says this

Spearfishing is prohibited in the following areas:

-Within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, any commercial or public fishing pier, or any part of a bridge from which public fishing is allowed.
-Within 100 feet of any part of a jetty that is above the surface of the sea-except for the last 500 yards of a jetty that extends more than 1,500 yards from the shoreline.
-In Collier County and in Monroe County from Long Key north to the Dade County line.
In any body of water under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks.

the part that is bolded is what i'm refering to.

that states that you cannot spearfish in STATE waters north of long key. state waters END at 3 miles on ocean side and 9 miles on gulfside. after that it's federal waters where you CAN spear. now to add a touch more confusion, you have to stay out of the park that i mentioned begins at the line between Rodregez key and molasses reef.

TRUST ME! this is the information from 3 life long spearfishermen AND fellow workers here at the FWC office

__________________
Boatless

[Mobile Diver]

Keezdiver is correct. I did the same research when I decided to get into the charter business. Good job, Keez.

[groupa-man223]

it it long key and above or just above long key? i'm staying on long Key in june and this is pretty important. thanks

[WreckDiver]

Here is some more Info in the link the map is clickable.
http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/research_monitoring/map.html

[Spearboy1]

So I think I'm catching on. I cannot spearfish north of long key period. Unless I'm between Rodriguez and long key, in which case I have to be 3 miles out. Is this right? Also If I'm on the bay side of the long key bridge I can spearfish there right.(Where the acres of lobster traps are in Long key)

Thanks

[keezdiver]

oh god....i'll try this again....

THIS IS FOR OCEAN SIDE:

above the line from rodregez key to molasses reef....
YOU CAN NOT SPEAR

north of long key (the 80.50.00 line aprox)....meaning the reef going back towards the mainland...up to the line from rodregez key out to molasses reef (aprox)

YOU CAN SPEARFISH AS LONG AS YOU ARE PAST 3 MILES

from the 80.50.00 line south....the reef track towards key west....
YOU CAN SPEARFISH ANYWHERE

:mad: IS THAT F-ING CLEAR???EDIT

now...the question on the BAY side....i have to check....there is alot more to look at...cause i think there are some sanctuaries out there...not sure if you can spear or not...

DID ANYONE ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE DRAWING I MADE...I THOUGHT IT MADE IT A BIT CLEARER:rolleyes:[

[f94gator]

How about polespear? Are the regulations different? :D:D

[keezdiver]

i beleive they are the same...but i'll have to check

[f94gator]

Dude, just busting balls, don't check on my account. :)

[Spearboy1]

Perhaps you could repeat the parts about the stuff where you said all the things....

[WOPSTER]

Hey Keezdiver are you familiar with Harry Harry's Park or boat ramp? I was wondering how is the boat ramp there. We send in the deposit on the house I can't wait 'till June. We need to hook up and spear together.

[keezdiver]

very familiar with Harry Harris park. it has about the nicest ramp you'll find north of bahia honda park.

parking is close by the ramp, bathrooms, beach and a playground for the little ones.

that ramp is JUST north of rodregez key...so if you launch there and pass the key...you'll be able to shot as long as you are past 3 miles. basically launch...turn right...and go 3 miles from shore:cool:

you should bring the boat down to marathon once...i know tons of places around here. only a few up in that area

[WOPSTER]

Originally posted by keezdiver


you should bring the boat down to marathon once...i know tons of places around here. only a few up in that area [/B]

How far are you from Tavernier ? Maybe during that week you can drive up and come spearfish with us. We will keep in touch with you, for sure.:D :D

[keezdiver]

would deffiinatly be willing to come up, harry harris park is mile marker 92, i live at 52...so about 40 miles north of me.

i say come down because i know alot more places down here then i do up there.

but change is always good:cool:

please do keep in touch