Headed to the Florida Keys in Dec.

[BladesNBarrels]

My preferred area in the winter.
Must try:
Lazy Days for seafood, next to Bud N Mary's (as stated earlier, popular head boat for fishing)
Other head boats are the Marathon Lady, and one at Robbie's in Islamorada
If you've got a sack of cash, charter your own 1/2 day trip and be ready to take some fish home.
If interested PM me and I will give you the name of my favorite Captain.
Keys Fisheries for lunch or seafood to cook at home in Marathon
Overseas Pub and Grill for lunch, Marathon
Spend a day in Key West on Duvall Street watching the people, eating at the bars, and visiting all the tourist traps.
End that day watching sunset from Mallory Square - all the buskers put on shows and you can wander around watching all types of bizarre tricks.
I try to spend 1-2 months and rent a house on a canal.
I used to pull my boat down from Colorado, but now I usually rent.
Last January, I bought a used small boat, toured and fished, brought it back to Colorado and sold it.
PM where you are staying and I will suggest some other ideas. I have stayed from Key Largo to Marathon.
I avoid the rental houses in Key West due to price, but that might appeal to you.
Remember, Relax and Have Fun. They are on island time there and don't rush anything.

[Eric P]

Take the sea plane to the Dry Tortugas NP. Neat history and they circle a few ship wrecks

The snorkeling is good there also with no or weak currents.

[Lurch]

Blades we haven't nailed down a spot yet but Marathon or close to will be the spot. I love to fish but don't like eating it. Been looking at doing some fishing from the old bridges and such. Are there places to rent gear?

[ray1970]

A quick google search shows there are several places that will rent you fishing gear while you?re down that way.

I vote for going on a charter boat and dumping the wife off at a spa for the day if she isn?t interested in that sort of thing.

[hatidua]

Key West: https://www.7fish.com. -get the yellowtail snapper with green curry, likely not on the menu but it's their signature dish.

[BladesNBarrels]

Blades we haven't nailed down a spot yet but Marathon or close to will be the spot. I love to fish but don't like eating it. Been looking at doing some fishing from the old bridges and such. Are there places to rent gear?

There are multiple places to rent. Will you drive down from Colorado or fly?
If driving, I can loan you some of my gear.
There are a couple of good places to buy used gear at decent prices - Mother Ocean in Key Largo, the Big Pine Key Flea Market on the week-ends, and multiple garage sales.
I also take advantage of the sales at West Marine, and Bass Pro's store on Islamorada - a must do store to see the Zane Grey Bar, Marina, and Tarpon in the bay.
If you aren't a seafood eater, then you will like Key West and their varied restaurants - excellent Cuban food, and others.
If you are renting a place with a kitchen, there are good supermarkets in Marathon - Publix and Winn-Dixie, where you can get good meats and fresh groceries.

[SAnd]

Watch out for the sharks! There are rumors out that they have been deputized to take a bite out of anyone caught not maintaining social distancing or not wearing a mask.

[ray1970]

Eh. I literally heard shark attacks were way down since all of this Covid stuff started.

[BladesNBarrels]

How can a shark attack if you are not in the water at the beach?
Social distancing keeps people away from the beaches, doesn't it?