Wife and I are looking for a Florida beach destination, that is all or most of the following:
1. Affordable / inexpensive lodging - I would prefer to find a place offering small suites with oceanview balconies and kitchenettes.
2. Decent surf fishing.
3. Groceries within 1 mile.
4. South Florida. Somewhere between Miami and the Keys.
5. Decent dining / bar within a mile.
6. Airport by American within 20 miles. Or an airport shuttle.
Any suggestions and feedback appreciated.

Regards,

Gray

Orlando...then go East to coast.

Last December I stayed Coral Gables Marriott You are about a ten to fifteen minitue drive from Biscane Bay and right by the Miracle Mile(Bars Galore) + this is a nice enough neghbiorhood so you wont be getting robbed. Miami can be a tough town if you dont watch your arse sometimes.While you are there get ahold of this guy Cordell Baum Jr. He is a great guy and has reasonable rates for his trips. He also has a mother-in-law style place you can rent out if that is something you and the wife would prefer. I will be going back at the end of June for a few more days of fishing with him.


Good luck,

Derik

Those are pretty specific criterion. I'd agree with Derik on Biscayne Bay but a boat is really needed for that kind of fishing. All around the Miami area you can find canals. Those canals hold fish of all types including Peacock bass, snook , and mangrove snappers. The big freze took out huge numbers of Peacocks and snook this winter but there should still be fish remaining. Try bridges and spots along the roads with canals where you see empty parked cars.

To get into reliable tarpon fishing this spring, you may have to go out to the Keys because of the fish losses.

I forgot to ask what time of the year you plan on heading down. Meadowlark you are right about the Peacocks, the area around Airport lakes in Miami has a few good places to park and walk a long stretch of the canal in search of Peacocks. I have heard they took a really hard hit due to the cold this year.

i would give the bonefish whisperer a call... if you want to go the affordable rout...

Gentlemen, this got off on a bad path so I am going to clean it up a bit to restore it to the original intent of accommodation suggestions in S. Florida.

Funny timing but Cordell sent me a few pics this morn here are a couple of them


Looks like the freshwater fishes might be doing a little better than everyone first thought.

That peacock is one beautiful fish and nice snook also. Looks like canal fishing is worth trying. Enjoyed the pictures.

Derik,
Great photos. Thanks.