The Florida Keys' Best Flats Fishing Is Now Literally Just Outside Your Door at Ibis Bay Beach Resort!
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IBIS BAY Beach Resort in Key West, Florida receives a lot of praise for its authentic 1950s Key West ambiance, its first-rate 21st Century service, its plentiful watersport activities, and its immediacy to the Trip Advisor 5-star rated Stoned Crab restaurant. But there’s one major new attraction that traveling fisherman are really going to love — the newly enhanced IBIS Bay Fish Camp!
IBIS BAY is home to the only boat ramp to Key West’s bay, putting flats fishing just outside the door for any of the resort’s guests. Recognizing how important this area is for visiting fisherman, owner Chris Holland has made it a priority to provide everything a fisherman guest might need to enjoy the bounty of the Key West’s beautiful waters. This includes Key West’s only boat ramp on the bay for guests who bring their own flats boat, as well as two house-owned boats for rent, a group of rooms called the Fish Camp with maritime decorations and outdoor cleaning stations, and fresh catch cooking at the red-hot Stoned Crab restaurant in front of the resort!
Jason Wells, manager of the Stoned Crab, is a local Key West fisherman who also runs two commercial fishing boats in Alaska during sockeye salmon season each year. According to Wells, the fishing, food and experience at IBIS BAY and the Stoned Crab is second-to-none.
“Key West is a fisherman’s paradise,” Wells said. “From March to July there’s a huge bounty of tarpon, permit and bonefish, and the actual variety is much larger for the patient fisherman. We know these waters are fantastic because we fish them every day, and that’s also why we are able to serve the best seafood on the island. We’ll cook your catch for a small fee as well, giving you a self-caught meal like you’ve never had before.”
So what is staying at IBIS BAY like for flats fishermen? Imagine waking up in a beautiful room, opening the door to a gorgeous white sand beach and being able to get out on the water in minutes. Guests without a boat can rent the resort’s 19-foot Release for a full day ($575) or half day ($375) with or without a captain (additional $100 for half day, $150 for full day), or take out the resort’s 24-foot Starcraft ($600) for a 5-hour trip with a captain, paddleboards, beach chairs, water masks, and a special sandbar cookout of any catches courtesy of the captain! This make it a great option for families as well as seasoned fishermen.
“Local fisherman and visitors alike know that Key West’s waters are ripe with incredible catches every day of the year,” said IBIS BAY owner Chris Holland. “The fishing community here is vibrant and friendly, and for many travelers a fishing and fresh cooking experience is something they won’t get anywhere else. For veteran fishermen we’re excited to offer them Key West’s only bayside boat ramp and everything they need to clean and prepare their fish for a fantastically fresh and delicious meal at the Stoned Crab restaurant.”
IBIS BAY has quickly become a favorite among travelers and locals and is already having a big impact on the local community through the many events and fundraisers it hosts. As the island’s only beach resort to embrace Key West’s Cuban history, IBIS BAY stands alone as both a resort and a destination. Owner Chris Holland is all about authentic travel, and he has fused the island’s classic 1950s style with 21st century comforts to create a fun, uniquely Key West destination.
Additionally, Holland has recently teamed with New York-based Dock to Dish to bring the locally-sourced seafood membership based Seafood Market to Key West. They are passionate about serving and selling only the freshest fish available, whether in the Stoned Crab restaurant or at the new on-site Dock to Dish Seafood Market.
IBIS BAY offers rental bicycles, scooters and electric golf carts to help you get around the island, jet skis to have fun on the water, and IBIS BAY Paddle Sports to take you, your friends and your family out for an amazing kayak or paddleboard adventure where you can see all sorts of marine life. Be sure to check out the clear-bottom kayaks for an incredible tour where you can watch the ocean floor sweep by while the brilliant tour guides tell you all about the island and its rich ecosystem.
For more info visit www.ibisbayresort.com or call them at 305-296-1043. Reservations for all activities including boat, vehicle and watersport rentals can be made with the front desk, even if you aren’t staying at the resort.
