[JohnS]

I would not run all the way down to Homestead Bayfront to put in of you are coming from the north. I would put in at Black Point and then run out to Cesars. Black Point has a very long channel but you can usually cut out early, just don't cut out before channel marker 19 unless you are in a flats boat. Then, clear the channel a bit and as long as you can get on plane with about three feet of water, you will not have a problem. High tide is never an issue, low tide you have to be careful.

I ran out Cesars and then trolled north and was going to run the color change back south until my oldest son started looking a bit on the sick side so we ran back in through Stiltsville and then south through the bay. He was fine as long as we were running and I can run pretty quick in the bay.

When I need live bait, I always have to go to Fowey if I want anything decent. Just a fact of life around this way. When I don't feel like running all that way, well, then out comes the wallet. There is a decent bait shop that is on Old Cutler just south, about a half mile, from 87th avenue, which runs out to Black Point. They have the stuff you will need if you want to come south and don't want to run to Fowey. The only advantage Homestead Bayfront has on Black Point is, the channel is very short.....

John