In the May ’08 issue of Florida Sportsman, Managing Editor David Conway covers the hot spring fishery off Miami, and recounts his ride with Capt. Alex Castellanos and Duane Cagel’s team on the Miss Britt in the previous year’s Grove Slam Dolphin Tournament.

The Taste of Coconut Grove draws crowds to the Grove’s downtown district.

In case you’re planning a visit to Coconut Grove or nearby Miami for a getaway weekend, or in case you want to plan a midsummer night’s swordfishing trip to the area, here are the essential leads for putting the trip together…

Pack My Bag: Coconut Grove

Outdoor cafes, a great fresh market by the marina, malls and shops, bars, restaurants, and plenty of hotels in close proximity to great fishing make Coconut Grove a contender for a weekend getaway for couples and families. See www.coconutgrove.com.

Charter Captains

Capt. Alex Castellanos, Miss Britt, At Bayshore Landing Marina, (305) 596-0419; www.missbritt.com

Capt. Bouncer Smith, Bouncer’s Dusky, At Miami Beach Marina (305) 573-8224; www.captbouncer.com; captbouncer@bellsouth.net

Capt Dave Kostyo - Light-tackle Sportfishing in Miami Aboard "Knot Nancy," a 28-foot Whitewater - Sailfish, Kingfish, Dolphin, Tarpon - www.knotnancy.com - 305-620-5896

Capt Dennis Forgione - Light-Tackle Sportfishing in Miami Aboard "Free Spool" - Tarpon - Sailfish - Wreck Fishing - 305-947-8844

Capt Pete Silot - Light-Tackle Inshore Sportfishing Aboard "Saltwater Junkie," an 18-foot Egret flats boat - Biscayne Bay - Snook, Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit - www.saltwaterjunkie.com - 786-266-0620

Capt Bob Lemay - Sight Fishing in Biscayne Bay - Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook - 954-435-5666

Capt Dean Panos - Light-Tackle Sportfishing in Miami Aboard "Double D," a 34-foot SeaVee - Sailfish, Dolphin, Kingfish, Tuna, Tarpon - www.doubledcharters.com - 954-805-8231

Capt. Gil Gutierrez - Light-Tackle Sportfishing in Miami Aboard "Lucky Vee," a 32-foot SeaVee - Sailfish, Tarpon, Kingfish, Dolphin, Swordfish, Grouper - www.luckyfishingcharters.com - 954-588-5951

Capt Freddie David - Light-Tackle Sportfishing in Miami Aboard "Frick and Frack," a 27-foot Conch - Swordfish, Sailfish, Dolphin, Tuna, Kingfish - www.frickandfrackfishing.com - 754-244-2531

Capt Jerry Murphy - Light-Tackle/Fly Sportfishing Aboard the "Tar-Bon" - Biscayne Bay - Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Snook - 954-432-0197

Capt Alan Sherman - Light-Tackle Inshore Sportfishing Aboard the "Get Em" - Biscayne Bay - Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Trout, Barracuda - www.getemsportfishing.com - 786-436-2064

Capt. Carl Starling, Prince of Tides, At Bayshore Landing Marina, (305) 607 6862; www.princeoftideschartersmiami.com

Watercraft Rentals:

American Watersports Rentals, At Bayshore Landing Marina, Nick Burnett, (305) 856-6559; www.americanwatersports.us

A bird’s eye view of Coconut Grove’s Sailboat Bay.

Marinas

Bayshore Landing Marina, 2550 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, (305) 854-7997

Dinner Key Marina, 3400 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, (305) 579 6980

Grove Harbour Marina, 2640 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, (305) 854-6444

Grove Isle Marina, 4 Grove Isle Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, (305) 858 4753

Grove Key Marina, 3385 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, (305) 858-6527

Area Boat Ramps:

Dinner Key Boat Ramp, 3400 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, 3 ramps, 46 trailer parking spaces

Crandon Marina, 4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33149, 7 ramps, 140 trailer parking spaces

Matheson Hammock Ramps, Coral Gables, 9610 Old Cutler Road, Miami FL 33156, 5 ramps, 200 trailer spaces

Haulover Marine Boat Ramp, 10800 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33160, 6 ramps, 60 trailer spaces

Pelican Harbor Marina, Near Haulover Inlet, 1275 NE 79th Street Causeway, Miami, FL 33138, 4 ramps, 52 trailer spaces

Watson Island Boat Ramp, Near Government Cut, MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132, 4 ramps, 41 trailer spaces

Island View Park, Near Government Cut, 1700 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139, 2 ramps, 15 trailer spaces

Coconut Grove Lodging

The Hampton Inn Coconut Grove, 2800 S.W. 28th Terrace, (305) 448-2800

The Doubletree Hotel, 2649 S. Bayshore Drive, (305) 858-2500/ (800) 222-8733

The Grand Bay Hotel, 2669 S. Bayshore Drive, (305) 858-9600

Coconut Grove Inn B&B, 33201 Aviation Avenue, (305) 856-4311

The Mutiny Hotel, 2951 S. Bayshore Drive, (305) 441-2100

Mayfair Hotel & Spa, 3000 Florida Avenue, (305) 441-0000

Residence Inn by Marriott, 2835 Tigertail Avenue, (305) 285-9303