Key West Fishing - Flats & Fly Fishing

Shallow water flats and fly fishing for tarpon, bonefish and permit

**Capt. Justin Rea holds up this 30- pound permit caught in early April by Louis Salemy of Boston, MA.**

Key West is well known for it's fishing opportunities. Saltwater fly fishing has become so popular in the last decade and for obvious reasons - - the pursuit of fish with a fly is really something addictive. Once you land your first fish on fly here in the Keys, you've done something great and the memory of that fish will last a lifetime.

Key West Fishing Report

Updated fishing reports for the flats

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July 5, 2010

The shallow waters have been kind to us the past few weeks. Plenty of big tarpon are still abound and traveling the ocean and backcountry edges of the flats.

We've been getting out early to get the best bite on calmer days and have been successful.

Bonefish are plentiful all over the Lower Keys. It's still a great time for the Grand Slam (tarpon, bonefish, permit) and it will be all the way into the fall months.

The Gulf Oil Spill has of course been a concern for us, but the center of the spill is 475 miles away. The latest NOAA reports put us farther away from damage, it changes constantly but after this much time things are still in our favor and our waters are clean and fishable.

September and October are both terrific months for fishing the flats in the Keys. The warmer weather starts to taper off and there are permit, bonefish and smalller tarpon (with some larger ones mixed in). It is a terrific time to fish here and provides some wading opportunities that are accessible by boat.

You can reach Captain Justin Rea at 305-744-0903 or email justin@flyfishingthekeys.com

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Tarpon Fishing

Fighting the 'Silver King' in shallow water

Key West tarpon fishing Fly anglers flock to the Keys each year for a shot at hooking (and maybe landing) a tarpon on a fly rod. The tarpon, referred to as the Silver King, provides gill-rattling jumps and long reel screaming runs. Feeding a tarpon a fly is not only exhilirating for the angler, but equally as exciting for the guide to see. Tarpon do have a season in Key West. Generally the migration is from April through June. Don't rule out any other month of the year though, tarpon can be found here year-round and depending on the weather can be actively fished for on the flats from February through November.

Key West Tarpon Fishing 2011

Don't wait until January, book your trip now for 2011 tarpon season. Inquire about booking a charter for Tarpon Season in Key West.

Flats & Fly Fishing in the Lower Keys

Shallow flats surround the Florida Keys and give fish like tarpon, bonefish and permit a healthy environment to feed with each rise and fall of the tide. Fishing for these prized species along with large barracuda, jacks, sharks, cobia, and mutton snapper present so many opportunities all within the serenity of a shallow pristine flat. We fish for these species by sight casting with live bait, plug or artificial lure and also with a fly.

Key West Permit Fishing

The ultimate in saltwater fly fishing

Key West flats fishing for permit Permit are one of the most elusive gamefish on the flats. Their body shaped like a dinner plate gives them ultimate fighting power with the leverage of their body against the pull of a fishing line. Permit are found in larger numbers in the Lower Keys, Key West and Marquesas area. They can often be found tailing in shallow water on a calm day but this can also be the most difficult time to fish for them. Many guides prefer a little wind to help them get the boat closer to the fish without spooking him.

Bonefishing in the Florida Keys

The grey ghost of the flats

Bonefish are also found in the Key West area. Unlike our counterparts in Belize or the Bahamas, our fish tend to be larger. The average bonefish here in the Keys is 4-6 pounds with larger fish over ten pounds available.

Barracuda Fishing

Toothy creatures of the flats

Barracuda are a well known both on the flats and offshore for being "toothy' creatures. The barracuda will strike very aggressively and make mad runs sometimes jumping completely out of the water.

Shark Fishing

Many species roam the flats

Sharks are spectacular on the flats. There is nothing like seeing a bull shark pushing water on a flat while half his body is out of the water! There are many species of sharks that populate the flats around Key West.

Jack Crevalle

Hard fighting jacks on fly

Jacks are fun and hard fighting fish. When they are schooled up, they can be easier to catch on fly. A plug or jig works well too. They range from a few pounds up to 15 pounds and can be found in deeper channels between flats or following a sting ray.

Sugarloaf Key

Lower Keys backcountry flats

Sugarloaf Marina is one of our launching points. Tarpon, bonefish and permit are all accessible from Sugarloaf Key by flats skiff. This area has intricate mangrove islands and vast sand flats.

Key West

Harbor flats and Lakes Passage

Key West Harbor has many adjoining flats and channels that are home to tarpon. The Lakes Passage offers shallow water grass flats that are perfect for permit fishing.

Marquesas Keys

Florida Keys atoll

Twenty two miles from Key West are the Marquesas Keys. This atoll is teeming with fish. This sanctuary is host to many flats and hold all types of shallow water species.

Fly Tying Bench

Flies for tarpon, bonefish & permit

View the gallery of saltwater flies tied step-by-step for many of the saltwater flats fish including tarpon, bonefish, permit, cobia and sharks.

View saltwater fly pattern gallery

Fishing Report

What's biting this week...

Read up on what's biting on the flats and offshore in this report.

Rates & Reservations

Book your fishing charter today!

Inquire about fishing with a professional Key West fishing guide.