Fly Fishing the Florida Keys

[Mob...@aol.com]

Hi all-

 

I heading down to the Florida Keys for a week the end of February and hope to do a little fly fishing.  I plan to stay in the upper Keys for 3 days and Key West for 4 days.

 

Can anyone recommend a guide(s) for each location, and maybe suggest any easy access wading sights I can get to by car.

 

With our new cold weather, I am really looking for the warm, sunny Keys.

 

Thanks, Tom

 

 

[Rob Snowhite]

Tom,

If you can get to bay side of Adams Cut there should be some tarpon hanging out. Use shrimp patterns, 4"-5" long. There is a nice flat on the east side of Card Sound Bridge.

Stop at the Keys Fisheries in Marathon for the Lobster Reuben. Ask the kitchen window for fish scraps to feed the tarpon hanging out below the picnic tables. You can feed tarpon at Robbies but you have to pay.

My best suggestion is to look at Google Maps or Earth and follow Rte 1 up and down. Look for a bridge with turquoise water to the east or west and a parking lot on the side of the road. That is the easiest way to find some flats for DIY  fishing. Look for residential roads that dead end on turquoise water. There are no beaches in the upper keys. Its all mangroves. Bring an 8wt for the wind. A 9wt if you are going to be in a boat. Keep it simple with shorts, long sleeve shirt, ball cap, and chest pack. Closed toe shoes, good polarized glasses. Long leaders and baitfish and shrimp patterns. None of the tropical style bonefish flies like charlies and puffs.

Look up Captain Paul Dixon (Montauk/Keys) to see if he is down there. He might be doing the fishing show circuit right now. Used to work with him down there, he's a class act.

Bahia Honda park has some nice shallow waters. There is a small entrance fee-though they have restroom facilities.

Hit me up if you have any more questions.

[Brad Gentner]

If you like fishing from a kayak, Bahia Honda rents them. I've fished
there out of a rented kayak a number of times. Go west from the rental
office and fish the bridge pilings (two sets, old bridge and new
bridge). I hung something once fishing under the old bridge that towed
me out of the inlet quite a ways before breaking off - could have been a
goliath grouper, shark or tarpon. Who knows - I was kind of glad it
broke off, actually. I thought I was headed to Cuba.

Go the opposite direction of the bridge on the Atlantic side, northeast,
and there is a nice flat. Hug the shore and you'll see a little cut into
the mangroves (probably a mile from the rental place) that goes back
into a mangrove pond where I've caught reds and snook. You can see this
cut on Google Earth back in the northeast corner of a sandy bay. If you
skip that cut and keep going along the beach to the northeast, you'll
come to a couple of addtional small inlets and then the Seven Mile
Bridge all with more pilings. That next inlet to the NE is probably a 2+
mile paddle from the rental place, just FYI. And that is just fishing
the outside, the inside has plenty of structure if you look at Google
Earth, although I think the outside flats look better. I've never really
fished the inside.

If you rent a kayak, do yourself a favor and buy the biggest piece of
lead you can find at the tackle store and 20-30 foot piece of cheap
rope. I bought an old sash weight that probably weighed 8 pounds and it
worked like a charm, even when the tide was ripping. If there is current
around the pilings, which you want for fishing, you'll also want an anchor.

Brad

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[Evan McDonnell]

Tom,

For the upper keys, I suggest contacting Capt. Mike Hutchinsson. His
website is http://www.flatstofathoms.com/.

I've fished with Mike once a year for about ten years, targeting
bonefish, tarpon, redfish, and snook in the Everglads and Biscayne
Bay. Mike lives in Miami but works all the way down to Key Largo (I
ususally meet him in Homestead). He'll fish with everything, but his
favorite clients are those who fly fish.

Evan

[boatdrinks]

Late february could have the beginnings of some good fishing depending on what the weather does.  If you get a cold front it will chase the bones and permit off of the flats but the reds and snook might hang out in addition to cuda and jacks.  I fish the middle keys so I don't really know any one in the upper or lower keys but if I can be of any other help please let me know.  Bahia Honda is a good spot to wade but there are a lot of other spots too.  Keys fisheries is a great spot for lunch in Marathon.  I love to hit The Sunset Bar and Raw Bar on the ocean side just before the 7 mile bridge.  Great spot for drinks.  You're in for a fun trip!

[Richard]

Hi  - I just found and read this thread because I am going down to FL last week of this month and have some projects to be done in Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach. I thought I would take extra one day to Key West for bonefish and tarpon. It looks like that I would stop at Bahia Honda State park (Rob and Bobdrinks mentioned it) and Card Sound Bridge. Yeah I will bring fold kayak with me. I also will stop by Tampa for 1 or 2 days - hope find free time for redfish and sea trout in Old Tampa  Bay. I have bass/pike line 8 wt - is it ok? Do I have to get sink or float line for salt water? The pattern would be crab, shrimp ( I have 2" long - good?), and half/half or clouser (5 to 6")

I don't see Tom's report - it has been a year. 

If anyone can throw more information, it would be helpful - Thanks.

Richard

[Jeffrey Silvan]

An 8 wt is good for redfish, trout, and bonefish, but will be on the lighter side for tarpon. Remember, the Florida record is over 240 lbs caught off Key West, although they aren't common to that size by any means.

Unfortunately, the end of January isn't the best time to target most of the species you mentioned. Bonefish will basically be non-existent this time of year unless there's several days of unseasonably warm weather, but they still won't be there in big numbers. Tarpon will be few and far between as well. Basically all just babies, and in pretty sparse numbers.

What you end up targeting and where will be highly dependent upon water temperature. No matter what, your best bet will be the specks, since they tend to still stay active in colder weather (again, by Florida standards). If it is warmer, you'll find them on the shallow flats with some snook and reds. If it is colder, the snook will probably shut down. The reds tend to be very spooky and picky all winter, especially when it is colder, but are definitely catch-able. If it is warmer, a floating line is probably fine since the fish will likely only be in a couple feet of water. Keep your eye out for tailing reds on a low tide on the warm days. If it is colder, the fish will likely be stacked up on the deep edge of the grass flats and on the channel edges. In this case, the sinking line will be useful because you'll need to get the fly down 6-8 feet at least. The good thing about colder weather this time of year is the fish tend to be more dense once you find them, but finding them is tougher. Bring crab flies, shrimp flies, and spoon flies. Your general baitfish flies should work too, particularly mullet imitations. You'll want both weighted and unweighted variations. 

Black Drum and sheepshead will also be active (and a good option if it is colder, but not sure how they take to the fly). Barracuda will actually be a great option too. The big guys are extremely active on the flats during the winter, and are tons of fun on the fly. I'd prefer a 9 or 10 wt, but you should be able to get buy with an 8wt. For those, you'll want large flashy baitfish imitations with a fast, jerky retrieve. Needlefish imitations work great. If you tie your own flies, you'll want something long, preferably with a tandem hook - one in the middle of an imitation and another at the back. Cuda's tend to try to slash the fish in half first, so it is pretty critical to have a hook in the middle of the imitation. The small (but fun) sharks will definitely be around too - think 10-25 lbs. You might even find a cobia on the flats following the sharks and rays. Jacks will be active this time of year too.

You'd need more than a kayak and an 8wt to do this, but this time of year is pretty outstanding for sailfish. Not sure if you'd want to go through the expense of chartering a boat, but the sails are a blast.

This was probably far more info than you were looking for, but hopefully it helps.

Richard

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[peter odell]

For Key West, contact keywestflyfishing.com - captain dexter simmons.  He lives there, very experienced, and a good guy.

Lots of great kayak fishing - take some wire leaders or new wire tippet, as you will run into a lot of cuda, which are fun unles they are just slicing off your flies.

 

There are several books that detail good DIY spots in the keys, and locals at the fly/tackle shops have always been willing to share.

 

 

[Richard Lin]

Jeffery,

 

it is awesome information! It is much more than I expect! If it is either cold weather or bad January, I still will give it a try! I got a room for one night in Marathon area and I should be able to scan the area as much as I can. Yeah I will bring extra flies -weight and unweight, sink and float lines, etc. See how the weather would be when I got there. If I caught one of them -only if one, I still would be happy man - because I never catch all kind fishes you mentioned! Thanks again!

 

Richard

[Richard Lin]

I am back here from Florida - good and bad!

 

I went to upper Weeki Wachee River and the weather was about 76 degree with nice sunny, the river is mixed fresh water and salt water, I caught a lot of bass, bluegill. some same kind of fish with tooth (a lot of them in the water) I caught look like bass but I couldn't identify it. I also saw hundred of mullets - 18"-24" long average and sheepshead, I throw all flies and they won't take it. After I went back to hotel and check thru Internet, I just found out that mullets are veggie fish and won't touch any flies or lures. I saw three manatees (picture - manatee with hundred fishes) and they swim under my kayak - pretty cool!

 

Next day I went back to same river and paddled down to bay/sound from low river, I found some nice spots and I was able to stand/cast  in shallow water. Then I noticed that some small fishes split on surface water, I could not identify it, I then throw all size of clousers, the fishes would not take it. I opened my flies box and tried to find smallest fly and I found the green crab - it is same size as dime. I throw it - Guess what ! They went for it. I lost them 20+ times however I managed to reel 5 of them to my hand or into my kayak. They were NEEDLEFISH!! It was totally surprised me! HAPPY & AWESOME day! I remember some members here and caught needlefish with special material that would grab & hold their teeth - Can someone mention it again? Oh by the way - I lost in the area (the area looks like kayak trail, paddle thru different trails) when I was getting ready back to parking lot because everywhere looks same but I managed to find a way with my smartphone (battery was almost dying..) with gps - Thanks God!

 

I went to Bahia Honda at night and woke up next day - Sunny! But the wind was killing me!! 20-25 mph all day! I throw my heavy flies & sink line and they did not go more than 10 feet! Agggrrrr. Wrong day and very disappointed! I decided to hiked thru trails and beach and get some idea for next visit! NICE PLACE!

 

I went to Tampa Bay - Nice! but it was 65-70 degree low. I did not see any fishes swim by. :-(  Maybe too cold like Jeffery said.

 

Hopeful I would go back to Florida in March or April. I think I would hire guide when I want to fish in bay/sound area because it is big and I have no idea where to start or where to look!

 

Now time to fishing TROUT and SHAD!!

 

Richard

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Silvan
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 1:07 AM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Fly Fishing the Florida Keys

 

An 8 wt is good for redfish, trout, and bonefish, but will be on the lighter side for tarpon. Remember, the Florida record is over 240 lbs caught off Key West, although they aren't common to that size by any means.

[Aaron O]

Hey Richard,

       Great post!  Love the Pictures!  Expecially the first one.  That needs to be framed!  I am hoping to go to the keys this June for my 5 year anniversary and this reinvigorates my need to get out on the water with a guide.

 

 

Make sure to post for your upcoming trip.

 

Aaron 

 

[Morgan Franklin]

Forget going all the way down to the keys if just for fishing, you will be in prime territory around both the Tampa and West Palm Beach area. You have Jupiter, Stuart, and Ft Pierce all withing  45 minutes. Stuart's Flounder population is up, my dad caught one last week just outside the inlet, my brother pulled in a great redfish and then there is all the snappers and spanish mackeral. Then in Tampa you can go for the tarpon, reds and much more.

 

Key West is worth the vacation but if you are short on time and are in the area you can get more fishing in without the travel.

 

Morgan

On Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 10:19 PM, Richard <rlin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Richard

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Morgan Franklin

[Charlie Church]

Looks like a blast Richard. Glad you made it down there. Really is a great place! Bahia Honda can be quite a fishy area if the weather cooperates.

[Richard Lin]

Morgan - I am curious...what fly should we use for the flounder - maybe shrimp pattern? Of course we have to use sink line to make fly to floor where the flounder is lying/hiding on bottom floor.

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Morgan Franklin
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 2:14 PM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Fly Fishing the Florida Keys

 

Forget going all the way down to the keys if just for fishing, you will be in prime territory around both the Tampa and West Palm Beach area. You have Jupiter, Stuart, and Ft Pierce all withing  45 minutes. Stuart's Flounder population is up, my dad caught one last week just outside the inlet, my brother pulled in a great redfish and then there is all the snappers and spanish mackeral. Then in Tampa you can go for the tarpon, reds and much more.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-...@googlegroups.com.

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[Morgan Franklin]

I am pretty sure my dad caught his on a Crystal Schminnow. The area isn't that deep with the offshore sand bars but I am no expert on it. I have been told the population of flounder there has come back and it is becoming a popular fish to target. here is a link to some info on them and a link to how to tie the Schminnow. Ziggler is a local and gave my dad a lesson which is why he likes to use it.

 

http://www.fishingstuart.com/floridafish/flounder.php

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WwRpKsNgs8

--
Morgan Franklin

[Charlie Church]

VB is full of flounder in the spring/summer months (and a hell of a lot bigger ones than in FL). Sinking line + clousers will do the trick.

One of the more popular techniques there as of lately is jigging for them using gulps (chartreuse). If you think about it, a bouncing clouser is almost the same thing without the smell/taste and all that.

[Aaron O]

Hey Morgan,

 

On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 2:13:57 PM UTC-5, Morgan Franklin wrote:

Forget going all the way down to the keys if just for fishing, you will be in prime territory around both the Tampa and West Palm Beach area. You have Jupiter, Stuart, and Ft Pierce all withing  45 minutes. Stuart's Flounder population is up, my dad caught one last week just outside the inlet, my brother pulled in a great redfish and then there is all the snappers and spanish mackeral. Then in Tampa you can go for the tarpon, reds and much more.

 

Key West is worth the vacation but if you are short on time and are in the area you can get more fishing in without the travel.

 

Morgan

On Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 10:19 PM, Richard <rlin...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi  - I just found and read this thread because I am going down to FL last week of this month and have some projects to be done in Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach. I thought I would take extra one day to Key West for bonefish and tarpon. It looks like that I would stop at Bahia Honda State park (Rob and Bobdrinks mentioned it) and Card Sound Bridge. Yeah I will bring fold kayak with me. I also will stop by Tampa for 1 or 2 days - hope find free time for redfish and sea trout in Old Tampa  Bay. I have bass/pike line 8 wt - is it ok? Do I have to get sink or float line for salt water? The pattern would be crab, shrimp ( I have 2" long - good?), and half/half or clouser (5 to 6")

I don't see Tom's report - it has been a year. 

If anyone can throw more information, it would be helpful - Thanks.

Richard

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Morgan Franklin

[Aaron O]

Hey Morgan,

 

         Thanks for the suggestion.  We got married in Key West and the wife has her heart set on going back for our 5 year.  I am planning on getting a guide there and possibly taking an over night trip to  Dry Tortugas to do some fishing.