Fly Fishing Key West and the Lower Florida Keys

As the water cools with the cold fronts, some species become a little more difficult to locate but others make their appearance on the flats in full force. Cold water brings the Redfin Needlefish onto the flats to eat glass minnows and pilchards. As a favorite food of the Jack family and particularly the barracuda, their presence draws predator fish into the shallows in reach of flyfishermen. Action abounds with 5-20 pound schooling jack crevalle, yellow jacks and even mackerel off the edges of the flat. Barracuda lay in ambush for the needlefish on virtually every white spot from the Marquesas to Seven-Mile Bridge and can be caught with big baitfish flies. The barracudas bring in the sharks and the Bull, Blacktip, Hammer, Lemon and the occasional Tiger can be found and caught on fly in shallow water.

Even though the fishing can be a little inconsistent for tarpon, permit and bonefish; each of the fish can be found in great numbers if the weather cooperates. Between the cold fronts, temperatures can soar into the high 80's and fishing can peak for the year for all species. However, a cold front can take the years best fishing and squash it overnight.

Anglers worldwide have migrated to the Keys to experience the famous tarpon fishing that has attracted so many angling celebrities, writers and luminaries. Truly, the Lower Florida Keys offers a unique experience in the spring months. As the tarpon migration nears Florida, the numbers of fish multiplies ten fold and so does the number of anglers. Between the months of May and June, the maximum number of boats will be on the Florida Keys waters and they will all be after the same thing: tarpon. And tarpon they will get. Eventhough the numbers of boats on the water is staggering, there seems to be enough water to spread anglers and guides out in such a way to offer a pristine, solitary experience involving the mythical and legendary fish known as the Silver King.

Taking a back seat to the popularity of the tarpon, are the other two species in the Grand Slam; bonefish and permit. Fly fishing for Permit is emerging as the new sport of the millenium and there is absolutely no better place then the Lower Florida Keys. Our fish average 20 pounds and the number of clean fly shots available outnumbers any other spot on the globe. These opportunities have given Del Brown almost all of his permit on fly and have spawned the first Permit on Fly tournament in the world, The Del Brown Invitational. February and March are the best Spring months for Permit on Fly.

Bonefishing in the Lower Florida Keys will become consistent as soon as the weather does. Between the cold fronts, bonefish will feed throughout the day on the flats and offer the fly fisher multiple opportunities a day for double digit bonefish. Fishing in Key West and the Lower Keys reaches its pinnacle in the hot summer months.

Bonefishing can be excellent from the Oceanside flats to the deep backcountry areas. The hot water on the outgoing tides pales in comparison to the action that the cool incoming water can bring. As the hot water leaves the flats, the bones will prepare to feed on the much cooler incoming tides. Be at the flat before the tide change and prepare to sight cast to tailers on the highest parts of the flat. In the lower keys, the opportunities often are associated with a very small window and the bones will not be available all day in the hottest parts of the year. Fish the edges of the flats in the deeper water during the day and watch for mudding fish. Flies like the Borski Fur Shrimp, Rowland's Puff Daddy and the Kwan fly are all good bets for both tailing and mudding fish.

The migratory tarpon numbers thin out in mid July but big fish can be found in morning hours and evening hours in channels, basins and around the bridges. Permit fishing remains very good during the hottest times of the day with fish finning and feeding on the flat and just off the edge. Use smaller flies, a longer leader and a more conservative presentation to spook these wary fish on the calm summer days. Boat and angler numbers are the lowest at this time of year.

Fall fishing brings a lot of tournaments and the fishing is excellent. Small tarpon, permit and bonefish are numerous in the Lower Keys and angling pressure is low. The bonefishing makes a big comeback when the water temperatures are lowered slightly and anglers can find them all day long on ocean and backcountry flats.

Overall, the Lower Keys offers a 365 day season on the flats. Each season offers its own opportunities and anglers are encouraged to fish here year round.