The Fish

tarpon

Tarpon is known as the “Silver King”, it is quiet aerial and a challenge to keep hooked. The Megalops Atlanticus is found throughout the Florida Keys with Key West being the hotspot. They are primarily inshore fish. The adults spawn offshore where the larval stage of the fish can be found. The range is from Virginia, the entire Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Most fish range from 40-80 pounds. The smaller fish are available in the cooler months as the fish have a big migration push through the Keys in Early Spring. The ideal water temperatures must be at least 75 degrees. The tarpon is a primitive fish more than 300 million year ancestry.

permit

Permit is considered to be the “phantom of the flats” and is by far the hardest fish to catch on a fly.  The permit is extremely spooky.  The average size is about 15 pounds, but 30 pounds fish are common.  The best fishing is mid February through March for the biggest fish.  Permit move offshore to spawn around the first full moon in April an return In late May to the flats.  June through October are prime months to fish.  The lower Keys & the Marquesas offer World class angling for this prized catch.  Permit like current and hug the edges of flats searching for food.  This sight fishing game is the ultimate challenge.

bonefish

Bonefish is known as the “Grey Ghost of the Flats”. These fish are extremely wary and spooky. They are found in tropical and warm waters where there are flats and shallows. They’re temperature sensitive and prefer the 78 - 82 degree temperature range. they are in the flats in search of food only, feeding on sand worms, crabs, shrimp, mollusks and small fish. Spotting the Grey Ghost is an art in itself so a seasoned guide is essential to be successful. Fly fishing for Bonefish is the perfect scenario for the angler coming from trout fishing. Presentation is the key to get hooked up to the lighting bolt of the flats, this makes the Bonefish one of the most prized shallow water fish.