Key West Fly Fishing Guides – Are you looking for a unique fishing adventure that is not your average adventure? Or are you a seasoned fly fisherman looking for a great place to hook a nice fish? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you should consider fly fishing in Key West!
Fly fishing in Key West is good for several reasons. For one, the area has stunning views with miles of crystal clear water. As you cruise along the flats and slowly troll the grass and sand bottom, you will also see many species. The diverse ecosystems in Key West and the many game fish that inhabit the surrounding waters cannot be missed.
Key West Fly Fishing Guides
Key West is a hot spot for fly fishermen not only because of its beautiful waters, rich habitats and diverse marine life, but also as a tropical destination. There are many hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants and bars, and many activities.
Get A Jump On Tarpon Fishing In The Keys
Tours take the form of snorkeling and sightseeing charters, but there are plenty of shops to browse and the town even has an aquarium. The aquarium highlights the many species that live in the waters of Key West, which you will want to go fly fishing for.
That being said, Key West is a fly angler’s paradise. Whether you’re traveling alone or with family, you’re sure to have a great time on and around the island. And while you are here, you are sure to catch a variety of cool sea creatures! Now, let’s take a closer look at those sea creatures.
You may be wondering what species you can target while fishing in Key West. Well, the answer to this question is simple – a lot!
The most common types of fly targets here are tarpon, bonefish and permit. These are the equivalent of the “Shore Grand Slam” but not easy to land! In second place are snook, redfish and trout.
Fly Fishing Pyramid Lake
Of course, there are many other species that live in the waters of Key West, such as jack crevalle and barracuda, to bills of fish offshore. However, most fly anglers target inland waters for the species we have mentioned above.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed fly fishing trip, get a guide to show you the ropes. There is no need to worry about finding or finding spots because the fish are already experts. Some charter captains will even provide you with gear, so you have less to carry. If this sounds like your thing, then let us introduce you to some excellent fly fishing guides in Key West.
But if you want to do your own research, that’s great! If you have your own boat, Key West has several marinas and ramps to launch. Keep in mind that these areas can get quite crowded, especially in the summer. It’s a good idea to be there early in the morning – when they first open – to avoid the big crowds.
If you don’t have your own boat but want to catch your own fish, no problem! There are many options for renting a boat on the island and you can find one that is perfect for your fly fishing adventure. For experienced fly fishermen, kayak and canoe rentals are also available around town, but fly fishing in small boats can be difficult.
Islamorada Tarpon Season Is Here
Flats are likely to be your best friend when fly fishing in Key West. When traveling on water, look for areas of color change. Areas where you see a mix of white, blue and purple/green give you the best opportunities.
The best method for fly fishing in Key West is to use a platform and sight fish – cooler works too! You can use a push pole or a quiet trolling motor to maneuver around the flats and find some great species. Pull the line to bend the rod, use your back and forth motion to increase the tension and allow it to reach a good distance, and cast your line towards the nearest fish.
Fly fishing is a type of fishing that uses heavy lures, braided lines and small artificial feather lures that allow a leader to cast long distances. The overall setup usually depends on the species you are targeting. In Key West, you can find large tarpon weighing over 100 pounds, so you need a setup that can go up against them. Other species may require less setup, so we’ll talk about two common setups.
Most fly anglers in Key West use 11 wt rod, 7/0, 20 lb Dacron line and 8 wt line. An example of a small setup is an 8 wt rod, 4/0 reel, 8 lb taper, and 4 wt line.
Fishing Charters In Cudjoe Key & Key West
You can choose whether you want to use dry or wet flies by paying attention to the action around you. Are the fish sitting on the bottom? Use a damp cloth. Are they coming to the surface to eat? Use dry corn. This will tell you which flight is best to use.
Also, use flies that attract the attention of the fish but do not overwhelm them. The diet of most saltwater fish consists of whitemouth, mullet, crabs, etc. Find lures that mimic these and have similar colors. Certain colors like purple, orange and bright neutrals are known to attract their attention.
As previously mentioned, the best places in Key West where most fly fishermen congregate are the flats. Apartments are many types of houses, large and small, and sometimes even large schools. These areas are not very deep, so they are perfect for trolling around and using a push pole. The sandy bottom is mixed with grass beds, where many creatures hide. Since the water in Key West is always clear, you can easily see some fish moving around.
Around Key West are small islands and stretches of mangroves with hungry fish nearby. Some schools of bait can get stuck in these shallow waters, bringing in predators. Also, if you get too hot and need to rest, you can drop anchor on an island, walk on the beach and take a swim to cool off. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Captain Mitchell Dugger
And, if you’re out on foot, there are a number of places where you can fish from the shore. I’m talking about beaches, some piers, docks or ramps as well as some points and piers. You will find some critters hanging around where people are hoping to grab some leftovers! Be careful though, sometimes these places are crowded with boaters or swimmers.
Finally, even though the next place isn’t home, you’ll leave Key West to go there. I’m talking about Dry Tortugas National Park. A good size offshore, it is a tropical oasis. Once there, you’ll find more beautiful water and scenery, and you’ll find plenty of hungry sea life around.
Fly fishing is best in calm conditions. In addition to the distance you need to top your long line with additional light lures, you want to make sure that no wind gets in the way. Get a warm, sunny day and you’ll have great opportunities.
Summer is usually the best time to go fly fishing in Key West. CIS is when the most popular species are most active. However, because Key West has a warm and inviting climate, many creatures hang around year-round. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to collect different types throughout the year. However, if you have specific varieties in mind, you should check their seasonality.
Key West Flats Fishing: Where, When And How
But you can’t guarantee engagement by going back in the summer. Let’s talk about the time of day. This does not solve the fly fishing in Key West, but it has advantages. Morning and evening are usually the best times to find the most action. Meanwhile, nights can also be very productive.
Before I let you go, I need to mention a few rules. When fishing in an area it is important to know what certificates you need and what regulations apply. This is especially true if you are going out for the first time.
In the state of Florida, you need a fishing license if you participate in fishing. However, if you are under 16 or 65, you are off the hook. The same goes for any angler fishing with a registered saltwater charter! You’ll find several freshwater fishing areas in Key West that require a freshwater fishing license, but, let’s face it, you’re probably here for the saltwater critters!
You can get your saltwater fishing license online or over the phone
Bonefishing Key West
Calgary fly fishing guides, fly fishing guides oregon, seattle fly fishing guides, fly fishing guides nz, missoula fly fishing guides, rockport fly fishing guides, fly fishing guides washington, denver fly fishing guides, montana fly fishing guides, fly fishing guides, asheville fly fishing guides, deschutes fly fishing guides