He invented the Florida Keys fly pattern for permit called the merkin crab and went to work. Practice casting into the wind, with the wind, and across the wind. The Gurgler – This is a great topwater fly for the Florida Keys. Backcountry Fly Fishing And Flats With Capt Paul Fisicaro In Marathon Florida Keys Orada Big Pine Key For Bonefish Tarpon Permit Redfish Snook My Specialty And since sight-fishing is the name of bonefishing game, you need all the help you can get from a pair of high-quality polarized sunglasses. Also called the “Grey Ghost” of the flats, this is one of the most elusive—and prestigious—species known to light tackle and fly fishermen. Tap into Florida Keys Outfitters expertise and 50 plus years of global fly fishing experience to help you make the right selections. With your skiff in position, cast your fly in front of and slightly beyond the bonefish. We offer 4 hour, 6 hour, and 8 hours fishing trips. I know they work, and I do use them occasionally, but there are better flies for certain situations. The first fly to have modest success was Nat Ragland’s puff fly. Bill Baldus and I live in Naples, Florida which is 200 miles from Key West. Sight Fish Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Redfish, Barracuda and Sharks. If you're not sure which way the tidal current is moving, look at any seagrass present and see which way it's bending, or stir up some mud or sand and watch where the current pulls it. Islamorada and the upper Keys produce some of the largest specimens, while the lower Keys host the highest numbers. Learning how to catch bonefish with a fly rod is a huge challenge but one that is well worth the effort. When it comes to favorite fly patterns for Bonefish, it would be safe to say they tend to pick up shrimp and crab more than anything. Bonefish range all over the globe throughout the tropics. My most productive tarpon fly for the Florida Keys looks like something from Mars. The average size of the bonefish caught in the Keys is 3 to 5 pounds but fish weighing 10 pounds or more have been caught in local waters. It is a good choice for both permit and bonefish when fly fishing on the lighter bottomed flats. On the other side, you have the depths of the Atlantic, and Cuba is just 90 miles away from Key West if you’re looking for a real adventure! Skok Merkin – The merkin fly was the first real permit fly that reliably caught Florida Keys permit. The best part of the year is … It works well fly fishing for smaller tarpon in the Keys. If you present your fly, strip it into the strike zone, and the … I like materials that impart a lot of movement when choosing bonefish flies for the Florida Keys. Once you spot a bonefish, position your skiff so you can present your fly upstream of the bonefish. Browse our selection of the best bonefish flies for tailing, mudding, and cruising fish all over the world. A good water temperature for bonefish is 70-85 degrees. If the water is slightly deeper they may have small brass eyes. They average around 4 to 8 lbs and reach weights of around 15 lbs. This helps keep the fly from getting caught in the grass on shallow flats. Squimp – A good deep water bonefish fly for the Florida Keys. Just about every fly line manufacturer makes a bonefish line. A gift. So, how do you make a long enough cast without false casting? From mid September through December the action is outstanding. These days no one would dream of throwing those flies at wary oceanside tarpon these days, but at one time they ate them like the last supper. The keys have some big bonefish! Bonefish have an uncanny ability to blend in with the sandy bottom of the flats. These specialized lines are designed to perform well in the demanding conditions of the bonefish flats. As mentioned before our bonefish like big flies. Normally seen in a shallow depth of water, an angler must do everything possible to remain quiet prior to presenting their fly. I’ll swear you to secrecy the day of your fly fishing trip in the Florida Keys!