We had been anchored up chumming with barracudas for a few hours when all these big sharks show up. One huge one actually planted itself under the boat and was keep the other ones away. For some reason the big one would not eat baits, so we caught a small crevelle jack and put it out on a cork. Immediately one of the other sharks grabbed it, but instead of running when he was hooked he started attacking the boat.
Bonefish are one of the most prized flats fish because they are very spooky and challenging to target. They are relatively small, under 10 pounds but they put up a great fight, making tremendously long runs. They are usually targeted with a shrimp or a fly.
Bonefish
With bonefish be prepared to put the whole day in, in order to catch one.
Crevelle jacks are aggressive fish, and one of the strongest fighting fish in the ocean, at least for their size. They are relatively easy to catch if you find them. They can sometimes cruise around in large schools or in singles. They cruise the flats sometimes following sting rays, but more often they cruise the channels in between flats.
Crevelle Jack
They will hit almost anything: live bait, artificials, flys… due to their aggressive nature. They are not the most prestigious fish to catch, but still extremely fun. They are common up to 20 pounds in pretty much all inshore areas of the Florida Keys.
Sharks are common fish on the flats ranging from the tiny bonnethead to 200 plus pound monsters. That’s right it is common to see 200 pound sharks in a few feet of water. Sharks are another fish that can be targeted when other fish are not biting, but for most sharks you will have to crank up your tackle a bit to something heavier then what you would use for a bonefish or permit.
Sharks can be caught on bait or artificials. A pretty fun way to fish for them is to catch a barracuda and fillet it, leaving it hanging over the side of the boat, then anchor up on the flats in a couple feet of water. When the sharks start showing up cast at them with a large popper or fly.
Bonnet head sharks are common on the flats and can be targeted with bait or artificials. They, like most sharks, rarely refuse a bait and they can be a great fish to target when other fish are not biting or the conditions are terrible. They fight ok for their size and can be targeted using the same tackle as one would use for a bone fish or permit.
Lady fish are sometimes referred to as “poor man’s tarpon”. They are not usually sight fished but are often caught in the channels along the edges of Flats and mangroves. They fight hard and jump a lot but have no food value. They are often caught when targeting something else
Tarpon are the king of the shallow water gamefish. Growing over a hundred pounds and often targeted in less then 20 feet of water they are a real treat to catch. When they eat that is. For such large fish tarpon can be surprisingly finicky. Tarpon can be sight fished on the flats but are also commonly targeted in the channel between flats. People fish for them with a variety of lures and baits, and common live baits for tarpon are large pinfish, mullet and crabs. Sometimes they are targeted with dead baits also. In Key West tarpon are sometimes chummed up with bycatch from shrimp boats.
Tarpon are often targeted using heavy spinning gear and 20-50# line. Personally I prefer fishing for them with 50# braid and drag on tight, it puts a ton of pressure on the fish but it makes the fight short and less wear and tear on the fish. Of course when you’re fishing like this it is common to straighten hooks and have other gear failures so be prepared.
Key West Tarpon Fishing
In Key West often people fish in front of Fort Zachary in the harbor. Other common places to fish are the mouths of various channels that feed into the harbor. Most tarpon charters are 4 hour trips, and tarpon tend to feed more in low light conditions, so you should try to get an early morning or evening charter.
Barracuda are a staple fishing on the flats. They can be annoying when fishing for other fish but they can be a life savor on a bad day. Barracuda are common on the flats up to 25 pounds and will hit a variety of lures, flies and live baits. They fight well and often jump when hooked. Common methods of fishing for them is with a tube lure or popper.
Flats fishing, also known as “shallow water angling”, has become an exciting sport throughout the world. Anglers will fish in a shallow draft vessel called a flats skiff. These boats are strictly designed for easy maneuvering in skinny water by using a push pole or electric trolling motor. Generally one person will stand on a poling platform just above the motor. This will allow the person poling to steer the boat and also give them a better vantage point to see fish around the vessel. Anglers can stand on the bow and sight cast to cruising or stationary targets. There are a lot of fish that feed up shallow on mud flats and banks.
Florida Keys Flats Fishing
In Everglades National Park an angler may fish for half a dozen species in one area. Understanding what to look for and how to approach these shallow water fish will help your chances of catching them. Redfish are a popular fish in the backcountry. Reds have the ability to “tail”, when they feed. This reference means when they are searching the muddy bottom with there mouths there tails and backs will break the surface revealing where they are and helping anglers to sight cast. This is extremely exciting fishing.
Other fish that break the surface are Snook. Snook generally will cruise making a wake with there head and back. Tarpon will show fisherman a different scenario as they porpoise sticking there dorsal fin and back out of the water while they travel. Permit another keys favorite will show anglers there tails while digging for crabs in the bottom or even while they are underway. Bonefish work the shallows too and will tail during certain conditions. This is flats fishing. Fishing the shallows can be great fun for sure. The amazing thing about this unique style of angling might be the size of fish an angler can expect to run into. Tarpon well exceeding the 100 pound mark can be found in a foot and a half of water.
Fishing gear ranges from spin casting to fly. Many people enjoy fishing artificials along with saltwater fly patterns. Live bait is used frequently also. Surface plugs are very popular, mimicking wounded bait fish. The strikes are incredible. Since most species of saltwater flats dwellers are aggressive, the hook ups are explosive. Make sure you enjoy a day on the flats. You wont regret it.
