Tarpon
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of the flats. Known for their explosive eats and acrobatic fights, they’ve become one of the most sought-after species in fly fishing. Each spring, massive schools of migrating tarpon move along the ocean side of the Keys, rolling and flashing in clear water as they make their way north.
On the flats, sight fishing for tarpon is as visual as it gets. Watching a 100-pound fish turn on your fly in shallow water is something you’ll never forget.
Season: March through July, peaking April through June
Size Range: 40 to 150+ pounds
Tactics: Sight fishing with floating lines and baitfish patterns
Learn More: Tarpon Trips
Permit
Permit have earned their reputation as one of the toughest fish to fool with a fly. They’re cautious, unpredictable, and capable of humbling even the most experienced anglers. But when it all comes together (the cast, the strip, the eat), there’s nothing quite like it.
The Lower Keys are one of the best places on earth to target permit, offering year-round opportunities on both sand and turtle grass flats. The hunt is quiet and intense: spotting a tail, placing the fly, and watching a fish tip down to eat.
Season: Year-round (best in spring and fall)
Size Range: 10 to 30 pounds
Tactics: Sight fishing with crab or shrimp patterns
Learn More: Permit Trips
Bonefish
Bonefish are the fish that made the flats famous. They’re fast, spooky, and the ultimate test of stealth and precision. When conditions are right, the Lower Keys light up with tailing fish pushing across white sand and turtle grass flats.
A bonefish trip is ideal for anglers who enjoy the technical side of fly fishing: quick shots, careful presentations, and heart-pounding runs when everything connects.
Season: Year-round
Size Range: 3 to 8 pounds
Tactics: Sight fishing with shrimp patterns on light tippets
Learn More: Bonefish Trips
Other Species
While the “Big Three” are the stars of the show, the Keys are full of other opportunities throughout the year. Depending on tides and conditions, we might also encounter:
- Snook in mangrove creeks and shorelines
- Jacks and Barracuda on the flats and channels
- Sharks cruising shallow water in the backcountry
These bonus catches often make the day even more exciting and keep rods bent between shots at the main targets.
Learn More: Specialty Trips
Why the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are the birthplace of saltwater fly fishing and still the ultimate testing ground for anglers today. From the oceanside flats of Big Pine Key to the remote backcountry of the Marquesas, this fishery offers an unmatched mix of sight fishing, scenery, and year-round action.
Whether you’re new to saltwater fly fishing or returning for another shot at the fish of a lifetime, there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Plan Your Trip: Book a Trip