Flats Fishing Key West
Flats fishing Key West is some of the best in the world. Professional fishing guides are here to take you sight fishing for the big three - the Key West grand slam consisting of tarpon permit and bonefish.
Call Direct 305-292-7212
Flats Fishing Key West has captured the attention of anglers all over the world. Flats fishing combines, stealth, hunting and fishing with the backdrop of the beautiful Florida Keys backcountry. Very few things can compare to the calm, crystal clear water that is less than 18 inches deep. Standing on the bow of our traditional flats fishing skiffs or our technical bay boats site fishing for the Key West grand slam of the flats. Three species that have captured the minds of many anglers throughout the world. The tarpon, the permit and the bonefish.
The Seasons For Flats Fishing
- Mid November – The End of February – it’s winter time in Key West and the flats are the shallowest water we have so it is super susceptible to temperature change. This can affect the Fish day negatively some days, but hugely positive on warming trends. Smaller tarpon, large barracuda, and permit will be lurking the flats. On the very cold days -70 degrees, flats Fishing is pretty much shut down.
- March – a transitional month for sure. The time when winter time and summertime start arguing. Some of our best permit Fishing is done in March for our biggest Fish. If March is warm, anglers can expect good tarpon fishing. Once the water temps stay up over 75° for an extended period March will also hold some bonefish. For fly fishing it can be very windy.
- April – some of the winds can be left over from March. The permit have left the flats to go deep and spawn. Bonefish are showing up frequently and so are is early season tarpon fishing with large larger fish laid up in the shadows.
- May – July – this is the best part of our tarpon season during the migration. Permit and bonefish are on the flats ready to eat. a great time for fly fisherman as the winds are calm. Many believe this is the best time to flat fish, Key West.
- July – Mid November – arguably the other best time to go flats fishing in Key West. Bone fishing and permit fishing is very strong. There are lots of tarpon around maybe not so big but lots of fun and very numerous. The weather is amazing. The humidity starts to dry up fly fishing for bonefish is unbelievable.
Flats Fishing Charters
Flats fishing guides generally offer 4, 6 and 8 hour experiences. Many, including myself, recommend not more than two anglers on a flats fishing dedicated trip. The traditional flats Fishing skiff is between 16 and 19 feet long. It has a polling platform where the Guide propels the boat along in the shallows standing up high. Traditional skiffs can be a bit tippy so if you have balance issues, give me a call and we will find you a real flats fishing guide that uses a technical bay boat and that Boat will be 24 feet long and float just as shallow using a trolling motor for propulsion for all the same species.
Our flats fishing guides will offer fly fishing or spin fishing tackle to suit your needs or request. Bring a lunch for 6 or 8 hour charters and some snacks for 4 hour trips. All of the professional Fishing guides I work with bring bottled waters on ice for their clients.
Booking A Real Flats Fishing Guide
This is a VERY specialized way to fish! Choosing a flats fishing guide can be a roll of the dice. Unless you are a regular and have a favorite guide that you use, choosing a guide without a real referral can be disappointing. Booking on line can be dissasterous and frequently leaves customers at the dock..
Island Genn
Call Me DIRECT 305-292-7212
Email me [email protected]
Together – on the phone, we will go over what you are looking for in a flats fishing experience. I will match you up with the best fishing guide that I know will provide what you need that has a boat to your liking.
I will then send you a confirmation with all the information you could ever possibly need. The guide’s number direct, emergency number, directions, where to meet your fishing guide and other extraneous details that I feel you may need.
My service is free! This is what I do and have done since 2003.
My hours
9 am – 7 Pm EST Monday – Saturday.
