Flats Fishing was invented here in the Florida keys and flats fishing here in Key West offers a greater variety of species than any other area for flats fishing. Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Mutton Snapper, Sharks (Tiger, Lemon, Blacktip, Bull, Hammerhead, Blacknose and Bonnethead), Barracuda, Trout, Pompano, Cobia, Jacks (Yellow, Bar, and Cravalle) and more are available in the emerald green waters of the lower keys and the Marquesas.
Flats fishing is a relatively economic way to spend the entire day where bird watching, calm water, and serenity can be interrupted by pandemonium and excitement that comes with the strike and jumps of a giant Tarpon, the slashing strike of a vicious Barracuda or the encounters of many of the other species to be found there.
The peaceful waters of the back country, even with the larger boats, is the perfect place to take the entire family for their encounter with any of the above. Many of the children of our families have caught their first fish in these waters and been hooked for life on this great sport.
The ultimate challenge of the elite sportfisherman is the targeting of Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish of the fly rod on the flats. Landing all three species on the open expanses of the shallow water flats is called a “Grand Slam” and the angler doing so, claims the bragging rights of the elite sportsman having completed the ultimate challenge. Just landing your first one of these on the fly will put you on a high and make you a confirmed fly fisherman for life.
Flats Fishing Photo Gallery
Flats Fishing Locations
Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas is the last, great vestige of sportfishing in the northern hemisphere. This remote group of islands are surrounded by more than ten thousand square miles of fishing resources that have remained relatively untapped due to the time that it would take to cover this vast and remote area.
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico, for our purposes, begins at the North side of the flats, along the lower Florida Keys and includes a portion of the Florida Bay, continuing to the West and North of the Dry Tortugas, encompassing more than 5000 square miles of fishable water within range of our hi-tech, offshore boats.
Key West
Key West offers the sportfishing enthusiast the largest variety of gamefish in the world. Other locations will argue that they are the sportfishing capital of the world, or the best for this species or that particular fish. There are more “I.G.F.A. World Records” from the waters of Key West than the next closest, several locations combined.
Marquesas
Marquesas is a magical word that conjures thoughts of tropical breezes, emerald green water surrounding a tropical island paradise. A ring of islands surrounded by acres and acres of pristine water and shallow flats where giant Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Mutton Snappers, great Barracudas and monster Sharks of all kinds prowl the flats.
