The lower keys are famous for the spring tarpon migration.  Beginning in early February and lasting into June, giant tarpon (75 to 150lbs) travel through the keys by the thousands.

During the peak of the migration it is common to see and cast to hundreds of tarpon a day on the flats. 

 Juvenile tarpon are available year round when the conditions are right.

The Florida Keys is home to some of the largest bonefish in the world.  They average around 4 to 8 lbs and reach weights of around 15 lbs.

An 8 or 9 wt. fly rod with lots of backing on the reel is a good choice.  A spinning rod with a live shrimp is also very effective.  These fish will sizzle a hundred yards or more of line on the first run.

Permit are known as one of the most challenging fish to catch on a fly. (However they will eat a live crab with reckless abandon). The lower keys is one of the best places to make that happen.

Permit range from 10 to 40 lbs on the flats.  When hooked they make long powerful
runs.

We use 9 to 10 wt. rods with crab patterns when fly fishing for these big fish.

Redfish can be found feeding and tailing in extremely shallow water.  They are not as spooky as bonefish and are less sensitive to colder water conditions.

The lower Keys are not known for their redfishing, but I have been seeing more and more redfish each year.

In the winter large barracuda from 15 to 30 lbs move onto the flats seeking warmth and prey.  These fish are big, powerful and plentiful.  It is a blast sight casting to 3 to 5 foot fish in several feet of water.

Flies and tube lures skittered across the surface can produce lightning fast, explosive strikes.  These fish can out swim a bonefish and jump higher than a tarpon.

Sharks are the top predator of the flats.. They will feed on flies, plugs and bait.  

Blacktip, lemon, bonnet head and bull sharks are all common on the flats.

These sharks range from 2 1/2 feet to 8 feet. A large shark hooked in the shallow flats will make a blistering run for deeper water.  Blacktip sharks will even jump occasionally.