GUIDED FISHING CHARTERS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS, FLATS, BACKCOUNTRY AND BISCAYNE BAY AREA WATERS – SALTWATER FLYFISHING

SOUTH FLORIDA SPORT FISHING AREAS
BISCAYNE BAY

Bonefish and other inshore species still thrive in Biscayne Bay. The elongated lagoon lies along a 40-mile stretch from Miami to the northernmost portion of the Florida Keys.

State and Federal officials monitor the bay and take steps to protect it through the Biscayne National Park and the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, among other agencies. Sport anglers can still find thriving fisheries for Bonefish, Snook, Permit, Tarpon, Snapper, Redfish and Seatrout.

ISLAMORADA - UPPER FLORIDA KEYS
Islamorada, the centerpiece of a group of islands called the "purple isles," was named by Spanish explorers after the Spanish meaning of the word "morada" either for the violet sea snail, janthina janthina, found on the seashore here, or for the purple bougainvillea flowers found in the area. The Islamorada area includes Plantation, Windley and Upper and Lower Matecumbe keys and Long Key.

Islamorada is known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. A variety of game fish such as marlin, tuna and dolphin abound in the crystal blue waters. More than 600 species of fish reside in the surrounding waters (both the ocean and the bay), making Islamorada the perfect spot for anglers of every level. Catch Snapper, Kingfish, Grouper, Dolphin, Tuna, Mackerel, Shark, Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, and more.

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK - FLAMINGO

Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments.

We launch out of Flamingo and fish the shallow waters of Florida Bay for a wide variety of fish including Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Redfish, Snook, Seatrout and Shark. This is my personal favorite as the diversity of fish and habitat make fishing success fairly easy. With this diversity, we can target specific species dependent on prevailing conditions so a slow day for Redfish doesn't mean a slow day on the water. We'll simply switch over and fish Snook, Tarpon, Permit or Shark.

Most mornings we'll find baby Tarpon rolling in the shallows against mangrove lined islands and hammocks. After testing the Tarpon bite, we generally move into channeled shallows and sight fish for Snook. Moving to a different area near Frank Key, we'll change up and hunt some Redfish. Moves are made throughout the day as the tides rise and fall creating new holding areas for flats species at different times of the day.

One of the benefits of fishing the Everglades and Florida Bay is the incredible amount of wildlife – you'll see alligators and crocs and an abundance of bird life including Heron, Roseate Spoonbills, Osprey and even some Flamingos if they cooperate! A trip to Everglades for a few days of sight fishing the flats will reward you with great fishing, great sightseeing and great memories. I can't wait to put you on the bite and show you my little piece of paradise here in South Florida.

Tight Lines,
Captain Jim Hale

SOUTH FLORIDA MAP
CLICK ON MAP FOR LARGER PDF VERSION

This map will help you get around South Florida and make it easier for you to locate the places that I fish. Click on the map for a larger, high resolution PDF version. Print it out and take it with you on your trip for a quick reference to where you are and where you want to go.

BONEFISH

COMMON SNOOK
Prime Locations: from central to south Florida, usually inshore in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings near shore.
Average Size: 5 to 8 pounds
Notes: spawns primarily in summer; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees F; can tolerate both fresh or saltwater; schools along shore and in passes during spawning season; feeds on fish and large crustaceans.
BEST TIME TO FISH SNOOK - SEASON CHART

PERMIT
Prime Locations: Offshore on wrecks and debris, inshore on grass flats, sand flats, and in channels; most abundant in south Florida, with smaller specimens from every coastal county.
Average Size: common to 25 pounds
Notes: feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams, and small fish.
BEST TIME TO FISH PERMIT - SEASON CHART



TARPON
Prime Locations: primarily inshore fish, although adult fish spawn offshore where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found.
Average Size: 40 to 50 pounds
Notes: slow grower; spawning occurs between May and September; can tolerate wide range of salinity; can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans.
BEST TIME TO FISH TARPON - SEASON CHART



REDFISH (red drum)
Prime Locations: juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the inlet at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore.
Average Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds.
Notes: Redfish are an inshore species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the near shore population; spawning occurs from August to November in near shore waters; sudden cold snaps may kill Redfish in shallow, inshore waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more.
BEST TIME TO FISH REDFISH - SEASON CHART



SPOTTED SEATROUT
Prime Locations: Inshore and/or near shore over grass, sand and sandy bottoms; move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather.
Average Size: common to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast.
Notes: matures during first or second year and spawns inshore from March through November; often in association with sea grass beds; adults feed mainly on shrimp and small fish; prefers water temperatures between 58 and 81 degrees F and may be killed if trapped in shallow water during cold weather.
BEST TIME TO FISH SEATROUT - SEASON CHART

COBIA
Prime Locations: both inshore and near shore inhabiting inlets, bays, and among mangroves; frequently seen around buoys, pilings, and wrecks.
Average Size: common to 30 pounds
Notes: spawns in spring and early summer; feeds on crabs, squid, and small fish.
BEST TIME TO FISH COBIA - SEASON CHART



SPANISH MACKEREL
Prime Locations: near shore and offshore fish occurring mainly in south Florida, especially over coral reefs and wrecks.
Average Size: common to 5 pounds
Notes: unlike other mackerels, does not stray far from south Florida waters; spawns offshore in midsummer; feeds on small fish and squid.
BEST TIME TO FISH MACKEREL - SEASON CHART

BEST TIMES / SEASONS TO FISH SOUTH FLORIDA FLATS, BACKCOUNTRY AND INSHORE WATERS Here's a quick reference chart that will help you decide when to fish for specific species in our South Florida waters. There's year round action to be had on Bonefish, Snook, Permit Tarpon, Redfish, Seatrout, Cobia and Spanish (Cero) Mackerel but certain times of the year tend to be the better than others. While this chart shows the trends I've encountered over the last thirty years, don't be afraid of months labeled "FAIR TO POOR" – sometimes the fish, weather, and water temps can do strange things. What is traditionally known to be a slower period can turn quickly. I can't count the number of times charter clients and I have landed inshore and flats slams ( three of more species of game fish ) in a single day on fish that weren't supposed to be on the chew.

The bottom line is to use the Fishing Seasons Chart for South Florida below as a guide only. If you have the flexibility in your work and life schedule to pick and choose when to fish and where, try to book your South Florida fishing trips during the peak months of spring and summer. If you can't handle hot weather, stick to the spring, fall or winter months. Just remember that fishing is still a matter of luck... being in the right place at the right time is the key and often happens outside the "wide-open" months.

Tight Lines,
Captain Jim Hale