| Bonefish:
Large bonefish roam from Biscayne Bay to the middle keys
sea grass flats and channel edges most of the year. Our
bonefish average around 6 to 8 lbs. in weight and many are
10 to 13 lbs. The fall seems to yield the greatest abundance
of "big bones", while the spring and early summer
also offer excellent opportunities to fight the "gray-ghost"
of the flats. Once hooked these sport fish will make a lightning-bolt
run of 100 yards or more, and just when you think you've
got him licked, he'll do it again!
Tarpon:
The tarpon are found throughout Biscayne Bay to Key West
, in the backcountry as well as on the ocean side. Giant
Tarpon (75 to 200 lbs.) migrate through these waters by
the thousands, beginning in early February and tapering
off by July and August. However, there is a population of
resident baby tarpon (10 to 30 lbs.) available all year
long.
Permit:
The permit is a prized catch for the flats fisherman. These
fish range in size from 10 lbs. up to 50 lbs. and seem to
have an uncanny ability to sense the presence of an approaching
angler. However, some days the permit will pounce on whatever
is thrown their way. When this happens, hang on, because
the permit will show you a stubborn determination, and will
try to exit the flat with incredible speed and power. Like
his flats-feeding colleagues, the permit puts up a fight
unparalleled to most other marine species.
Snook:
The unique combination of year-round warm water, brackish
rivers and backcountry bays, mangroves, oysters, estuaries,
forage, and moving water makes South Florida one of the
leading fisheries for Snook in the World. These crafty fish
are tough fighters, leaping out of the water when hooked,
and then usually heading for structure to cut off your line
in retribution for hooking them. They are fast, wary, and
have upward looking eyes that don't miss much - One of the
greatest sport fish that near-shore angling has to offer.
Redfish:
Redfish love the warm waters of south Florida . You’ll
find them on oyster beds, mangroves, shorelines, and grassy
flats, which are their usual haunts. They are prolific and
definitely not timid when it comes to eating, which makes
them a great sport fish for light tackle and fly-fishing.
Redfish are often seen "tailing" (very similar
to bonefish) on the shallow flats as they feed.
Barracuda & Sharks:
These are known as the "fun fish", and for a good
reason. Sharks and ‘cudas lurk the flats throughout
the year and are easily accessible to any angler, although
their ability to humble even the most expert angler should
not be underestimated.
Sharks are plentiful, and on light tackle (8 or 10 lb. test)
are scrappy for their size. While poling along the flats
it is not uncommon to have the opportunity to present your
bait or fly to an 80 lb. lemon or black tip shark. Try that
on 10 lb. tippet!
Barracudas are also abundant and can range in size from
5 lbs. up to 40 lbs. During the winter months (December-March)
large schools of barracuda move onto the flats in search
of food and warm waters. The majority of these fish are
over 15 lbs. and will strike a quickly retrieved tube lure
with torpedo like speed and an explosion of water. The fight
which follows is filled with screaming reels, impressive
acrobatic leaps and long blistering runs.
- Capt. Raul Montoro
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