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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