Fly Fish Key West, The Everglades, And Apalachicola
Florida’s tarpon migration happens every year, and being in the right place at the right time is fundamental to consistent success.
Every year in Florida as the north winds turn southeast and begin to usher in warmer weather, tarpon begin to congregate in South Florida in preparation for a journey that takes them around the Gulf of Mexico as well as up the Atlantic coast. The tarpon migration is a major spawning/feeding event that can only be described as one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles.
For many fly anglers, as spring turns to summer it is hard to resist the urge to chase tarpon. From the months of March-August, somewhere along the Gulf Coast there is a tarpon rolling, swimming, or laying up ready to grab a well placed fly. That is a difficult thing to deal with for those of us with the tarpon bug. Sometimes the urge passes after wetting a line, but for some it only increases the need to connect more frequently with these magnificent fish. Capt. Chandler Williams is a guy who has the bug as bad as anyone. It has gotten to the point that his year revolves around tarpon fishing and his schedule takes him throughout Florida chasing the migration with his skiff in tow.
Capt. Chandler offers tarpon fly fishing trips from his home in Key West, and while traveling with his clients to extend their tarpon seasons in the Everglades as well as around Aplachicola.
For those who aren’t comfortable fly fishing, Capt. Chandler also offers conventional fishing charters for most inshore species in Key West, the Everglades, and Apalachicola.
Trip Locations:
Key West, FL
Key West and the Lower Keys are fabled locations in the fly fishing realms, and offer an unforgettable experience for anglers seeking to chase some of the most sought-after saltwater species in the world: tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
Everglades, FL
As far as fly fishing destinations go, the Everglades is arguably the most unique venue on the planet to fly fish for tarpon, snook, and redfish. The majority of the Everglades is shallow, fishable water that sets up well for sight fishing.
Apalachicola, FL
As far as fly fishing destinations go, the Forgotten Coast of the Florida panhandle is one of the most overlooked areas to fly fish for tarpon and redfish as well as one of the most accessible tarpon fisheries to get to from most of the US.
As many anglers are aware, Florida is the home of inshore saltwater fly fishing because it is comprised of many unique inshore fisheries - each with their own nuances. These different ecosystems are home to tarpon, and many other sought after species of fish as well.
In any one day in Key West and the Lower Keys, fly anglers can also have shots at tarpon, permit, and bonefish. The permit bug is worse that the tarpon variety, and Key West is a great place to scratch that itch as well.
Besides tarpon, the Everglades is also home to snook and redfish. Anglers of all abilities find consistent success fly fishing the Glades, although catching fish is only a part of the adventure of spending time there.
While tarpon fishing in Apalachicola and the Forgotten Coast, anglers may see conditions favorable to shift gears for targeting the redfish that cruise the flats and shorelines of the Florida Panhandle.
Capt. Chandler Williams
Capt. Chandler is a full-time Florida fly fishing guide and a tarpon nomad. He fishes different areas of the state year-round to provide his clients the best possible opportunity to catch the fish of their dreams.
