Fly Fish Key West For Tarpon, Permit, And Bonefish
Key West and the Lower Keys are known in the fishing world as one of the premiere locations to fly fish for tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
Key West and the Lower Keys are fabled locations in the fly fishing realms, and offer an unforgettable experience for anglers seeking to test their game chasing some of the most sought-after saltwater species in the world: tarpon, permit, and bonefish. Key West and the Lower Florida Keys are located among 400+ square miles of inshore estuary renowned for its flats, a unique and shallow expanse of water where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico meet. These flats are often less than a few feet deep, allowing for sight fishing – a technique where anglers visually spot fish before presenting the fly, and the preferred method of fly fishing the Lower Keys.
While quietly poling the skiff in likely areas during the right tides, the guide will be looking for signs of fish. Nervous water, wakes, muddy patches, and tails can all indicate fish in the area and give clues to their general movement. It is up to the angler to be prepared for a shot and key in on these signs while the guide works quietly to position the boat.
When everything goes correctly (which isn’t always the case with fly fishing), the guide will call the shot, and of course the angler will make a perfect presentation to a fish who will inhale the fly with reckless abandon. When everything goes wrong (which happens more than most will admit) the wind will blow the boat out of position while the angler is untangling the fly line that wasn’t being managed properly who is then forced to either watch the fish spook off the boat or make a panicked cast that ends up hooking the guide in the back while the fish blows off the flat at one hundred miles per hour.
Saltwater fly fishing can be unforgiving yet at the same time one of the most rewarding pursuits in the outdoors. Whether things go right or wrong, a day or two or ten on the water fishing the Lower Keys and Key West is an unforgettable experience to share with family, friends, or business colleagues, and the memories made and lessons learned are well worth the price of admission.
The Best Times Of The Year To Fly Fish The Lower Keys
As most avid fly anglers are aware, saltwater fly fishing is condition dependent. Although Tarpon, permit, and bonefish in the Lower Keys and Key West all want warm, stable weather to feel comfortable in shallow water, they don’t always get it. The entire area has close proximity to deep water and big changes in the weather can send fish retreating from the shallows until the conditions improve.
The spring/summer months (March-October) are the warmest, most stable weather months of the year. During March, the wind begins to blow from the southeast, which is the normal trade wind for the area. These southerly flows usher in warmer temperatures that trigger two major fishing events in the Lower Keys and Key West - the tarpon migration and the permit spawn.
The Lower Keys backcountry usually sees the first of the migratory tarpon in March as more and more fish show up in April-May. By late-June the migratory tarpon have more or less moved on leaving the juveniles as the star of the show throughout the summer.
Upon the first signs of the spring weather settling in, the permit around Key West and the Lower Keys routinely show up on the flats en masse to feed hard before going offshore to spawn sometime in late March. The flats are nearly void of permit throughout April and May. In June they return to the shallows and can usually be consistently targeted until the fall creeps in and the temperatures begin to drop.
In recent years, the bonefishing in Key West and the Lower Keys has been exceptional. The summer months bring some of the best bonefishing you’ll find anywhere in the world and the least fly fishing pressure of the year.
In the fall/winter months (November-February), the wind blows from the north and the water temperatures drop as “cold” fronts roll through the Keys. The winter brings big changes to the fishing in Key West and presents new opportunities as the “great” windows of fishing opportunity shorten. The tarpon migration is long over, although there are some resident fish still to be found. The bonefish are usually the first gamefish to return to the flats after a cold snap, and are usually followed by some permit, both of which are there to feed hard before the next front. Good numbers of barracudas are usually found in shallow water during the fall/winter and provide exciting action for anglers of all abilities.
The Areas We Fly Fish
Capt. Chandler is a Key West resident and fishes his home waters with his boat on a trailer. This gives him access to effectively cover water and put his clients on their best chances of catching fish. Chandler routinely picks up and drops off clients at boat ramps, marinas, and private residences in Key West, Stock Island, Big Coppitt, Sugarloaf Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key, Ramrod Key, and Big Pine Key.
Fly Fish Key West For:
Tarpon
Hooking a tarpon on fly is one of the most exciting moments possible in the world of outdoor pursuits. Their sheer size, willingness to grab a well presented fly, and their acrobatic reactions to being hooked make tarpon the star of the show in the Lower Keys and Key West.
Permit
Permit are often considered the ultimate prize in saltwater fly fishing. Known for their cautious nature and ability to reject a fly, permit are notoriously difficult to catch on a fly rod, making them the "holy grail" for many anglers. The challenge is the appeal for most permit anglers.
Bonefish
Bonefish are a favorite for fly fishers who enjoy a challenge with frequent rewards. Bonefish in Key West and The Lower Keys are opportunistic feeders that will sometimes go out of their way to eat a fly making them a great year-round target for fly anglers of all abilities.
Key West Fly Fishing Charter Details
Capt. Chandler Williams offers full day and half day Key West fly fishing trips and multiple boats are available for groups of more than 2 people. Contact us for current rates and availability. All trips include tackle/flies, fuel costs, launch fees, and a cooler with water and ice.
Payments And Deposits
Cash, Check or Venmo.
Credit cards through Venmo (additional service charges may occur)
$150 per day per guide deposit for all trips
Venmo or mail deposits to:
Chandler Williams
17A 12th Ave
Key West, FL 33040
What To Bring
Polarized sunglasses (amber, copper, and green lenses preferred)
Hat and any needed sun protection
9, 10, & 12 wt. rods (if own gear is preferred)
Quick drying clothing
Rain gear, jackets and pants
Shoes with non-marking soles
A positive attitude (most important part of having a successful trip)
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.
