Key West, FLA

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I have an opportunity to  spend a few days there in April. I'd like to fly fish for whatever is in the water and I have no idea what to expect. I guess I'd be looking at flats fishing. Also it would be cool is I could provide a fish meal one night if possible.

Thanks

[Allen Morgan]

Freshwater, inshore saltwater, or offshore?

[Bruce Tomaselli]

Hi Allen, I didn't now there was fresh water there. I guess fresh water would yield some bluegills? I don't know a ting about it. I would like inshore  or freshwater, I guess. I'm starting right from scratch, Allen.

[Allen Morgan]

Oh, shoot.  I didn't see where you were going to Key West.  Scratch the freshwater idea.  Yeah, you're looking at inshore saltwater and offshore saltwater.

Puglisi minnows or similar, Shrimp patters, and some Merkin Crab patterns.  If you can find some sea grass, I'd go with the Shrimp and/or Crab patterns.  Maybe Bonefish on the flats?  If you can target Snook and/or Tarpon, go with a minnow pattern.  Think they'll have any Red Drum?  Just about anything works for them, but they are SPOOKY!  Maybe some big poppers and think of it as Bass fishing.

[Allen Morgan]

Just thought of this.  Were you planning on hiring a guide?  Got a friend taking you out-and-about?  Or just winging it on your own?

Oh, and pay attention to the tides.  Working inshore waters, fish relate to the current, and how the tide pushes bait around.

[Slip Sinker]

wow looks like some great opportunity with the salt flats style of fishing... since i dont have access to saltwater style fly fishing equipment i'd try long casting some light but larger profile swimbaits on long rods with thin super lines. with that crystal clear flats water long casts will be important. what ive seen its a sight fishing strategy bring some good quality polarized glasses... make the long casts to distant schools or solo barracuda.

[Slip Sinker]

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/fi...

id be more comfortable fishing off a pier though... looks like a good one here...

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/fi...

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;;   KEY LARGO; IS ALOS KNOWN FOR BEING IN THE ; ( KEY WEST )  FANTASTIC AREA FOR FISHING;;  WATER IS CRYSTAL CLEAR;;  LIGHT WEIGHT GEAR FOR FISHING;; LOLOLOLOL;; NOPE !!!  BETTER GO WITH FIBERGLASS RODS;; HEAVY LINES !  IN THE ;; 70;S;; THRU THE 90;S  IVE WORKED A LOT IN FLORIDA;; FROM THE BAMA /FLORIDA LINE; TO THE FLORIDA KEYS;; EAST COAST TO WEST COAST;; ONE THING YOU CAN COUNT ON IN FISHING FLORIDA;; YO UWILL NEVER KNOW WHATS ON YOUR LINE !  IT MIGHT BE A SNOOK; OR LING; SNAPPER; MACKERAL; STINGRAY; CRAB; SHEEPHEAD;; THEN; THE BIG BOYS COME IN;; TARPON;; OR SHARK !  AS FOR MYSELF;; I LOVE A FLY ROD;; BUT TO FISH IN FLORIDA;; I GO WITH SPINNING GEAR; MONO LINE; NO LESS THAN 17 POUND TEST!!  AND WAY TO OFTEN;; THAT LINE IS TO LIGHT !

[carl hendrix]

BY THE WAY BRUCE;; REMEMBER;;  ALL SALT WATER FISH;; HAVE VERY SHARP TEETH !!  DONT TRY TO LIFT THEM;  WITH A THUMB IN THEIR MOUTH !!  YOU WILL BE MISSING YOUR THUMB IF YOU DO !!

[Slip Sinker]

Some tackle recommendations...

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I thought maybe fishing a fly rod in the flats? I see 'um doing it on TV. Is a fly rod possible?

[carl hendrix]

BRUCE;; BY ALL MEANS;; YES SIR; FLY FISHING IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE;; YO UJUST HAVE TO CONTEND WIND ; SOMETIMES VERY STRONG WINDS;; AND CLOUSSER STYLE FLIES ARE GREAT;; SHRIMP PATTERENS WORK GREAT TO !   DONT BE TO SURPRISED;; IF YOU HAPPEN TO CATCH A FISH; PLAYING IT IN; A BARRICUDA COMES AND TAKES YOUR CATCH;; LOL!

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I bet those fish would give me a big test on fly tackle.