Florida Keys Flats Charter Fishing

Fishing and the Florida Keys - it's a match made in heaven. But before you cast off, you'll want to decide what type of fishing appeals to you.

Generally, visitors choose either of two ways to fish in the Keys. One is to hire a Backcountry Guide to pilot you into the wilderness of the uninhabited Keys and mangrove shorelines of Florida Bay.

Those who prefer offshore fishing have two options. One is to hop on board a Party Boat Charter that will carry you, and a group of others to the waters offshore.

For the novice, serious and experienced angler, a Deep Sea Charter will take you into the Gulf Stream for big game fishing.

All selections provide unparalleled opportunities for excitement, adventure and a good chance of bringing home your own "catch-of-the-day." And if you don't have equipment, most establishments have top notch gear available for rent. So whatever your vessel of choice may be, good luck! You've come to the place that made fishing famous - the Florida Keys.

BACKCOUNTRY FISHING

When you hire a backcountry guide, you're doing more than just heading out for a day of saltwater angling. Specially designed skiffs average from 16 to 20 feet in length with shallow draft enabling them to run through shallow water. A blend of talent, knowledge and skill distinguishes the best backcountry guides in the Florida Keys. As you embark on your expedition into the wilderness of the Florida Keys, your guide's objective is to find the fish. The guide must consider such factors as the tides, time of day, water temperature, wind speed and direction and cloud cover, just to name a few. And while the guide must be proficient in processing this information, he must also be adept at piloting the relatively small craft through tiny channels, which sometimes are nothing more than unmarked prop ditches And finally, the guide is there to take you where you should be; that is, where your skill level dictates.

Spending a day with your guide, you'll learn more about fishing, the folklore of the Keys, and possibly about your guide, than you could ever imagine. Keep in mind that backcountry skiffs usually hold no more than four people (including the guide), so choose your company wisely.

After selecting your guide and your fellow anglers, you can expect some of the most fantastic fishing of your life. Common catches when fishing the flats include barracuda, bonefish, permit, redfish, shark and tarpon. Backcountry fishing in Florida Bay brings with it the excellent chance to reel in black drum, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, sheepshead, shark, snapper, snook, tarpon and trout.

Upper Keys
Days Inn, MM 82.479.....(305) 664-8182 (Islamorada)
Capt Barry Hoffman Flats Fishing.....(305) 852-6918

Middle Keys
Two Conchs Charters.....(305) 743-6253

Lower Keys
Key West Flats Fishing, 160 Sugarloaf Drive, Summerland Key.....(305) 294-3618