Fly Fishing - Florida Keys

Shakeyfly · Newbie Joined: Dec 13, 2007 Posts: 3

Hello everyone! I have been watching this site closely for a couple of months now. I am always fascinated by the videos and the stories. This is by far one of the most entertaining and talented board I have seen.

Please keep up the great work and film!! During the days in cubcle hell it gets my blood going for some rod tremors.

I do have a question though.... This is the absolutely WORST question a new person to a board can ask, but I just need some direction.

Last year was the first time I have ever fished the Florida Keys. I only got a couple of hookups and landed a couple of small cuda. I am going back with a lot more knowledge and a lot more practice in the salt (just started salt last year).

I fished primarily the Bahia Honda Flats. It was the only place that I managed to get some info out of some locals. Can anyone direct me, I am not looking for someone's sweet spot, but to any other on foot flats that I might have a chance at anything? Any information would be appreciated. If it helps I am going early June.

tight lines all!

jeremy · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:09 am Post subject: Cubicle Hell

Hey .. welcome to fliesandfins.com .. not surprisingly, this post went unanswered for some time .. due to the fact that you asked a question that you yourself knew people might not be eager to respond to ... but, i think its cool that you acknowledged the fact that "this is probably the WORST question someone could ask" .... and i can feel your pain in "cubicle hell" ... so, as the saying goes "every dog deserves a bone once and a while" .. and, i know i have had my fare share of bones given to me when i needed them ... and, the keys are tough; even if you do know some spots the keys are still tough ... don't let that pretty blue water fool ya, the keys are not a "day at the beach" in terms of easy fly fishin' .. .. so here goes it .. (keep in mind, i ain't no pro or nothin' but sounds like, for you, any info will help) .. so for what it's worth .. here goes it ..

1. more than just location .. think tide
2. in general many places fish good on the incoming tide .. the fish kinda stage up on the shelf of the flat and as the water comes up, so do they
3. so, get out there at low tide .. and work back towards the beach with the tide
4. conversely if it's high tide, and your fishing the drop .. the fish will be working off the flat .. and if its dead high .. they might be right there at your feet ....
5. i personally like the incoming tides .. from dead low .. to about 3/4 of the way full

- Lower Matecumbe Key - atlantic side - Annes Beach = hard-sand bonefish flat. Early and late in the day for bonefish

- MM 70 Long Key State Recreation Area - bonefish flat off the beach

- MM 56 = Curry Hammock State Park. fish the beach on atlantic side on incoming tide

- Veterans Memorial Park - fish the flat out in front of it

- Bahia Honda State Park - you already know this one .. look for the bonefish crusing across the cuts and sand pathways as they move onto the flats

- MM 10 or take rte 4a Boca Chita key - fish the Beach shoreline.

Good luck man ..... hope this helps a bit more ... certainly plenty of water to fish now ... and, i am sure you will run into other "locals" like those who told you of bahia honda .. that's kinda how the keys works .. every time you go .. you learn a little more and meet someone new who helps you out, gives you a fly, gives you a beat on the fish or whatever ... so, even if this information puts you in the right place to meet some of those "locals" .. well then, a success ... but i would think in june you should see some fish in these places .. good luck .. let us know how ya do.

MarshallD · Newbie Joined: Feb 06, 2004 Posts: 96

shakeyfly,

here is a thread that has a huge amount of information on it....good luck! Very Happy

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=615140

marshalld
www.flyanglersguide.com

Shakeyfly · Newbie Joined: Dec 13, 2007 Posts: 3

This is more than amazing!! Thank you so much for answering a tough question especially when I am so infrequently posting. I greatly appreciate it and I strongly feel that you guys are going to make the second trip of my life a great one!!

Thank you!