Book a seat on a private Key West flats fishing trip and you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a few surprises and a great day of fishing. It’s both one of the most relaxing and most exciting ways to spend a day, a morning, an afternoon or the evening, depending on what type of Key West flats fishing you choose to do.
Most likely you guide will whisk you away to the back country, on the Gulf Side of Key West. North of Key West there are lots of smaller uninhabited islands supporting lots of life in the water. Bonefish is a popular target, and very difficult to hook. There’s a skill involved, which your guide will be happy to guide you through. That’s what they’re there for!
The king of all species for anyone looking to do some Key West flats fishing is of course the Key West tarpon. There’s actually no difference between the tarpon that live in Key West and any other place in the Florida Keys, but there are in fact some resident tarpon in Key West that stay all year long. Hooking one of these wily characters is challenging, though! They’re pretty hip on fishing boats and what they’re up to.
If you’re in town for some fishing, keep in mind that flats fishing is good on most days, even when it’s too rough for offshore fishing. Guides know sneaky routes that will take anglers through calmer waters to remote fishing grounds where the can anchor or pole around in a sheltered area so you won’t be tossed around on the boat in rough water.