Fishing for Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Snook, Redfish and Trout

Backcountry Slam – Snook-Redfish-Trout

Snook - The local backcountry offers some excellent Snook fishing. The average size is 5 to 9 pounds and 24-34 inches. You will find them around bridges, mangroves, pilings just about any structure. They eat Mullet, Shrimp, Pilchards, Pinfish and a multitude of artificial lures or combinations of live and dead bait.

  Redfish - Redfish love the warm waters of south Florida, the oyster beds, mangroves, and grassy flats are their regular haunts. They are prolific, and definitely not timid when it comes to eating - Which makes them a great sport fish for light tackle and fly-fishing. Redfish are often seen "tailing" (very similar to bonefish) on the shallow flats as they feed.

Seatrout - Seatrout are frequently targeted from December to April. When fishing for them you can use the old standby a popping cork rig with a shrimp or artificial hanging below the cork. Remember Pop the cork Sea Trout come to the gurgling sound the cork makes.Sea Trout are found over grassy bottom and in the"muds" that is muddy areas where the bait is routing in the bottom stirring up shrimp and small fishes.

Flats Slam – Bonefish-Tarpon-Permit

Bonefish (“Grey Ghost”) - Known for very fast and very long first runs, this is probably the species most synonymous with Florida flats fishing. There is a reason why they are called "gray ghost of the flats" and are a real light tackle challenge. Here in the Keys, bonefish generally average in the 6 to 8 pound range with fish of 10 to 12 or larger not uncommon. They are usually fished in water less than two feet deep, and sometimes are seen so shallow that their tails and dorsal fins show as they root out food from the bottom. This is called "tailing" and is the most demanding of angler skills. Bonefish prefer water temperatures over 72 degrees, but can sometimes be found in slightly cooler conditions.

Tarpon (“Silver King”) - These incredible fish offer the ultimate in a shallow water big game fish. During the spring migrations, fish can average from 80 to over 150 pounds. They can be found rolling and feeding in deep backcountry finger channels, in shallow grassy basins or along the edges of bars and flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. Tarpon tend to prefer water temps in the mid 70's for the channels and usually need 78-79 degrees for the flats. The big fish are here in good to excellent numbers from March through July and small tarpon 8-20 pounds are here year-round, disappearing during cold fronts in winter.

Permit - The permit is a very strong and hard fighting fish, averaging 8 to 16 pounds. Fish in the 20 to 35 pound range are common with fish to near 50 pounds showing fairly often. They seem to tolerate slightly cooler and slightly warmer conditions than the bones, and are also here all year with February thru November probably being most productive. Permit are usually found in waters less than 3 to 4 feet deep and will also float in channels or off flat edges in calm situations.

Here in Florida, a saltwater fishing license is required for most residents and non-residents who intent to attempt to take, or possess fish while on the water. Licenses may be purchased at local bait shops, or from state or county tax offices. The following exceptions only do not need licensing:

• Any individual under 16 years of age.
• Any Florida resident fishing in saltwater from land or from a structure fixed to land
• Individuals fishing from a licensed fishing boat or pier
• Any person 65 years of age or older who has a valid Florida driver's license or Florida voter registration card
• Any Florida resident who is a member of the Armed forces, while home of leave for 30 days or less (with valid leave papers in their possession

Note that all other persons fishing in saltwater off the Florida shores are required to have a valid license in their possession...

What saltwater fish can you expect to land when fishing Key Largo? Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Shark, Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Seatrout are a few of the more sought-after species. Just a few miles out from the Florida Keys, the dolphin fishing action is explosive; sailfish, tuna, and wahoo are regularly landed, too.

 If you're unfamiliar with the waters of the Florida Keys, we recommend hiring one of the many excellent Key Largo fishing charters.

Key Largo backcountry fishing takes you to the Florida Bay waters, and the Everglades National Park system.