Florida flats fly-fishing

[Chad]

I am a beginner to fly fishing, and I am interested in trying out some action in the flats in Florida. I am looking to travel in mid-May, and I would like some advice on the following:

- Good places to get a shot at tarpon in the flats (where to stay and fish)
- Any reliable guides in the area
- What is reasonable to expect that time of year


Any help is much appreciated.

Thank you.

[Thunderthumbs]

Chad,

E-mail Captain Tony at tightloops@peoplepc.com. If he can't help you directly, then he should be able to send you in the right direction.

I hope this helps,

Thunderthumbs.

[razorz]

For tarpon your best bet is going to be somewhere in the upper keys.

What to expect? Depends on how good your guide is and the luck of the draw, you know how that is! :)

:thumb:

[jake61198]

I haven't been in a few years, but I used to fish out of Key Largo with Paul Dixon and Roger Mayer. There are less guides working there than Islamorada and the fish tend to be less pressured and in larger groups. I can't really advise you on lodging because I had a friend in the Ocean Reef Club who lent me the use of his condo. You can expect to get shots at fish, how you do will depend on your skill level and whether or not the fish feel like eating.

[Shadowcast]

Where in Florida are you planning on staying? I can tell you that right now, redfish are crawling all over the flats of Eastern Tampa Bay. With regards to tarpon.....they are showing up off the beaches of the Gulf Coast and will be in full swing in the latter part of May and early June. Snook will be showing up on the beaches as well. Many of us are looking to second full moon in May (31st) to officially kick off the beach snook and tarpon season.

[jnims29]

Make sure to practice, practice, and practice your casting. I just got back from
Key West a few days ago, and if I was a better caster I would have definitely hooked up at least once. Even though i went fishless, it was the best fishing experience of my life.

I have also finally accepted the fact that I am a official tarpon addict. Anyone is free to join my club. ;)

[Richard_a]

Make sure to practice, practice, and practice your casting. I just got back from
Key West a few days ago, and if I was a better caster I would have definitely hooked up at least once. Even though i went fishless, it was the best fishing experience of my life.

I have also finally accepted the fact that I am a official tarpon addict. Anyone is free to join my club. ;)

I think i'll join your'e club ;)

i'm quite a tarpon addict myself...

i also couldn't agree more how important it is to practice casting...
you can always get better and better, no matter how good you are

Ritchie from TheReefTank (http://www.thereeftank.com)