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Tarpon
(Megalops Atlanticus)
The Silver King of the Flats
Tarpon are slow growers. They mature
at 7 to 13 years of age. Between May and September the females may
lay more than 12 million eggs. These fish can tolerate a wide range
of salinity. They can breathe air at the surface and feed mainly
on fish and large crustaceans.
Known for its explosive jumps and raw
Power, these fish can raise the pulse of any angler. In the spring
our tarpon average 70 to 90 pounds, But some can reach weights of
over 200 pounds.Mid March through mid July is when the major concentration
of adult tarpon invade the Keys.
Smaller numbers of juvenile tarpon, ranging
from 10 to 50 pounds, do reside in the Keys on a year round basis.
These smaller fish provide an excellent light tackle thrill, usually
jumping twice as much as their big brothers. Spinning rods or baitcasters
in the twenty pound class are used to cast live baits at the larger
fish. Fly fisherman use 11 to 12 weight fly rods to sight cast at
cruising tarpon in three feet of crystal clear water. |
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Bonefish
( Albula Vulpes)
(The Grey Ghost)
The bonefish is pound for pound possibly
the strongest fish in the world. When hooked, they take off so fast
that 100 yards of line disappears in only a matter of seconds.
Our bonefish in the keys are among the
largest in the world. Their average weight is 6 to 8 pounds, but
some exceed 14 pounds. Bonefish are here in good numbers year round,
but can move up and down the Keys with changing conditions.
Sight casting the shallow flats with 8
to 9 weight fly rods, or 8 to 10 pound spinning gear accounts for
most bonefish releases. Stalking feeding bonefish in mere inches
of water is one of sport fishing's greatest challenges. These fish
are masters of camouflage, they can disappear from sight in the
blink of an eye. They are also very nervous and wary when feeding
on the shallow flats. These factors combine to make bonefishing
more like hunting than traditional fishing. |
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 Snook
(Centropomus undecimalis)
Snook can be found along the mangrove
shorelines, seawalls, ridges, reefs and pilings. Most catches are
5-18 pounds. Snook up to 40 pounds have been caught and their maximum
may be up to 60 pounds
This wily fish is one of the best for
all-around fighting ability. Their razor sharp jaw cuts into many
an angler's line & frees them most effectively. Their fight
is usually feature by several long runs and a few jumps. Snook are
also past masters at using shoreline roots and mangroves to their
advantage.
Spinning and baitcasting tackle are most
often used. Any small fish makes good live bait for snook; live
shrimp and crabs are also good. Best are mullet heads and ladyfish
heads or halves.
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Permit
(Trachinotus falcatus)
The
permit is the most prized element of the flats Grand Slam, (tarpon,
bonefish, permit in one day). Permit in the Keys average 10 to 20
pounds, but 30 to 50 pound fish are not uncommon.
Permit tolerate warmer water than bonefish, and are most commonly
seen on the flats from March through September. Spinning gear in
the 12-pound class or 9 to 10 weight fly rods are used to sight
cast live crabs or crab imitation flies at feeding permit.
Once
hooked these fish will give you a battle to the very end. Like bonefish,
permit will feed so shallow that their tails wave in the air as
they root food off the bottom, this is known as "tailing". Permit
feed on some of the most beautiful shallow flats and crystal clear
banks in the keys. The sight of a 30-pound permit tailing in 8 inches
of water will make even a veteran angler week in the knees. |
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Pompano
(Trachinotus carolinus)
Pompano
are found inshore and near shore waters, especially along sandy
beaches, over grass beds, and sometimes in water as deep as 130
feet. Permit usually average up to 8 pounds.
They
spawn offshore between March and September Their movements are influenced
by the tide and seasonal movements are influenced by temperature.
Use
very light spinning tackle to get bait where you want it for these
fish. They especially like mollusks and crustaceans; sand fleas
in particular.
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