Flats Fishing Seasons
January/February-The ocean side flats are good for Bonefish between fronts. The outgoing tides in the backcountry can be excellent for Permit. There are plenty of barracuda action on the flats, big singles and pods. Baby tarpon will be around the mangroves. Sharks are everywhere. Late February is when we start seeing monster Permit.
March/April-The backcountry basins will be lit up with Spotted Sea Trout, Lady Fish and Jack Crevalle. Bonefish will be coming onto the flats when they warm up enough to feed. March has us seeing the biggest permit of the year as they prepare to spawn offshore on wrecks and reefs. Tarpon start to show up as the water warms in good numbers and are hungry.
May/June-The Tarpon are at their peak migration and are all over. The channels are loaded with fish. Basins will be resting areas. Tarpon will be daisy chaining down the edges of most flats. Sight fishing for tarpon is at its peak. Bonefish are all over and Permit begin to start showing up in good numbers as well as they return from their offshore spawn. There is light pressure because everyone is fishing for Tarpon. Monster Sharks are chasing the tarpon schools.
July/August- Tarpon are starting to thin out a little but good Tarpon fishing can still be excellent through July. There are a few Barracudas and Sharks on the flats. Permit fishing is excellent with little fishing pressure. These are the peak months for Permit fishing below Key West. Bonefish become early morning and late evening as the flats get to hot at mid day.
September/October-The biggest bonefish are available in the fall. The permit fishing remains stellar with some big fish around along with big schools of smaller fish. There are plenty of Sharks on the flats. Baby tarpon are still available during low light hours up until mid morning. Jack Crevalle start to show up chasing bait.
November/December-Spotted Sea Trout and Ladyfish start to show up as the water cools into our mild Keys winter and are plentiful. These game fish will bring plenty of sharks also. Barracudas will start to stack up on the flats. These are very under rated game fish. Look for them in the sandy white holes on the flats. Jack Crevalle will be available around channels and schools of bait. Just look for the birds and you will find the Jacks. Bonefish and permit will be available during the warmer days between the cold fronts.
