You're #1 Resource for Fly Fishing, Light Tackle Spin and Fly Tying in the Florida Keys
Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing

Florida Keys Flats Fishing Charters and Guide Service - Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing

Florida Keys BonefishFlorida Keys Bonefish Florida Keys TarponFlorida Keys Tarpon Florida Keys PermitFlorida Keys Permit Florida Keys BackcountryFlorida Keys Backcountry Florida Keys Shark FishingFlorida Keys Shark Fishing Florida Keys Fly PatternsFlorida Keys Fly Patterns
Come and stalk the flats for the most sought after fish in the Florida keys. Spin or fly tackle, this type of fishing is a challenge to most. Experience the incredible power and acrobatics of the silver king. Fish sizes range from 10 - 200 lbs!! Weak hearted need not apply. Sight-cast big permit on the flats. Expect long battles and heart pounding action while these fish tail and root for their prey. An adventure into the Everglades National Park for species like Redfish, Snook, Trout, Sharks and much much more. Battle Hammerhead, Bull, Lemon and Black Tip Sharks in shallow water on light tackle or fly gear. Join me sight casting big sharks on the flats. Check out some of the patterns I use to catch our great Florida keys species like bonefish, tarpon and permit. Go take a look right now!
Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing

Dave and Ian holding up a Tarpon that was attacked by a Bull Shark
Truly one of the most magnificent fish that occupy the waters of the Florida Keys. Thousands of people each year, from all over the world, congregate here from early March to mid-July to experience the massive run of Tarpon. Although Tarpon can be found here year round, the height of Tarpon season is from late April to June. There are a few ways that we can fish for Tarpon. Poling along shallow water flats in search of cruising or laid up fish ("laid up" is a term for non cruising fish that holds still on or just under the surface) either casting small crabs, shrimp or flies. This is truly an art of stalking and sight casting. Fishing depth ranges from 2 feet to 11 feet of water and it is not uncommon to see a school of Tarpon with numbers of 50 to 100 fish
Prime Tarpon Time
April, May and June are prime times for migratory tarpon.
Summer Months - The summer time can be so incredible for Tarpon fishing. In most of these descriptions, I state that there is no boat traffic in the summer, far less pressure on fish. This holds true for Tarpon fishing as well. Fish tend to be a bit smaller during this time but big fish are not uncommon. I catch big Tarpon on the flats until at least the last week of August almost every year. These are hungry and eat a fly incredibly well. Summer time is also well known for baby tarpon. Early morning depatures are a must. Schools of baby tarpon invade the flats at first light, rolling and eating any thing that swims in their path. Baby Tarpon are definitely one of my favorites. Most people think the word "baby" means tiny, 5 - 10 lbs. I consider baby tarpon 5 - 40lb range. You can see schools of 10 lbers in one area and half way down the flat there might be 50 lbers rolling around. The only draw back of the summer is, of course, the heat. On clam days, it can get pretty hot. Half day fishing trips are the norm. Leave the dock at 6:30 am and return by 11am or so BUT if the fishing stays good, we can stay longer. I usually fish smaller tarpon in the early morning and after that, I can be found poling the ocean side flats looking for big Tarpon or Permit. I wait until the best light of the day. SO please, DO NOT discard coming to the Keys this time of year. It is some of the best fishing of the year.
Winter Months - The winter time, to be honest, it is not the best time to fish for Tarpon. There are exceptions though. If the water temp gets above 75, I head up into the Everglades where Tarpon hang around the grass flats and in the deeper channels. If you get 3 or 4 days of good weather, the fishing can actually be pretty good.
Tarpon Photos
« View all my Tarpon photos »
  • Warren Crame taking it to a tarpon with the fly rod.
  • Jumping Poon!
  • Todd Paikin taking a swim with his prize catch
  • Todd Paikin wrangling with a nice tarpon on fly!
  • Tarpon on fly
  • Tarpon on fly
  • Mike Anderton fighting a big tarpon on fly with an audience.
  • Jay Feely, Former kicker for my Miami Dolphins and present kicker for the Arizona Cardinals with his first big Tarpon.
  • Big poon launching!
  • Big poon launching!
  • Big poon launching!
  • Charlie with a baby poon on fly
  • Baby poon on fly
  • Dave West with his first tarpon on fly.
  • Paula with her first Tarpon ever!
  • Paula with her first Tarpon ever!
  • Jumping Tarpon
  • Jumping Tarpon
  • Jumping Tarpon
  • Tarpon coming in for a landing
  • Steve with a nice baby tarpon on light tackle.
  • Jumping tarpon in the magroves with my favorite lure, the DOA CAL.Big tarpon head
  • Rob fighting a big poon!
  • Me releasing a big poon
  • Tarpon going ballistic!
  • Duncan with his first tarpon caught on a DOA CAL.
  • Releasing a baby tarpon
  • John with my favorite size Tarpon
  • Rob Birk with his first Tarpon ever!
  • Luke releasing a nice tarpon
  • Todd bowing to the King!
  • Tarpon landing.
  • More Ballistic Poonage
  • Launching Tarpon
  • Half in, Half out
  • Coming up for air
  • Another Tarpon release
  • Oliver fighting a BIG tarpon
  • Tarpon coming up for air.
  • Frothing Tarpon
  • Big Tarpon caught on a drifted crab
  • Mike Anderton fighting a big Tarpon
  • Explosion
  • Bucket Mouth
  • Flaring the gills
  • Bernie hooked up!
  • Tailwalking Tarpon
  • Upside Down Tarpon
  • Tarpon on the fly going ballistic
  • Tarpon on fly during the worm hatch
  • Chad hooked up on fly during the filming of Conquering the King
  • Battle Scarred
  • Sending up the white flag
  • Baby tarpon on a DOA CAL
  • Baby Tarpon
  • Tarpon that was bitten by a Bull Shark during the fight
  • Big Tarpon that was bitten up by a bull shark
  • Derek hooked up with a big tarpon on fly
  • Torque

Fly Fishing for Tarpon
Zach Keefe "The Tarpon Master" showing how its done!

Flippin the Chicken
Fly Fishing for tarpon is my favorite thing to do. Personally, I think catching a tarpon on fly is the easiest of the "BIG THREE". The other two thirds of the big three are as you know, the bonefish and the permit. Tarpon are eager eaters and you would be amazed that a 130 lb. tarpon would eat a 3 inch fly but they are also lazy, very lazy and precise casting is very important.

Ocean Migratory Fish: Ocean side Tarpon are a bit harder to feed. Longer cast are necessary but you can get by with a 40 foot cast especially when it's windy. The longer you can cast though, the more success you will have. Ocean fish are spawning fish and are not necessarily feeding. You must FEED the fish. Slow long strips are essential. You might hear different techniques from different guides on this one but I find I have a lot of success with a long slow strip. Strings of fish consist of any where from 10 fish to 80 or 90 fish (sometimes more) in a school. Strings of fish look like a giant snake coming at the boat. It is a sight to see. There are also "Meatballs" Yes, Meatballs. A Meatball consists of many tarpon tightly schooled together consisting of sometimes 100 fish or more. Another sight to see.


Laid Up Tarpon: Generally fished in the backcountry, these are fish that are sitting still on the surface so you might get 2, 3 or even 4 shots. It is easier to hit a still target than a moving target but don't get me wrong it is still hard no matter how you look at it. You know what they say, "good things come to those that cast well." A reminder, practice your casting before your fishing trip. Place some targets in the backyard and practice your accuracy. The better you get the better the chance you have at catching a tarpon. Click here for the fly tier's bench

Fly Equipment Used
Thomas and Thomas Horizon Series
9, 10, 11 weight fly rods
Scientific Anglers Mastery Series
Tarpon Taper floating fly lines.
Gamakatsu #SC-15, #SL-12
Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader
Favorite Tarpon Flies
The Ultimate Tarpon Fly selection for the Florida Keys
The Inhaler The Inhaler
Difficulty - 1 of 5
Definitely one of my go to baby tarpon flies.
The CD The CD
Difficulty - 4 of 5
The best laid up Tarpon fly, hands down.
Tarpon Toad The Tarpon Toad
Difficulty - 2 of 5
You all know about the Tarpon Toad, this was the original.
The Mrs. Howell The Mrs. Howell
Difficulty - 2 of 5
Great Tarpon fly for the Islamorada Backcountry.
Baby Tarpon
Light Tackle Spin Equipment Used
Shimano Teramar 7' 4 " foot rods
Quantum Cabo / BOCA spinning reels.
Sufix Performance braid 10 - 30lb. test
30 - 60 lb. Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader.
Gamagatzu Octupus Circle - Size: 1/0-8/0

Tarpon attacked by a Bull Shark sequence

Florida Keys Fishing Videos

Permit Fishing with Joe Leskoske
Joe caught 3 Permit in one day and we have it on film!
Watch Movie >>
Underwater Baby Tarpon
Mike Hill catches a baby tarpon on fly. We dunk the GoPro Camera to see what its like Underwater. No Sound.
Watch Movie >>
Black Tip Sharks on Fly
Warren Stern rips up on some Black Tip Sharks on fly for the first time.
Part 1 Part 2
DOA LURES - CAL JERK BAIT
Something I put together for my favorite artificial bait.
Watch Movie >>
Tarpon on DOA CALs
The Deckers, father and son rip up on some medium sized tarpon on the DOA CAL Jerk bait. This video has some of the most amazing tarpon jumps.
Part 1 > Part 2 >
Tarpon on Fly
Rob hooked up with his first tarpon on fly
Watch Movie >>
Tarpon on Fly
Doug Nix with his first tarpon on fly. Doug was throwing a gurgler pattern.
Watch Movie >>
Bonefish on Fly
Todd Paikin with some insane bonefish footage, fighting a 10.5 lb Bonefish on fly and a 13 lb. Bonefish on light tackle. Choose below.
Bonefish on Fly > 13lb. Bonefish >
Tarpon on Light Tackle
DOA strikes again! Justin hooking up with some a nice Tarpon on 10 lb gear. Awesome Tarpon jumps. Slow Motion Video
Watch Movie >>
Big Tarpon and Permit
Roger Moore from England, catching big Tarpon, Permit and casting to some Sharks on fly.
Watch Movie >>
Bonefish and Permit
Denis pursuing his Grand Slam. He scored with two big bonefish and a awesome Permit.
Watch Movie >>
Bonefish on Light tackle
Elizabeth with her first monster Bonefish ever and Tom caught himself a big Bonefish as well.
Watch Movie >>
Permit and Tarpon
Joe Leskoske pursuing another Grand Slam catching the holy grail, the Permit and some baby Tarpon
Watch Movie >>
Tarpon, Snook and Bonefish
What can you say about the DOA Lures! They are devastating. Tim and Val pursuing the incredible Super Grand Slam catching Snook, Tarpon and Bonefish.
Watch Movie >>
 
Thomas and Thomas Fly Rods

Fly Tier's Section - Fly Patterns, Tips and News


Florida Keys Fly Patterns

Florida Keys Bonefish Flies

The Gotcha The Gotcha
Difficulty - 2 of 5
One of the most popular bonefish flies around!
The Tasty ToadThe Tasty Toad
Difficulty - 3 of 5
One of Captain Harry Spear's very popular bonefish flies.
Bonefish SliderBonefish Slider
Difficulty - 2 of 5 Certainly one of my favorite bonefish flies.
Deer Hair ShrimpDeer Head Shrimp Difficulty - 3 of 5
One of the sweetest looking shrimp flies around!
The AbominationThe Abomination
Difficulty - 2 of 5
Great fly for Bonefish, baby Tarpon and Redfish
 

Florida Keys Tarpon Flies

The InhalerThe Inhaler
Difficulty - 1 of 5
Definitely one of my go to baby tarpon flies.
The CDThe CD
Difficulty - 4 of 5
The best laid up Tarpon fly, hands down.
Tarpon ToadThe Tarpon Toad
Difficulty - 2 of 5
You all know about the Tarpon Toad, this was the original.
The Mrs. HowellThe Mrs. Howell
Difficulty - 2 of 5
Great Tarpon fly for the Islamorada Backcountry.

Florida Keys Permit Flies

 
Fuzzy MerkinThe Fuzzy Merkin
Difficulty - 4 of 5
An inverted Merkin Permit Fly.
Tpak CrabThe T-Pak Crab
Difficulty - 3 of 5
Great fly for BIG Bonefish and Permit

Florida Keys Redfish Flies

Florida Keys Snook Flies

Redfish SeaducerRedfish Seaducer
Difficulty - 1 of 5
Talk about a fly that can catch some redfish!
White WidowThe White Widow
Difficulty - 2 of 5
This is a great all around bait fish pattern fly.

Florida Keys Shark Flies

 
Mad PumpkinThe Mad Pumpkin
Difficulty - 2 of 5
The one and only shark fly. This fly is deadly in all black.
Go to the Fly Tier's Bench >>
Fly Tying Resources

Dr. Slick Fly Tying Scissors

Wow. What can I say. I just received  my Dr. Slick Razor Scissors about 5 days ago and I am super impressed. They are probably the sharpest scissors I’ve had to date.  Razor Scissors are adjustable-tension scissors made of  j2-surgical steel with a lifetime guarantee. How can you beat that? They are available in 2 sizes, a 4 inch and a 5 inch.  Check out all of Dr. Slick products. They have a lot of fantastic high quality fly tying accessories. Visit the Dr. Slick website

Fly Fishing Message Board

If you are interested in chatting it up with some other fly anglers, go check out “Fly Honkey” Most of these guys are from Texas, so becareful. They always think their fish is bigger that yours.  Go there now, you’ll find a lot of useful information there. I promise.

Skinny Water Culture

Check out some really cool fly fishing apparel @ Skinny Water Culture.
Click here to shop
Fly Tying Photos
  • Deer Hair Baitfish
  • EP Shrimp
  • EP Pinfish
  • Deer Hair Mullet
  • Deer Hair Shrimp
  • Tarpon Needle Fish
  • Baby Tarpon Flies
  • Merkins with Tibor
All Images are property of Stripstrikecharters.com | © Copyright 2010. All rights Reserved.
Don't steal my images or Ill beat your ass!