Fly Fishing Key West Can Be Real Challenge

"When most fishermen think of going fly fishing, Key West, Florida is not customarily high on their list of possible locations"

When most fishermen think of going fly fishing, Key West, Florida is not customarily high on their list of possible locations. Located at the southernmost point of the United States, and the furthest key from mainland Florida, Key West offers the most diverse population of fish swimming through crystal clear water. With the right equipment, those fishing with flies have the opportunity to catch some of the biggest flat fish as well as some of the larger game fish known to frequent the waters.

Whether you venture out into the straights of the keys or fish in the shallows close to shore or inland waterways there are many species of fish conducive to fly fishing. Key West offers some interesting fights with species such as the permit, bonefish and the sought-after tarpon. While tarpon average 40 to 50 pounds for a mature fish, the Florida record is 235 pounds, which would be a huge fight on fly fishing equipment.

Typically, the line used for fly fishing, Key West has a 25-pound core strength weight-forward line, which helps speed loading the line through the rod and floating line keeps it on the surface, away from any swimming dangers in the flats of the keys. It is not unusual to find permit and bonefish in extremely shallow areas of the flats with some located in less than two-feet of water.

More Excitement Than Typical Fly Fishing

Using lightweight tackle to real in heavyweight fish can add a new dimension to the sport and fly fishing, Key West waters can draw in some lunkers not found in fresh water lakes and streams. Ernest Hemingway fished the straights of Key West. It is one of the few places where you could pull in a daisy chaining tarpon. That is when the tarpon is the last fish to latch onto a smaller fish that could be three or more sizes of fish finding their way into a predator’s mouth. The chain could being with your fly in a permit, then lead eventually into a tarpon.

Rods used for fly fishing, Key West are typically number eight or ten, depending on the species you are aiming to catch and the reel should be loaded with about 200 yards of 30-pound test line. The reel should be big enough to hold the line without jamming if a fish starts to run. Fluorocarbon leaders work best, about nine-feet long with a strength of 15 to 30 pounds, depending on the fish you plan to catch.

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