Florida is known as the ‘Fishing Capital of the World’ as it is a unique and diverse inshore habitat of tremendous species. This magical palace can make a good angler great and a newbie will develop a passion for fishing. Florida fishing experience can ignite love and passion and it urges you to come back year after year. It is a top-tier preference for fly fishermen to catch a treat on the long rod.
What makes this place even more interesting is that it is full of surprises. It might humble you in the morning and provide you with the most rewarding fishing experience at night. However, if you are acquainted with proper knowledge and guidance, you will ace it!
The world-famous places to fly fish in Florida are mentioned in this article.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a major seaport on the west coast of Florida. Spring and fall migration of different fishes attracts the attention of fly fishermen across the globe. Both offshore and inshore fly fishing can be relished here. Inshore fly fishing is preferred here as this marvelous place offers thousands of acres of back bays, flats, and mangrove-filled backwaters.
Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon
Indian River Lagoon is home to diverse species of plants and animals. Mosquito Lagoon with its 20 thousand acres of grass-covered flats makes it a top place for anglers to catch trophy fish on the fly. This place is famous for supporting the best-spotted trout and redfish.
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is cradled with five American states called the “Gulf States” and has earned a great name in the world of angling. This place is heaven for the terrific three species: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. It is filled with inshore, offshore, and nearshore fisheries.
Biscayne Bay
Extending most of the length of Miami, Biscayne Bay is a semi or subtropical lagoon. This bay holds the top three most famous flat species in the world. Fishermen from different nooks and crannies of the world travel to South Florida for the best fly fishing of their lives. Large bonefish are native to these aquamarine waters.
Everglades national park
One-third of Everglades National Park is covered with water which provides a great opportunity for fishing. This park holds a very large population of different kinds of species. This park reserves biosphere and is home to ten threatened species and thirteen endangered species. You must study the rules and license requirements for fishing in this park.
Equipment for Fly Fishing in Florida
The diverse aquatic ecosystem of Florida ranging from freshwater rivers and saltwater flats requires the right set of equipment for a fulfilling fly fishing experience.
Fly fishing rod
Fly fishing rods are different from other rods in being longer and more flexible. A versatile 8 or 9-weight rod will do for fly fishing in both freshwater and saltwater in Florida. This size of the rod will suit you perfectly if you want to pursue the big three: bonefish, permit, and tarpon. An 8-weight rod works satisfactorily for freshwater species like trout, but you must opt for a heavier one if you are after saltwater pursuits like redfish.
Fly reel
Invest in a fly reel that matches the weight of your rod. Look for a large arbor reel for quick retrieval, this will help you fight against strong and fast fish. A smooth drag system is an important factor to keep in mind while buying a reel as it will ensure a smooth fishing experience. It is advised to opt for a corrosion-resistant reel for protection against saltwater.
Floating fly line
If you are targeting species that are cruising at the surface of water then floating lines are your go-to. The species that are generally targeted on the topmost layer of water are bass and panfish. Floating lines are perfect for techniques like popper fishing and dry fly fishing. As the name suggests these lines float on the water and do not sink, hence this is not an effective means for deeper water levels.
Intermediate fly line
Intermediate lines are designed for mid-water fishing when the fish are swimming in water. These lines sink at a slow rate which makes them fit for both shallow water and deeper waters. The prize factor of the intermediate line is that you can get lucky even if you are not sure whether the fish is in the mid-layer or top layer.
Sink-tip fly line
Sink-tip lines are your best friends when it comes to deep-water fishing. They have the sinking element at their tip which makes them sink at a faster pace while maintaining control over the floating section. The species for which this line works best are snook and redfish.
Leader and tippets
A tapered leader with a length of 9 to 12 feet is a good pick. It is perfect for turnovers and proper castings. Fluorocarbon tippets are generally considered because of their low visibility in water and abrasion-resistant characteristics.
Flies
Flies are the making or breaking part of your fly fishing setup. A good presentation is crucial for attracting your prey. If you fail to make a good pattern for your target species, you might end up unconvinced. You will have to pay heed to the fly patterns if you do not want to lose a valuable catch.
Most Suitable Fly Patterns
Presentation matters! Especially if you are on a mission to entice a creature to swallow your artificial fly.
Clouser minnow
This fly pattern imitates various kinds of baitfish and mimics the movement of injured or dead creatures. This fly is weighted which allows it to sink deep and target deep-water fish.
Merkin crab
This fly pattern is highly effective for seizing permits as it imitates the crab on which the permit feeds. Its lifelike appearance and movement entices the fish to swallow it.
Deceiver
Just like its name, this fly deceives the fish with its long feathers and tempting colors. It appears to be living because of its flowy movement and is irresistible to the fish.
Permit Fly Fishing in Florida
Permit is a well-known creature to fly fish in Florida where you can find plenty of it in a satisfyingly large size. This fish makes fishermen go crazy because of its notorious behavior It can be super shy at one time and swallow the roughest fly at some other time as it is the last supper. Schools of permit will give you a burst of adrenaline and if you catch one, you will be rewarded with dopamine.
Tackle for permit
For catching a permit the most important asset is patience and practice. You will have to master dropping a weighted fly in a hula hoop. Repeated casting will surely bring you success, all you need is practice. People generally prefer a 10-weight rod which is good even on windy days, otherwise, even a 9-weight rod will do the job. Your leader should be long enough to cast the line at least 40 feet, even better if you can manage 60 feet.
Tarpon fly fishing in Florida
The silver kings are fruitful prey for a fly angler in Florida. No fish can test your stamina, skills, and intuition as this beauty. However, the most interesting factor of this sport is that you can easily manipulate a preoccupied fly to eat your fly. These wonderful creatures can be found in the backcountry of Florida Keys. The tarpon is relaxed and easy to catch in big basins, edges, channels, and mangrove shorelines. In late April large tarpon migration draws the attention of many anglers around the world. The area from Marathon Key to Marquesas Key becomes flooded with these dinosaurs during the peak time.
Tackle for tarpon
A 10 or 11-weight fly rod will work best for chasing tarpon. Some people bring along a 12-weight rod but you must judge your comfort level and accuracy for casting a line within 40 to 60 feet. A reel should be of high quality with sufficient backing of at least 300 yards. Along with this you must practice and learn the behavior of these big girls.
Jack Crevalle Fly Fishing in Florida
Jack Crevalle is notorious for its aggressive nature. This dragon is mean and nasty most of the time and this nature makes them challenging. They will fight back with all their might and run away. Moreover, they travel in schools, what else does an adrenaline junkie need? The best time for going after Jack Crevalle is when they are foraging on the surface. A good indication of their presence is when birds are diving.
Tackle for Jack Crevalle
Gear for jack crevalle varies with its size. A 7 to 8-foot medium action rod works best for a 5-pound fish, however, you will need to upgrade your tackle for a 30-pound beast. A 30 to 40-pound fluorocarbon leader does a good job, but you might need to increase the weight for larger prey. A shock leader is used for this fish as it has no teeth, this will prevent their jaws from injury.
Sea Trout Fly Fishing in Florida
Aside from the big three: permit, tarpon, and bonefish, other rewarding fishes in the sea are often overlooked when it comes to fly fishing in Florida. Sea trout is one of these. It might not be a fly angler’s first choice, but they can be a wonderful treat. If you are thinking about other fishes then do consider sea trout or gator trout.
Tackle for sea trout
A 7-weight rod with a matching reel is considered to work best for this species. A weight-forward, floating line works well and you can extend it to deeper waters by increasing the weight of the fly. However, if the fish is spooky then you need delicate gear and castings, for this, you can use 5-weight rods. This works best in cool and clear waters.
Black Drum Fly Fishing in Florida
Black Drum is a blast to catch as it is a really good fighter. It is not only their challenging nature that makes fishermen come back for more but also their finger-licking taste. These creatures can be found at the docks, grass flats, and inlets in Florida. They make sight fishing a good technique to fish for them as they like to come to the surface looking for shrimps, clams, crabs, and oysters.
Tackle for black drum
The perfect gear can be set only if you realize the size of the black drum. If you are after a 5-pound fish then a 7 to 8-weight rod with 2500 series reel will do for it. However, for a 30-pound juicy catch, you might have to switch to a medium/heavy action rod with a 4000 series reel.
