Flats fishing: sight fishing in shallow water
What flats fishing is, the fish you’ll chase and the best places to book a trip.
Flats fishing means hunting fish in clear, shallow water. You see the fish, make the cast and watch it eat. Florida is our top flats destination, with trips in the Keys, Miami and Tampa Bay.
Fish you can catch on the flats
Bonefish, permit and tarpon, plus redfish, snook, trout and sharks. Swipe to see them.
Permit
Flats permitFound on the same flats as bonefish and tarpon. Seasons and size limits apply.
Bonefish and tarpon are catch and release in Florida. Seasons, size and bag limits apply to other fish: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.
What is flats fishing?
Flats fishing is sight fishing in clear, shallow water, usually on light tackle or a fly rod. The best-known flats fish are bonefish, permit and tarpon; redfish, snook, trout and sharks feed on the flats too. A local guide and a boat built for shallow water make the difference. Florida is the top flats destination in the U.S.
How flats fishing works
On a flats trip, your guide moves the boat quietly over shallow water while you look for fish. When you see one, you make the cast. It is fishing you can watch from start to finish.
Sight fishing and the cast
Fish on the flats see and feel everything. An accurate cast and quiet movement matter, because any sudden move can spook a fish. Your guide spots fish, tells you where to cast and coaches you through it.
Light tackle or fly rod
Flats fishing is done with light spinning tackle or a fly rod. Light tackle is easier for new anglers. A fly rod is a favorite of experienced anglers, and some even hook sharks on a fly.
Tides, wind and water temperature
Knowing the local water matters, for safe navigation and for finding fish. Tides, water temperature and wind all change where fish feed on the flats, so your guide picks the spots on the day.
The flats grand slam
Catching a bonefish, a permit and a tarpon on the same day is called a grand slam, and it is a goal for many flats anglers.
What to bring
Polarized sunglasses (they help you see fish), sunscreen, a hat, a light long-sleeved shirt, non-scuff shoes, water and snacks, and a camera.
Top flats fishing destinations by state
Florida
Florida’s shallow grass flats are known around the world for bonefish and tarpon, with permit, redfish, trout, snook and sharks on the same water. We book flats trips in three areas:
See Florida flats fishingPlanning a flats trip outside Florida? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we’ll tell you what we can book.
Flats fishing by season
Winter Dec–Feb
- Trout and redfish on the flats
- Tides, wind and water temperature move the fish
Spring Mar–May
- Snook move to the beaches and passes
- Redfish on the flats
Summer Jun–Aug
- Tarpon season
- Fish early in the day
Fall Sep–Nov
- Bull redfish and snook
- Your captain picks the flats for the day’s tide
How to book a flats fishing trip
Flats trips are booked by phone. Call us and we’ll match you with a guide and a date.
Flats trips in the Florida Keys, Miami and Tampa Bay
Call (407) 392-4593Saltwater license covered by the captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before. Full refund or free reschedule if the guide cancels for weather. Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
Flats fishing questions
What is flats fishing?
Fishing in clear, shallow water where you can see the fish before you cast. Most flats fishing is sight fishing on light tackle or a fly rod.
What fish can you catch on the flats?
Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the best-known flats fish. Redfish, snook, spotted seatrout and sharks feed on the flats too.
Light tackle or fly rod?
Either one. Light spinning tackle is easier for new anglers; many experienced anglers come to the flats to fish with a fly rod.
Do I need experience to go flats fishing?
No. A guide finds the fish, sets up the tackle and coaches your cast. Accurate casts and quiet movement help, because sudden moves can spook fish in shallow water.
Where is the best flats fishing in the U.S.?
Florida. The Florida Keys, Mosquito Lagoon and the Everglades are among the best-known flats. We book flats trips in the Keys, Miami and Tampa Bay.
Why do tides and wind matter?
Tides, water temperature and wind change where fish feed on the flats. A local guide knows where to look on the day you fish.
Can I keep the fish?
In Florida, bonefish and tarpon are catch and release. Other fish have seasons, size and bag limits set by FWC. Your captain can tell you what you can keep.
How do I book a flats fishing trip?
Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Tell us where and when you want to fish and we’ll book your guide.