Fly fishing: a guide to saltwater fly fishing trips
How fly fishing works, the fish you can catch and the best places to book a fly trip.
Fly fishing is the most technical and hands-on way to fish. Florida has more fly fishing target species than anywhere else in the US, and that’s where we book our fly trips: Marco Island, Naples, Tampa Bay and the Florida Keys.
Fish you can catch on fly
Inshore and flats fish, plus offshore fly targets. Swipe to see them.
Tarpon and bonefish 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 saltwater fly fishing?
Casting a fly with a fly rod to fish in salt or brackish water: flats, mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, seagrass beds and offshore. In Florida the top fly fish are snook, redfish, seatrout and tarpon, plus bonefish and permit on the southern flats. Fly trips need a captain who specializes in fly fishing, so we book them by phone.
How fly fishing works
On a fly trip your captain puts you in front of fish and coaches every cast. It is the most technical way to fish, and one of the most rewarding.
Ways to fly fish
From a flats boat, by wading, from a canoe or kayak, or from shore. Your captain picks the approach for the water and the fish.
Inshore, flats and offshore
Inshore, shorelines, oyster bars and seagrass beds hold snook, redfish, seatrout and tarpon. The southern flats add bonefish and permit. Offshore, fly anglers target sailfish, mahi, tarpon, little tunny and Spanish and king mackerel.
Matching the bait
Flies imitate what the fish eat: crabs, small baitfish, finger mullet and shrimp along the mangroves and grass flats.
The grand slam
A bonefish, a permit and a tarpon on the same day. South Florida and the Keys are where anglers chase it.
Your own gear
Captains bring fly rods and tackle. If you have a favorite rod, tell us when you book and we’ll work it out with your captain.
What to bring
Polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, a light long-sleeved shirt, non-scuff shoes and a rain jacket.
Top fly fishing destinations by state
Florida
Florida has more fly fishing target species than anywhere else in the US, in salt, brackish and fresh water. We book fly trips in four areas:
See Florida fly fishingPlanning a fly trip outside Florida? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, and we’ll tell you what we can book.
Fly 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 water for the day’s tide
How to book a fly fishing trip
Fly trips are run by captains who specialize in fly fishing, so we book them by phone. Call us and we’ll match you with the right captain and date.
Fly trips in Marco Island, Naples, Tampa Bay and the Florida Keys
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.
Fly fishing questions
What is saltwater fly fishing?
Casting a fly, a light artificial lure, with a fly rod to fish in salt or brackish water: flats, mangroves, oyster bars, seagrass beds and offshore.
What fish can you catch on fly?
In Florida: snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon, bonefish and permit inshore, and sailfish, mahi, little tunny and mackerel offshore.
Where is the best fly fishing in the US?
Florida has more fly fishing target species than anywhere else in the US. We book fly trips in Marco Island, Naples, Tampa Bay and the Florida Keys.
How do people fly fish in Florida?
From flats boats, by wading, from a canoe or kayak, or from shore.
What is a grand slam?
Catching a bonefish, a permit and a tarpon on the same day.
Do I need to be an experienced fly angler?
No. Beginners and seasoned fly anglers are both welcome. Your captain brings the gear and coaches you.
Why do fly trips need a special captain?
Fly fishing is technical and hands-on. We match you with a captain who specializes in fly fishing.
How do I book a fly fishing trip?
Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm. Tell us where and when you want to fish and we’ll match you with a fly fishing captain.