Fishing Season: Winter

Florida Keys - FL

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Inshore Temp:

74

Offshore Temp:

73

The Saltwater Angler's Tip of the Week

The spring weather is finally here. Next week will have variable winds in the 14 to 20 mph range, depending on the day, and no showers in the forecast.

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Map of Florida Keys

Tide data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

The Saltwater Angler

5-Day Outlook as of 4/15/24

Feels like spring already. Moderate to high winds early in the week and tapering off towards the end of the week. Temperatures look to remain in the mid 70's for the next 6 days or so!

Techniques & Tips as of 4/15/24

Be able to side cast and comfortable with the "double haul". This will help you punch into the wind and lay your leader out better. Be safe!

Current Conditions as of 4/15/24

The weather seems to have finally made a change toward normalcy with mid to high 70's most of the next 2 weeks. The winds will still be averaging 14 to 20 mph with a few days having lighter gusts, but that is good for this time of year. Captains have been reporting small groups Tarpon starting to migrate through the lower keys. Bone fish have been a pleasant surprise with many fish being caught as the water temps rise. Look to find most Bones active on a tide change later in the day when the suns had a chance to warm the shallows up. Permit have still been quite slow this time of year. There have been some permit around, but as always they can be picky and elusive. The large Cudas are still very busy on the flats even with the warming water. These guys are a great challenge on fly or light spin gear. Remember to get the fly moving fast to get their attention. They love live bait! Wishing everyone tight lines and fish boatside!

Local Species Available Winter

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    Bonefish

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    Permit

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    Tarpon

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    Jack Crevalle

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    Barracuda

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    Sharks

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    King Mackerel

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    Wahoo

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    Tuna and Cobia

The Saltwater Angler's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Orvis Tarpon Bunny tan 2
Enrico's Tarpon Pinfish Chart/white 1/0
Malzone's Purple Demon tan, olive 3/0,
Merkin Crab white, chart 2,4
Skok StrongArm Crab Tan 2
Kungfu Crab Pink 4
Grand Slam Crab various colors 1/0
Borski Bonefish Slider tan 1/0
Midnight Minnow White 1/0
Crease Flies Black/red 2/0

Orvis Tarpon Bunny

Tarpon fishing is a wild ride with this handsome fly on your line.

7.99

Item #1X55

Buy Now

The Saltwater Angler's Recommended Gear

Description: About Florida Keys

The Florida Keys and Key West are home to the best saltwater fly fishing in the world. Bold statement, but it's true. Nowhere else can can you find such a wide diversity of species with such easy access. Our reefs and blue water are alive with hard hitting, hard fighting fish willing to take a fly, and our flats offer the incredible challenge of chasing the largest Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon in the world.

Nearest Airport:

EYW-Key West

Bait Recommendations:

Ballyhoo, Pilchards, Thread-fin Herring, flying fish, mullet, Pinfish, crabs, squid, and shrimp