Lower Keys--March

[Cheju]

Will be heading down to the lower keys to wade the flats with a fly rod in mid March. What should I b looking to catch and where can I find access? Any flys that work well and what size? Any help appreciated, thanks in advance.

Cheju:confused:

[AlderBrookFarm]

Depending on what you're calling Lower Keys there are lots of flats. Bonefish, permit, snappers, tarpon...... We're headed down the same time. Do you have the book "Flyfishers Guide to the Florida Keys" by Capt. Ben Taylor? It's a pretty good reference. Email or PM me if ya want.

[TonyB]

IF possible hire a guide for the first day or two, a little pricy but well worth it if you want some good shots. There is an excellent guide in the lower keys that I highly recommend, Capt. Vern Robey in Sugarloaf Key. If he's available you won't be disappointed. Usually March is a little early for tarpon in the flats but you can try the channels (if you don't mind casting to rollers.) Otherwise it's bones, permit, and of course cuda & jacks. There is a large flat at Long Key State Recreational Area that can be productive from shore if a guide is out.

Please report back & Good Luck!

[Quicksilver]

Good first step might be to review the posts on this forum for the last couple of years. If you are driving from Miami or Marathon you will pass some wadeable flats on your way south, best one is at MM 77. Long Key is one of the middle keys, as such I don't think you will want to drive that far north. Ocean side of Bahia Honda and Missouri Keys have firm flats. Sea Boots Outfitters on Big Pine Key can give you good ideas on where to fish. If you go to any fly shows this winter buy Jack Gartside a soda and beg for ideas. He likes Grassy Key. Bring some bright barracuda flies. I like weedless merkins down there, but I fish in the area of Islamorada. Be warned- it is tough fishing wadeing on your own. Exciting, but tough fishing. Three bonefish in a day on your own would be an exceptional day.

[TonyB]

How far north would you like to start? I know of some flats you could fish from shore without a guide from MM76 down to Key West.

Long Key recreation area is at MM66 and has almost two miles of ocean flats. Starting at the south end of the park past some private homes to the end of the key. Tell the ranger you'll be fishing and go to the camping area, drive south to the end of the dead-end and you can park and walk to flat.

Grassy Key near MM57.5 can be accessed through a place called Seashell Beach Resort. Big bones!

Try Missouri and Ohio Keys, south of Marathon and the Seven Mile Bridge there's a small beach area on the ocean side with a picnic area. Walk the path to the flat, incoming tide is best or early evening for cuda.

Then there is Bahia Honda State Park with a nice wadeable flat, beach and picnic area on the ocean side.

Just north of Key West try Geiger Key. Take Geiger Boulevard until you see a concrete barrier, park and walk in to the flat. There is a nice drop off out about 100 yards that can be very productive. Also down the beach more cross over a culvert and there is a great flat on the ocean side. Watch for Sharks here, I've seen some brutes!

Lastly try Smathers Beach along Roosevelt Pkwy. on the east side of the key. This is a good spot in early morning/evening.

Good Luck and report back!

[Cheju]

Thank you for your suggestions and guidance! Will give it all a shot and will report on my return. Can hardly wait to get down there.

Cheju::)