Flats fishing can be an enjoyable, memorable, and well-spent time out in the ocean.  However, whether you are a novice or an expert, you may wish to hire a flats fishing guide.  A flats fishing guide can help you learn how to flats fish or help you perfect your technique.  When hiring a flats fishing guide, there are several things to look for.

The first thing to consider is money.  The price of hiring a flats fishing guide in Florida will vary from company to company.  You must examine their expertise and time in the business and measure this against the price they are charging as well as your own budget.  Second of all, make sure you do not hire a company that guarantees you will catch a fish.  No one can guarantee that you will catch a fish, but what a company can guarantee is that at the very least you’ll have fun trying and learn a few things about flats fishing while doing so.  You should also inquire as to whether or not the guide will provide the tackle and equipment.  Most companies will provide these items, but you are better off double-checking on this.  In most cases, you will be required to bring your own lunch, beverages, and sun protection.  As far as fishing licenses go, the captain’s license will be enough coverage for you and will allow you to flats fish.

When booking a guide, you will also need to check on the number of anglers that the guide will allow on the boat at one time.  This is critical if you are planning a trip with multiple friends.  As far as children go, many companies will allow children on board.  However, there is often an age requirement, such as seven years old, although some companies will make exceptions to the age rule for families.  Regardless of whether the company makes an exception for your family or not, you will be required to maintain control of your children and their ultimate safety will reside with you.  Also, when hiring a guide for flats fishing in Florida, you will need to make note of their deposit and cancellation policies in the event you must cancel your trip.  When flats fishing, you may walk away with a fish or two and you may not.  Regardless of whether you actually catch something or not, you are guaranteed at least a memory or two.

Backcountry Fishing - A backcountry fishing trip offers an amazing opportunity to see the wilderness of the Florida Keys. A backcountry adventure is a true getaway as you leave inhabited areas for untouched mangrove shorelines. While the term backcountry fishing often encompasses any fishing with a backcountry guide, including flats fishing, true backcountry fishing is venturing north of the Florida Keys, into these often inaccessible and untouched lands. Read more...

Flats Fishing - When seeking to catch redfish, bonefish, or snook, flats fishing is the way to go. Fishing on the shallow flats of Florida provides the perfect chance to reel in some of these unique species. Ideally, flats provide the best areas for fly fishing. During an outing on one of the many flats in Florida, anglers will come across an array of fish found only in these waters. Flats are found in bays and marshes and are stretches of flat sandy areas next to the deeper waters of the Atlantic. Many times, these flats are made of grass, rock, and gravel. Some flats, especially those within marshes, are composed of grass and vegetation. It is here that anglers have a great opportunity to find shrimp and crabs. The most commonly sought after fish for anglers fishing on the flats are seatrout, tarpon, permit, bluefish, striped bass, and shark. Read more...

Fish Florida Bay - The Florida Bay is an inner-shelf lagoon: a shallow body of water situated along the southern-most tip of the Florida Peninsula. The Florida Bay is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys; to the west of the Florida Bay one will find the Gulf and to the south and east regions of the Florida Bay one will find the Keys. The Florida Bay consists of a combination of waters – salt water steaming from the Gulf of Mexico is mixed with the everglade’s fresh water, creating an estuary that flows between and around several hundred mangrove-islands. Nestled between the Florida Keys and Florida’s mainland, the Florida Bay has a plethora of interconnected basins and each basin, on average, is three feet deep. At its greatest depth, the Florida Bay is nine feet deep. The shallow waters of the Florida Bay make for some incredible fishing opportunities. Read more...

Key Largo Fishing - Key Largo is known to be the diving capital of the world, but it should be noted that it is just as famous for being the ideal sport-fishing destination. Located off the southern coast of mainland Florida, the island of Key Largo is a prime location sought out by anglers. This island is the perfect fishing spot, offering deep sea fishing charters, off shore fishing on numerous beaches, designated fly-fishing areas, and backcountry freshwater fishing. World records for fly fishing have been set in Key Largo and other parts of the Florida Keys. This is one of the most sought after and visited fishing spots in the country. Whether looking for a relaxing day catching trout, or a day at sea chasing after a marlin, Key Largo offers a fishing experience to please everyone. Read more...