Bonefish - Albula vulpes
*Best time: Late spring through fall
Often referred to as "The Ghost" for its' ability to blend with their surroundings and vanish in front of your eyes, bonefish represent one of the great flats challenges. Sight fishing is the preferred method and accurate casts a must. Bonefishing is seldom easy but the reward far outweighs any frustration in the pursuit. How many times have you hooked a fish that goes screaming for the horizon and has you wondering if you have enough line?
Permit - Trachinotus falcatus
*Best time: Spring through fall
Considered by many to be the ultimate flats prize, permit are a combination of high octane speed and bulldog tenacity coupled with a hypersensitive disposition. Sight fishing permit represents probably the greatest flats challenge but the payoff is huge. Permit average 12-20lbs and fight with a determination that will have your arms aching. These fish fight all the way to the boat and just when you think you have them, they'll take off on another blistering run that will leave you amazed. Permit of any size are a great catch and represent an angling achievement.
Tarpon - Megalops atlanticus
*Best time: Spring and early summer
The first time you hook a tarpon and a fish that looks like a 6 foot piece of polished chrome goes airborne, you'll know why the nickname "Silver King" is appropriate. May and June represent the peak months of the tarpon migration and the time when the really big fish are around but you'll find smaller fish into the fall. The tarpons' aerial acrobatics are unbelievable and their strength legendary.
Backcountry Fishing Best time: All Year
Snook, redfish, seatrout, snapper, spanish mackerel, jacks, ladyfish and sharks can all be found "out back" in Florida Bay and Everglades National Park. For fly anglers new to the sport or the salt, fishing the backcountry is a great way to work on the skills needed for some of the fussier flats species. For those folks just looking for a stress-free day on the water or a way to introduce non-angler or child to fishing, a trip into the Everglades is the way to go.
*Best times are generalizations. It all depends on the weather. Get a spell of warm weather in mid-January and you can find tailing bonefish, permit and tarpon all looking for a wintertime snack.
Often referred to as "The Ghost" for its' ability to blend with their surroundings and vanish in front of your eyes, bonefish represent one of the great flats challenges. Sight fishing is the preferred method and accurate casts a must. Bonefishing is seldom easy but the reward far outweighs any frustration in the pursuit. How many times have you hooked a fish that goes screaming for the horizon and has you wondering if you have enough line? 
Considered by many to be the ultimate flats prize, permit are a combination of high octane speed and bulldog tenacity coupled with a hypersensitive disposition. Sight fishing permit represents probably the greatest flats challenge but the payoff is huge. Permit average 12-20lbs and fight with a determination that will have your arms aching. These fish fight all the way to the boat and just when you think you have them, they'll take off on another blistering run that will leave you amazed. Permit of any size are a great catch and represent an angling achievement.
The first time you hook a tarpon and a fish that looks like a 6 foot piece of polished chrome goes airborne, you'll know why the nickname "Silver King" is appropriate. May and June represent the peak months of the tarpon migration and the time when the really big fish are around but you'll find smaller fish into the fall. The tarpons' aerial acrobatics are unbelievable and their strength legendary.