Going to Florida

[M_ray]

I'm heading to Florida next month taking the kids to Disney World, Going to a NHL Panthers game and relaxing  ... Oh and the wifes Uncle just happens to live on a canal that leads right to the flats and has a boat! Oh and what's on my to do list? ... TARPON! And what are peak months? ... I'm told March through May! 

I have a bit of an idea but I know some of you have done this before so I'll ask  ... What type of gear should I use? Rod,Line,bait, hooks? ect... I thought it better to ask than spend the whole week trying to figure it out    and then have to leave right when I get er dialed in! Thanks for any help.

[jackelope]

you SHOULD do it with a fly rod!! 
do not overlook bonefish and permit and any other flats fish if you have opportunity. a grand slam would be nice, but the permit is the top challenge to get.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Redfish with a fly rod is awsome!   

[M_ray]

Ok Ok you guy's I'll try it all but what do I use? 11, 12 wt? I don't own one all my fly gear is 5 to 7 wieghts and I can't buy it all! I'm allready looking at 250 bones just for a entry level rod reel and gear for Tarpon. It's too bad the Uncle doesn't have gear I'm gonna have to buy what I need to use ... hell it's only money right? and I can't take it with me! 

[jackelope]

12 wt if the big boys are around.
if the big boys aren't around and you're fishing the babies...use your salmon gear.

[M_ray]

Thanks Jakelope, From what I'm told there should be big Tarpon around but I'm not sure about Red fish or permit. What is big for a Red fish and permit anyway?    I'm sure this will be more like a scouting trip and I'll get everything figured out for the next time!

[popeshawnpaul]

After law school I was worn out and fished and lived in the keys for a few months.

You need a 10-12 weight rod.  Mostly for throwing in the wind and handling a big one if needed.  Fly selection is easy.  There are a number of fur/skin flies that work great in various colors.  They are basically big leach looking flies.  Don't overlook a nice spinning fly outfit that you can toss a long way and live bait with.  I would start with that.  Once you get down there you'll learn the local tactics.  At times they take live crabs or other baits locally sold.  You can strip flies as well but I found it to be less effective.  The flats fish are a bit more difficult and I suggest, once again, a good spinning outfit that can cast a long ways.  A nice steelhead type outfit with a 9 foot rod would be great.

One thing I found that was fun was shark fishing.  I know it sounds ridiculous but I kind of happened upon it by accident.  Just don't hook one too large...

Oh, it might be good to buy a local guided trip the first time to figure thing out, then you'll have a better idea on what to do when on your own.  I did this.

[M_ray]

Thanks Pope, I was looking into a guided trip and they are pretty spendy (you see I'm not a lawyer!) And I am taking the kids to Disney too and I'll get boned there not to mention I am trying to save something in the budget for Alaskan steelhead trip in April. So my plan was to try and figure out the flats thing on my own and hire a guide for Lake Okeechobee for monster Bass, I think that would be a blast! An all day Bass guide will be about $350 and are about 1/2 the price as a 4hr Tarpon flats guide and an all day sun up to sun down trip for the flats will run you about $900-1000. At least this is what I have found so far on Google ... there may be someone cheaper I will keep looking.

[Michelle_Nelson]

M-Ray, I tend to agree with Pope.  I would suggest a charter your first go around.  Their are some decent charters out their at a reasonable fair.  I still have a few clicks down that way let me see if I can dig something up for you.

[M_ray]

Thanks Michelle I would appreciate that. 

[Michelle_Nelson]

M-Ray I need to know how far you are willing to travel?

[M_ray]

Michelle A PM has been sent.

[Intruder]

M_ray.... I generally go down there at least once a year to flyfish.  If you talking Central FL you're probably a little early for Tarpon.  The Keys can be good but Homosassa/Tampa is more of a May/June deal.   Your best bet would probably be sight fishing for Redfish on the space coast.  It's less than an hour from Orlando and the fishing can be awesome during the times you're targeting.  As with all the fishing down there you are really dependent on the weather.  If you hit when the weather is stable you'll kill em. 

Call this guy (Capt. Scott M.) ... I've fished w/ him several times.  He's top notch... great boat, great gear, good guy, good guide.  His partner Nick is really good too:
http://www.mosquitolagoonflyfishing.com/

[Intruder]

If you do end up going after tarpon on the fly an 11 wt is pretty tough to beat.  The top quality 11's have enough backbone to pressure big fish but are generally much more pleasant to cast than a 12.  The jump from 11 to 12 for whatever reason seems big to me.  I have a 12 that I've used for billfish and tarpon but I rarely throw it any more for tarpon cuz it's such a stick.  In a lot of places the fish aren't real big and you can actually get away w/ a 10. 

No clue regarding convential gear but I have heard they do pretty well fishing around the bridges down in the keys using live bait (crab, pilchards, etc) on circle hooks. 

[popeshawnpaul]

The fishing on the flats can be outright tough if you have no clue what you are doing.  Unless you want to chum and fish some shark...lol.  Just go into the local bar down there and get a little liquored up, then start asking around for who is the best fisherman.  Then when they say they are, tell them to prove it and go out with them.  It sounds ridiculous but it just might work...

Shawn