Florida Fly Fishing

I might be taking a trip down to Ft. Myers Florida next September I was wondering if any one knows about flat fishing in Florida or about peacock bass fishing with a fly gear.

I did some Peacock bass fishing down in Panama last year, actually went for tarpon but didn't get one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/...7d1b11d7_b.jpg

We caught a bunch of em, but nothing huge. The patterns that worked best for me were red and white clousers, red and white poppers, and these things;
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/...01bbab36_b.jpg

They float, but dive and wiggle when retrieved. Fishing was best for them early in the morning, or at sunset. Those fish are aggressive as hell, you shouldn't have a problem catching them. I used an 8 wt and I didn't feel over gunned. A 6 or 7 would have been fine as well.

I also use to do some flats fishing in Texas for reds when I was younger. They have a lot more than just reds in FL though. So I can't speak for all of them, but the reds aren't too hard to get, if you can find em.


Look for tailing reds when the tide is going out or coming in, they will forage in the flats for shrimp and the like. They are basically a better looking carp, so if you can catch a carp, you can catch some reds. Gold and copper was always my best colors for those fish. Spoon flies and crabs always worked in TX, and I'm sure they'll produce in FL as well. I like an 8wt for out there, 9 if it's super windy.

Here are some pictures of some of my flies that I use to use in the flats (and whenever I get down there to fish anymore)

Copper cactus chenile shrimp -great for reads
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/...91cc4f2f_b.jpg

Gold hot glue crab with gold e-z shape and copper flash
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/...1088a8cb_b.jpg

Silver and gold epoxy spoon flies.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/...31d77b64_b.jpg

I think one of the rags (maybe American Angler?) has an article this month about Peacock Bass on the fly....it might have been from S America?

Creekaddict- Can you fish the flats from shore or do you need a boat?

In Texas, getting a kayak can make things much easier. The flats in TX are mostly mud flats, so walking long distances can become a hassle. I'm not sure what type of bottom the flats have in Ft. Meyers. Sandy flats are much easier to traverse, but I'm sure renting a kayak will help regardless. The hardest part for any angler fishing the salt flats without any previous knowledge of the area will be finding the fish. Being able to cover lots of water will def. help. If you can rent a kayak or a small flats boat or jon boat, I say go for it.
If you can find a guide to do a half day trip (which is uncommon for salt guides), I'd have him show you some good spots and local patters and go from there.
Good luck man.

In most cases you can rent a kyack and have a guide "tow" you out and drop you on fish and pick you up on the way back in. If he is running a trip already and just dropping you it can be really affordable as well. A little of both worlds....

I love Peacock bass fishing and also love to do it every-time when I am on fishing tours. Really, April has had a great steady bite and super weather with Seatrout continuing to be my main attraction.

Congrats for your favorite fishing in your favorite place.

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