Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon
John and Ann came down from Kansas to do a little bonefish fishing. We launched out of City Marina in Key West at 9 AM to fish a half day. We ran west to fish a flat where I was hoping some bones would be moving with the incoming tide. It wasn’t long until we had a good flow of fish, and on the fourth or fifth shot John came tight to a nice bonefish.
As the water rose with the tide, I moved to another spot where I was hoping to find some larger schools of mudding bones. They were there, and we were able to fire off another ten or twelve shots. We were unfortunately unable to connect, and we headed to the dock.
On Sunday, I got to treat Anna to a day on the water. She’s been itching to get out, and it was perfect conditions. She started the day catching two of the first three bonefish that crossed the bow. Satisfied, we decided to run about 45 minutes east to look for some tarpon. One nice string came down our edge within minutes of arriving, and with a near perfect cast Anna hooked and jumped a beautiful fish. It threw the fly and we were excited to hunt for another one. A few more tight shots came by in the cloudier conditions before we had the opportunity at another nice string. Anna laid out a beautiful cast, the lead fish bit but she never came tight.
We continued down the edge for another hour or so, and with our shots tapering off we headed in early for dinner.
I also had Monday off, and with the conditions being perfect I decided to research some new flats that have been on the northern edge of my current range. After a quick look at google earth, I had a few spots in mind I was looking forward to pole.
The first spot looked good, but no fish. I made a quick adjustment, and began poling into another edge. Within forty five minutes I saw a few small tarpon rolling just out of reach. I pushed a deeper line, and started intercepting strings of small tarpon. I hooked and landed my first opportunity, and left the remaining strings be for another day. To my surprise, small schools of permit were tracking the same line as the tarpon! I took a few swings but had no interest. They were in deeper water and I rarely have luck in that situation on flies.
Satisfied with my new found spot, I kicked on the motor to find another one. The gulf tide was transitioning out, which I thought would be a good opportunity for permit. I started poling an edge, and about an hour and a half later I saw a wake. Assuming permit, I jumped out of the boat and was able to intercept a small school of large fish. I dropped my shrimp fly ahead of the group, the lead fish spotted it immediately, gave me a look and darted off with the others. I jumped back on the pole, and about thirty minutes later I had another group waking my way. I ditched the boat and quickly make a long shot. I saw fish tracking my fly and to my surprise I came tight! I fought the fish on foot until it took a run I didn’t believe I could recover. I jumped back into the boat and pursued her on the motor. After a twenty minute bout, I had her in the net and couldn’t believe my luck.
John with a nice Key West bonefish.
Anna with her second bonefish of the day.
I got lucky on a nice permit.
