The Thrill Of Miami Fly Fishing

By Gwen Lowe


Most people think that Miami means deep sea fishing, with fast boats taking people out of sight of land to catch giant sailfish or tuna. However, Miami fly fishing charters take people inland to the salt flats, to freshwater canals, or to sheltered bays. Fishermen also find the adventure of casting into the surf an exciting challenge.


The prey is both freshwater and saltwater species. Although casting an artificial fly into the quiet waters of a lake takes tackle and techniques that are different from the equipment and skills needed to fish in the surf, many sportsmen enjoy both challenges. Since the experience is just as important as the catch, both the peace of a quiet shore and the exhilaration of the waves make for memorable times on the water.

Salt is very corrosive, so the reels and hooks are made of different materials. Reels, rods, and lines have to be heavier to match the ferocity of the heavy fishes of the sea. Fortunately, turbulent water can hide the heavier line from fish who are watching the wet fly move along the bottom. Dry flies are not used in the surf.

Surf fishing means learning how to be more aggressive when casting into waves, fighting strong currents, and coping with in-shore winds. Waders are recommended to combat the chill of sea water, with non-slip boots for sometimes treacherous footing off the shore. For atmosphere, think about surf casting in the evening light, with the brilliant skyline of the city behind you.

Chartered excursions provide the boat, ice for the catch, tackle needed for the particular waters and species that will be encountered, and the necessary license. Those who take the trip need to provide their own drinks (including plenty of water), food, sunscreen, hat, and camera to record trophy catches. Everyone should have a good pair of sunglasses to protect their eyes from the glare off the water.

Florida provides excellent fishing all year long. Some species of game fish are seasonal, but many spend their whole lives in Biscayne Bay, Everglades National Park, or in the ocean off the beaches of the mainland and the Keys. The inland flats attract many fish that also live in the sea. Catching a shark in the surf will make a great story back home.

It's fun to explore the online sites that concern the fish, the waters, the scenery, the skills to be used or learned, and the memories that can be made in southern Florida. Magazine articles posted online can open up new avenues for even experienced fly fishers to explore. Apparently stalking the elusive and shy permit, an ocean fish that comes to the flats to feast on crustaceans, is a life experience to be coveted, while actually catching one is a great achievement.

Southern Florida offers so many opportunities to fish that a lifetime of vacations might not be long enough. Go online to read excerpts from magazines, descriptions of charter trips and the captains who conduct them, and lots of information on why many find saltwater fly-fishing addictive.




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