Backcountry or flats fishing as it is often called, is defined as that sportfishery that takes place in the shallow waters surrounding the Islands of the Florida Keys. In both fisheries the variety of gamefish and techniques to catch and release them, vary greatly. Lets discuss these fisheries individually for a better understanding of the variety of sportfishing opportunities found in the Florida Keys.
 

Offshore Charters

This sportfishing is done from a larger boat 30 to 40 feet in length capable of handling the waves found in the open waters surrounding the Florida Keys. Although often calm the gulfstream can be challenging with wind and currents boiling through the narrow passage way between Cuba and the Keys only ninety miles wide. Big game fishing in the gulfstream south of the Florida Keys was made famous in the thirties by writer and angler Ernest Hemingway. 

The gulfstream is home to the largest variety of gamefish in the entire world and they live only minutes from the dock. Giant blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, sharks, barracuda, kingfish, amberjack and bonita just to name a few. 

Aboard our charter boat the “Sea Boots” we fish for marlin weighting in excess of 700 pounds with 80 pound test tackle or the powerful sailfish weighting from 30 to 70 pounds with light 20 pound spin tackle. Most big game fishing offshore is done using 20 to 30 pound test tackle. A number of techniques are used including sight casting to large game fish like sailfish or dolphin with spin tackle or trolling for a variety of species with 20 and 30 pound tackle. 

Charter fishing trips begin at eight in the morning fishing either half or full days. Our offshore charter boats can carry up to six anglers and we supply all bait, tackle and licenses. All the angler needs is food and drink for the day.

Back Country Charters

Backcountry Guides use specially designed 16 to 18 foot boats called flats skiffs, capable of poling the shallows surrounding the islands of the Florida Keys. Carrying a maximum of two anglers the guides use long poles to push the skiffs through the shallow water in search of tarpon, cobia, bonefish, redfish, permit,  snook, barracuda or sharks cruising the flats. 

For tarpon and cobia running 60 to 110 pounds the anglers use 15 to 20 pound test tackle, casting artificial or live bait. The tarpon and cobia can also be taken on fly using a 12 weight rod and reel. 

For bonefish and redfish 10 pound test spinning tackle and live crab or shrimp is used. The bonefish can also be taken using the fly on an 8 to 10 weight fly rod and reel. 

For permit and snook 8 to 15 pound test spin tackle and live crab is used or a 9 to 10 weight fly rod and reel. Barracuda and sharks can be taken on a variety of tackle from fly to light spin tackle depending on the size of the fish.

This sportfishery combines the art of fly casting and spin casting to gamefish sighted on the flats.  Sight and cast fishing greatly enhances the excitement found in all types of fishing, offshore or backcountry.  

Sea Boots Outfitters teams up anglers and guides according to skills and type of tackle preferred. Our guide services boast some of the best guides in the business.