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The Florida Keys is home to some of the largest bonefish in the world. They average around 4 to 8 lbs and reach weights of around 15 lbs. An 8 or 9 wt. fly rod with lots of backing on the reel is a good choice. A 10 lb spinning rod with a live shrimp is also very effective. These fish will sizzle a hundred yards or more of line on the first run.

 

 

Permit are known as one of the most challenging fish to catch on a fly. (However they will eat a live crab with reckless abandon). The lower keys is one of the best places to make that happen. Permit range from 10 to 40 lbs on the flats. When hooked they make long powerful runs. We use 9 to 10 wt. rods with crab patterns when fly fishing for these big fish.

 

 

Redfish can be found feeding and tailing in extremely shallow water. They are not as spooky as bonefish and are less sensitive to colder water conditions. The lower Keys are not known for their redfishing, but I have been seeing more and more redfish each year.

 

 

This is an extremely effective fly for bonefish, redfish and permit. If it swims and eats shrimp, it will eat this fly.

 

Hook..... Gamagakatsu SS 15 1,2

Tail......Barred Craft Fur/ Several Strands Of Krystal Flash

Legs......Sili Legs

Body......Body Fur

Eyes......Lead Eyes

 

 

This fly is another variation of many other bone fish flies. The one thing it has in common with the others, is it works.... This is a go to fly for bonefish and redfish when they are in very shallow water tailing. It has a lot of bulk with virtualy no wieght, lands softly and the fish like it..

 

Hook..... Gamagakatsu SS 15 1,2,4

Wing......Barred Craft Fur/ Several Strands Of Krystal Flash

Body......Large Krystal Hackle Bone fish Tan

Eyes......Mono Or Bead Chain Eyes

Weed Guard ....20lb. Fluorocarbon

 

 

 

 

This permit fly was developed by Capt. Jan Isley. It works...

 

Hook..... Gamagakatsu SC 15 Or Tiemco 811S 1/0 1,2

Tail......Maribu And Splayed Ginger Hackles

Legs......White Round Legs

Body......Tan Yarn Coated With Cement And Sprinkled With Yarn Fibers.

Eyes......Lead Eyes

 

 

Moret s Cracked Crab Fly is a very effective fly for permit and bonefish here in the lower Florida Keys. It is a good choice for both permit and bonefish when fly fishing on the lighter bottomed flats.

 

Hook..... Gamagakatsu SC 15 Or Tiemco 811S 1/0 1,2

Tail......Splayed Ginger Hackles

Body......EP Fibers Tied Merkin Style

Eyes......Lead Or Mono Eyes

 

 

A merkin (according to the Oxford Dictionary, 1617) is a pubic wig, originally worn by prostitutes after shaving their genitalia to eliminate lice or to disguise the marks of syphilis.

 

The Merkin was one of Del Browns favorite permit flies. The permit like this fly too..

 

Hook..... Gamagakatsu SC 15 Or Tiemco 811S 1/0, 1,2

Tail......Splayed Ginger Hackles

Legs......White Round Legs

Body......Tan And Brown Yarn Combed Out And Trimmed To A Crab Shape

Eyes......Lead Eyes

 

This is an updated version of a classic. The merkin has caught more permit than any other permit fly, also has many permit world records to it s credit. The improved pattern with the jig hook keeps the basic design, but makes the fly dive and crawl over the bottom incredibly well.