Florida

Florida is one of the world's great saltwater fishing destinations. The state has an enormous variety of fishing, from shallow inshore flats and tidal marshes to the open Gulf and Atlantic coast.

For fly anglers, two fisheries in particular stand out. Around Jacksonville in Northeast Florida, the attraction is shallow-water redfish and the chance to sight-fish across an extensive network of tidal creeks, marshes and flats. Further south, Florida offers some of the world's most famous tarpon fishing, with large migratory fish providing the ultimate saltwater challenge.

We concentrate on both fisheries, working with experienced local guides who know the waters intimately.

Jacksonville Redfish

Jacksonville is perhaps less familiar to European anglers than the Florida Keys, but that is part of its appeal.

Northeast Florida has an extensive inshore fishery of tidal creeks, saltmarshes, oyster bars and shallow flats. The St Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway provide access to a large area of fishable water, with the precise location changing with the tide, weather and conditions.

The principal target is redfish, and the emphasis is on fly fishing in shallow water. Fish may be found cruising over the flats, moving along creek edges or feeding in the marsh as the tide rises. On the right day, the fishing is classic American sight-fishing: a shallow-draft skiff, a fish spotted ahead of the boat and a single cast to intercept it.

Redfish are available throughout the year, with fish ranging from smaller flats fish through to much larger specimens around the river mouths and deeper channels. Other inshore species, including sea trout, black drum and flounder, can also be encountered, while tarpon provide a seasonal bonus.

The guides we work with are experienced fly fishermen themselves and are used to adjusting the day's fishing around the tides rather than following a fixed itinerary. This makes Jacksonville particularly well suited to a longer fishing trip, giving anglers the opportunity to fish different areas and different tidal situations over several days.

Suggested Jacksonville itinerary

7 nights / 6 days guided fishing

Day 1 – UK to Jacksonville
Fly from London to Jacksonville, normally with one connection in the United States. Collect a hire car and settle into your Jacksonville accommodation.

Days 2–7 – Six days guided fly fishing

Six full days on the water, concentrating on the shallow-water redfish fishery of Northeast Florida.

Each day will be planned around the tides and conditions, with your guide selecting the most productive launch point and area. Fishing may take place around the St Johns River, Intracoastal Waterway, tidal creeks, saltmarshes and shallow coastal flats.

The main objective is redfish on fly, with plenty of scope to explore different water and fishing situations during the week. Depending on conditions and the time of year, sea trout, black drum, flounder and other inshore species may also feature.

Fishing is from shallow-draft skiffs, with all tackle supplied locally. Anglers should bring their own preferred fly rods where possible, although suitable tackle can be arranged.

Day 8 – Jacksonville to UK
Morning at leisure before returning to Jacksonville Airport for the journey home.

Best for: anglers who enjoy sight-fishing, casting to individual fish and exploring a varied tidal fishery rather than simply fishing one stretch of water.

Florida Tarpon

For many fly anglers, tarpon are the reason to come to Florida.

These are powerful, highly mobile fish, capable of reaching enormous sizes, and they provide one of the most demanding challenges in saltwater fly fishing. Florida's tarpon fisheries range from the Florida Keys and Everglades in the south to the Gulf Coast and Atlantic beaches further north.

The best location depends heavily on the time of year and the type of tarpon fishing required. The Keys are particularly well known for sight-fishing to large tarpon over shallow flats, while other parts of the state offer opportunities around beaches, passes, channels, rivers and backcountry waters. The major spring and summer migrations bring large adult fish into many coastal areas.

For the fly angler, this is a very different proposition from Jacksonville redfish. The tackle is heavier, the fish are larger and the opportunities can be fewer – but seeing a big tarpon approach a fly in clear, shallow water is difficult to beat.

A dedicated tarpon trip is best planned around the fishery rather than simply choosing a convenient date. We work with experienced local guides to select the most suitable area for the time of year and the type of fishing you want to do.

Tarpon are almost entirely a catch-and-release fishery in Florida, and responsible handling is particularly important with large fish.

Suggested Florida Tarpon itinerary

7 nights / 6 days guided fishing

Day 1 – UK to Florida
Fly from London to Florida and transfer to your chosen tarpon destination. Depending on the fishery, this could be the Florida Keys, South Florida or the Gulf Coast.

Days 2–7 – Six days guided tarpon fishing

Six full days of guided fishing, with the programme adjusted each day according to tides, weather and the movement of the fish.

The emphasis is on sight-fishing where conditions allow. Depending on the destination, this may involve poling shallow flats in search of cruising fish, fishing beaches and passes during the migration, or working deeper channels and backcountry water.

Large migratory tarpon are the principal target, but the exact fishing style varies considerably between locations. Some fisheries also offer opportunities for snook, redfish, permit and other species, providing useful alternatives when conditions are not ideal for tarpon.

The guides supply the boat and specialist saltwater tackle. For large tarpon, 10–12 weight fly tackle is typical, with the exact setup depending on the size of fish and conditions.

Day 8 – Florida to UK
Return to the airport for the journey home.

Best for: experienced saltwater anglers looking for a serious fly-fishing challenge and the chance of encountering a genuinely large fish.