Key West Flats Fishing

key west flats fishing
Miles and miles of flats to fish out of Key West

Key West offers some of the most exciting flats fishing in the world, with its crystal-clear waters, abundant fish species, and an iconic fishing challenge known as the Grand Slam. For anglers looking to test their skills, the Grand Slam represents the ultimate accomplishment—catching a bonefish, tarpon, and permit in a single day. Achieving this feat requires patience, skill, and knowledge of the local waters.

flats fishing
Flats Fishing

Flats Fishing Charters

Go Flats Fishing with us. It is where it all started here at Dream Catcher Charters. Since 1994 we have specialized In fishing the shallows here In Key West. We Have Pioneered new ways to more effectively fish the flats with Our Clients Offering Not Only Our Traditional flats fishing boats but also offering state of the art super shallow drafted bay boats for more comfort and versatility allowing up to 3 anglers to enjoy sight fishing the shallows.

Our trips are 4, 6 and 8 hours in length for up to 3 persons on a bay boat and 2 or less on a traditional flats skiff. Rates are very similar.

Flats fishing is a dedicated way to fish. Sight fishing is the name of the game. Its disciplined in sight casting based on the fishing guides directions for each and every cast. A good knowledge and basic skills using light tackle spin fishing or fly fishing equipment can be critical to ones success – especially when fishing on a traditional flats skiff. For an easier approach to flats fishing we always recommend Backcountry Fishing.

Tackle We Use

We use both light tackle and fly fishing equipment for our charters. Spinning rods and reels are made by DAIWA and our fly fishing gear is mostly ORVIS 8-12 wt. Most folks are more productive with spin fishing gear than fly rod. It is always our anglers choice what they wish to use. In some instances we can offer both fly and spin on the same trip. Do keep in mind that we can only fly fish with one person.. We can use light tackle for 2 on a flats fishing trip. For more anglers check out our backcountry fishing charters.. 

Key West Flats Fishing Grand Slam

The Key West grand slam or what we like to call the “Dream Team” of flats fishing consists of Tarpon, permit and bonefish caught in the same trip. Here at Dream Catcher Charters we like to add the barracuda to this prestigious list. These are the fish we target when flats fishing. 

Flats fishing for tarpon
Tarpon

Key West is one of the best tarpon fishing destinations world wide. 

flats fishing permit
Permit

Permit are the holy grail of the flats. They are sneaky and unpredictable.

bonefishing
Bonefish

The elusive Bonefish made flats fishing famous. The ghost of the flats.

barracuda fishing
Barracuda Fishing

Barracudas are a nice distraction for year round flats fishing. 

The Two Types Of Boats We Use

The choice is yours. The skiff carries 2 or less and can have one angler fish at a time. This boat can be a little tippy for folks with poor balance. It gets super shallow in 7 inches of water and a pretty technical way to fish. We use a push pole to propel us around on the flats. Our technical bay boat is a carbon fiber super light 24 ft fishing platform. Able to get in 11 inches of water and uses a Power Pole MOVE trolling motor for propulsion. 

flats fishing boat
Beavertail Elite Flats Boat
bay boat for flats fishing
Yellowfin Carbon Elite Bay Boat

Booking A Charter

Booking a flats fishing charter is pretty easy. Call our office here and let’s go over the details, possibilities and your fishing desires. A trip like this requires the right fishing guide to client match for best results. Tell us if you wish to fish with a fly rod or light tackle. Use the text number below to ask all the questions you want. We want to make sure you get the best experience available on the day you go fishing with us. Also we go the extra mile to share with you the best parts of Key West with our web site called The Key Wester

There is NO WAY to book this fishing charter on line. Nor should you ever book a private charter without talking to someone.. Check out our booking policies page

Office 305-292-7212
Text 786-847-3808
Email info@dreamcatchercharters.com

Dream Catcher Charters
5555 College Rd. 
Key West, FL 33040