Winter time in Key West on the flats can be action packed. Sometimes the weather dictates what type of fishing we will do for the day but in the end there is always someplace to find fish.

Some of the top species from now through February will be large barracuda, Crevalle jacks and sharks. All of these fish are a tremendous catch on the flats and they put up a great fight on light tackle or a fly rod.

Barracudas in particular are one of my favorites. They like a tube lure to chase because it resembles a needlefish or fast swimming baitfish. A good tactic is to throw the lure out past the barracuda and let him take notice of it by retrieving it at a quick pace. Once he takes interest in it speed up the retrieve so he never gets a real good look at the lure. Often times the barracuda will chase the lure right to the rod tip and either take it right at the bow of the skiff or turn off and swim away. Once these fish are hooked you can expect them to make long runs and even aerobatic jumps trying to get that lure out of their toothy mouth.

Fly fishing for barracuda is a good sport for beginning to expert fly anglers. There are a variety of flies that work for barracuda on the flats. The flies are all long and slender and are tied with plenty of material will past the hook. Flashy material such as polar flash will get their attention.

Both flies and tube lures must be tied with a wire leader to the line. This ensures that we have a chance of landing the fish.

Barracuda hang out on the flats in the winter to warm up when the water temperature is cold. They will sometimes sit almost motionless in a deeper pothole on a flat awaiting the next baitfish to swim by.

Barracuda are found throughout the Keys and there are plenty of them in the lower Keys, Key West and Marquesas areas on the flats.

For more information on winter fishing please contact us at www.flyfishingthekeys.com.