WADE FISHING FOR SHARKS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WITH THE FLY ROD!

With a one day window to grab the fly rod and drive down to the Florida Keys, you have to fish whatever hand you are dealt with the weather, water clarity and tides. Plenty of shots were had on this day including a giant tarpon shot while wade fishing off of one of my favorite beaches to fish in the middle keys. There are so many opportunities to chase dozens of species in the keys from the sand, here are a few of them...

BONITO FROM THE BEACH ON THE FLY ROD, IMPOSSIBLE?

When the Bonito are here on the gulf coast of Florida, there will inevitably be a week or two when it is possible to cast a fly at the schools from the beach. It is not the easiest way to take a fish with a fly rod, however it is possible, and on the right day, with the proper wind, tide and currents, you can have days when the shots at these schools go on for hours. A 7-9 wt. fly rod will get this done for you and these mini Tuna will give you all you can handle during the battle. Any of your favorite minnow imitations will work if you are persistent. Hook up and hang on for the fly fishing experience of a lifetime off the beach!

FLORIDA KEYS WADE FLY FISHING FOR ANYTHING THAT SWIMS IN LONG KEY STATE PARK

A one day trip to Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys produced some toothy critters as well as some memorable catches on the fly rod in one of my old stomping grounds from my South Florida days....

THE BEACH BUM OUTDOORS SURF FISHING CLASSIC CONTROVERSY. HOW WAS IT RESOLVED?

The Beach Bum Outdoors Surf Fishing Classic was held on the Gulf waters stretching from Gulf Shores, Alabama all the way to St. George Island, Florida. This is roughly 200 miles of surf fishing real estate on the north end of the Gulf of Mexico. 538 anglers registered for the first edition of this tournament, a big number for the first year. Winning anglers would be determined by weighing in each anglers top three Pompano and Whiting catches during the eight week period. Fish would be weighed at five different bait shop locations along the Gulf Coast. It was a fantastic tournament and the prize money was substantial. Pompano payouts were $5000, $2000 and $1000 for the top three spots. Whiting payouts were $2000, $1000 and $500 for the top three anglers in that category. The competition was fierce. The tournament was not without logistical and weigh in issues which is to be expected the first year. This video is my overview of how it all went down from my YouTube Channel The Forgotten Angler. Please like and subscribe to the channel and leave questions and comments both here and there if you have any. Thanks for checking in!