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Capt. Jim Bennett
 View Fishing Reports by Capt. Jim Bennett. |
Water Fished : The Florida Keys
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| Season: All Year |
| Type of Trips: Fly or Spin fishing the flats from a 16' Dolphin Superskiff |
| Primary Species Targeted: Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon |
| Other Available Species: Snook, Barracuda, Jacks, Cobia, Shark and others |
| Length of Trip: 4hr, 8hr |
| Equipment Provided: Rods and reels ( Fly and Spin ) Flies and Lures |
| Food/Drinks: A cooler with ice is provided. Please bring food and drinks for your day on the water. |
| Max No. of Fishermen: 2 |
Rates:
1/2 day (4hrs): $350
Full day (8hrs): $ 450 |
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About the Guide:
Capt. Jim Bennett has been fishing the Florida Keys since he was a youngster. He started guiding professionally in the early 90's, when he left his native state of New Jersey and his life as a golf pro and traded his golf clubs for a flats skiff and a fly rod. Jim lives in Marathon, which is ideally centered in the middle of the Keys. He fishes out of a 16' Dolphin SuperSkiff which he trailers to launch points between Key West and the Everglades to take advantage of the best weather and fishing opportunities.
The crystal clear flats of the Florida Keys are home to bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda, sharks and a number of other species that can be effectively targeted with a fly rod. The area is full of wonderful scenery and is home to abundant wildlife both above and below the water that will help to make your day on the water a memorable one. Depending on the time of year you come and your preferences you are likely to target bonefish, tarpon and/or permit.
Keys bonefish are famous for their size and tenacity. Bonefish range from 4 to 14 pounds with a large number of big fish caught each year. You will stalk them in shallow water, making your cast to tailing or cruising fish. Once hooked a good sized bonefish will make a series of blazing runs, taking 100+ yards of backing in seconds.
Permit, which are generally known as the most elusive fish on the flat, range in size from 8 to 30 pounds. When taken in shallow water they offer an excellent fight with a number of long runs. They will truly test both you and your tackle. Permit are most often sighted cruising the edges of flats looking for food, often with part of their sickle-shaped tail protruding from the water.
Florida Keys tarpon range from 10 pounds to well over 150 pounds. They are known for their size, their incredible strength, and their acrobatic jumps. The Keys are home to a resident population of tarpon but the action really gets good during the annual tarpon migration when huge schools of migratory fish move through, mixing for a while with the resident tarpon. The clear waters of the Keys offer the opportunity to sight cast to fish which can be found cruising, rolling or laid up in the backcountry.
Jim is happy to fish with both beginners and experienced anglers. He has all the equipment you need, however you are free to bring your own rods, reels and terminal tackle. Please be sure you have the right equipment for the target species and be sure to let Jim know beforehand what you plan to bring.
Suggested Equipment:
Rods and Reels:
- Bonefish
Fly:
8 or 9 weight fly rod with a high quality reel with at least 200 yards of backing.
Spinning: High quality rod and reel with 8-10# test.
- Permit
Fly: 9 or 10 weight fly rod with a high quality reel with at least 200 yards of backing.
Spinning: High quality rod and reel with 10-12# test.
- Tarpon
Fly: 10 or 12 weight fly rod with a high quality reel with at least 200 yards of backing.
Spinning: High quality rod and reel with 12-15# test.
Lines, Leaders, Tippet:
- Weight forward floating lines are used most of the time. An intermediate line can also be useful in some situations.
- You will want 8-12# test leaders for bonefish, 12-15# test leaders for permit and big game leaders with a substantial shock tippet for tarpon. The size of the shock tippet is dependent on the size of the tarpon being targeted. Capt. Jim will provide leaders or you can call to get his specific recommendations.
Flies:
- Bonefish
gotcha , crazy charlies , joe to go
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Permit ,
mostly merkins in a variety of sizes and colors
- Tarpon
toad flies again in a variety of sizes and colors along with your traditional cockroach and streamer type flies
Other Recommended Items:
- Polarized sunglasses (preferably copper or amber tinted)
- Hat with a wide brim
- Lightweight rain suit
- Sun block and lip balm
- Any food or drinks you would like to bring (ice is provided)
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