5 Tips for Your Next Fly Fishing Trip on the Emerald Coast

Written by: Kyle Gray, Kyle Gray Photography 

It is no secret that the Emerald Coast of Florida is a world-renowned fishing destination! Chances are you have seen photos of the white, sandy beaches and the emerald colored water, and — of course — the array of saltwater species of fish that call this region home. Most do not typically associate fly fishing with our area, however. I work part-time at a local fly shop in Santa Rosa Beach, and one of the most common questions I hear is "You can fly fish in saltwater?”  The answer is yes!  

While there are vast differences between wading a small stream in Colorado for Rainbow Trout and sight fishing 150+ lb Tarpon from a flats boat, in the end, both approaches and scenarios stem from the same root...presenting an artificial lure to an unsuspecting target, aka the fish. Fly fishing itself is in a category entirely on its own, and the people who relish in the lifestyle are a different breed. If you have ever been interested in fly fishing along the Emerald Coast, now is the time to go!

1. An 8wt rod is your best friend

An 8wt rod and reel outfit is the most common and versatile setup for our area. It can be utilized to catch small to medium size fish, such as Large-Mouth Bass, Red Fish, Pompano, and sometimes even larger species such as Sharks, Juvenile Tarpon, and Jack Crevaile. If you can only bring one rod with you, the 8wt is the way to go!

2. Find a way to get out on the water

Wading the flats, or even walking the beaches are great ways to target fish, but you are essentially landlocked if you do not have some type of watercraft. Once you have access to a boat, kayak or paddle board, you are opening yourself up to much more opportunity whether it be deeper water, more species, or just more ground to cover and explore!

3. Get a Good Pair Of Polarized Glasses

Sunglasses in Florida are a must, and if you plan on fishing, then a good pair of polarized sunglasses is a crucial piece of gear to have in your arsenal. Not only will a good pair of shades eliminate the glare on top of the water, but they will also protect you from harmful UV rays as well as fly or lures from coming in contact with your eyes.

4. Scope out the right elevation  

High elevation is key when sight fishing with a fly rod. The higher up you are, the easier it is to see and target fish in the water. Even something as simple as standing on a cooler can make a world of difference when it comes to spotting fish.

5. Use our secret weapon, the Clouser Minnow

Created by Bob Clouser in 1987, the Clouser Minnow is a streamer type fly that is designed to be fished under the water surface. Its objective in most cases is to mimic a bait fish. It is a popular and widely-used pattern for both freshwater and saltwater game fish and is generally listed as one of the top patterns to have in any fly box. This particular fly works very well in our area, and I typically use it as a go-to pattern when all else fails. There are many other great fly patterns that work well and may even be more successful in a given situation, but at the end of the day, the Clouser Minnow is cheap to buy, easy to tie, and extremely versatile! If I could only pick one fly to fish with, the Clouser Minnow would be it solely for the amount of opportunity it provides.

Published on Monday, March 18, 2019