As a longtime Florida Keys flats fishing guide, I know what you need to bring with you.
Please plan on having these six items as they are all very important .
Food and Beverages
You do not need to bring a cooler or ice as both are on board for you to store any snacks, lunches and beverages – NO GLASS. Be sure to bring ample fluids as it is easy to become dehydrated. The Trading Post Grocery Store just a half mile north of the launch is open 24/7 for fruit, drinks, chips, fried chicken and deli sandwiches.
Sunscreen / Sunblock
Recommended SPF 30 or above and please apply before getting on board as fresh sunscreen stains the cushions – and please no spray on. We also recommend a long-sleeved shirt and long pants made of performance fabrics as they will also protect the skin from the sun and keep you cooler.
Polarized Sunglasses
This is an absolute MUST if at all serious about catching fish and I recommend Costa in Copper Silver Mirror explained to be best for sight fishing and is their most versatile. Next is green mirror, which seems unusual except they are COPPER BASED and advertised for enhanced vision and contrast for fishing inshore and the flats – particularly sight fishing, followed by their Copper lens advertised to cut glare for eye comfort from sight fishing-claimed excellent to driving. Costa makes excellent angler sunglasses .
Hat
A wide-brim hat with dark underside will help cut down the glare and exposure to UV rays aiding immeasurably in your ability to see fish. Select a hat suitable for windy days of riding from one location to another – such as a ball-cap style. We also advise a long-sleeved shirt and long pants made of performance fabrics as they will also protect the skin from the sun and plan on a jacket for the early morning as weather dictates.
Rainwear
Anytime you’re in the tropics, you should just be prepared for surprise squalls as sudden light rain showers may occur and usually do not last long and the Captain can often navigate out of their way. But you’ll want to be prepared.
Boat Shoes
You should wear comfortable boat shoes and they must have light-color soles. Appropriate shoes on a boat should have a smooth, flexible sole without a pattern which can collect abrasive stones and scrath the deck. PLEASE: DO NOT wear dark-soled shoes (especially dress shoes) as they permanently mark the surface of the boat and are impossible to remove.
I want you prepared and relaxed to produce results, so I can be busy doing what I do best!
Remember we fish in remote areas, sometimes a long boat ride to any kind of shelter and creature comforts are really nice to have along! And although there are no restrooms on the skiff, we are seldom more than 15 minutes from land or a restroom facility.
Book your trip: Contact us
Yourfloridakeysfishingguide.com
