• Florida Keys
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• Bonefish
• Tarpon
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• Sharks
• Other Fishes

Florida Keys Shark Fishing on the Flats

The Flats of the florida keys are home to many species of sharks the most common ones seen are the flats are Lemon Sharks, Bull sharks, Bonnet head sharks, Black tip and Spinner sharks. The size of the sharks on the flats seems to range from 2 feet up 10 feet. Which is quite a range. Its not uncommon to see large sharks prowling in water barely deep enough for them to be under water, and its pretty exciting to watch a sharks need toward a bait in the Clear shallow water of the Florida Keys.

Generally shark fishing is pretty good year round the waters surrounding the Florida Keys and Key West, but during the spring when the large tarpon are present seems to be the time to hook up with a really large shark in the shallow water. Large sharks follow the tarpon migration, just like other game fish follow the migration of bait fish.

Sharks can be caught using live, dead or artificial baits. They are not picky eaters and large ones do not spook easily. Wether you are using live or artificial baits , putting some blood in the water will greatly increase your chances of hooking up. The best chum for sharks will be fresh bloody fish, ideally a good size Barracuda or Jack fillet and hung over the side will do the trick. But really any bloody meat will work, carcasses of small fish either from a previous fishing trip or bought at a fishery do nicely.

For bait any piece of dead fish will do but the fresher and bloodier the better. Live baits work well but sometimes sharks will home in a bloody carcass faster.

One of the most exciting ways to fish for sharks in the shallow water is to sight cast them artificial lures. Sharks will destroy poppers in the shallows, just make sure that you don't land the popper right on top them, because this spook even a fairly large shark. Cast some distance in front of them and really make that popper splash.