Boat / Equipment
The Boat
I fish a Maverick Mirage HPX. Quite simply, it's the Cadillac of flats fishing skiffs. It provides a dry and comfortable ride under power, and a very stable casting platform on the flats. This HPXV (the V stands for V hull) allows me to cross big water to get to where the fish are, like a run to the Marquesas out of Key West. For my Lower Keys flats fishing charter trips, this boat can get to spots that require going across deep water that lesser skiffs cannot. My Maverick performs unfailingly.
This boat can sneak into super skinny water with a minimum of noise. The Maverick's legendary design can stealthily sneak up on fish to put you in casting range of the tarpon, permit, or bonefish of your dreams. It's equipped with all the electronics and safety equipment needed for a safe and successful day on the water including all Coast Guard required equipment and GPS. It provides ample rod storage below deck for all of my rods and reels and yours, if you'd like to bring them. It will carry two adults, or I can take three passengers if one is a child or lighter weight passengers. It has plenty of dry storage space for your camera or anything that needs to be kept dry. I provide a cooler full of ice for your food and beverage needs so you don't need to worry about bringing a cooler.
I run on a Yahama 70. It allows me to get to the flats quickly and reliably. From flats fishing in Key West and the Marquesas to Big Pine Key and Marathon, this boat performs in all conditions. I've fished many skiffs, but for stability, comfort, and power, nothing compares to a Maverick for the best flats fishing performance. Their logo sums it up nicely: "Maverick, Fish the Legend".
Equipment
For my Lower Keys flats fishing charters, I supply top-of-the-line fly rods and reels, featuring Sage and G. Loomis rods with Tibor reels. I have a variety of 6 to12 weight rods. They are the best saltwater rigs that money can buy. With floating lines to sink tips to sinking lines, I'm geared to whatever the day may bring. I fish Rio fly lines and tippet materials because they've proven to be the most reliable to me over the years. I've invested a lot into my fly fishing gear and I keep it clean and in tip top shape.
Lower Keys fly fishing for tarpon, permit and bonefish, not to mention the other flats species, requires fly fishing gear that can hold up to these brutes. I pride myself on the quality or these rigs, lines, leaders, and the knots that I tie. Fly fishing to powerful species of flats fish requires specialized knots and gear that is not required for cold water species. If you'd like to bring your own gear, feel free. But we'll need to build in some time to make sure that the knots and riggings are up to speed before we tackle the flats. The great thing about having the best is that it holds up forever (I'll be able to give these rigs to my grandkids).
For spinning gear I use quality custom made graphite rods with Penn reels. I definitely consider myself a "fly rodder", but much to my old friends' dismay, I've developed an appreciation of the "Dark Side", as we fly fishermen like to refer to spin fishing. I have some great light tackle spinning rigs that have withheld the test and abuse dished out by tarpon, permit, bonefish, big sharks and barracudas.
Regardless of your flats fishing equipment needs and desires, I have the fly or spinning tackle needed to give you the Florida Keys flats fishing experience of a lifetime.