Captain Rick Carl

Sight fishing for bonefish, permit and redfish is challenging and exciting too. Most bonefish, permit and redfish caught in the Florida Keys are hooked on light tackle on shallow flats “sight fishing”. Usually, the fish are first detected by seeing them “tail”. Bonefish, permit and redfish spend a lot of their time rooting for crustaceans buried in the soft, muddy bottom of Florida Bay in less than two feet of water. So when they tip over to grab a buried crab or shrimp their tails come out of the water. Once you get the hang of it it is fairly easy to spot tails of feeding fish from a hundred yards or more. Bonefish and permit also push a recognizable wake when traveling and feeding just below the surface. With a little practice this “nervous water” is another signpost to finding and catching bonefish, permit and redfish. Getting a tailing fish to bite a fly or a jig is a challenge. It takes teamwork, stealth, accuracy and an understanding of fish behavior.