Access point

Upper Matecumbe Flats (Islamorada)on Islamorada / Upper Keys Flats

Extensive shallow flats and channels where tarpon and bonefish feed at high tide.

Islamorada / Upper Keys Flats report Directions24.9260°N, 80.6070°W

Conditions right now

No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.

Weather now

84°F

Clear Sky, wind 10 mph SE

Bite report · week of Oct 4

What's working on Islamorada / Upper Keys Flats

01Tailing Bonefish and Permit are active on the shallow flats during tide changes.
02Redfish and Snook can be found deep in the backcountry and around mangrove edges.
03Mackerel are moving onto the flats, providing fast-paced action, especially in cooler water.
04Look for Barracuda on the flats as water temperatures begin their seasonal fall.
05Resident Tarpon are still a possibility, particularly on warmer, calmer days.

What to tie on at Upper Matecumbe Flats (Islamorada)

Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

streamer80%

Tarpon Toad

#2/0#3/0#4/0

A proven pattern for resident tarpon, imitating crabs or baitfish in mangrove areas and channels.

Buy at Amazon

dry80%

Merkin Crab

#14#16

Crabs are a primary food source for permit and bonefish on the flats year-round.

streamer80%

Redfish Fly (Weedless)

#2#1/0#2/0

Ideal for targeting redfish and snook in the shallow backcountry and around mangroves, where weedless presentations are crucial.

Buy at Amazon

streamer80%

Deceiver (Lefty's)

#1/0#2/0#3/0#4/0

A versatile baitfish pattern, excellent for targeting larger predatory species like tarpon, barracuda, and snook as they ambush bait.

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nymph80%

EP Shrimp

#2#4#6

Shrimp are a consistent food source on the flats, targeting bonefish, permit, and redfish.

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nymph80%

Gotcha

#4#6#8

A classic shrimp imitation for bonefish and permit, effective for tailing fish on the flats.

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streamer80%

Snook Fly

#1/0#2#4

Focus on the mangrove shorelines. Snook move toward these structures to regulate temperature. A white or chartreuse baitfish pattern stripped near cover is a top winter producer.

streamer80%

Clouser Minnow (Saltwater)

#1/0#2/0#3/0

Extremely versatile in winter. Chartreuse/white mimics the small pilchards and glass minnows present. It stays deep enough to reach Redfish and Snook hugging the bottom in cooler water.

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nymph80%

A quintessential winter flats pattern. In February, Bonefish are often found in deeper water or on the edges of flats; the bead-chain eyes provide the perfect sink rate without spooking fish in clear, calm winter air.

Buy at Amazon