This big girl slammed a Micro Feather Changer that was put in front of her. 30 inches tip to tip and taken in a foot of water. These trophy fish are hard to fool, but they love the Micro Feather Changer.
This girl was fooled by a Z-Man Fishing Products PaddleZ on a Trout Eye jig head. A perfect combination for these fish.
A successful presentation to a seatrout on the flats. While it might not be a large seatrout, they are still fun to catch.
This tarpon was happy to slam a Micro Feather Changer. Our juvenile tarpon fishery is one of the best around.
Redfish on the fly always make customers happy. This one was riding beside a big, black drum and ate the fly off its back.
Snook fishing has been pretty good this year. We've caught some big ones, but this one is average size. A good battle considering they live in the sticks.
Redfish are suckers for Feather Changer flies. They land soft, move like a real baitfish, and they are easy to cast; everything you could want in a fly!
While Covid-19 may have slowed down the charter business, it doesn't keep me off the water. Want to get away from the hassle of life, book a trip and come enjoy fish and smiles like this!
Waiting for the Silver King to arrive on the flats. Nautilus fly reels are made right here in Florida and have proven to be one of the finest reels on the market. Smooth drags, durable, and light; they match perfect on today's lighter rods.
Micro tarpon are often overlooked, as most people want to chase the big fish. But these little guys are a blast on light fly rods and ultralight spinning gear. I'll take them every chance I get.
I don't get to spend as much time on the bow as I want to, but I occasionally get the chance. This redfish crushed a Feather Changer and made the day for me.
The Feather Changer fly, designed by Blane Chocklett, is a seatrout killer! Redfish also enjoy devouring this fly when it wiggles by.
There are not many places you can enjoy fishing the flats and then take a quick break to watch a rocket take off. Here a Falcon 9 races towards space to deliver a few satellites.
The Micro Gamechanger fly was designed by Blane Chocklett, who has become a good friend. He showed me how to tie it and it has become a staple in my fly boxes.
Normally I might catch one of these guys a year. The Tarpon Snook is more common in South Florida, but on this day, we caught six of them. This one was the biggest and is good size for this species.
Earl, a retired guide from South Florida, asked me to introduce his girlfriend to saltwater fishing; his only request, make her smile. We did. This black drum put up quite a fight, but she brought him in like a pro. A quick photo and he went back to give another angler an adventure.
Not a bad way to start off your saltwater fishing experience! I love sharing my passion with people new to the sport!
Long time friend and client Ruth with a beautiful redfish she took on fly. Ruth will give every angler out there a lesson on how to catch fish!
A nice snook that was taken on fly. These fish are brutal fighters and test your angling abilities.
A perfect cast led to this young man's second redfish of the day; to go along with some snook.
This redfish was so far under the mangroves, we could only hear him crashing bait. But a Z-Man EZ Shrimpz placed under the mangrove resulted in an instant hook up.
Snook fishing has been really good in recent years. Every year they get a little bigger and their area spreads. Here, Jeremy holds up a nice one he pulled away from the dock.
Z-Man soft plastics are the only ones I use. They give a realistic action, last, and prove to be irresistible to fish.
This particular day was a tough one, as fish did not want to eat. Still, when the right presentation was made, this snook engulfed the offering.
This young man's first snook, but not his last. Always fun.
Testing the new TFO Axiom II-X fly rod on some redfish. A gorgeous fish and a great fly rod.
The redfish had more than the usual one spot per side. Beautiful fish.
Flip Pallot admiring his first redfish in his new Eldora Skiff. Always a pleasure to share the boat with a great angler.
Preparing to release another redfish, taken on fly. But first, a quick picture.
The big mouth of a spotted seatrout that was fooled with a Micro Gamechanger Baitfish. This fish was laid up in about 8 inches of water and smashed the fly. She measured a little under 30 inches and was released.
This redfish couldn't resist a Micro Gamechanger Baitfish. The fish really love the wiggle of the fly.
This trout just had to have the Micro Gamechanger Shrimp. She ate it on three consecutive strips and finally found the hook. She was released after a quick photo.
This redfish was cruising the mangroves when it fell victim to a Z-Man Fishing Products EZ Shrimpz.
A chunky seatrout that fell victim to a well placed shrimp fly.
Z-Man Fishing Products EZ Shrimpz is great sight fishing jig for redfish and seatrout. They smash it like a real shrimp.
This redfish could not resist a Micro Gamechanger Shrimp.
The Micro Gamechanger Shrimp is a great fly for redfish, seatrout, and snook.
Redfish taken on the Gamechanger Shrimp. The Gamechanger platform has been a huge success on my fish.
Sight fishing gator trout isn't easy, but the feeling of success is unsurpassed. This one was 30 1/2 inches long.
Palm sized, but looks just like a 200 pounder.
Imagine catching a dozen of these in a couple of hours. It's a blast!
These guys provide more aerial action than their bigger relatives.
Juvenile tarpon and fly rods are a perfect match.
A Z-Man Paddle Tail fooled this shoreline snook. No matter their size, they are aggressive and fun.
Juvenile tarpon on fly are a blast and bring huge smiles.
Redfish always make people smile.
Preparing to release a redfish after a fun fight.
Redfish taken on a crab fly while he was cruising the shoreline.
Snook are provide plenty of summer action. Explosive strikes, powerful runs, and intelligence: the trademark of the snook.
It's always a surprise when you cast to a redfish and a snook smashes the fly instead. No matter their size, they're a blast.
Redfish are perfectly designed for fishing with a fly rod. They are our most popular fish to hunt.
Almost a slam, with two of the three needed species. Snook and redfish taken on arecent fly fishing trip.
Fished with Bob Clouser this week. Always a great time and a learning experience. He had a great time with snook on fly.
It doesn't take large redfish to bring smiles and make memories. Couples that fish together, stay together!
Articulated Mullet Fly for tarpon, snook and redfish. This fly moves and pushes water just like the real thing.
During a full day of fishing, nothing beats a fresh lunch! Glad to have been introduced to this product that allows me to have a hot, fresh lunch for those long days. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish and more can be cooked on here.
The look on this redfish says it all: Fooled again! The Z-Man Scented Shrimp has been deadly on the redish and seatrout recently. Love it when a plan comes together!
Another redfish located and another offering placed just right. This fish was tailing in less than 10 inches of water and could not resist the Z-Man Fishing Product Scented Shrimp. He pounced as soon as the jig reached the bottom.
This image never gets old! Watching the sunrise over the water as we prepare to start our day. When you have this view first thing in the morning, you know it is going to be a great day.
This redfish was sight fished using the Z-Man Fishing Products Scented Shrimp, with a weedless rig, in about 8 inches of water. Always exciting to watch them swim over, flash their gills, and crush an offering.
This redfish could not resist Z-Man Fishing Product's Scented Shrimp jig. I have teamed with this company becuase they provide the best soft plastics on the market. They love to fish and know just what we need for various conditions.
Check them out for yourself!
A spunky, Florida redfish coming to the boat. The fly rod offers plenty of leverage for defeating these fish and ending it quick enough to return them with minimal harm.
Another victory on a tough day.
The difference between success and just seeing fish can often be how hard the guide works. No one works harder than I do. Winds be darned, we are going to find fish and get within casting range.
The win, the smile, and a quick photograph before the release. No matter their size, redfish are bulldog fighters. Short, power filled runs, head shakes, and a never quit attitude. They are one of my favorites.
The battle is nearing the end, but it is never truly over until the fish is at hand. I hunt these fish in shallow water, using a boat designed just for this application. It is all about stealth, accuracy and patience.
Putting the pressure on a redfish with the fly rod. My area offers great opportunity for sight fishing the shallow water lovers. The fly rod is great way to entice wary fish into biting and is always a great fight.
The start of a successful bowfishing trip. Wild tilapia are abundant here in Florida and provide a great opportunity to combine the skills of hunting, stalking, and fishing. They are great table fare too.
Shad are not only fun to catch, but the fishing takes place in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world: The River of Grass, the St. John's River. One of the last remaining remnants of Nautral Florida.
The day totaled with a dozen shad, a dozen crappie and more than a dozen assorted panfish. A great four hours on the water!
Here's a nice shad taken on ultralight spinning gear. This one pulled drag, jumped a few times, and gave him quite a fun time.
Shad season is just starting and these fish are an absolute blast on ultralight spinning gear or fly rods.
Watching a young angler sight cast a fish like this in a few inches of water is always great. His dad wanted to make sure he got the first shot, and he took full advantage. This redfish fell for a Z-Man Fishing Products Scented Shrimp.
This was a particularly tough day of fishing. It was cloudy, cold, and a little breezy. We saw a ton of fish, despite this, but they didn't want to cooperate. Still, for someone that only gets to fish once a year, this little redfish brought a huge smile.
Another redfish that fell victim to the Z-Man Fishing Products Scented Shrimp. These jigs, rigged weedless, look just like a shrimp crossing the bottom.
This redfish was sight fished using the Z-Man Fishing Products Scented Shrimp.
I've switched my conventional jigs over to Z-Man Fishing Products. It took me two trips to realize how great these products are, not only for anglers, but how much the fish love them. Durable, buoyant, and multiple rigging options.
The electric blue highlights in a redfish are what we usually spot first. When they light up, it is a beautiful sight.
An upper slot redfish sight fished from under a mangrove. A small crab fly was irresistible to this fish.
An aerial view of my office. This is the elaborate maze of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon.
Patience was needed for this big fish. We spotted it tailing from quite a distance, and stealthily moved in. A great cast resulted in success.
How to start your saltwater fly fishing life? First cast with a nice snook!
The Z-Man shrimp has proven itself to be a great bait for our redfish and seatrout. Rigged weedless, it can be landed anywhere.
These fish are such a treasure, they deserve to be released to fight another day. A quick thank-you and back he goes.
Twitch baits were working great on the snook. They provide a realistic injured baitfish look that snook cannot resist.
Redfish taken on the Z-Man shrimp. A terrific soft plastic bait that the fish here cannot resist.
This redfish could not resist a new fly pattern tied out of RDFlyfishing materials.
A nice redfish taken out the mangrove roots. Always a challenge to pull them out of that maze.
This has been a great year for snook fishing; hopefully it continues. This one could not pass up a double barrel popper thrown in its direction.
Clear water and flies go great together. This redfish is coming tot he boat after a great battle.
Captain Jim Manus took a day to fish with me. This is a chunky redfish he landed on the fly rod.
It was a great day, landing multiple redfish on the fly. They were a little spooky, with the clear water, but the proper presentation resulted in success.
There are not many fish more beautiful than a lit up redfish. Look at the blue in that tail.
Another one from a great day.
This snook could not resist the fly offered to it. Hard fighting fish and always a blast.
This beautiful symbol of America graced me with his presence and allowed me some time to take pictures.
This fish is all lit up and happy. Love the blue on them.
Brakes supplied by Nautilus Reels. Made here in Florida, they are light, strong and super smooth.
A quick photo before releasing this big boy back to the wild. These fish are too valuable to only be caught once.
The gorgeous, above average seatrout was sight casted right in front of a redfish. Decisions, decisions. But trout always win out when they provide the right shot.
Redfish rising up to take the offering. It can be difficult not to strike early.
No photograph are artist can capture the beauty of a sunrise over the water. God's work is truly awe inspiring.
Jim Manus with a nice little tarpon. These juvenile tarpon spend more time in the air than the water; always fun.
My custom Nautilus Fly Reel with a redfish tail. Both of them are beautiful.
When it all comes together.. Redfish like this are a great time on the fly rod. This one was stopped due to the awesome Nautilus Reels drag system.
A healthy Black Drum we took on fly. These fish require a lot of patience, as you have to "feed" your offering to them. But, once hooked, they provide a powerful fight.
Peter Vandergrift with a healthy redfish on fly. Not many people could get in where this redfish was hunting. Shallow, narrow waterway; just what the Waterman was built for.
Small redfish like this means we will continue to have a healthy fishery for a long time.
Big or small, tarpon always make customers happy.
Tarpon battle in progress.
Tarpon on fly. It's hard to beat this action. They are tough fighting, and beautiful.
Early morning redfish action. This one made a great dinner after the trip.
One of several redfish taken this day. Check out the video for the full action.
Over-Slot Seatrout always make customers happy.
Another bent rod on a beautiful day. This is a chamber of commerce view!
Seatrout are plentiful and always fun to catch. They may not be the powerhouse fighters liek snook, redfish and jacks, but they still have some attitude all their own.
Jack Crevalle are too often thought of as trash fish. These fish are some of the hardest fighting fish around. They readily take artificials and flies, cruise in schools, and provide plenty of action. No reason not to be happy when you catch them!
Snook of this size are bound to put a smile on your face! Hard hitting, street fighters that give it their all. The difference between success and failure is a battle of wills.
Upper slot-sized snook! These fish will test you and your tackle. There isn't a dirtier fighter out there.
Beautiful sunrise across Mosquito Lagoon. The day awaits and all dreams are possible.
This hungry snook took the fly. A quick photo, fly removal, and release.
Standing at the ready, fly and rod in position, looking for that next target.
Awaiting the arrival of my clients. The boat is ready, and another adventure is about to begin.
The release of another snook. The beautiful fish love to hold onto your thumb until they are revived enough to swim away.
Another snook falls victim to the fly. The deadly combo of an Abel reel, G-Loomis Rod, and well placed fly led to success. These fish are a lot to handle on a 7-weight.
Another snook released to fight again. These fish are my favorite and I try hard to make sure they are released in excellent condition.
You just never know what is going to grab your fly or lure. We were fishing for snook when this hungry trout decided he wanted the fly more.
Paul Greaves, a great friend and customer, with one of his biggest redfish on fly. Check out the blog section on the home page to see video!
It is hard to beat our sunrises! My favorite part of the day; adventure awaits and dreams are ready to come true.
Fly tying is instrumental to preparing for upcoming trips, as well as keeping me connected to the fishing world during bad weather.
A collage sample of some of the trips in 2017. A great year and 2018 promises to be better!
The start of the day as the sun rises over Mosquito Lagoon.
Snook fishing has been off the charts. Another one being released after giving us a great fight.
Quick photo opportunity before releasing this snook taken on a fly.
Snook are beautiful and powerful fish. AKA the Linesider, they hit with ferocity and fight like a lion.
This big redfish couldn't resist Paul's offer. Quick photo and he was released to fight another day.
Paul with one of his biggest redfish on fly. Always brings a smile to his face and mine.
The look in this snook's eye tells it all. He wasn't happy when he realized it was a fly and not a baitfish. Hard hitting, tough fighting, and just angry; it's what makes them my favorite!
Micro tarpon like these are plentiful. When targeted with ultralight fly or spinning gear, they are a great fight and tons of fun!
#kickplastic campaign is in full swing with Tailhunter Outdoor Adventures. All customers now receive a stainless steel water bottle with their trip. Doing my part to eliminate plastic in the water!
Up close of the redfish that couldn't resist the fly. It's all about presentation and having the right fly.
A nice, upper slot redfish taken on a Sage Fly Rod and Nautilus Fly Reel. Tough fighting in tight quarters.
Taking time to admire a redfish and the gear used to take him.
Kim Tarr with a baby tarpon on fly. Not only is the action fun, it takes place in some of the most beautiful spots.
Baby tarpon on fly are an absolute blast. These guys strike like a lightning bolt and jump like an acrobat.
No matter their size, snook always bring a smile to an angler.
Dave Schmezer with a nice little snook on fly. Don't let the size fool you; they are little bulldogs.
Close up of the fly the snook couldn't resist on a recent fishing trip. Hard to imagine what it used to be.
I caught this nice Fat Snook on fly during a recent scouting trip. Just a little different from the Common Snook.
A happy customer with a nice snook he caught on fly.
Chunky seatrout taken on a fly. This one couldn't resist the Awesome Shrimp! Love it when a new fly pattern works!
Flip Pallot with a beautiful redfish on a recent trip. A little admiration, photo and release.
A Gator Seatrout taken on fly. This big girl was taken in about eight inches of water. They may be the toughest target for fly fishers.
Redfish are perfect targets for fly rods. They love shallow water and eat flies well if they are presented right.
This is an average size snook for our area. What they lack in size they make up for in attitude!
The bigger snook can be a real challenge on fly. They fight hard and dirty, making it difficult to land them.
Surprised when this Mangrove Snapper smashed the fly instead of the snook that was chasing it.
Sometimes it's all about having the right fly. After refusing other flies, the Awesome Shrimp turned out to be the right selection.
How about a quick smile before the release? I try hard to release all fish in excellent condition. It helps to keep them wet.
This Mangrove Snapper couldn't resist the subtle sound of a Crease Popper.
Manatee are plentiful during the warm water periods. I love these gentle giants.
My buddy Fred approaching the boat for some photo opportunities.
Fred was rather personable today. He really wanted to be scratched. Love these gentle giants!
Launch time is always full of excitement and promise. Flip Pallot and I getting ready to start the day.
Flip Pallot made an offer this redfish couldn't resist. Time for him to head back now.
I feel blessed to have a person like Flip Pallot as one of my mentors. Want a day on the water with him, contact me!
Flip Pallot with another beautiful redfish he took on his TFO Rod/Reel. We try to keep them wet for a good release.
Every once in a while, I get a chance to stand on the bow. I'm always happy when a redfish greets me.
When everything comes together, this is the result! Right fly, right cast, fish on!
Snook can be so aggressive that their eyes are bigger than their stomachs. These little guys are great news though; it means our future is bright!
Summertime means snook fishing. These fish are great targets for people new to saltwater fly fishing and the big ones are a challenge for any seasoned veteran. Hard hitting, strong fighting and just dirty players. If I had to choose just one fish to chase, this would be it.
The best part of any trip; the launch time. The day is just beginning, anything is possible and your imagination can run wild. This is before the casting errors, persnickety fish, missed strikes, or whatever else happens. Not to mention, the sunrise is always gorgeous!
Beautiful seatrout taken on fly. This is an angling dream! This Gator Trout was sight casted in inches of water. These fish are the hardest to sneak up on and fool. Kim did it like a champ!
This one measured right at 30". That's a true Gator Trout!
While Florida is known for its saltwater fishing, we also have unsurpassed sweetwater! A stringer of panfish ready for a fish fry!
The Legend, Lefty Kreh.
Success ends with a smile like that.
Wild tilapia are not only challenging, but they taste great too. These aren't the store bought, farm raised fish. They are wary, wild and elusive; a true sport taking them with a bow.
Crappie or Speck?Whichever name you prefer, nothing taste better.
Bowfin don't get the glory they deserve. They hit hard, fight hard and bring smiles.
The Flipster, one of my favorite fishing partners, with a sweetwater bass. The River of Grass provides stunning scenery and great fishing!
Ospreys may be a common sight, but they are still magnificent. This one is watching and waiting for its opportunity.
The Magnificent Bald Eagle. It's always a blessing to see these beautiful birds and they are getting more and more regular in the area.
Dolphins cruising while they look for dinner. These are the true Masters of the Sea.
A birdwatchers dream! White Pelicans venture to our area in the winter. They are huge, beautiful birds. I've had people travel all the way from Europe just to get a picture of these guys.
Florida wildlife is diverse; you never know what you will see; especially in our area. I always tell customers to keep their eyes peeled, wildlife is all over.
Calling in turkeys for photos like this can be a challenge. However, if you take the time, the results are worth it.
Taking a wrong step can ruin your day; but, paying attention brings great photo opportunities. I call my service an Outdoor Adventure for a reason!
Sometimes it is all about being in the right place, at the right time. These deer decided to grace us with their presence on a bass fishing trip.
My wife's biggest redfish on fly, so far. This beast was crawling on his belly, with his back out of the water. Kim made a perfect presentation he couldn't resist.
I work with some great captains. On rare days, we get to fish together and spend time on the bow. This is John Turcot, aka The Dude!
Don't underestimate these guys! Juvenile tarpon are a blast and tougher than you think. They are the perfect balance of power and acrobat on the fly rod.
Kent Gibbens is another great guide I work with. A wealth of knowledge and the finest rod builder I know! There's a reason I buy all of my conventional rods from this guy!
When the proper fly is presented right, this is what happens! Tarpon put quite a bend in the fly rod.
Sunsets on the water make for incredible memories and photos. The perfect ending to the day.
Getting to teach fly casting with two legends brings a huge smile to my face! I am truly blessed to spend quality time with such great people.
When conditions are right, no one can beat our crappie fishing. Ultralight gear, hungry fish, and plenty of action.
The freshwater tarpon!
Shad season is always full of action; high flying, light tackle testing bullets.
Some times you have to let the wife catch the biggest one; that's my story.
Photo shoots can actually be fun; especially when the fish cooperate. Sure, it's all about work - not!
Travis Sands is all smiles with his first redfish on fly. He's usually hunting bonefish in the Bahamas. Talk about a phenomenal guide!
Sometimes you have to get a little wet to get the right photo memory. That's okay with me!
Another first for Travis. We wanted a snook, but we were happy with a nice trout; especially since I had to fight a dolphin to get it!
Have bow, will travel! This was just the beginning. Bowfishing is a great way to spend a day with the family.
Shad on ultralight gear are great fun! Although they're seasonal, I can still hook you up!
I love teaching kids to fly fish. It's even better when the day ends like this! This is how we insure the next generation enjoys and appreciates the outdoors.
Captain Eddie Oliveras.
When he's not chasing fish offshore, I love spending time with this guy experimenting with new flies and locations.
A great client who has become a better friend! Paul Greaves and I have been fishing together for several years now. You build friendships that last a lifetime on the water.
We let most of them go, so they can provide adventures to other anglers.
Flip Pallot admiring a successful presentation.
You'd never know we were working hard. Yep, it's a pretty good life!
This copper clad beauty was sight fished all by my wife. I love the sight of both of them.
A proud father and a memory to last a lifetime! My daughter with a beautiful redfish she took on a jig. These are the memories I live for.
Rockets aren't the only things we launch at the Space Coast! Tarpon like the air as much as the water when fighting.
Redfish like this are by far our most popular target. They were made for fly fishing and provide plenty of action, heartache, and challenge. They are worth every moment we spend chasing them.
Sometimes you don't even cast, just enjoy the sight! Yes, they really do get this close at times. All you can do is watch.
Captain John Tarr Fishing Charters
Jack Crevalle are too often thought of as trash fish. These fish are some of the hardest fighting fish around. They readily take artificials and flies, cruise in schools, and provide plenty of action. No reason not to be happy when you catch them!