.jpg)
Slideshow requires JavaScript and the Flash Player. Get Flash.
Click Here to follow me on Twitter
Follow @tarponghuru
What's New?
Click on Photos or Videos in the menu above to check out some AWESOME sight fishing footage and pictures. Click on Blogs in the menu to read my latest Florida Fly fishing reports.
If it is too hot during the summer down in Florida, let's go fish Southwest Montana. Check out my Montana Fly Fishing website at www.montanaflyfishing
outfitter.com.
Current Boca Grande Fly Fishing Info, Conditions and Reports
Florida Flats Stalker - "Hunt'em Up"
.jpg)
Fall is upon us and the tides are staying much lower than in the spring. Tailing Redfish and skinny water Snook are my main targets right now, but we still have plenty of Tarpon in the backcountry. Grand Slams are not uncommon until the end of November if the weather remains warm enough. As soon as the water temps drop below 70 the tarpon will sit on the bottom.
Yesterday, I was out guiding and we took shots at fish pretty much all day. We might have gone 15 minutes without a shot a couple of times, but for the most part he was throwing darts at the shots and we boated 11 redfish, a snook, and an oversized trout for a nice slam.
It was super windy so we did not look for tarpon. There are lots of redfish in the mangroves and on the grass flats, and they will eat just about anything if you land the fly in the right spot and strip the fly properly. I am impressed with how many Snook I am seeing as well, it's not like it was a few years ago, but the Snook are big and they seem willing to eat if you can get the right shot. The fishing right now is truly awesome. This is without a doubt the best time of year for feeding flies to backcountry snook and redfish.
Author Tom McGuane writes the following of Boca Grande Fly Fishing with Captain Austin Lowder in Sports Illustrated ...
'One of the last days Austin and I fished this spring, we ran down south in Pine Island Sound to a creek with several shallow bays appended to it; left the boat tied to the push pole, which was staked into the soft bottom; and walked a bay that was almost, at this tide, dry land...
The tide had turned, and over time the flat flooded, at first with an inch or two; at about a half a foot of depth, the snook, lazy pikelike shapes began to come. They came steadily, and we both caught them in a string of explosive battles...
We lost count of the fish we released, and Austin actually admitted it was the best day of fishing he'd ever had.'
-Thomas McGuane
'Seeing Snook'
Sport Illustrated
Follow @tarponghuru
BOCA GRANDE FLORIDA FLY FISHING CHARTERS
Captain Austin Lowder is a full time Boca Grande fly fishing guide. Guiding the local waters of Charlotte Harbor,
Matlacha, Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound for over 14 years, Captain Austin offers the finest, most consistent sight and flats saltwater fly fishing experience in Florida. Historically, Boca Grande Tarpon Fishing has been widely recognized as the best tarpon fishing in Florida, and maybe even in the world. Florida Saltwater Fly fishing for Redfish, Snook, Cobia and Tarpon in this lush and tropical fishery will challenge any fly fisher -- from novice to master!
Anglers from far and wide dream about fly fishing the unique waters of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, and for good reason, too -- there are tremendous opportunities for visual strikes in this one-of-a-kind fishery. From feeding tarpon in the open shallows to busting snook in the mangroves to tailing redfish on the flats, these are the daily occurances aboard Captain Austin's skiff. With a "fish story" always on-hand, contact Captain Austin, owner of Sea and Stream Outfitters, to book your Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor Fly fishing adventure.
.jpg)
"Stalking the flats is my specialty and sightfishing is my game."
When you are fly fishing the waters of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, having good eyes is of the utmost importance in order to capitalize on the most intense Southwest Florida fly fishing situations of your life. We are hunting the fish, picking out our targets and striving to make more perfect casts in order to deceive our wary game fish. My goal is to help fly angler's focus on the details of hunting Snook,Redfish and Tarpon by presenting the fly in such a way to land these awesome gamefish. I will do whatever it takes to catch fish on any given day. Saltwater Fly Fishing is a serious commitment and these awesome game fish do not come easy- patience, perseverence, and dedication are the recipes for flats fishing success. Chances are, however, that you will not find me blindcasting potholes for seatrout and ladyfish or suggesting that you fish with a spinning rod. For me, sight fishing is the ultimate video game with a serious learning curve. Tarpon, Redfish and Snook are the perfect quarry for the angler who enjoys the thrill of stalking and hunting their prey in a unique flats fishing setting. One of the best features of a Boca Grande fly fishing charter is that WADE FISHING in Charlotte Harbor is almost always an option in our clear water flats, back bays and tidal creeks.
Testimonials
Dear Austin,
"I alway get haunted by a good fishing trip, wanting to sneak out from work and get back on the water to get a few more casts and make up for those missed shots. I had a great time on Sunday and really apreciated your effort both in working hard to wade into the backcountry and to continue fishing well after most guides would have packed it in."
--Sean Fitzsimmons, Atlanta, GA
Dear Austin,
"I wanted to thank you again for the two wonderful days of fishing. You are a terrific guide who really takes pride in his work. I can say without hesitation that quality is seen only in the best of the really talented guides."
--Bill Loring, Boston,MA
About the Captain ...
Captain Austin Lowder is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain as well as a licensed outfitter in the state of Montana. He has been actively guiding fly fisherman for 18 years. Graduating with
a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Montana State University, Austin has combined his education and personal for the sport of fly fishing to offer any fly fisher an unparalleled experience. 
At the age of 23, Austin moved to Boca Grande, Florida where he now resides with his wife of 11 years, Julie, and their three children -- Gray, Rosey, and baby Julia. Austin's passions are his family and fishing. When not at home playing with the rugrats, he can most likely be found out on the water in pursuit of another great fishing adventure.
2009 Hells Bay Boatworks Guide Boat with Yamaha 70 Four Stroke
Locations
Captain Austin generally launches his 18 ft. Hell's Bay Guide Skiff at the Innlet Motel on beautiful Boca Grande, Florida. Guests who stay at this "Boat"-tel have the ease of walking right out of their rooms and directly onto Captain Austin's flats boat. He keeps his boat on a trailer for mobility and ease of fishing throughout Charlotte Harbor.When weather conditions/different fishing situations arise, Captain Austin takes advantage of all boat ramps spread across Charlotte Harbor. For Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte Fly Fishing I often have my clients drive to Boca Grande or simply put in at Spring Lake Boat Ramp or Ponce De Leon Park which give quick access to the Myakka and Peace Rivers as well as easy access for fly fishing Pirate Harbor. For Englewood Fly Fishing, Placida Fly Fishing, Manasota Key Fly Fishing, Palm Island Fly Fishing, Captain Austin generally puts in at the Placida Park boat ramp or the boat ramp south of the Tom Adams Bridge. For anglers staying on Captiva or Sanibel Islands, Captain Austin takes a boat ride across Boca Grande Pass and Redfish Pass to pick up on the local docks. Captiva Island Fly Fishing, Sanibel Island Fly Fishing, Matlacha Fly Fishing and Burnt Store Marina are a twenty minute boat ride from Boca Grande, so it is with ease that Captain Austin can service anglers staying in these locations. Boca Grande, Florida and Charlotte Harbor are adjacent to many suburban areas. Captain Austin fly fishes throughout Charlotte Harbor and beyond including the Myakka River, Peace River and Caloosahatchee River.
Drive Times to fly fish Boca Grande, Florida --
Tampa Bay 2 hours
Sarasota 1 hour
Ft Myers 1 1/2 hours
Sanibel 1 hour
Venice 30 minutes
Punta Gorda 30 minutes
Englewood 15 minutes
Cape Coral 45 minutes
North Port 20 minutes
Orlando 3 hours
Miami 3 hours
Bonita Springs 1.5 hours
Matlacha, Lemon Bay and Pine Island Sound for over 14 years, Captain Austin offers the finest, most consistent sight and flats saltwater fly fishing experience in Florida. Historically, Boca Grande Tarpon Fishing has been widely recognized as the best tarpon fishing in Florida, and maybe even in the world. Florida Saltwater Fly fishing for Redfish, Snook, Cobia and Tarpon in this lush and tropical fishery will challenge any fly fisher -- from novice to master!Anglers from far and wide dream about fly fishing the unique waters of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, and for good reason, too -- there are tremendous opportunities for visual strikes in this one-of-a-kind fishery. From feeding tarpon in the open shallows to busting snook in the mangroves to tailing redfish on the flats, these are the daily occurances aboard Captain Austin's skiff. With a "fish story" always on-hand, contact Captain Austin, owner of Sea and Stream Outfitters, to book your Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor Fly fishing adventure.
"Stalking the flats is my specialty and sightfishing is my game."
When you are fly fishing the waters of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, having good eyes is of the utmost importance in order to capitalize on the most intense Southwest Florida fly fishing situations of your life. We are hunting the fish, picking out our targets and striving to make more perfect casts in order to deceive our wary game fish. My goal is to help fly angler's focus on the details of hunting Snook,Redfish and Tarpon by presenting the fly in such a way to land these awesome gamefish. I will do whatever it takes to catch fish on any given day. Saltwater Fly Fishing is a serious commitment and these awesome game fish do not come easy- patience, perseverence, and dedication are the recipes for flats fishing success. Chances are, however, that you will not find me blindcasting potholes for seatrout and ladyfish or suggesting that you fish with a spinning rod. For me, sight fishing is the ultimate video game with a serious learning curve. Tarpon, Redfish and Snook are the perfect quarry for the angler who enjoys the thrill of stalking and hunting their prey in a unique flats fishing setting. One of the best features of a Boca Grande fly fishing charter is that WADE FISHING in Charlotte Harbor is almost always an option in our clear water flats, back bays and tidal creeks.
Testimonials
Dear Austin,
"I alway get haunted by a good fishing trip, wanting to sneak out from work and get back on the water to get a few more casts and make up for those missed shots. I had a great time on Sunday and really apreciated your effort both in working hard to wade into the backcountry and to continue fishing well after most guides would have packed it in."
--Sean Fitzsimmons, Atlanta, GA
Dear Austin,
"I wanted to thank you again for the two wonderful days of fishing. You are a terrific guide who really takes pride in his work. I can say without hesitation that quality is seen only in the best of the really talented guides."
--Bill Loring, Boston,MA
About the Captain ...
Captain Austin Lowder is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain as well as a licensed outfitter in the state of Montana. He has been actively guiding fly fisherman for 18 years. Graduating with
a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Montana State University, Austin has combined his education and personal for the sport of fly fishing to offer any fly fisher an unparalleled experience. At the age of 23, Austin moved to Boca Grande, Florida where he now resides with his wife of 11 years, Julie, and their three children -- Gray, Rosey, and baby Julia. Austin's passions are his family and fishing. When not at home playing with the rugrats, he can most likely be found out on the water in pursuit of another great fishing adventure.
2009 Hells Bay Boatworks Guide Boat with Yamaha 70 Four Stroke
Locations
Captain Austin generally launches his 18 ft. Hell's Bay Guide Skiff at the Innlet Motel on beautiful Boca Grande, Florida. Guests who stay at this "Boat"-tel have the ease of walking right out of their rooms and directly onto Captain Austin's flats boat. He keeps his boat on a trailer for mobility and ease of fishing throughout Charlotte Harbor.When weather conditions/different fishing situations arise, Captain Austin takes advantage of all boat ramps spread across Charlotte Harbor. For Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte Fly Fishing I often have my clients drive to Boca Grande or simply put in at Spring Lake Boat Ramp or Ponce De Leon Park which give quick access to the Myakka and Peace Rivers as well as easy access for fly fishing Pirate Harbor. For Englewood Fly Fishing, Placida Fly Fishing, Manasota Key Fly Fishing, Palm Island Fly Fishing, Captain Austin generally puts in at the Placida Park boat ramp or the boat ramp south of the Tom Adams Bridge. For anglers staying on Captiva or Sanibel Islands, Captain Austin takes a boat ride across Boca Grande Pass and Redfish Pass to pick up on the local docks. Captiva Island Fly Fishing, Sanibel Island Fly Fishing, Matlacha Fly Fishing and Burnt Store Marina are a twenty minute boat ride from Boca Grande, so it is with ease that Captain Austin can service anglers staying in these locations. Boca Grande, Florida and Charlotte Harbor are adjacent to many suburban areas. Captain Austin fly fishes throughout Charlotte Harbor and beyond including the Myakka River, Peace River and Caloosahatchee River.
Drive Times to fly fish Boca Grande, Florida --
Tampa Bay 2 hours
Sarasota 1 hour
Ft Myers 1 1/2 hours
Sanibel 1 hour
Venice 30 minutes
Punta Gorda 30 minutes
Englewood 15 minutes
Cape Coral 45 minutes
North Port 20 minutes
Orlando 3 hours
Miami 3 hours
Bonita Springs 1.5 hours