Keaton Beach, Taylor County, FL
Patchy rain nearby
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83°F
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Feels 88°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Bite slowing — high pressure building. Slow down, go finesse, fish deeper structure.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Classic rootbeer-colored DOA shrimp imitation
Flats standard — works everywhere for redfish, permit, seatrout
Gold spoon with fiber weed guard
Essential flats tool — triggers redfish and permit around grass
10lb braid + 20lb fluorocarbon leader
Perfect flats combo — lightweight, sensitive, and powerful
Local Fishing Resource
Crystal River, Cedar Key, and the forgotten Gulf
Open the Taylor, Dixie, Levy & Citrus Cheat Sheet
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: Bury in the sandy and muddy bottom throughout Dark Island. Slow-drifted live shrimp or finger mullet near bottom, or a 1/4-oz white jig.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold behind every mangrove point and island near Dark Island. Light fluorocarbon and live shrimp.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Tailing reds on the flats at Dark Island on low tide. Weedless gold spoons or DOA Shrimp.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Work the grass flat edges throughout Dark Island with DOA Shrimp or live pilchards — best at first light.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Root around oyster bars and shell flats at Dark Island. Shrimp or crab on a bottom rig in 2–5 ft.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Work any hard structure — crab trap buoys, mangrove prop roots, oyster bars — near Dark Island.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Roll through the backcountry creeks and bays around Dark Island in spring. Sight-fish rollers with crabs or swimbaits.
