Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Coupon Bight Fishing Guide

Florida

A shallow Atlantic-side aquatic preserve just south of Big Pine Key in the Lower Keys, home to bonefish, permit, tarpon, and snook.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Coupon Bight for snook, tarpon, bonefish and permit. In October, snook and bonefish are in season, and Crazy Charlie, Gotcha and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 11 shops within 25 miles (2 fly, 9 bait and tackle); the closest is Jig's Bait and Tackle in Big Pine Key, about 1 mi away. Florida Keys is about 49 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Snook
Tarpon
Bonefish
Permit
JFMAMJJASOND
View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

Coupon Bight Species

Snook

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Tarpon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jul

Bonefish

Bonefish

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Oct to Nov

Permit

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to Jun

Images: Robert Pos, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

7 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Crazy Charlie #4-8

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Bonefish

    Shop This Fly

  • Gotcha #4-6

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Bonefish

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Snook

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Snook

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Bonefish, Snook

  • Live Pinfish and Mullet 3 to 6 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook

  • Live Crabs Silver dollar size

    Bait

    Live Bait · Permit

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Snook

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 30 to 40 lb bite leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid with a 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Tarpon

Fly 9 ft 11 or 12 wt rod, floating or intermediate tarpon line, 60 to 80 lb shock tippet.

Spin / Cast 7.5 ft heavy spinning rod, 6000 to 8000 reel, 50 lb braid with an 80 lb leader.

Bonefish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating tropical line, 10 to 12 ft 10 to 12 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid, 1/8 oz skimmer jig or live shrimp.

Permit

Fly 9 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, floating tropical line, 16 to 20 lb leader, crab patterns.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid, live crab on a 2/0 hook.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Coupon Bight

Leaders & Tippet

Seaguar Tarpon Leader Material

Heavy fluorocarbon shock leader that survives tarpon jaws and gill plates.

Check Price

Fly Lines

RIO Tarpon Fly Line

A tropical line that stays stiff in heat for long casts to rolling tarpon.

Check Price

Flies

Bonefish Fly Assortment

Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, and shrimp patterns for the flats.

Check Price

Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

Check Price

Terminal Tackle

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

Circle hooks set themselves in the corner of the mouth and make release easy.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

Check Price

Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Coupon Bight

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Coupon Bight

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 49 mi

Florida Keys

Flats for bonefish, permit, and tarpon; reef and offshore for snapper, grouper, and mahi.

Tarpon · Bonefish · Permit