Florida Keys fly fishing is the ultimate angler experience. Nothing compares to making the perfect cast under pressure, and watching a trophy permit, bonefish, or tarpon engulfs your fly as races across the shallows—your drag screaming to life. It’s a moment you will never forget, and something every fisherman needs to experience in his or her lifetime.
As a Florida Keys fishing guide with SE Outfitters, I cherish each day I get to spend on the water with my customers. Whether you’re a junkie for fly, or prefer to use spinning gear, I’ll fish the flats or backcountry for whatever species you wish to target. We can even journey out to the reef or drop on the deep wrecks if you want to target snapper or grouper to bring back for dinner.
I know that fishing in the Florida Keys isn’t something you get to do every day. That’s why I’ll give you my best each trip to put you on your fish of a lifetime. Just stop by the boat, located at Hawks Cay Marina on the beautiful island of Duck Key, and let’s go fishing!
Captain Derek Rust
The first time I fished in the Florida Keys, I knew this is what I wanted to do for a living.
Originally from the South Shore of Massachusetts, I was passionate about fishing from an early age. I spent my childhood fishing local ponds and lakes with my mother and uncles, and when I was old enough to drive I would cruise the New England Coast in search of stripers and bluefish.
After college I journeyed out west and was a fly fishing guide around Lake Tahoe, fishing streams and lakes for a variety of trout species. In the offseason, I would travel to the Keys where I’d spend every hour on the water fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. After six years, my love for Florida Keys fishing inspired me to move here full time, where I’ve been guiding since.
My favorite species to fish for is permit, however I enjoy fishing for just about anything that swims. You name it, and we’ll go after it!
In my spare time you can find me on the water with my dog and fishing companion “Chowder.”
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions about your trip or what’s biting. I look forward to spending a day on the water with you here in the Keys, and sharing my local fishing knowledge with you.
-Captain Derek Rust
Spring is here in the Keys. With the nice weather brought decent numbers of Tarpon to our area. We have been seeing some big fish and have had success on live bait and on fly. The wind has been up and down here this month with more 
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