A favorite of many flats anglers, these toothy critters invade the shallows in the cooler months, and provide great sport. While they lack the endurance of a Bonefish, the speed of their initial run is nearly the same, often punctuated by head over tail jumps. Flats Cuda generally run in the 5 to 10 pound range, with some over 20lbs taken each year.
A favorite lure of many is a 15" section of surgical tubing with 3/0 or 4/0 treble hooks. They work great, but I prefer a nice shiny top water plug. The Cudas love them and the explosion at the surface that occurs at the time of the "take" adds lots of excitment.
Many fly fisherman use long Fishair "Cuda Flies", stripped at high speed using both hands. Personnally, I believe a green and white Deceiver, 2/0, moved with fairly quick 20" strips will get you more action.
If you want a battle and don't want to wait very long for the opponent to show up, then pick on a shark. A number of species are found in our shallow inshore waters, including Spinner, Lemon, Dusky, and Blacktip, and they respond well to a little chum and a respectable size bait. Not huge by offshore standards, these fish run 4 to 6 feet in length, 40 to 80 pounds on average, and when matched with relatively light tackle, they are pure fun. Then there is always that 150lb bruiser that comes along to try to spoil your day. An hour and some sore muscles later, you become the spoiler as Mr. tough guy succombs at boat side. Don't worry, we won't bring him in the boat - he will be photographed and released unharmed.
For the flyrodders, brightly colored streamers are the key. If the fish are running fairly large on the flat where you are, you might want to use your 12 wt., though a 10 wt. will eventually wear him down. Whatever, make sure your class tippet is lighter than your backing! Did I tell you about my customer who went shark fishing with 20lb tippet and 12lb backing? Last time we saw his flyline it was headed for Cuba, acting as a nice long leash attached to a very unhappy Lemon shark.
Want lots of action and what I believe to be the best eating fish around? Then try for Mangrove, Lane, Yellowtail and Mutton Snapper in the potholes and around rock piles in the Bay. They can all be taken on a variety of live and cut baits, as well as bottom bouncing jigs. A variety of Grouper will be in the same areas and, while you are working on dinner, keep your eyes open for what will initially appear to be a brown shark circling your spot. It probably won't be a shark, but rather a nice Cobia, waiting for battle. A small live bait or a white bucktail and you could be in business.
Jack Crevalle, known as the backcountry bruiser, is a 2-5lb fish that will amaze you with strength, as will his close friends, the Bar Jack and the Blue Runner. While of little food value, these fish are often found in large schools and can literally wear you down. A bucktail tipped with shrimp is deadly. Sinking fly lines and a streamer, Deceiver or Clouser Minnow on an 8 or 9 wt. can provide loads of action.