Fishing Guides, Charters and Services of the Florida Keys

Florida Keys Fishing Season Calendar

The Florida Keys fishing and species calendar will help you navigate the best times to come. We are a world-renowned fishing destination, offering diverse opportunities for anglers to pursue various species year-round. The unique geography, warm waters, and proximity to the Gulf Stream make it a haven for fishing enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed look at the best times to fish for specific species in the Florida Keys.

Other great tools for knowing when to fish or what species is good is our updated fishing reports and forecasts.

Florida Keys Fishing Reports

January

January is an exceptional month for fishing in the Florida Keys, offering anglers a diverse and rewarding experience. The cooler water temperatures drive many species closer to shore, making inshore fishing for redfish, and speckled trout particularly fruitful on the flats and in the backcountry. Deep sea fishing, the winter months bring sailfish, wahoo, and kingfish closer to the reef lines, creating thrilling opportunities for big game fishing. The reef and wreck areas are also highly productive, with grouper, snapper, and amberjack providing exciting action for bottom fishing enthusiasts. The mild winter weather, combined with the abundance of fish and fewer crowds, makes January an ideal time to explore Florida Keys Fishing.

February

February in the Florida Keys is a continuation of the excellent winter fishing season, with diverse opportunities for anglers both inshore and offshore. The cooler water temperatures keep many sought-after species active and accessible, making it an ideal time to target sailfish, wahoo, and kingfish in the offshore waters, where these pelagic species are often abundant near the reef lines. Inshore, the flats fishing and backcountry remain productive, with barracudas, redfish, and speckled trout being popular targets. February is also great for snapper on the reefs and wrecks, providing plenty of action for those seeking bottom-dwelling giants. With mild weather, clear waters, and a variety of fish to pursue, February offers some of the best fishing experiences in the Florida Keys.

March

March in the Florida Keys is a dynamic time for fishing, as warmer temperatures signal the start of spring and bring an influx of activity both inshore and offshore. The flats and backcountry are alive with action, making it a prime time to start targeting our summer cast of characters such as bonefish, permit, and tarpon as these species become more active with the warming waters. Offshore, the sailfish bite continues to be strong, while mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) and blackfin tuna begin to appear more frequently, adding excitement to deep-sea adventures. The reef and wrecks remain productive, with snapper, grouper, and amberjack providing excellent opportunities for bottom fishing. March offers a perfect blend of species and fishing environments, making it one of the most versatile and rewarding months to fish in the Florida Keys.

April

April is one of the most exciting months for fishing in the Florida Keys, as the spring season brings a surge of activity across all types of fishing environments. Inshore, the tarpon migration is in full swing, offering thrilling opportunities for anglers looking to hook into these powerful fish in the flats and backcountry. The warmer waters also make permit and bonefish more active, providing excellent conditions for sight fishing. Offshore, mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) become more abundant, and blackfin tuna continue to provide fast-paced action, while sailfish remain a popular target. On the reefs and wrecks, snapper and grouper fishing remains productive, with the addition of cobia and amberjack adding to the excitement. With a wide variety of species and favorable weather conditions, April is an ideal time to experience the diverse and bountiful fishing opportunities that the Florida Keys have to offer.

May

May in the Florida Keys marks the beginning of summer-like conditions, bringing some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. The warmer waters ignite the peak of the tarpon fishing season, with these silver giants being a top target for anglers in the flats, channels, and bridges. Permit and bonefish are also highly active, making inshore fishing particularly rewarding. Offshore, the mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) bite is at its peak, with these vibrant fish providing exciting action for deep-sea anglers, along with opportunities to catch blackfin tuna and the occasional blue marlin. The reefs and wrecks continue to produce excellent catches of snapper, grouper, amberjack, and cobia, ensuring a diverse and productive fishing experience. With stable weather, clear waters, and an abundance of active species, May is a prime month for anglers to explore the rich and varied fishing grounds of the Florida Keys.

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June

June in the Florida Keys offers some of the most exhilarating fishing of the year, with warm summer waters bringing a wealth of opportunities for anglers. This month is prime time for tarpon fishing, as these powerful fish continue to be highly active, especially around the bridges and channels during their annual migration. The flats fishing is also very good with bonefish and permit, making it a great time for sight fishing enthusiasts. Offshore, mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) remain abundant, providing fast-paced action for deep-sea anglers, along with opportunities to catch wahoo, blackfin tuna, and the occasional sailfish. The reefs and wrecks are also productive, with excellent chances of landing snapper, grouper, amberjack, and cobia. June’s long days, calm seas, and diverse fishing opportunities make it an ideal month to experience the full spectrum of what the Florida Keys have to offer.

July

July in the Florida Keys is a peak time for summer fishing, with warm waters and calm seas creating ideal conditions for a variety of angling adventures. The tarpon season continues strong, with these powerful fish providing thrilling battles, especially during early morning and evening hours. Inshore, bonefish and permit are actively feeding on the flats, making July an excellent month for sight fishing enthusiasts. Offshore, the mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) bite remains hot, and wahoo begin to make more frequent appearances, adding excitement to deep-sea fishing trips. The reef fishing and wrecks are bustling with activity, offering great opportunities to catch snapper, grouper, amberjack, and barracuda. The warm, stable weather and diverse fishing options make July one of the most rewarding times to fish in the Florida Keys, whether you’re targeting inshore species or venturing into the deep blue for big game.

August

August in the Florida Keys offers some of the hottest fishing of the year, both in terms of temperature and action. The warm, calm seas create perfect conditions for offshore fishing, where mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) are still abundant, and wahoo fishing begins to pick up, offering thrilling opportunities for big game anglers. The flats fishing remains productive, with bonefish and permit actively feeding, making for excellent sight fishing experiences. Tarpon are still around, though they begin to scatter as the peak season winds down, but early mornings and late afternoons can still provide exciting encounters. The reefs and wrecks continue to yield plenty of snapper, grouper, and amberjack, with barracuda adding to the action. With fewer crowds and consistently warm weather, August is an ideal time to explore the rich and varied fishing opportunities throughout the Florida Keys.

September

September in the Florida Keys is a unique and rewarding time for fishing, as the slightly cooler temperatures and lighter crowds make for a more relaxed angling experience. Deep sea fishing, mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) and wahoo remain key targets, with the chance of hooking into these fast and powerful fish still strong. The swordfish bite also picks up in deeper waters, offering an exciting challenge for those seeking big game. Inshore, the flats continue to produce excellent opportunities for bonefish and permit, with the added benefit of more consistent and quieter conditions for sight fishing. While the peak tarpon season has passed, smaller resident tarpon can still be found in the backcountry fishing, especially in the early morning hours. The reefs and wrecks continue to be productive, with plenty of snapper, grouper, and amberjack available. September’s mix of calm weather, diverse species, and fewer anglers makes it an excellent time to explore the Florida Keys‘ rich fishing grounds.

October

October in the Florida Keys marks the beginning of the fall fishing season, bringing cooler temperatures and a fresh wave of opportunities for anglers. Offshore, wahoo fishing really heats up, with these speedy predators becoming more abundant around the deep wrecks and ledges. The mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) bite remains steady, and blackfin tuna begin to show up more frequently, adding variety to offshore excursions. Inshore, the flats come alive with bonefish and permit, offering excellent sight fishing conditions in the mild fall weather. The backcountry also sees an increase in activity, with redfish and snook becoming more prevalent as they move into the shallower waters. The reefs and wrecks continue to produce solid catches of snapper, grouper, amberjack, and kingfish, making October an ideal month for both bottom fishing and trolling. With pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a wide range of species in play, October is a prime time to experience the diverse and rewarding fishing that the Florida Keys have to offer.

November

November in the Florida Keys ushers in the fall-to-winter transition, creating a unique and productive fishing environment. Offshore, the wahoo bite is at its peak, with these fast and powerful fish providing thrilling action for anglers trolling deep waters. Sailfish also begin to make their presence known, kicking off the start of the winter sailfish season, which brings exciting opportunities for those looking to land one of these acrobatic fish. Inshore, the cooler weather invigorates bonefish and permit on the flats, while the backcountry comes alive with redfish, snook, and juvenile tarpon. The reefs and wrecks continue to offer excellent bottom fishing for snapper, grouper, and amberjack, with the added possibility of hooking into kingfish as they move closer to shore. With comfortable temperatures, diverse species, and fewer crowds, November is an exceptional time to enjoy the rich and varied fishing experiences the Florida Keys have to offer.

December

December in the Florida Keys is a prime time for anglers, as the cooler winter weather brings a fresh wave of fishing opportunities across all types of waters. Deep sea fishing, the sailfish season is in full swing, with these acrobatic fish providing some of the most exciting action of the year as they chase baitfish along the reef lines. Wahoo and blackfin tuna are also abundant, offering fast-paced trolling opportunities. Inshore, the flats remain productive, with bonefish and permit still active, while the backcountry offers excellent fishing for redfish, snook, and juvenile tarpon. The reefs and wrecks are bustling with activity, with snapper, grouper, and amberjack providing consistent action for bottom fishing enthusiasts. December’s mild temperatures, clear waters, and diverse species make it an ideal month for anglers to experience the full range of fishing adventures that the Florida Keys have to offer.