Florida Keys Fishing Season Species Calendar

January

A great time to visit the Florida Keys with the cooler temps and nice days. This is the beginning of our tourist season Rooms rates go up a little. The weather is decent with the occasional cold front bringing temps down to the mid 60s but averages are in the mid 70s.

Flats Fishing is good in January. In the shallows expect shots at permit on the flats tailing. Redfish and snook are also a thing. Many people discount the flats fishing in January but actually its a really good month for it.

Backcountry Fishing is great Its easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, bluefish, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper and on the warmer days see some tarpon.

Reef fishing holds really good yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with kingfish and mackerel mixed with jacks and the occasional sailfish. Grouper season is closed January 1st. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick as it can be windy.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on the sailfishing and the winter dolphin which can be quite large. Tuna and wahoo are also here in good numbers in January. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick.

February

A great time for fishing the Florida Keys with the cooler temps and nice days, it can be a bit stormy with approaching cold fronts. Temps as low as the lower 60s - this is our coldest month. This is the busier time of our tourist season and the end of the month is the start of college spring breaks.

Flats Fishing is good. In the shallows expect shots at bigger permit, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks.

Backcountry Fishing is great, one of our recommended and most popular fishing charters this time of the year based on conditions and variety of fish. Its easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, bluefish, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper and on the warmer days see some tarpon. A great fishing charter choice for those looking to bend a rod with high reward.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with an outstanding kingfish bite with really large fish on the reef. Mackerel mixed with jacks and the occasional sailfish chowing on the ton of bait on the reef. Grouper season is closed. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick. We will help you chose a boat that is appropriate for these conditions.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on the sailfishing, black fin tunas and wahoo. The winter dolphin (mahi mahi) which can be quite large. The Kingfish are here in good numbers up and down the reef from Key Largo to Key West and get very large! Boats don't have to run far this month to catch fish but sea conditions are a consideration if you get seasick.

March

A busy time to go fishing in the Florida Keys with tourist season in full swing. Bookings get tight and planning ahead is critical to getting on a fishing charter. March can be very windy. Fishing is also Very good across the board.

Flats Fishing is good expect shots at bigger permit, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, warmer days will hold layed up tarpon and some bonefish. Good fly fishing for Permit.

Backcountry Fishing is great We start getting into Tarpon fishing with big tarpon that have moved in from the Gulf. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, bluefish, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. Windy doesn't mean its rough when you are surrounded by the backcountry islands. The most popular fishing charter in March.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with kingfish and mackerel mixed with jacks and sailfish smashing bait on the reef. Grouper season is closed. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get seasick as March can be windy. We will help you make sure you get on the right boat for the conditions.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on the sailfishing and the spring dolphin run will start which can be quite large. Large Kingfish are still around with tuna and wahoo here in good numbers. While the runs to the fish are not far sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick. When booking try and afford the largest boat you can.

April

The busiest time to visit the Florida Keys with the windy days in the beginning of the month tapering off in the end of the month. There is LOTS going on. The transition between winter and summer is a battle weather wise and the fish are everywhere.

Flats Fishing is OK. In the shallows expect shots redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, layed up tarpon and some bonefish. End of the month look for good tarpon fishing on the flats. Permit are on the spawn and have moved offshore making themselves easy targets for reef fishing charters.

Backcountry Fishing is great. Our backcountry trips are Tarpon fishing and its off to a great start with big tarpon. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. Shallow water wrecks and reefs will hold permit.

Reef fishing typically holds a good yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with kingfish and mackerel mixed with jacks and the occasional sailfish. Grouper season is closed. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick. The wreck fishing will hold Permit and jacks. Shrimp boats in the Gulf are holding Blackfin Tunas.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on the sailfishing using trolling and live bait with kite fishing techniques. Kingfish are tapering off. The Dolphin can be quite large with most of our big dolphin caught in April and May here in the Florida Keys. Tuna and wahoo are also possible. Sea conditions are a consideration if you get sea sick. Great Time For Sailfish!...

May

Without a doubt the busiest fishing time of the year for the flats fishing guides and backcountry guides for sure. All the fishing guides and charters are usually booked every day in May. The Florida Keys Tarpon season is huge. If you plan on fishing in May book ahead. Weather is perfect and everything is in season.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. This Is tarpon Season. The Florida Keys tarpon migration will be in Full swing. Most popular month for fly fishing charters on the flats.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry fishing trips are Tarpon fishing mostly. 4 and 6 hour trips are most popular this month. Book ahead the backcountry fishing guides will sell out for May. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks and the occasional sailfish. Grouper season is OPEN on May 1 for the Atlantic. Seas are calmer as summer patterns ensue. Shrimp boats in the Gulf are holding Blackfin Tunas.

Deep Sea Fishing The concentration will be on the Large Dolphin and a second to sailfishing Tuna and wahoo are also here in good numbers. A great time for deep sea fishing as the winds are friendlier. Some distance for larger dolphin will be needed.

June

Summer patterns start to take effect and the temps go up. Calm conditions and less crowds as the amateur fishing guides go back to Montana that were crowding the backcountry and flats. Hotel prices come down a little.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at Tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. This Is Tarpon Season. The Migration will be in Full swing. Great time for fly fishing charters.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are Tarpon fishing mostly. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with an easy run to the reef in the calmer conditions. Mackerel mixed with jacks and Grouper season is OPEN.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on Dolphin and some Tuna and wahoo are also here in good numbers. A good time for deep sea fishing. Some of our offshore tournaments are in June.

July

Summer is here. Calm with afternoon thunderstorms popping up at any time. The water is Gin Clear. Long runs are easy. Fishing and snorkeling trips are a big thing this time of the year for the cooling off factor while fishing. Lobster sportsman season is last week in July.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at Tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. This Is the end of Tarpon fishing Season as the migration has slowed to a trickle. We call it the SLAM season where it is more possible to catch a flats grand slam consisting of tarpon, permit and bonefish. Oh,,, and Its hot.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are Tarpon fishing still. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN. Seas are calmer as summer patterns ensue. Look for affordable bay boat trips to the reef for yellowtail snapper.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on Dolphin and wahoo. Good month for a marlin. The dolphin run a little smaller in July. The wahoo can be large. Occasional sailfish.

August

The quiet time here in the Florida Keys. Hot, humid and inexpensive month to be here. Low room rates and light crowds. Opening of our commercial lobster season.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at baby tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas sharks, and bonefish. One of the best of 4 months for flats fishing Florida Keys wide. We call it the SLAM Season.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are Tarpon fishing still. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN. Seas are calmer as summer patterns ensue. Look for affordable bay boat trips to the reef for yellowtail snapper.

Deep Sea Fishing the concentration will be on dolphin and wahoo. Good month for a marlin. Dolphin can run small.

September

One of the best months for Florida Keys bonefishing on the flats. Hot and humid. its the height of tropical storm season and rains can happen any time.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at baby tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. One of the best of 4 months for flats fishing Florida Keys wide.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are fishing the shallows for assorted species. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN. Seas are calmer as summer patterns ensue. Look for affordable bay boat trips to the reef for yellowtail snapper.

Deep Sea Fishing Good month for marlin but not a great month for productive deep sea fishing. We will steer you toward a more productive fishing.

October

The weather is fall like with a little bit cooler temps. crowds are light but there are some weekend festivals that bump up the congestion. Lots of fishing guides go on vacation in October so book ahead.

Flats Fishing is outstanding. In the shallows expect shots at baby tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. One of the best of 4 months for flats fishing Florida Keys wide. Bonefishing is really good in October.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are fishing the shallows for assorted species. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN. Seas are calmer as the fall can be super good weather. Look for affordable bay boat trips to the reef for yellowtail snapper.

Deep Sea Fishing Blackfin tunas start to come back in on the Atlantic side up and down the Keys. Key West deep sea fishing will have Wahoo on the new moon. Mahi mahi will show up from time to time with a East to South East breeze sailfish are around late in the month.

November

The first of our cold fronts start to come through in November. the chill can be quite a shock to the fish sometimes in the shallower waters. A great time of the year to visit the Florida Keys.

Flats Fishing is good. In the shallows expect shots at baby tarpon, redfish, snook, barracudas and sharks, and bonefish. One of the best of 4 months for flats fishing Florida Keys wide.

Backcountry Fishing is awesome. Our backcountry trips are fishing the shallows for assorted species. Its still easy to load up on many species such as: snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN. Seas can be an issue so book a boat that made for the seas on the reef.

Deep Sea Fishing can hold some great fishing on the humps and reef line up and down the Florida Keys. Wahoo are the talk of the town in Key West deep sea fishing during the new moon. A good East or South east wind will bring in the Mahi Mahi. Pay attention to the color changes. Fishing charters do not have to go far to get in the fish.

December

Cooler temps prevail. The cold fronts have started and water temps are dropping ushering in a whole new cast of characters for the Florida Keys winter.

Flats Fishing is good outside the cold fronts. Warming trends can really turn on the sport fish. Snook, redfish and trout.

Backcountry Fishing is, like every month - awesome. Our backcountry trips are fishing for snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, barracudas, Trout, redfish, snook, grouper. We also push out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sport fish on nicer days.

Reef fishing holds a great yellowtail and mutton snapper bite with mackerel mixed with jacks. Grouper season is OPEN One last month. Seas can be an issue.

Deep Sea Fishing Good month for marlin but not a great month for productive deep sea fishing. We will steer you toward a more productive fishing.

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