Speak to any captain in Key West about the best time to come fishing here, and chances are you’ll be met with one response: “It’s great year-round!” This tropical island city, located at the southernmost point of the US, boasts beautiful weather and fish-filled waters all through the year. However, certain species and fisheries are more active at specific times. Getting to grips with Key West fishing seasons is a must before you explore these bountiful waters.
Below, we’ve delved into what you can expect during each month of the year when fishing in Key West, no matter whether you’re cruising the bays and mangroves, dropping lines around the many reefs, or heading further offshore to explore deep blue waters. Let’s see what’s on offer…
What can I expect from Key West’s fishing seasons?
When it comes to booking your Key West fishing trip, there’s probably one question on your mind. When is high season? Well, unlike most other locations across the US, Key West really doesn’t have on and off-seasons. It boasts access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and there’s always something in these waters!
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barracuda | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Bonefish | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Fair |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Fair | Fair | Good |
| Spotted Seatrout | Great | Great | Great | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Great | Great |
| Tarpon | Fair | Fair | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
| Permit | Fair | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| Sharks | Fair | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Cobia | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Fair | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Fair | Good |
| Jack Crevalle | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| Lobster | Ban | Ban | Ban | Ban | Ban | Ban | Good | Great | Ban | Ban | Ban | Ban |
| Grouper | Ban | Ban | Ban | Ban | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great |
| Snapper | Fair | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Great | Good |
| King Mackerel | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Great |
| Mahi Mahi | Fair | Fair | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Sailfish | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Great |
| Marlin | Fair | Fair | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Gread | Great | Great | Good | Fair |
| Swordfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Blackfin Tuna | Weak | Good | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good | Weak | Weak | Great | Great | Good |
| Yellowfin Tuna | Fair | Fair | Fair | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Weak | Fair | Fair |
| Wahoo | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Great | Great | Great | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Basically, every month of the Key West fishing season holds excellent fishing opportunities for experienced and novice anglers alike. Below, we’ve covered what each month holds, so you can plan your trip based on your chosen fish species. Or, you can check out what’s biting right now.
January
If you’re visiting Key West in January, then come prepared for changeable weather. Or as changeable as it gets here, anyway! This is generally the coldest month of the year, but daily temperatures still average at around 70°F, rarely dipping below the mid-60s.
There’s one big reason why you should come fishing in Key West in January – Sailfish. Due to their migratory patterns, they can be found swarming offshore waters in huge numbers throughout the winter. They’re joined by that year-round favorite, Wahoo, as well as Cero Mackerel.
If you want to stay closer to shore, the Gulf-side wrecks are home to King Mackerel, large schools of Permit, Cobia, and a variety of Shark species. You may also encounter Blackfin and Bonito Tuna. The flats and backcountry waters can be more unpredictable, but Spotted Seatrout and Pompano are especially plentiful.
February
Spring is slowly but surely approaching. The weather starts warming up during this month, with average daily highs of 75°F. Warm spells linger for longer and cold fronts decrease in length and longevity. It’s the perfect time to spend a day out on the water!
The change in weather has a big impact on flats and backcountry fishing, in particular. Depending on how warm the waters get, it can herald the start of the great Tarpon migration. Key West’s excellent Spotted Seatrout fishery remains strong, and these guys are joined by Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, more Pompano, Snapper species, and Sharks.
Around the wrecks and reefs, especially on the Atlantic side of the island, big schools of Blackfin Tuna gather. Kingfish are moving through on their annual migration, and Barracuda, Cobia, and Snapper species are lurking nearby, too. Further offshore, Sailfish fishing remains strong, and southeasterly winds bring Mahi Mahi with them.
March
As spring arrives, so do some excellent fishing opportunities! March sees surface water temperatures climbing rapidly and usually averaging at around 75°F, whereas on land there are consistent daily highs of around 80°F. Blustery spring weather can make for potentially rough water conditions on the Atlantic but also stirs up the ocean, which makes the bite even hotter.
March is often heralded as the real start of Key West’s sportfishing season. The blue waters south of the city are prime for fishing during this month, holding plenty of Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna species. If you’re spending time around the reefs and wrecks, you can expect to encounter large schools of Jack Crevalle, as well as Lemon and Blacktip Shark.
Inshore waters are heating up, too. Plenty of Permit stalk the flats, but there’s one species that’s on every angler’s lips. Yep, if you’re lucky enough to fish on a day when water temperatures reach 75° or above, you might get yourself a face-to-face meeting with the Silver King – Tarpon – itself!
April
If March marks the true arrival of spring in Key West, then April is the start of summer weather. We’re talking temperatures of around 80°F on a daily basis. This all means one thing – local charter captains see an influx of anglers looking to hit the waters, and most visitors have one thing on their mind…
Tarpon. If you’ve always wanted to tangle with these prehistoric beasts, there’s no better place to visit than Key West in April. As the waters heat up, these fish flock to the flats on their annual migration. And that’s not all. They’re joined by Bonefish and Permit, so if you want to tick a Key West Inshore Grand Slam off your bucket list, this is the time to do it.
It’s not all about inshore fishing, though. Constant calm waters and warm breezes make this month the perfect time to spend a day offshore. Big Mahi Mahi start to show up, and Wahoo, Kingfish, and Tuna all make an appearance. The real star of the show, though, is the mighty Sailfish.
May
Summer has well and truly hit Key West, so you can expect average daily highs in the mid-80s. Waters are calm and glassy, so it’s the perfect time of year to make those long runs offshore. However, this part of Florida is also prone to tropical monsoon weather. Make sure you keep in touch with your guide to check in on weather and fishing conditions.
Tarpon fishing remains strong along the flats, with anglers heading out onto these shallows waters armed with their best light tackle. Bonefish and Permit keep the Silver King company, and it’s not uncommon to encounter huge Bull and Lemon Sharks in the shallows.
If you’re looking to head further offshore, focus your attention around the reefs and wrecks, where you’ll find large schools of Mutton Snapper gathering to spawn. Permit are also spawning during this time, and make their way to the reefs to do so. Grouper season opens back up, so why not plumb the depths of the reefs and see what bites?
June
Rain is likely in Key West during June. But as temperatures soar into the upper 80s, this is something many anglers look forward to during the height of the Key West fishing season! The waters are bustling with fish, and the arrival of school vacation makes this the perfect time to head out for some fun family fishing.
Around the reefs and wrecks, big Barracuda, Kingfish, and Wahoo gather in schools, just waiting to take your bait and treat you to some scorching runs. Offshore, large numbers of Mahi Mahi congregate, and trolling is an especially effective way to target them.
On the flats, it’s still all about Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish, with many anglers opting to fly fish for the Silver King. Head to the backcountry, and you’ll be greeted by even more Tarpon, Spotted Seatrout, Redfish, Snook, and Mutton Snapper as they head to shallow waters.
July
On the water is the place to be when July rolls around in Key West. Temperatures are usually in the 90s – and the fishing is just as hot as the weather, no matter where you choose to cast a line. It’s a great time to combine your angling action with a little swimming or snorkeling, too.
When it comes to Billfish, Key West is best known for its incredible Sailfish fishing. But don’t forget about Marlin! If there ever was a time to come fishing for Blue Marlin in Key West, July is it. If you want to target another member of the Billfish family, you can deep drop for Swordfish, too.
Flats fishing remains hot, with an ever-present opportunity to hook that Key West Inshore Grand Slam. Permit fishing along the flats is especially productive.
August
The summer heat continues through August, and is joined by a cooling ocean breeze. You’ll find plenty of people out on the water, from locals to visiting anglers, in an attempt to beat the heat. Make sure you book your charter in plenty of time – especially as there’s one big draw when it comes to Key West August fishing…
We’re talking about Spiny Lobster, of course. Although the open season for these crustaceans technically kicks off with a two-day sportfishing weekend in July, August is when it opens for a longer time. You’ll find locals and visiting anglers alike heading out into shallow waters in an attempt to catch them. If you’re looking for your own ocean-to-table experience, there’s nothing quite like Lobster fishing here.
Elsewhere, the flats remain hot, hot, hot, with the usual suspects (Tarpon, Permit, and Bonefish) all on offer. Kingfish, Barracuda, Wahoo, and Snapper and Shark varieties gather around the wrecks and reefs. Deep dropping for Swordfish is at its best, and you can catch the Marlin fishing action just before it comes off its peak.
September
The kids are back at school, daily temperatures drop slightly from the 90s to the mid-80s, and the city starts to calm down after the summer rush. This is the perfect time to hit the waters if you’re looking for a relaxing and fun vacation – with plenty of top fish species joining you, of course.
Many local guides and anglers consider September to be the pinnacle of flats fishing in Key West, which says a lot, as you’ll find something biting year-round. Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon will be your main targets. In the backcountry, it’s all about variety, with Kingfish, ‘Cudas, Sharks, Redfish, and more all on offer.
Further offshore, the reefs and wrecks to the east boast large numbers of big, hungry Grouper and Snapper varieties. In the bluewaters, Mahi Mahi can still be found in large numbers, but you’ll usually be going after smaller specimens.
October
This month marks the start of the transition into fall. Temperatures drop into the low 80s, and cold fronts push concentrations of bait fish towards the reefs. This means that bluewater fishing is excellent!
You’ll find pelagics such as Cero Mackerel and Jack Crevalle lurking around the reefs, waiting to chomp on some bait. Grouper and Snapper fishing remains strong, Barracuda are biting hard, and Permit move out towards underwater structure.
Similarly to September, you’ll still find plenty of Mahi Mahi in Key West’s offshore waters, but they’re on the smaller size. Deep dropping for Swordfish is fantastic, though, and you’ll find the occasional Wahoo out in deeper waters too.
November
If your ideal fishing trip involves spending an entire day out on the water without having to battle the heat, November in Key West was made for you. Cooler water temperatures see large schools of ballyhoo moving over the reefs inshore, which brings lots of excellent angling action. As you can see, the Key West fishing season isn’t stopping.
Offshore, the first waves of wintertime Sailfish begin showing up, causing plenty of excitement for local and visiting anglers. The Wahoo bite is off the rails, too, but local guides generally suggest focusing your attention around the reefs. You’ll also find Grouper, Snapper, Permit, Kingfish, and Cobia lurking in these waters.
Warm water inshore species such as Bonefish flee the cold, but Permit fishing remains strong, and you may be able to hook the last few Tarpon. Barracuda leave the reefs and head to inshore waters. ‘Cuda fishing on the flats is plenty of fun, and will get you warmed up in no time! In the backcountry, casting for Spotted Seatrout is a firm favorite.
December
As the end of the year rolls around, Key West is still shining. There are clear, sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s, and very little chance of rain or storms. If you’re looking to escape the cold on a wintertime fishing vacation, look no further!
Around the wrecks, schools of Cobia and plenty of Sharks gather, promising some fast-paced angling action. Schools of ballyhoo are on the move, which often brings bluewater predators such as Mahi Mahi and Kingfish right up onto the reefs. The Sailfish migration is in full swing as well.
Inshore fishing along the flats cools down slightly, but the Permit action is still hot here. Fishing the backcountry in December is a blast, with plenty of fish species on offer – Spotted Seatrout, Sharks, Redfish, Barracuda… it’s all about diversity! What better way to end the year?
The Key West Fishing Season: Year-Round Angling Action!
Knowing all about Key West’s fishing seasons will help you choose the perfect angling adventure, but we have to admit – there isn’t really a bad time to cast a line here. This is why the US’s southernmost city has endured as a world-class fishing location. No matter when you choose to visit this sun-drenched island city, there’ll always be something biting!
When’s your favorite time to go fishing in Key West? What have you caught there? Let us know all of your tips, tricks, and stories in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
