{"id":34344,"date":"2022-02-05T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T09:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=34344"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:38:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T11:38:19","slug":"key-west-fishing-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/key-west-fishing-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishing Season in Key West: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>Speak to any captain in <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/FL\/key-west?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=34344\">Key West<\/a> about the best time to come fishing here, and chances are you&#8217;ll be met with one response: &#8220;It&#8217;s great year-round!&#8221; 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. <\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/e1cqf64d6f.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='e1cqf64d6f']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/e1cqf64d6f\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"e1cqf64d6f\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">In this video, we&#039;ll take a trip down to Key West, Florida to see why so many people make this town their yearly fishing destination. We&#039;ll go over some of the most popular fishing spots, top target species, and the best time to plan your trip. After this video, you&#039;ll be ready to hit the Keys and explore one of the most beautiful islands in the world.\r\n\r\nKey West marks the southernmost tip of the continental US. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, it&#039;s an essential pit stop for many large migratory fish. This, along with its year round warm climate, makes it one of the most visited fishing spots in the entire country. Whether you&#039;re looking to go sight casting for tarpon or deep sea fishing for sailfish, this area holds a wide variety of opportunities for every type of angler.\r\n\r\nThere&#039;s something from everybody, from toddlers all the way to your grandparents. You could fish all sorts of species, all sorts of levels, you can&#039;t get no better than this weather in spring.\r\n\r\nWe have different seasons with different fish, but we never have a dead season like you get in so many places where you just can&#039;t fish for months and months.\r\n\r\nKey West is one of the most unique places in all the world, as in we have the Atlantic Ocean on our south side, we have the Gulf of Mexico on the north side. It takes an equal amount of time just to run to either one. So depending on the wind conditions, we can run to either ocean.\r\n\r\nFlats fishing around Key West is like something out of Fairy Tail, especially in the summertime.\r\n\r\nI enjoy flats fishing probably the most. I do. I like it because it&#039;s more like hunting as opposed to fishing. You&#039;re stalking one fish, you&#039;re throwing to that fish. It&#039;s more intimate. It&#039;s just a guide and maybe two two people on the boat. You actually look and see and find that fish and throw to that particular fish and hook it.\r\n\r\nThese waters are teeming with Bonefish, Jacks, Tarpon, Snook, Yellowtail Snapper, and many more.\r\n\r\nMy favorite fish would be the Mutton Snapper all around.\r\n\r\nIt&#039;s the best to eat, best fighting fish, and it sure does put a smile on my customer&#039;s face.\r\n\r\nAsk any local where the best place to catch Tarpon is, and they&#039;ll most likely point you in the direction of the old Bahia Honda Bridge. Tarpon flood the channel underneath the bridge as they migrate north, making it one of the top spots to catch a silver cape. On average, they can weigh anywhere between seventy and one hundred and thirty pounds, although many anglers have pulled in ones much bigger than that. Here, you can also hook into Permit, Mutton Snapper, and Hammerhead Shark.\r\n\r\nI love fishing for Permit. They&#039;re one of my favorite fish to catch. There&#039;s few fish in the ocean that fight like them. And I mean, everything about them is hard. You know, they&#039;re, I mean, they&#039;re they&#039;re elusive. They&#039;re extremely strong fighters. And usually when I hook them, they almost pull people off the boat.\r\n\r\nThere&#039;s some great backcountry fishing to be done around Sugarloaf Key Island as well. This island is located about twenty miles east of Key West and easy to reach on day trip. Here, you&#039;ll find pristine mangrove cuts, flats, and creeks filled with lots of fish. The waters are calm and quiet while the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. These clear waters are ideal for sight fishing for Snook, Tarpon, and Permit, as well as Jack Crevally. Stock up on pilchards, squid, or pinfish for bait, and you should have no trouble getting multiple bites in one day.\r\n\r\nThe best part about backcountry fishing in the Keys is that it&#039;s great year round.\r\n\r\nJust twenty miles west of Key West, you can fish a group of uninhabited mangrove islands known as the Marquesas Keys. These patches of rocky bottom hold a large number of Snapper and Grouper species, making it the perfect spot for bottom fishing.\r\n\r\nWe recommend our bottom fishing just because we anchor up on the reef and we are creating an unbelievable bite. As in we anchor up and we put a lot of food in the water with our block chum and we get the fish right up behind the boat. So not only are you catching these fish, but you&#039;re seeing them behind the boat. So you&#039;re feeding the line whether we&#039;re using live bait or minnows or chunk bait, and you&#039;re drifting it back to the fish that are right behind the boat. It&#039;s the water down here is so clear. It&#039;s unbelievable how you can see the fish and hook your own fish.\r\n\r\nMarquesas is also a great spot to fish year round and is highly recommended for beginners and children because there isn&#039;t much waiting time in between catches. Your rod will stay bent and your arms will be put to the test. So bring some extra elbow grease and get ready for a fight. Another great spot you&#039;ve got to check out is Cudjo Key. This island, about twenty miles east of Key West, is a great place to visit if you want to escape the crowded beaches and enjoy a more laid back experience. This area has a vast network of flats, mangrove islands, and channels that are often shallow and great for sight fishing. Here, you can target Snapper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon,Jacks, and many other inshore species.\r\n\r\nIf you wanna get a nice slice of paradise, I&#039;d recommend going on a sandbar retreat, take you out to one of our outer islands that we go relax on on the weekends, could cast out to different fish on the flats, and really get to enjoy Key West the right way.\r\n\r\nIt&#039;s good down here. You guys should come check it out.\r\n\r\nIf you wanna go after big pelagic fish, then pick a charter that will take you out to the marathon humps. This fishery is the closest thing to an actual angling paradise, attracting deep sea fanatics and anglers from all over the country, making it a great spot to deep drop for Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna. You can also target lots of Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, White and Blue Marlin, and Sailfish. Judging by the size and the strength of the fish you&#039;ll be targeting, &#039;ll definitely want to use that fighting chair for some extra leverage.\r\n\r\nThe best trips are the long trips because oftentimes we&#039;ve got to go miles to find dolphin. So a half day is almost a waste of money in the summertime.\r\n\r\nIn the winter, a half day is probably all you need because the fishing is very close. It tends to be a little rougher, and four hours can be more than enough.\r\n\r\nIf you plan on hopping aboard a Key West fishing charter, there&#039;s no need to purchase a fishing license. All head boats, party boats, and charters are licensed to cover everyone on board, and they usually provide rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need to bring is some sun protection, your own food and drinks, and comfortable clothing.\r\n\r\nFishingBooker makes planning your trip extra easy. With hundreds of local guides, verified reviews, and hassle free online bookings, you&#039;ll save time and money and experience an exciting day on the water. So go ahead and visit fishingbooker dot com, take a look at some of the charters in the area, and get ready to start planning your adventure today.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p><\/p><p>Below, we&#8217;ve delved into what you can expect during each month of the year when fishing in Key West, no matter whether you&#8217;re cruising the bays and mangroves, dropping lines around the many reefs, or heading further offshore to explore deep blue waters. Let&#8217;s see what&#8217;s on offer&#8230;<\/p><h2 id=\"what-can-i-expect-from-key-wests-fishing-seasons\">What can I expect from Key West&#8217;s fishing seasons?<\/h2><p>When it comes to booking your Key West fishing trip, there&#8217;s probably one question on your mind. When is high season? Well, unlike most other locations across the US, Key West really doesn&#8217;t have on and off-seasons. It boasts access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and there&#8217;s always something in these waters! <\/p><table class=\"table table-bordered table-hover\">\n   <thead>\n      <tr>\n         <th>Species<\/th>\n         <th>Jan<\/th>\n         <th>Feb<\/th>\n         <th>Mar<\/th>\n         <th>Apr<\/th>\n         <th>May<\/th>\n         <th>Jun<\/th>\n         <th>Jul<\/th>\n         <th>Aug<\/th>\n         <th>Sep<\/th>\n         <th>Oct<\/th>\n         <th>Nov<\/th>\n         <th>Dec<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n   <\/thead>\n   <tbody>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Barracuda<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Bonefish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Redfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Spotted Seatrout<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Tarpon<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n\t  <tr>\n         <td><strong>Permit<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Sharks<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Cobia<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Jack Crevalle<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Lobster<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Grouper<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Ban<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Snapper<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>King Mackerel<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Sailfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Marlin<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Gread<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Swordfish<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Blackfin Tuna<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Yellowfin Tuna<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Weak<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n      <tr>\n         <td><strong>Wahoo<\/strong><\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Great<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Fair<\/td>\n         <td>Good<\/td>\n     <\/tr>\n   <\/tbody>\n<\/table><p>Basically, every month of the Key West fishing season holds excellent fishing opportunities for experienced and novice anglers alike. Below, we&#8217;ve covered what each month holds, so you can plan your trip based on your chosen fish species. Or, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/reports\/destination\/us\/FL\/key-west?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=34344\">check out what&#8217;s biting right now<\/a>. <\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#january\">January<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#february\">February<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#march\">March<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#april\">April<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#may\">May<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#june\">June<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#july\">July<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#august\">August<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#september\">September<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#october\">October<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#november\">November<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#december\">December<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='74' data-destination-title='Key West' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field=''data-filter-value=''data-headline='Top Fishing Charters in Key West'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"january\">January<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142056\/Key-West-Sailfish.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling angler holds a large Sailfish aboard a charter boat with the ocean behind him\" class=\"wp-image-34407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142056\/Key-West-Sailfish.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142056\/Key-West-Sailfish-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142056\/Key-West-Sailfish-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>If you&#8217;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&deg;F, rarely dipping below the mid-60s. <\/p><p>There&#8217;s one big reason why you should come fishing in Key West in January &ndash; <strong>Sailfish<\/strong>. Due to their migratory patterns, they can be found swarming offshore waters in huge numbers throughout the winter. They&#8217;re joined by that year-round favorite, <strong>Wahoo<\/strong>, as well as <strong>Cero Mackerel<\/strong>.<\/p><p>If you want to stay closer to shore, the Gulf-side wrecks are home to <strong>King Mackerel<\/strong>, large schools of <strong>Permit<\/strong>, <strong>Cobia<\/strong>, and a variety of <strong>Shark<\/strong> species. You may also encounter <strong>Blackfin<\/strong> and <strong>Bonito Tuna<\/strong>. The flats and backcountry waters can be more unpredictable, but <strong>Spotted Seatrout<\/strong> and <strong>Pompano<\/strong> are especially plentiful.<\/p><h2 id=\"february\">February<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/a-young-smiling-angler-holding-a-Spotted-Seatrout-1-edited.jpg\" alt=\"A kid smiling holding a Speckled Trout on a boat\" class=\"wp-image-34505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/a-young-smiling-angler-holding-a-Spotted-Seatrout-1-edited.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/a-young-smiling-angler-holding-a-Spotted-Seatrout-1-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/a-young-smiling-angler-holding-a-Spotted-Seatrout-1-edited-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/a-young-smiling-angler-holding-a-Spotted-Seatrout-1-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><p>Spring is slowly but surely approaching. The weather starts warming up during this month, with average daily highs of 75<meta charset=\"utf-8\">&deg;F. Warm spells linger for longer and cold fronts decrease in length and longevity. It&#8217;s the perfect time to spend a day out on the water!<\/p><p>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 <strong>Tarpon<\/strong> migration. Key West&#8217;s excellent <strong>Spotted Seatrout<\/strong> fishery remains strong, and these guys are joined by <strong>Jack Crevalle<\/strong>, <strong>Bluefish<\/strong>, more <strong>Pompano<\/strong>, <strong>Snapper<\/strong> species, and <strong>Sharks<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Around the wrecks and reefs, especially on the Atlantic side of the island, big schools of <strong>Blackfin Tuna<\/strong> gather. <strong>Kingfish<\/strong> are moving through on their annual migration, and <strong>Barracuda<\/strong>, <strong>Cobia<\/strong>, and <strong>Snapper<\/strong> species are lurking nearby, too. Further offshore, <strong>Sailfish<\/strong> fishing remains strong, and southeasterly winds bring <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong> with them. <\/p><div class='reviews-fetcher-container' data-destination-id='74' data-destination-title='Key West' data-category-title='' data-category='' data-category-id='' data-trigger='reviews-fetcher' data-viewport-event='view_reviews_fetcher' data-action='In viewport' data-viewport-category='Reviews' data-label=''>\n                    <h3>What anglers said about fishing in Key West<\/h3>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"march\">March<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1334\" height=\"890\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/Permit-edited.jpg\" alt=\"An angler holding a large Permit fish caught in the Florida Keys flats\" class=\"wp-image-34515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/Permit-edited.jpg 1334w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/Permit-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/Permit-edited-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/Permit-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1334px) 100vw, 1334px\" \/><\/figure><p>As spring arrives, so do some excellent fishing opportunities! March sees surface water temperatures climbing rapidly and usually averaging at around 75<meta charset=\"utf-8\">&deg;F, whereas on land there are consistent daily highs of around 80<meta charset=\"utf-8\">&deg;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. <\/p><p>March is often heralded as the real start of Key West&#8217;s sportfishing season. The blue waters south of the city are prime for fishing during this month, holding plenty of <strong>Sailfish<\/strong>, <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong>, and <strong>Tuna<\/strong> species. If you&#8217;re spending time around the reefs and wrecks, you can expect to encounter large schools of <strong>Jack Crevalle<\/strong>, as well as <strong>Lemon<\/strong> and <strong>Blacktip Shark<\/strong>. <\/p><p>Inshore waters are heating up, too. Plenty of <strong>Permit<\/strong> stalk the flats, but there&#8217;s one species that&#8217;s on every angler&#8217;s lips. Yep, if you&#8217;re lucky enough to fish on a day when water temperatures reach 75<meta charset=\"utf-8\">&deg; or above, you might get yourself a face-to-face meeting with the Silver King&nbsp;&ndash; <strong>Tarpon<\/strong> &ndash; itself!<\/p><h2 id=\"april\">April<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/tarpon-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Angler in the waters of Key West holding a Tarpon he caught.\" class=\"wp-image-34506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/tarpon-edited.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/tarpon-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142041\/tarpon-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>If March marks the true arrival of spring in Key West, then April is the start of summer weather. We&#8217;re talking temperatures of around 80<meta charset=\"utf-8\">&deg;F on a daily basis. This all means one thing &ndash; <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/FL\/key-west?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=34344\">local charter captains<\/a> see an influx of anglers looking to hit the waters, and most visitors have one thing on their mind&#8230;<\/p><p><strong>Tarpon<\/strong>. If you&#8217;ve always wanted to tangle with these prehistoric beasts, there&#8217;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&#8217;s not all. They&#8217;re joined by <strong>Bonefish<\/strong> and <strong>Permit<\/strong>, so if <meta charset=\"utf-8\">you want to tick a Key West Inshore Grand Slam off your bucket list, this is the time to do it.<\/p><p>It&#8217;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 <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong> start to show up, and <strong>Wahoo<\/strong>, <strong>Kingfish<\/strong>, and <strong>Tuna<\/strong> all make an appearance. The real star of the show, though, is the mighty <strong>Sailfish<\/strong>. <\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='74' data-destination-title='Key West' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field='fishFilter'data-filter-value='sailfish'data-headline='Top Sailfish Fishing Charters in Key West'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"may\">May<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/db72135fb670607c24f1489c10ced8b3-edited.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding a Mutton Snapper on a boat in Key West, Florida\" class=\"wp-image-34507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/db72135fb670607c24f1489c10ced8b3-edited.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/db72135fb670607c24f1489c10ced8b3-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/db72135fb670607c24f1489c10ced8b3-edited-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/db72135fb670607c24f1489c10ced8b3-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><p>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&#8217;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. <\/p><p><strong>Tarpon<\/strong> fishing remains strong along the flats, with anglers heading out onto these shallows waters armed with their best light tackle. <strong>Bonefish<\/strong> and <strong>Permit<\/strong> keep the Silver King company, and it&#8217;s not uncommon to encounter huge <strong>Bull<\/strong> and <strong>Lemon Sharks<\/strong> in the shallows. <\/p><p>If you&#8217;re looking to head further offshore, focus your attention around the reefs and wrecks, where you&#8217;ll find large schools of <strong>Mutton Snapper<\/strong> gathering to spawn. <strong>Permit<\/strong> are also spawning during this time, and make their way to the reefs to do so. <strong>Grouper<\/strong> season opens back up, so why not plumb the depths of the reefs and see what bites?<\/p><h2 id=\"june\">June<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/bonefish-e1566474960606-edited.jpg\" alt=\"A man sitting in a boat holding a Bonefish in one hand and a fly rod in the other.\" class=\"wp-image-34516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/bonefish-e1566474960606-edited.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/bonefish-e1566474960606-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/bonefish-e1566474960606-edited-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142038\/bonefish-e1566474960606-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><p>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.<\/p><p>Around the reefs and wrecks, big <strong>Barracuda<\/strong>, <strong>Kingfish<\/strong>, and <strong>Wahoo<\/strong> gather in schools, just waiting to take your bait and treat you to some scorching runs. Offshore, large numbers of <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong> congregate, and trolling is an especially effective way to target them. <\/p><p>On the flats, it&#8217;s still all about <strong>Permit<\/strong>, <strong>Tarpon<\/strong>, and <strong>Bonefish<\/strong>, with many anglers opting to fly fish for the Silver King. Head to the backcountry, and you&#8217;ll be greeted by even more <strong>Tarpon<\/strong>, <strong>Spotted Seatrout<\/strong>, <strong>Redfish<\/strong>, <strong>Snook<\/strong>, and <strong>Mutton Snapper<\/strong> as they head to shallow waters. <\/p><h2 id=\"july\">July<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/1ea7f86ce35571c3662e699e024a0b26-edited.jpg\" alt=\"A Blue Marlin being released from a boat\" class=\"wp-image-34508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/1ea7f86ce35571c3662e699e024a0b26-edited.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/1ea7f86ce35571c3662e699e024a0b26-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/1ea7f86ce35571c3662e699e024a0b26-edited-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142040\/1ea7f86ce35571c3662e699e024a0b26-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure><p>On the water is the place to be when July rolls around in Key West. Temperatures are usually in the 90s &ndash; and the fishing is just as hot as the weather, no matter where you choose to cast a line. It&#8217;s a great time to combine your angling action with a little swimming or snorkeling, too. <\/p><p>When it comes to Billfish, Key West is best known for its incredible <strong>Sailfish<\/strong> fishing. But don&#8217;t forget about Marlin! If there ever was a time to come fishing for <strong>Blue Marlin<\/strong> in Key West, July is it. If you want to target another member of the Billfish family, you can deep drop for <strong>Swordfish<\/strong>, too.<\/p><p>Flats fishing remains hot, with an ever-present opportunity to hook that Key West Inshore Grand Slam. <strong>Permit<\/strong> fishing along the flats is especially productive. <\/p><h2 id=\"august\">August<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"A young woman holding two Lobsters caught on a Key West spearfishing trip\" class=\"wp-image-14799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/05\/14145604\/Key-West-Lobster-Fishing-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>The summer heat continues through August, and is joined by a cooling ocean breeze. You&#8217;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 &ndash; especially as there&#8217;s one big draw when it comes to Key West August fishing&#8230;<\/p><p>We&#8217;re talking about <strong>Spiny Lobster<\/strong>, 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&#8217;ll find locals and visiting anglers alike heading out into shallow waters in an attempt to catch them. If you&#8217;re looking for your own ocean-to-table experience, there&#8217;s nothing quite like Lobster fishing here.<\/p><p>Elsewhere, the flats remain hot, hot, hot, with the usual suspects (<strong>Tarpon<\/strong>, <strong>Permit<\/strong>, and <strong>Bonefish<\/strong>) all on offer. <strong>Kingfish<\/strong>, <strong>Barracuda<\/strong>, <strong>Wahoo<\/strong>, and <strong>Snapper<\/strong> and <strong>Shark<\/strong> varieties gather around the wrecks and reefs. Deep dropping for <strong>Swordfish<\/strong> is at its best, and you can catch the <strong>Marlin<\/strong> fishing action just before it comes off its peak. <\/p><h2 id=\"september\">September<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Angler-holding-a-big-Barracuda-edited.jpg\" alt=\"An angler on a boat holding a big Barracuda\" class=\"wp-image-34509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Angler-holding-a-big-Barracuda-edited.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Angler-holding-a-big-Barracuda-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Angler-holding-a-big-Barracuda-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>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&#8217;re looking for a relaxing and fun vacation &ndash; with plenty of top fish species joining you, of course.<\/p><p>Many local guides and anglers consider September to be the pinnacle of flats fishing in Key West, which says a lot, as you&#8217;ll find something biting year-round. <strong>Bonefish<\/strong>, <strong>Permit<\/strong>, and <strong>Tarpon<\/strong> will be your main targets. In the backcountry, it&#8217;s all about variety, with <strong>Kingfish<\/strong>, <strong>&#8216;Cudas<\/strong>, <strong>Sharks<\/strong>, <strong>Redfish<\/strong>, and more all on offer. <\/p><p>Further offshore, the reefs and wrecks to the east boast large numbers of big, hungry <strong>Grouper<\/strong> and <strong>Snapper<\/strong> varieties. In the bluewaters, <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong> can still be found in large numbers, but you&#8217;ll usually be going after smaller specimens. <\/p><h2 id=\"october\">October<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/11\/14142504\/Mahi-Mahi.jpg\" alt=\"An angler holding a Mahi Mahi with the ocean in the background\" class=\"wp-image-32586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/11\/14142504\/Mahi-Mahi.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/11\/14142504\/Mahi-Mahi-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/11\/14142504\/Mahi-Mahi-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>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!<\/p><p>You&#8217;ll find pelagics such as <strong>Cero Mackerel<\/strong> and <strong>Jack Crevalle<\/strong> lurking around the reefs, waiting to chomp on some bait. <strong>Grouper<\/strong> and <strong>Snapper<\/strong> fishing remains strong, <strong>Barracuda<\/strong> are biting hard, and <strong>Permit<\/strong> move out towards underwater structure. <\/p><p>Similarly to September, you&#8217;ll still find plenty of <strong>Mahi Mahi<\/strong> in Key West&#8217;s offshore waters, but they&#8217;re on the smaller size. Deep dropping for <strong>Swordfish<\/strong> is fantastic, though, and you&#8217;ll find the occasional <strong>Wahoo<\/strong> out in deeper waters too. <\/p><h2 id=\"november\">November<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143402\/Wahoo-man.jpg\" alt=\"A man holds a large Wahoo with the open water behind him\" class=\"wp-image-27654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143402\/Wahoo-man.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143402\/Wahoo-man-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/05\/14143402\/Wahoo-man-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>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&#8217;t stopping.<\/p><p>Offshore, the first waves of wintertime <strong>Sailfish<\/strong> begin showing up, causing plenty of excitement for local and visiting anglers. The <strong>Wahoo<\/strong> bite is off the rails, too, but local guides generally suggest focusing your attention around the reefs. You&#8217;ll also find <strong>Grouper<\/strong>, <strong>Snapper<\/strong>, <strong>Permit<\/strong>, <strong>Kingfish<\/strong>, and <strong>Cobia<\/strong> lurking in these waters. <\/p><p>Warm water inshore species such as <strong>Bonefish<\/strong> flee the cold, but <strong>Permit<\/strong> fishing remains strong, and you may be able to hook the last few <strong>Tarpon<\/strong>. <strong>Barracuda<\/strong> leave the reefs and head to inshore waters. &#8216;Cuda fishing on the flats is plenty of fun, and will get you warmed up in no time! In the backcountry, casting for <strong>Spotted Seatrout <\/strong>is a firm favorite. <\/p><h2 id=\"december\">December<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143813\/Cobia-fishing-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An angler holding out a Cobia aboard a charter boat\" class=\"wp-image-24610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143813\/Cobia-fishing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143813\/Cobia-fishing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143813\/Cobia-fishing-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2021\/03\/14143813\/Cobia-fishing.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>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&#8217;re looking to escape the cold on a wintertime fishing vacation, look no further! <\/p><p>Around the wrecks, schools of <strong>Cobia<\/strong> and plenty of <strong>Sharks<\/strong> gather, promising some fast-paced angling action. Schools of ballyhoo are on the move, which often brings bluewater predators such as<strong> Mahi Mahi<\/strong> and <strong>Kingfish<\/strong> right up onto the reefs. The <strong>Sailfish<\/strong> migration is in full swing as well. <\/p><p>Inshore fishing along the flats cools down slightly, but the <strong>Permit<\/strong> action is still hot here. Fishing the backcountry in December is a blast, with plenty of fish species on offer &ndash; <strong>Spotted Seatrout<\/strong>, <strong>Sharks<\/strong>, <strong>Redfish<\/strong>, <strong>Barracuda<\/strong>&#8230; it&#8217;s all about diversity! What better way to end the year?<\/p>    <h2 id=\"key-west-fishing-season-faqs\">Key West Fishing Season FAQs<\/h2>\n<div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf\" class=\"fbgb-faq-block aligncenter fbgb-faq-style-accordion\">\n    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-container\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"0\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-0\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What is the best month to fish in Key West?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-0\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Fishing in Key West is always a good idea! However, if we had to pick one month, it would be June or July, as these months promise screaming reels and tight lines inshore, nearshore, and offshore. Almost all game fish are up for grabs during this time, including the legendary Red Snapper. Check out our month-by-month overview above to see what\u2019s biting each month, and swipe the table left and right to view all months.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"1\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-1\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What fish are in season in January in Key West?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-1\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>Winter in Key West means anything but slumber. January, in particular, offers everything from inshore species like Spotted Seatrout and Jack Crevalle to nearshore and offshore stars such as Cobia, King Mackerel, and Sailfish.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-item \" data-faq-item=\"2\">\n                <div class=\"fbgb-faq-question\" \n                     role=\"button\" \n                     tabindex=\"0\" \n                     aria-expanded=\"false\"\n                     aria-controls=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-2\">\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-question-text\">What months should I avoid Key West?<\/span>\n                    <span class=\"fbgb-faq-icon\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6.5 12.4L12 8l5.5 4.4-.9 1.2L12 10l-4.5 3.6-1-1.2z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                <div id=\"fbgb-faq-69fb94c0eeeaf-item-2\" \n                     class=\"fbgb-faq-answer \"\n                     aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <div class=\"fbgb-faq-answer-content\">\n                        <p>From a fishing perspective, there\u2019s no bad month to visit Key West. However, August and September fall within peak hurricane season, when the likelihood of tropical storms is higher. If you plan a fishing trip during these months, it\u2019s important to monitor weather forecasts closely and stay in contact with your charter captain, as trips may need to be adjusted or rescheduled.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the best month to fish in Key West?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Fishing in Key West is always a good idea! However, if we had to pick one month, it would be June or July, as these months promise screaming reels and tight lines inshore, nearshore, and offshore. Almost all game fish are up for grabs during this time, including the legendary Red Snapper. 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If you plan a fishing trip during these months, it&rsquo;s important to monitor weather forecasts closely and stay in contact with your charter captain, as trips may need to be adjusted or rescheduled.\"}}]}<\/script><h2 id=\"the-key-west-fishing-season-year-round-angling-action\">The Key West Fishing Season: Year-Round Angling Action!<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Key-West-edited.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of Key West showing the cityscape and the water\" class=\"wp-image-34510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Key-West-edited.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Key-West-edited-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2022\/01\/14142039\/Key-West-edited-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p>Knowing all about Key West&#8217;s fishing seasons will help you choose the perfect angling adventure, but we have to admit &ndash; there isn&#8217;t really a bad time to cast a line here. This is why the US&#8217;s southernmost city has endured as a world-class fishing location. No matter when you choose to visit this sun-drenched island city, there&#8217;ll always be something biting!<\/p><p><em>When&#8217;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!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Speak to any captain in Key West about the best time to come fishing here, and chances are you&#8217;ll be met with one response: &#8220;It&#8217;s great year-round!&#8221; 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":34385,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1474],"tags":[358,356,340,347,343,572,408,341],"class_list":["post-34344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-licenses-regulations","tag-beginners-advice","tag-big-game-fishing","tag-florida","tag-inshore-fishing","tag-key-west","tag-mutton-snapper","tag-sailfish","tag-tarpon"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Fishing Season in Key West: The Complete Guide for 2026 - FishingBooker Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/key-west-fishing-season\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fishing Season in Key West: The Complete Guide for 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Want to know everything about the Key West fishing season so you can plan the perfect trip? 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