Fresh Florida Keys Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from Florida Keys

Key West Fishing Report — Bottom Fishing
Key West Fishing Report — Bottom Fishing
January 12, 2026
Key West Fishing Report: Yesterday we headed out for a productive bottom fishing trip near the reef with live Ballyhoo and plenty of action on rod and reel! ?️ Weather & Sea Conditions • Air Temperature: Typical Key West winter warmth in the low-70s °F range. • Water Temperature: Around 70–75°F — perfect for snapper, grouper and reef species. • Wind: Light to moderate winds from the Northeast around ~7–13 mph — great for reef and nearshore fishing. • Fishing Forecast: Current activity is average, so matching tides and baits continues to be important for consistent bites. ⸻ ? Trip Summary We started the day by stopping to pick up fresh live Ballyhoo to target bottom species — always a productive bait choice for Key West reef and bottom fishing. Once baited up, we headed out to the reef and anchored for bottom fishing. ? Catches & Action • Snapper: We immediately landed three legal snapper right off the anchor — great start! • Groupers: A few groupers came up, but they were undersized so we released them for future conservation. • Barracuda: Opportunistic barracuda were in the mix — these hard-fighting predators love Ballyhoo! • Lane Snapper: We also added some tasty lane snapper to the tally. This kind of mixed-species bottom and reef fishing is classic Key West in January — cooler water temps but active reef bites when tides and calm conditions align. ⸻ ? Tide & Bite Insights • Tides in the area were transitioning throughout the day — fishing around moving water and tide changes helped keep the bites consistent. • Solunar activity was average — combining this with live Ballyhoo and anchored reef drift techniques helped produce steady bites. ⸻ ? What This Means for Anglers If you’re planning a Key West fishing charter for bottom fishing, reef fishing, snapper & grouper trips, now is a great time to head out. Live Ballyhoo continues to be a top bait choice, especially when paired with calm seas and manageable tides. Conditions like yesterday allow for comfortable fishing and steady action, whether you’re chasing snapper, barracuda, or other reef species.
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What anglers said about fishing in Florida Keys

definitely figure out what you want to catch and when the best time to catch them is!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
definitely figure out what you want to catch and when the best time to catch them is!
ScreamingLines Center Console – 27'
ScreamingLines Center Console – 27'
This was a great trip for our family and 12 year old daughters first time fishing on the ocean.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This was a great trip for our family and 12 year old daughters first time fishing on the ocean.
AGM Fishing Charter Capt. Alex
AGM Fishing Charter Capt. Alex
bring some fishing shirts with a hood, everything else is optional, expect to laugh and catch fish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
bring some fishing shirts with a hood, everything else is optional, expect to laugh and catch fish!
Saltnsun
Saltnsun
If you can get to the Keys, you need to get on the water and catch some fish.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
If you can get to the Keys, you need to get on the water and catch some fish.
Infinite Blue – 31' Angler, Veteran Owned
Infinite Blue – 31' Angler, Veteran Owned
Remember, it’s about the whole experience. Catching fish is the goal but it’s never guaranteed. Enjoy every moment you are on the water!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Remember, it’s about the whole experience. Catching fish is the goal but it’s never guaranteed. Enjoy every moment you are on the water!
Salty Dawgs Fishing Charters
Salty Dawgs Fishing Charters
This was an absolute amazing experience and Captain Aaron did a great job putting us on top of fish and being patient with those in our group who had never fished before!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
This was an absolute amazing experience and Captain Aaron did a great job putting us on top of fish and being patient with those in our group who had never fished before!
Sun King Charters
Sun King Charters
sail with captain Anthony he is very knowledgeable , friendly all around the BEST!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
sail with captain Anthony he is very knowledgeable , friendly all around the BEST!
Kilo Whiskey Charters
Kilo Whiskey Charters
everything was setup perfectly, I would recommend bring light snacks and maybe a light jacket or sweater.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
everything was setup perfectly, I would recommend bring light snacks and maybe a light jacket or sweater.
Infinite Blue – 30’WellCraft, Veteran Owned
Infinite Blue – 30’WellCraft, Veteran Owned
I know its called fishing and not catching, but Capt Brad made it a catching trip!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I know its called fishing and not catching, but Capt Brad made it a catching trip!
Southpaw Fishing Charters
Southpaw Fishing Charters
It’s fishing not catching but if you get the right captain you will get on the fish. I’d recommend a smaller boat that can get close to the inshore areas which not only has the fish but is also amazing just to see
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It’s fishing not catching but if you get the right captain you will get on the fish. I’d recommend a smaller boat that can get close to the inshore areas which not only has the fish but is also amazing just to see
Always Somethin' Charters – Key West
Always Somethin' Charters – Key West
but he's mainland we went out about 18 to 20 miles north and west of John Penny camp. the lesser fished areas are usually the best. the ones that are closer to the land are more fish than there's not a lot of fish typically on a cooler day with wind. also we use shrimp as bait. not recommended to use like dead squid as big because it's not indigenous to the area.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
but he's mainland we went out about 18 to 20 miles north and west of John Penny camp. the lesser fished areas are usually the best. the ones that are closer to the land are more fish than there's not a lot of fish typically on a cooler day with wind. also we use shrimp as bait. not recommended to use like dead squid as big because it's not indigenous to the area.
Off-Ice Charters
Off-Ice Charters
Highly recommend a 3/4 day or full day of gishing for the best experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Highly recommend a 3/4 day or full day of gishing for the best experience.
Miller Time Sportfishing
Miller Time Sportfishing
Keep an open mind and trust that your captain is going to have the most knowlege about where to go so you can catch fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Keep an open mind and trust that your captain is going to have the most knowlege about where to go so you can catch fish
Catch & Sea Charters
Catch & Sea Charters
Marathon is nice because it's more low key and fun than the more "serious" (and competitive) sport fishing out of Islamorada. For families or folks just looking to have a good day with lots of fish (and not necessarily break any records for size), then Marathon is better.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Marathon is nice because it's more low key and fun than the more "serious" (and competitive) sport fishing out of Islamorada. For families or folks just looking to have a good day with lots of fish (and not necessarily break any records for size), then Marathon is better.
Ana Banana Fishing Company - Nautic Star
Ana Banana Fishing Company - Nautic Star
Bring some cool weather gear (hats, jacket and gloves) just in case. it can get chilly riding between fishing spots.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring some cool weather gear (hats, jacket and gloves) just in case. it can get chilly riding between fishing spots.
Tropical Tides Fishing Charters
Tropical Tides Fishing Charters
listen to your guide, they wont steer you wrong - Captain Izaak knew everything!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
listen to your guide, they wont steer you wrong - Captain Izaak knew everything!
Fishing Kings
Fishing Kings
Book with Just the tip charters and ask for Captain Drake and his mate Frito!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Just the tip charters and ask for Captain Drake and his mate Frito!
Just The Tip Charters – 34'
Just The Tip Charters – 34'
Be flexible with your time, weather and fish...you never know what you're going to get!!!
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Be flexible with your time, weather and fish...you never know what you're going to get!!!
Island Glow Charters -Key Largo
Island Glow Charters -Key Largo
It was windy today which made the ride rough. We did not have any seasickness but the weather may affect others. We also probably would have caught more fish in calmer water, but the trip was still great!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was windy today which made the ride rough. We did not have any seasickness but the weather may affect others. We also probably would have caught more fish in calmer water, but the trip was still great!
Island Glow Charters -Key Largo
Island Glow Charters -Key Largo
Possibly slightly tougher conditions as many boats had been hitting the reefs hard due to offshore weather, but abundant bites
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Possibly slightly tougher conditions as many boats had been hitting the reefs hard due to offshore weather, but abundant bites
Capt. Conch Charters – Capt. Conch
Capt. Conch Charters – Capt. Conch