Fresh South Florida Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from South Florida

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 South Florida

A captain like Rich will know exactly where to go and what kind of fish to go after. local experience and knowledge is key to a great day of fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
A captain like Rich will know exactly where to go and what kind of fish to go after. local experience and knowledge is key to a great day of fishing.
Reel Rich Fishing
Reel Rich Fishing
Good fishing, great skyline setting. great trip to catch fish and learn how to be a better angler.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Good fishing, great skyline setting. great trip to catch fish and learn how to be a better angler.
Reward Fishing Fleet - Party Boat
Reward Fishing Fleet - Party Boat
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'
Communicate with captain ahead of time with what you need to bring. Capt wood reached out early with instructions on what we needed for the day. Trip was very smooth for myself and kids.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Communicate with captain ahead of time with what you need to bring. Capt wood reached out early with instructions on what we needed for the day. Trip was very smooth for myself and kids.
Fish With a Pro - Lake Okeechobee
Fish With a Pro - Lake Okeechobee
?? cant catch fish if there is not any poles or bait in the water! Gotta get out there!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
?? cant catch fish if there is not any poles or bait in the water! Gotta get out there!!!
Bulldog Fishing Charters
Bulldog Fishing Charters
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
I’m told The fishery is still recovering from hurricanes and red tide but we caught a lot of fish and some good size to them. We Had very warm weather for January (80’s).
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I’m told The fishery is still recovering from hurricanes and red tide but we caught a lot of fish and some good size to them. We Had very warm weather for January (80’s).
Gulf Coast Charter Service
Gulf Coast Charter Service
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
The boat was great for three to fish from. I would think four would be the most but would be a bit crowder. More than that, I would check with Captain Steve.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The boat was great for three to fish from. I would think four would be the most but would be a bit crowder. More than that, I would check with Captain Steve.
Miss Tra Sea
Miss Tra Sea
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
Highly recommend this trip. Captain was knowledgeable and out to make our trip what we wanted. We caught fish and he let me run alongside a school of dolphins. We will be repeating customers. Boat was very clean ! Very satisfied with our catch and he filleted them for us and gave us great cooking tips.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Highly recommend this trip. Captain was knowledgeable and out to make our trip what we wanted. We caught fish and he let me run alongside a school of dolphins. We will be repeating customers. Boat was very clean ! Very satisfied with our catch and he filleted them for us and gave us great cooking tips.
Gulf Coast Charter Service
Gulf Coast Charter Service
Llevar abrigo y algo para comer y tomar. Las 4hrs rinden perfecto para experimentar la pesca en barco.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Llevar abrigo y algo para comer y tomar. Las 4hrs rinden perfecto para experimentar la pesca en barco.
Saltwater Wizard Sport Fishing – Boca Raton
Saltwater Wizard Sport Fishing – Boca Raton
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
great spot to fish but it requires a bit more fines and patience in cold winter months.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
great spot to fish but it requires a bit more fines and patience in cold winter months.
Red Snarpon Charters Inc.
Red Snarpon Charters Inc.