Florida Keys Fishing Calendar: What to Catch Each Month

There really isn’t a bad month to go fishing in the Florida Keys.

The better question is: What do you want to catch?

Fishing changes throughout the year as water temperatures, baitfish, currents and weather patterns change. Sailfish may get most of the attention during the cooler months, while spring brings tarpon and mahi-mahi into the picture. Summer can mean excellent mahi fishing, reef fishing and calm early mornings on the water.

This Florida Keys fishing calendar gives you a month-by-month look at what you might target when planning your trip.

Florida Keys Fishing Calendar at a Glance

These are general seasonal patterns. Fishing can change considerably from year to year and even from one week to the next.

January Fishing in the Florida Keys

January is a great month for anglers who enjoy offshore fishing.

Cooler water brings increased opportunities for species such as:

• Sailfish
• Wahoo
• King mackerel
• Blackfin tuna
• Mutton snapper
• Yellowtail snapper

Sailfish are one of the biggest attractions during the winter. Anglers frequently target them along the reef edge and areas holding concentrations of bait.

Wahoo are another reason to visit during the cooler months.

If offshore fishing isn’t your thing, reef fishing can also produce plenty of action.

Good for: Sailfish anglers, offshore fishing and reef fishing.

February Fishing in the Florida Keys

February continues many of the patterns that start in January.

Depending on conditions, anglers may find:

• Sailfish
• Wahoo
• Kingfish
• Blackfin tuna
• Cobia
• Snapper

Tarpon can also begin appearing in increasing numbers as winter moves toward spring.

February is worth considering if you’re escaping cold weather farther north and want to combine a Florida vacation with a fishing trip.

Good for: Sailfish, wahoo and mixed offshore fishing.

March Fishing in the Florida Keys

March is when the fishing calendar starts getting particularly interesting.

Water temperatures begin warming and spring patterns develop.

Possible targets include:

• Tarpon
• Permit
• Sailfish
• Blackfin tuna
• Mutton snapper
• Yellowtail snapper

Tarpon season begins gaining momentum. Islamorada and other parts of the Keys are well known for their spring tarpon fishing.

March can give visiting anglers access to both lingering winter species and fish associated with warmer spring conditions.

Good for: Anglers who want several different fishing options during one trip.

April Fishing in the Florida Keys

April may be one of the most versatile fishing months of the year.

Tarpon fishing can be excellent, and offshore anglers start paying more attention to mahi-mahi.

Fish you may encounter include:

• Tarpon
• Mahi-mahi
• Permit
• Blackfin tuna
• Mutton snapper
• Grouper

You can spend one day fishing around bridges or channels for tarpon and another heading offshore looking for mahi.

That variety makes April particularly attractive for anglers planning a multi-day fishing vacation.

Good for: Tarpon, mahi-mahi and anglers wanting a mixed fishing trip.

May Fishing in the Florida Keys

May is one of my favorite months on the Florida Keys fishing calendar.

Why?

Because several highly sought-after species can be available at the same time.

Targets can include:

• Tarpon
• Mahi-mahi
• Permit
• Blackfin tuna
• Mutton snapper
• Yellowtail snapper
• Grouper

Mahi fishing becomes a major attraction offshore as anglers search for weed lines, floating debris, birds and other signs of feeding fish.

At the same time, tarpon fishing remains a major draw closer to shore.

Good for: Mahi and tarpon fishing.

June Fishing in the Florida Keys

Summer fishing is underway by June.

Mahi-mahi are one of the biggest offshore targets, while reef fishing gives anglers another option.

Potential catches include:

• Mahi-mahi
• Tarpon
• Yellowtail snapper
• Mutton snapper
• Blackfin tuna
• Permit

Summer heat also becomes a factor.

Many anglers prefer leaving early in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures before the afternoon heat and thunderstorms become more likely.

Good for: Mahi fishing, reef fishing and early-morning trips.

July Fishing in the Florida Keys

July combines fishing with peak summer vacation season.

Offshore anglers commonly search for mahi, while reef fishermen can target several species of snapper.

Possible targets include:

• Mahi-mahi
• Yellowtail snapper
• Mutton snapper
• Permit
• Tarpon
• Various offshore species

July is also associated with Florida’s lobster mini-season, which can bring considerably more boat traffic to portions of the Keys.

If you’re planning a fishing trip around that period, check the current dates and local rules before making reservations.

Good for: Mahi fishing and family summer fishing trips.

August Fishing in the Florida Keys

August doesn’t mean fishing stops because it’s hot.

Mahi can still be found offshore and reef fishing remains an option.

Species worth considering include:

• Mahi-mahi
• Yellowtail snapper
• Mutton snapper
• Permit
• Tarpon
• Blackfin tuna

Getting on the water early can make August fishing more comfortable.

The first few hours after sunrise can be much nicer than spending the hottest part of the afternoon on an exposed boat.

Good for: Early-morning offshore and reef trips.

September Fishing in the Florida Keys

September often receives less attention than spring and winter fishing.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t fish to catch.

Depending on conditions, September opportunities can include:

• Mahi-mahi
• Blackfin tuna
• Snapper
• Permit
• Tarpon
• Other reef and offshore species

One major consideration is weather.

September falls during Atlantic hurricane season, so anyone booking a Florida Keys trip should pay close attention to forecasts and cancellation policies.

Good for: Anglers looking at an early-fall trip who have some scheduling flexibility.

October Fishing in the Florida Keys

October begins the transition toward cooler-season fishing.

Mahi may still be available while other offshore species become increasingly interesting.

Possible targets include:

• Blackfin tuna
• Wahoo
• Sailfish
• King mackerel
• Snapper
• Mahi-mahi

For anglers who don’t need to travel during summer vacation season, October can be an appealing month to consider.

Good for: Mixed offshore fishing.

November Fishing in the Florida Keys

November is when winter-style offshore fishing starts becoming a bigger part of the conversation.

Fish may include:

• Sailfish
• Wahoo
• King mackerel
• Blackfin tuna
• Yellowtail snapper
• Mutton snapper

Cold fronts can affect conditions, but they can also be associated with changes in the fishing.

Sailfish become an especially popular target as cooler weather arrives.

Good for: Sailfish and wahoo anglers.

December Fishing in the Florida Keys

Want to trade snow for a fishing rod?

December can be a great time to head south.

Potential targets include:

• Sailfish
• Wahoo
• King mackerel
• Blackfin tuna
• Yellowtail snapper
• Mutton snapper

It’s also a popular vacation period, so fishing charters and accommodations may book earlier around Christmas and New Year’s.

Good for: Winter vacations combined with offshore fishing.

What Is the Best Month to Fish the Florida Keys?

There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

The best month depends on what you want to catch.

If tarpon are your main goal, spring into early summer deserves a close look.

If you’re dreaming about mahi-mahi, late spring and summer are popular times to plan an offshore trip.

If you want sailfish, the cooler months are generally more attractive.

If you mainly want to bend a rod and aren’t particular about the species, you can find fishing opportunities throughout the year.

What Is the Best Season for Florida Keys Fishing?

Think of the year roughly like this:

Winter

Look toward sailfish, wahoo, kingfish, tuna and reef species.

Spring

Tarpon become a major attraction and mahi fishing begins picking up offshore.

Summer

Mahi fishing can be a major draw, with reef fishing and other offshore options available.

Fall

Fishing transitions from summer patterns toward cooler-season species such as wahoo and sailfish.

The exact timing can change according to water temperature, currents, bait and weather.

Where Should You Fish in the Florida Keys?

Another benefit of fishing the Keys is the number of different environments packed into a relatively small area.

You can fish:

• Offshore
• Reefs
• Wrecks
• Flats
• Bridges
• Backcountry
• Beaches
• Piers
• From a kayak

You also have several major fishing destinations to choose from.

Key Largo

Key Largo gives anglers access to offshore fishing, reefs and Florida Bay.

Islamorada

Islamorada has a long sportfishing history and is particularly well known for offshore, backcountry, flats and tarpon fishing.

Marathon

Marathon’s location in the Middle Keys gives anglers access to reefs, bridges, offshore water and Florida Bay.

Lower Keys

The Lower Keys provide opportunities for flats fishing, backcountry fishing and offshore trips.

Key West

Key West gives anglers access to everything from flats and wrecks to offshore blue water.

Your target fish should help determine which part of the Keys makes the most sense for your trip.

Should You Hire a Florida Keys Fishing Charter?

If this is your first fishing trip to the Keys, hiring a local captain can save a lot of trial and error.

Local guides spend hundreds of days on these waters.

They know where bait has been showing up, what has been biting recently and which type of fishing makes sense given the conditions that day.

Before booking, ask the captain:

• What species are you currently catching?
• What trip length do you recommend?
• Is fishing equipment included?
• Is bait included?
• Do I need a fishing license?
• Can we keep legal fish?
• Will you clean our catch?
• What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
• Is gratuity customary?
• What should we bring?

Don’t choose a charter based only on the biggest fish photos you see online.

Try to find a captain who regularly does the type of fishing you want to do.

Do You Need a Florida Fishing License?

Fishing-license requirements depend on how and where you’re fishing and whether an exemption applies.

One advantage of fishing with many properly licensed saltwater charter operations is that passengers may be covered under the vessel’s license.

Don’t assume that’s the case.

Ask your captain before your trip.

If you’re fishing on your own, check Florida’s current license requirements before putting a line in the water.

Check Current Fishing Regulations Before Keeping Fish

A fish being available to catch does not necessarily mean you can legally keep it.

Seasons, bag limits, size limits and other regulations can change.

Rules can also differ depending on whether you’re fishing in state or federal waters.

Check the current regulations for:

• Open and closed seasons
• Minimum and maximum sizes
• Daily bag limits
• Vessel limits
• Required permits
• Gear requirements
• State versus federal waters

Do this before every trip rather than relying on an old fishing report or blog post.

Florida Keys Fishing FAQ

Can you fish in the Florida Keys year-round?

Yes. Different species and fishing styles become more or less productive throughout the year, but anglers fish the Florida Keys during all 12 months.

What months are best for tarpon in the Florida Keys?

Spring and early summer are particularly popular for migrating tarpon, though tarpon can be encountered outside that period.

What months are best for mahi-mahi in the Florida Keys?

Mahi fishing generally becomes a bigger attraction during spring and continues through the warmer months.

What months are best for sailfish in the Florida Keys?

The cooler months are generally considered prime time for Florida Keys sailfish fishing.

Is fishing better in Key West or Islamorada?

Both can offer excellent fishing.

The better choice depends on the fish you want to target, the fishing style you prefer and the time of year you’re visiting.

Is January a good month for fishing in the Florida Keys?

Yes. January can provide good opportunities for sailfish, wahoo, king mackerel, tuna and reef species.

Is summer too hot for fishing in the Florida Keys?

No, but early departures can make summer trips much more comfortable. Summer can offer excellent mahi and reef fishing.

Plan Your Florida Keys Fishing Trip

The Florida Keys offer something that relatively few fishing destinations can match: legitimate fishing opportunities every month of the year.

Instead of asking whether fishing will be good during your vacation, start by asking what species are likely to be available when you’re visiting.

Then choose your location, fishing style and charter accordingly.

And if your dates are flexible, turn the process around.

Pick the fish you want to catch first, use this Florida Keys fishing calendar to choose your month, and plan your trip around that opportunity.

That’s a pretty good excuse to start planning another fishing trip.