Your Guide to Fishing Seasons in Key West

Fishing in Key West, Florida. Key West is a home to some of the best fishing locations in North America. As a prime fishing spot that’s popular all year round, the city offers a wide range of fishing opportunities, making it a perfect option for your upcoming fishing trip. Fishing Locations and Species in Key West, Florida Conveniently located between two prominent bodies of water, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Key West is a major spot for numerous pelagic migratory sources of fish. While you should head to Key West in the summertime to catch marlin, you’ll find an array of prevalent species such as wahoo, sailfish, tuna, and mahi mahi in the Gulf at various points throughout the year. Other prevalent species you can anticipate catching in Key West include tarpon, permit, and bonefish. If you’re on the prowl for tarpon specifically, opt to go fishing in the Keys, as the area is one of the best locations for coming across this particular species. Fishing Seasons in Key West, Florida by Month January The weather in January is variable, which is why flats fishing is unreliable at this time. However, backwater fishing holds steady during this month. You can also expect to catch blackfin tuna and sailfish offshore. February The wind in Key West impacts both flats and offshore fishing, but sight fishing on the flats and backcountry fishing is promising during February. March The month of March marks the end of winter in Key West. As the warm winds head in, permit fishing is still promising. When it comes to offshore fishing, mahi makes an appearance at this time of the year, while tarpon does so in the backcountry. April When the waters start to heat up in April, permit fish retreat to the reef while bonefish begin appearing in the flatlands. Offshore fishing for sailfish and mahi mahi, as well as shark fishing, is promising in April. May May in Key West is the starting point of the tarpon migration. May is also the ideal time to head to the flats to catch not only tarpon, but bonefish and permit as well. June June in Key West is notoriously humid and warm, but there are ample fishing opportunities during the month. Bonefish, permit, and tarpon are readily available on the flatlands, whereas mahi, marlin, swordfish, and wahoo are also prominent at this time. July Key West in July is perfect for early morning and evening fishing for Tarpon. Don’t forget to get ready for lobster season during the last weeks of the month. August While offshore fishing is slow during this season, August in Key West presents a great opportunity for sword-fishing and tailing permit and bonefish. September-October The end of fall in Key West is ideal for catching a wide assortment of species including groupers, yellowtail snappers, and mutton snappers. November-December Due to the wind, reef fishing can be compromised. You’ll still be able to catch permit on the flats in addition to tuna and sailfish. Reach Out to These Top Key West Fishing Trip Guides Looking for the right guide to ensure your next fishing trip to Key West is a success? Connect with one of the guides on our list of top choices in Key West to help you make the most out of your upcoming fishing expedition to Key West.