Our Key West fish species change with the calendar. Almost daily, someone looking to book a charter will ask me when the best time to come to Key West to fish is. And I always respond with a question of my own. “What do you want to fish for?” That is because we have great fishing year round here in Key West. Only the fish species that we can target change throughout the year. So, to help with planning the best fishing trip for you, please check out my Key West fish species calendar below.
For The Best In Key West Sport Fishing Charters
Dream Catcher Charers
January & February
Flats & Backcountry
This is our favorite time of year for what we call the “species hunt” because of all the possible Key West fish species that we can catch inshore this time of year. The fish of the shallows are very susceptible to cold, but warming trends will bring permit onto the flats along with barracudas and sharks. And don’t discount the potential for a tarpon if the warming trends continue. However, cold snaps can actually help activate some fish species of the backcountry area. Just about any day, jack crevalles, ladyfish, mangrove snappers, and trout can be caught this time of year. Add to this a good chance of pompano, redfish, bluefish, and cobia makes for an exciting day of inshore fishing.
Reef & Wreck
Permit, barracudas and cobia are on the wrecks in good numbers along with the different snapper species that are prevalent at the reef year round. Yellowtail snapper are most common, but mutton snapper, jacks, sharks, cobia and mackerel can all be found at the reef this time of year as well. Grouper Season is closed.
Deep Sea
Kingfish are the name of the game offshore this time of year; we even have the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) tournament this month. Other species can be a bit more hit or miss depending on wind direction and weather conditions. But it is not uncommon to get into bonito, wahoo, or sailfish this time of year as well.
Call them at 305-292-7212
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March
Flats & Backcountry
Large permit are on the flats this month. And if you are into fly fishing, look into the March Merkin Permit Tournament. However, March is also a very windy month, so it can make the sight fishing very difficult. There are lots of sharks on the flats this time of year. And when the weather starts to warm up, tarpon will start to show up. Pompano, trout, bluefish, cobia, and ladyfish stick around in the backcountry until the waters start to really warm up. And as always, species like barracudas, snappers, and jacks call this area home year round.
Reef & Wreck
Permit and barracudas are on the wrecks in good numbers along with the different snapper species that are prevalent at the reef year round. Yellowtail snapper are most common, but mutton snapper, jacks, sharks, and mackerel can all be found at the reef this time of year as well. Grouper Season is closed.
Deep Sea
Sailfish and blackfin tunas are running strong this month. And if we get a southerly wind, that can potentially bring in the BIG dolphin (mahi mahi).
April
Flats & Backcountry
Tarpon start showing up strong. And sharks are still up on the flats in numbers. Not a great month for permit as they move offshore to spawn. Barracudas, jacks and snapper are always fun to bend a rod with in the backcountry. And if the weather really warms up, we can start to see some bonefish moving back onto the flats.
Reef & Wreck
Permit move offshore to spawn, so they can be found in good numbers here. This is a good time for blackfin tunas around the shrimp boats. The reef has great snapper fishing. Amberjacks provide a good pull. Grouper Season is closed.
Deep Sea Fishing
Sailfish and blackfin tunas are running strong this month. And if we get a southerly wind, that can potentially bring in the BIG dolphin (mahi mahi).
May & June
Flats & Backcountry
Tarpon, bonefish, and permit all start showing up on the flats. And species such as barracudas, jacks and snapper are always fun to bend a rod with in the backcountry.
Reef & Wreck
This is a good time for blackfin tunas around the shrimp boats. The reef has great snapper fishing. Amberjacks provide a good pull. Grouper season is OPEN!
Deep Sea
Great month for sailfish, dolphin and blackfin tuna. Swordfishing and deep dropping good as the winds die down.
July & August
Flats & Backcountry
It is flats fishing season with tarpon, bonefish and permit around in good numbers. This is also a great time of year for fly fishing if you are into it, and if not, these fish eat from a spinning rod just as well. Species such as barracudas, jacks and snapper in the backcountry provide for more of a rod bending experience this time of year. It is very hot in the summer months, so be sure to hydrate!
August 6th is the opening of lobster season, and snorkeling trips to catch these critters are offered through mid-October.
Reef & Wreck
Grouper and snapper abound!
Deep Sea
Marlin fishing possibilities heighten this time of year. It is a great time for dolphin (mahi mahi), although they generally start to get smaller in size and number as the summer progresses. Wahoo are a potential around the full moon. Swordfishing and deep dropping are good as the winds are down.
Call Island Genn To Set Up A Deep Sea Fishing Charter 305-292-7212
September & October
Flats & Backcountry
This is a favorite time of year for the flats fisherman for tarpon, bonefish, and permit on the flats. Species like as barracudas, jacks and snapper in the backcountry provide for more of a rod bending experience this time of year.
This is lobster season and we can snorkel to catch these crustaceans. Lobstering charters are offered through mid-October.
Reef & Wreck
Grouper and snapper abound!
Deep Sea
Marlin are still a potential this time of year. Dolphin (mahi mahi) are around in smaller numbers. Wahoo are a potential around the full moon. Swordfishing and deep dropping are good as the winds are down.
November
Flats & Backcountry
November is a transitional month. The weather can remain very warm, thus, keeping our fall fishery intact. Or, cold fronts can start to come in and transition our fishery to our winter time species.
Reef & Wreck
Grouper and snapper abound!
Deep Sea
November is a transitional month. The weather can remain very warm, thus, keeping our fall fishery intact. Or, cold fronts can start to come in and transition our fishery to our winter time species.
December
Flats & Backcountry
Permit fishing remains good, but the colder weather shifts down our tarpon and bonefishing. This is the start of our favorite time of year for what we call the species hunt because of all the possible fish species that we can catch inshore this time of year. Just about any day, jack crevalles, ladyfish, mangrove snappers, and trout can be caught this time of year. Add to this a good chance of pompano, redfish, bluefish, and cobia makes for an exciting day of inshore fishing.
Reef & Wreck
Grouper and snapper abound!
Deep Sea
Species can be a bit hit or miss depending on wind direction and weather conditions. But it is not uncommon to get into kingfish, bonito, wahoo, or sailfish this time of year. And if we have a warm December, the dolphin (mahi mahi) may still be around!
Booking a Key West Fishing Trip
Call Island Genn About Key West Fishing…
Office 1-305-292-7212 or Text 1-786-847-3808.
To see what is happening on the island during your visit, check out my Key West Events Calendar to see other upcoming special events that might coincide with your Key West fish species.
And for more information about the fun side of Key West… things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site.
Feel free to Email Me if you have any questions about Key West!!