Florida Keys Fishing
Islamorada isn’t called the Sport Fishing Capital of the World
for nothing—warm Gulf Stream waters lure a wide variety of game
fish toward the islands every season, making the Keys an international
hot spot for professional and recreational anglers alike. Whether you
enjoy trolling the depths or fly fishing in the mangrove-filled backcountry
flats, the Florida Keys has the fish you’ve been looking for.
More fishing tournaments are held in the Keys than anywhere else in the
U.S., and offer a chance to meet other fishermen, test your skills, and
maybe even win some fame and fortune. There are often more than ten different
tournaments occurring from Key Largo to Key West each month, targeting
everything from swordfish to tarpon. Several fishing tournaments are designed
for women or for children, and many benefit various charities.
Backcountry guides can lead you to the best areas for tarpon, permit,
and bonefish, all of which are excellent for both game and dinner. Offshore
charters are the best way for big game hunters to catch marlin, mahi mahi,
tuna, and sailfish. Some charters offer overnight trips in boats up to
50’ with luxury amenities, including air conditioning. Reef fishing
for grouper and snapper keeps you closer to shore and almost ensures you’ll
dine well that evening.
Florida Keys fishing reports
 |
Dolphin caught off of Islamorada , Florida
Keys |
Florida Keys Fishing: Best Season Chart
Fish |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Dolphin |
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
| Marlin |
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
| Sailfish* |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
| Snapper* |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Grouper |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
| Tuna* |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
| Yellowtail* |
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wahoo* |
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
| Cobia |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Kingfish |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Tarpon* |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bonefish |
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
| Permit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
| Snook |
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Barracuda* |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
* = Abundantly present year-round in the Keys waters
Many of these game fish are in the area before & after the months
given; this table merely represents the prime season for each fish species.
Preparing for Your Fishing Trip
When choosing a charter outfit, decide whether you want to bring your
own tackle or have it provided for you, and check on the availability
of bait and live well capacities. Determine your skill and experience
levels and choose a captain accordingly, since you don’t want him
handing you a rod and a bucket of squid and wandering off, or teaching
you basics if you’re a pro. Most captains will gladly handle a range
of experience levels, but it’s best to be sure before leaving the
dock.
Always bring sunscreen and a camera so you can catch and release but
still prove your adventure tales back home. Release anything you won’t
eat—over fishing now will strip the waters for future generations.
If you’re not keeping your catch, return him to the water as quickly
as possible; also, the faster you can reel your fish in (the less time
it spends fighting), the healthier it will be when returned to the sea.
Tips & Tricks
Anglers in search of dolphin should set out early, head for about 120’
of water, and look for diving birds or drifts of floating sea grasses.
Setting out chum lines helps attract smaller fish, and when you’ve
got a blue runner or some other smaller fish on your line, leave it there—the
dolphin will be drawn to it. Dolphin move through areas quickly, so it
helps to look for other boats and constantly troll instead of sitting
on an anchor.
Amberjacks put up a great fight and can take hours for even an experienced
fisherman to reel in. Look for big amberjacks at large wrecks in over
100 feet of water, and juveniles around the reefs between November and
March. Use a leader of 18 to 25 feet and minimum 50 lb. test, and hook
live bait if you can. Don’t loosen your grip on your rod, or you’ll
lose it when they strike.
Locals say the easiest way to catch a barracuda is with a tube lure
in about 15 to 25 feet of water, and to keep the lure moving or the fish
will become suspicious and wary. While barracuda are an excellent sport
fish because they’ll put up a terrific fight, they’re generally
not eaten. Most of the larger fish (over 5 lbs.) have become toxic to
humans due to their diet of reef algae. Ciguatera poisoning is rarely
fatal, but never desirable. Smaller barracuda can be cut into steaks and
eaten.
 |
Schools of fish on the Coral Reef |
Florida Keys Lobster
The spiny lobster mini-season brings lobster-lovers from across the
globe, so make sure to make your reservations and arrangements in advance.
These lobsters roam the waters from Brazil to Bermuda, though a high concentration
of them inhabits the Keys waters. Once you corner one, make sure your
net or bag is in the right place before they jet off, because these crawfish
escape by shooting backwards through the water. Bring your catch to most
Keys restaurants and they’ll cook it for you, or order theirs and
enjoy the taste without the work. Florida lobster are very similar in
taste and texture to Maine lobster, only smaller. They’re great
boiled, steamed, or grilled, and sold whole, as tails, and as meat in
many local markets.
The two-day Sport Lobster Season is held the last consecutive Wednesday
and Thursday in July, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ending Thursday
at midnight. Upcoming dates are:
• July 27 – 28, 2005
• July 26 – 27, 2006
• July 25 – 26, 2007
During this time, there’s a ban on diving and snorkeling within
300 feet of marinas, canals, and private shorelines to prevent damage
done by overzealous lobster hunters. There are bag limits, restricted
areas, and gear specifications. For complete and up-to-date regulations,
please call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at
850-488-4676 .
The commercial lobster season runs from August to March. Only commercial
license holders may trap lobster & stone crabs, and Florida no longer
issues commercial licenses. Existing licenses must be purchased from another
fisherman.
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