Every month offers something epic. Here’s how to plan around the bite.
One of the best things about fishing in the Keys? It never really stops. Thanks to warm water, mixed habitats, and nonstop bait movement, there’s always something in season. But some species fire harder at certain times of the year. If you want the most dialed-in Florida Keys fishing trip, you need to follow the movement.
This Florida Keys fishing calendar breaks down what to catch and when, so you can line up the right trip with the right season.
Winter (December – February)
Sails, snappers, and structure bites.
In winter, water temps drop just enough to bring in pelagic traffic. Cold fronts push sailfish along the reef edge, while bottom species stay active offshore and near wrecks.
What’s hot:
- Sailfish (tailing conditions near the reef)
- Blackfin tuna (especially around the humps)
- Mutton snapper and yellowtail snapper on reefs
- Cobia cruising with rays and sharks
- Kingfish stacked near structure
This is one of the best times to fish the Florida Keys if you’re into big runs and technical bites.
Spring (March – May)
The transition. Everything wakes up.
Spring fishing brings the first wave of dolphin (mahi), more consistent blackfin action, and the start of tarpon season. It’s also a great window for deep drop trips.
What’s hot:
- Mahi (dolphin) when the run begins
- Blackfin tuna around the humps
- Tarpon in the backcountry and bridges
- Grouper starting to heat up offshore
- Golden tilefish and queen snapper on deep drop days
Spring is your shot at variety, making it a prime season for building a full box and a full photo album.
Summer (June – August)
Peak mahi season. Flat seas. Fun chaos.
Summer is considered the best time to fish the Florida Keys if you’re all about mahi. Calm seas and warm water mean big schools offshore and lots of action. It’s also a great time for deep drop species, reef trips, and sight fishing the flats.
What’s hot:
- Mahi under weed lines and birds
- Amberjack, almaco, and grouper on wrecks
- Yellowtail snapper at night
- Tripletail under trap buoys
- Swordfish during calm weather
- Permit and tarpon on the flats
If you’re planning a summer Florida Keys fishing trip, build in options. The fish are around, and so is the variety.
Fall (September – November)
Big transitions. Bait pushes. Mean weather.
Fall is a wildcard, but if you hit the conditions right, it can be unbeatable. As water temps begin to cool, bigger blackfins show up, sailfish make their first appearance, and reef fishing fires back up.
What’s hot:
- Blackfin tuna in cooler water
- Wahoo near moons and current edges
- Swordfish in deep zones
- Cobia returning to structure
- Snapper and grouper back on the reef
This season depends heavily on weather, but when the windows open, the bite can be world-class.
What Fish Are in Season in the Florida Keys Year-Round?
Not every bite needs perfect timing. Plenty of species hang around twelve months a year, especially on the reef and around structure.
Always possible:
- Yellowtail snapper
- Barracuda
- Mangrove snapper
- Jacks and porgy
- Sharks
- Queen triggerfish
These are reliable targets no matter what month you visit. They’re great additions to any mixed-bag day.
How to Use the Florida Keys Fishing Calendar
Want to chase a specific fish? Use this calendar as your cheat sheet. Here’s how to line it up:
- Winter: Sailfish, tuna, snapper
- Spring: Mahi, tarpon, deep drop species
- Summer: Mahi, swordfish, amberjack
- Fall: Blackfin, wahoo, cobia, snapper
Knowing the Florida fishing seasons helps you plan smarter and fish harder. If you’re flexible, we’ll help you choose the best target species based on real-time conditions.
Let the Bite Pick the Season
The seasonal fishing Florida Keys has to offer is unmatched. Every month brings something unique. Some days are built for reef drops. Others are built for long runs and flying gaffs. And some? They’re built for a cold beer and a bent rod, no matter what’s biting.
Need help lining up dates or species? We’ve got you. The ocean’s open. Let’s go fish.
