Swordfish Fishing: Deep-Dropping for the Ultimate Prize
Swordfish rank among the most sought-after saltwater species along the American coast. Whether you are an experienced of...
Read MoreFlorida · Keys
KEY WEST
FISHING CHARTERS
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21+
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About
Key West Fishing
Key West sits at the end of the Overseas Highway and the beginning of a world-class fishing adventure. The surrounding waters offer an unmatched diversity of fishing environments, from the shallow backcountry flats of the Gulf side to the deep blue Atlantic waters just minutes from the harbor. Tarpon, permit, and bonefish roam the flats, while the reef line produces yellowtail snapper, grouper, and hogfish. Offshore, the Gulf Stream delivers mahi mahi, wahoo, sailfish, and blue marlin.
Key West has been a premier sportfishing destination for over a century, with a deep-rooted fishing culture and some of the most experienced charter captains in the world. The warm, clear waters fish well year-round, and the variety of species available on any given day is truly staggering. Whether you want to sight-cast to tarpon on the flats, drop baits on the reef, or troll the Gulf Stream for big game, Key West has it all.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Key West?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
P | P | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | P | P |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
F | F | F | F | G | G | G | G | P | G | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | F | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | P | P | P | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | F | F | F |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
P | P | P | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | P | P | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
G | G | G | G | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
G | G | G | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | G | G |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | G | P | P | P | P | G | G | F | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | G | P | P | P | P | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | F | G | G | F | - | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Key West Fish Species
21+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Key West
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Key West Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Key West.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Key West Fishing Reviews
Permit on the flats — a fly fisher's dream
Poled the flats west of Key West and found tailing permit in gin-clear water over white sand. Threw crab patterns on a 10-weight and hooked four permit, landing two beautiful fish over 20 pounds. Key West permit fishing on the fly is the ultimate challenge.
C
Captain Rafael
March 2025
Permit
Bonefish
Yellowfin tuna were on the bite
Made the run to the Humps south of Key West and found yellowfin tuna busting on the surface. Threw poppers and chunked live bait and caught six yellowfin between 30 and 60 pounds. Also hooked a sailfish that put on an aerial show. Key West offshore is world-class.
C
Captain Vanessa
January 2025
Yellowfin Tuna
Sailfish
Tarpon migration was absolutely epic
Fished the channels and bridges around Key West during the peak tarpon migration and these fish were everywhere. Drifted live mullet and jumped 10 tarpon, landing five beautiful silvers between 80 and 130 pounds. Key West in May is tarpon paradise.
C
Captain Terrence
May 2025
Tarpon
Mahi mahi color explosion on the weed lines
Found beautiful weed lines about 20 miles south and the mahi were stacked underneath them. Caught over 20 mahi on light spinning tackle and the colors were absolutely electric. Also picked up a nice wahoo trolling between weed patches.
C
Captain Naomi
April 2025
Mahi Mahi
Wahoo
Bonefish and permit grand slam day
Had the incredible luck of catching a bonefish, permit, and tarpon all in one day on the Key West flats. Started with bones on the morning tide, picked up a permit midday, and jumped a tarpon at sunset. A Keys grand slam is the pinnacle of flats fishing.
C
Captain Gordon
November 2025
Bonefish
Permit
Tarpon
Reef fishing off the Marquesas was phenomenal
Fished the patch reefs and wrecks between Key West and the Marquesas and the variety was unbelievable. Caught yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, and hogfish all in one spot. The Keys reef fishing is in a league of its own.
C
Captain Celeste
February 2025
Yellowtail Snapper
Mutton Snapper
Hogfish
Start Your Adventure
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