Best Times & Season to Fish Florida (Freshwater & Saltwater)

Florida is one of the top destinations for sports fishermen in the World. Knowing the best times to go fishing here can make a huge difference. So what are the best times and seasons to fish in Florida for both saltwater and freshwater?

The best time to fish in the state of Florida in saltwater is normally April through September whereas the best times to fish freshwater are spring through November. Each species of Florida gamefish will have its peak high seasons.

With so many opportunities, the question is posed, what is the best time to fish in Florida? In this article we are going to break this question down and look at the five key regions in Florida, as well as many of the prominent species, both saltwater and freshwater, you’ll find in the state.

Key Regions of Florida: Best Fishing Times 

Gulf Coast (includes Central FL and the Panhandle)

The Gulf Coast of Florida is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state. This region includes Pensacola, Destin, and Panama City. These are also the most popular tourist towns in Florida. This means their fishing charters get books several months in advance. 

The Best time to fish the Gulf Coast of Florida is May to October, though the fishing here can be excellent all year round depending on the fish you’re after.

If you’re looking to go into the deep waters of the Gulf, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and snapper are some of the most popular caught here. Inland freshwater fishing on the Gulf Coast yields some of the world’s best bass and catfish fishing. 

To learn everything about Florida fishing to include charters, tips, seasons, and tactics, check out this helpful site.

For a complete guide to the best mahi mahi fishing seasons in Florida, please check out this helpful article. To learn the best seasons to fish in Panama City, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic Gulf Stream comes mere miles from Florida’s Atlantic Coast, bringing with it consistently warm waters that equal a large selection of saltwater species. The St John’s River, which meats the Atlantic near Jacksonville, is also a contributor to why the Atlantic Coast of Florida is home to some amazing fishing. 

The best season to fish the Atlantic Coast of Florida is the fall months of October and November. Fishing offshore will peak again during the spring. The Best time to fish the freshwaters along the Atlantic coast of Florida is during the summer months. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Smyrna Beach, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Jacksonville, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Palm Beach, please check out this helpful article.

South Florida

South Florida is a great choice when deciding where to fish in Florida. In this region, the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico merge creating the perfect place to land a big marlin or wahoo offshore while not being more than a few miles from some of the best inland freshwater fishing in the State. 

The best season to fish in South Florida is during the summer as the migratory species have made these waters their home for the season. 

For a complete breakdown of the best seasons to fish Miami, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Fort Lauderdale, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Florida Keys

If a tropical fishing experience is what you are after but don’t want to go out of the country, the Florida Keys is where you want to go. The Florida Keys are considered by many to be the sportfishing capital of the world. From world-record billfish to incredible bonefish, the Florida Keys has it all. 

The best time to fish the Florida Keys is from April to October. During this time, you’ll be able to take your pick on which species to do after in the deep or find abundant bonefish and tarpon in the flats of the Keys.

For a complete breakdown of the best times & seasons to fish the Florida Keys, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Florida Freshwater

Saltwater fishing isn’t all that makes Florida the fishing capital of the world. Mainland Florida offers some of the best freshwater lakes in the world, with a mix of bass, crappie, catfish, and alligator gar in the list of species you can fish. In fact, there is an estimated 7,800 lakes in Florida that cover more than an acre, meaning you can’t go far without a spot to wet a hook. 

The best season to freshwater fish in Florida is actually all year round. Though storms are always a possibility, the mild climate makes for great fishing any time of the year.

To learn the best times to fish in the Everglades, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Florida

These Florida-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

• Chasin’ Tail Fishing Charters (Sarasota, FL)
• La Costa Charters (Treasure Island, FL)
• Smokin’ Hooks Charters (Naples, FL)
• Deep Color Fishing (St. Petersburg, FL)
• Reel Easy Charters (Key West, FL)
• East Pass Inshore Charters (Destin, FL)
• Easy Does It Charters (Key West, FL)
• Fish Key West – The Coolcast (Key West, FL)
• Leisure Life Charters (St. Petersburg, FL)

Florida Species Break Down: Best Times & Seasons

In this section, we are going to break down some of the top species of fish in Florida to see what the best time and season is for them as well as which location from above is best for that species. 

Sailfish

The best season to sailfish in Florida is going to be during the winter months. As the first cold front hits in November, you’ll see the sailfish begin to show up in the Florida Keys and begin migrating North.

The best region to sailfish in Florida is going to be the Florida Keys, while they are popular up the Atlantic Coast. Sailfish can be found in the Gulf but often require a 45+ mile trek to find the deeper waters where they like to stay. 

The worst times for sailfish in Florida is during the summer months, though they can still be found in the deeper waters well offshore.

Marlin

The best time to marlin fish in Florida is between the months of August and October. Though they can be caught during the late spring and early fall months as well, the summer season is the best time for marlin in Florida.

There are two locations in Florida that dominate marlin fishing; one is the Florida Keys and the other is the Panhandle on the Gulf side.  

The worse time to fish for marlin is during the winter months as the marlin will migrate to warmer waters.

Tuna

You can find at least 8 different species of tuna in the waters of Florida, with the most popular being the yellowfin, blackfin, and skipjack. The best time of the year to fish for tuna in Florida is between the months of May and August. 

Tuna can be found on both sides of Florida and in the Keys. However, the waters off the Atlantic coast are deeper closer to the shore, not requiring much travel time to reach where the tuna prefer to be. The best place to tuna fish in Florida is off the Atlantic Coast and in the Florida Keys. 

Wahoo

Wahoo is a staple of the waters all around Florida and a favorite among anglers to hunt for. While they can be caught year-round, the best time to fish for wahoo in Florida is during the summer months of July and August. This is when the moon is closest to Florida causing the largest tidal swings of the year. 

The best location to wahoo fish in Florida is the Florida Keys and South Florida. Because of the number of anglers in the waters each day, you’ll want to be one of the first on the waters. 

Snook

Snook is known as being one of the most plentiful and tasty species of saltwater fish in Florida’s waters. Because their population is so abundant, snook can be caught in Florida all year round. They can be found throughout Florida, but the best place to catch snook in Florida is Snook Valley in Sarasota Florida. 

The best time of day to catch snook is nighttime. Shrimp, which snook love, are drawn t the surface towards the lights, causing a feeding frenzy unmatched anywhere else. To learn the best seasons for snook fishing in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Tarpon

The warmer waters around Florida make them the perfect habitat for tarpon. Anglers from all over the globe come in search of the silver king for its ferocious and scenic fight. Tarpon are popular on both sides of the state, as well as in the Florida Keys, but at different times. 

In general, the best time to tarpon fish in Florida is between the spring and summer. The best location in Florida to fish for tarpon is the Florida Keys. The best tide for tarpon is between high tide and low as the waters as leaving the flats and lagoons.

To learn the best seasons for tarpon fishing in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Mahi Mahi

Anglers of all experience levels can enjoy the thrill of hooking a dolphin fish, especially as they migrate in on the Gulf Stream.

In the Florida waters, you can expect to land one ranging from 10-20 pounds while a 50-60 pounder isn’t out of the question at the right time of the year. In Florida, the best location to fish for mahi mahi is on the southeast corner and the Florida Keys. 

The best time to fish mahi mahi in Florida is between November and September, though the bigger ones begin showing up in late April. The worse time for fishing mahi mahi in Florida is the winter season as they have migrated back to warmer waters. 

Bonefish

Bonefish fishing in Florida is both exhilarating and frustrating at the same time. While the bonefish is fun to catch, it takes skill and patience to get them on the hook. It takes an experienced angler to tackle the bonefish, though they are plentiful in Florida. The best season for bonefish fishing in Florida is from April to October in the Florida Keys. 

The worse time to fish for bonefish in Florida is during the winter season when they tend to seek out deeper waters. Also, the water levels in the flats tend to be shallower during the winter and low tide.

Flounder 

Flounders are very popular, though seldom talked about, fish in Florida where they love hanging out in inlets and around underwater structures.

Flounders love cooler waters, so the best place to catch them will be in a shallow flat or where a river meets the ocean. The best time to fish flounder in Florida is the summertime, which also gives the best high tide conditions. 

Though the gulf flounder is popular, you’ll likely have the most success flounder fishing in Florida at the mouth of the St. John’s River in Jacksonville. 

Redfish

Though commonly called redfish in Florida, you might know it as the red drum, or simply reds. Surprisingly enough, some of the biggest reds around Florida, known as bull reds, are over 20 years old. One of the best places to fish for redfish in Florida is the Indian River which runs along the Atlantic Coast.

The redfish stay here for most of their entire adult lives. The best time to fish for redfish in Florida is during the fall as that’s when you are more likely to catch a big bull, but redfish fishing is great all year round. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times & seasons to catch redfish in Florida, please check out this helpful guide I wrote.

Weakfish & Sea Trout

Sea trout and weakfish are popular catches in Florida simply because they will hit on almost anything, plus they have one of the largest populations of saltwater fish in Florida.

The best place for seatrout in Florida is along the southern Atlantic Coast. The two, weakfish and sea trout, are similar in almost every way, except the weakfish doesn’t have as many spots on it. 

The best time for weakfish in Florida is during the wintertime and in shallow flats and muddy waters. 

Grouper

Several species of grouper can be found throughout the waters of Florida; however, they thrive in warmer waters. That’s why you’ll find the sheer number of grouper found in the Florida Keys makes it the best location for grouper in Florida.

If you want to ensure your grouper fishing trip is a success, the best time to go is during the winter and spring months. Grouper spawn during this time and are at their highest activity levels.

However, they cannot be kept during the winter months so if you’re wanting to take them to the grill, the best time to catch grouper is during the summer. 

To learn the best seasons for grouper fishing in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Snapper

With over 15 species of snapper in Florida, you can almost always have one on the hook. Plus, they go great on a fish sandwich. Snapper enjoy the warm waters; the warmer the better. That’s why the best time to catch a snapper in Florida is during the summer months. 

Snapper love structure. This can take the form of a bridge or pier all the way to reefs and wrecks. If you want the bigger ones, you’ll need to go to deeper waters.

The best location for snappers in Florida is along the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Stream. The worse time for snapper fishing in Florida is during the winter season, though the chances are still high you can find a school swimming nearby.  

Sharks

Shark fishing in Florida isn’t for the faint of heart nor the inexperienced angler, but it can be the experience of a lifetime. The key to finding a shark is to be in waters shallow enough for feeding but also close enough for a quick exit to deep waters. This makes along the Atlantic Coast the best location for shark fishing in Florida. 

The best time for shark fishing in Florida is during the Summer when the water is at its warmest. The worse time for shark fishing is the wintertime as most sharks have migrated to the southern waters. 

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass fishing is a favorite of anglers looking to experience the many lakes in Florida. Though you are sure to catch a largemouth all year round (as they don’t really have a place to migrate to) the best time to catch bass in Florida is during the spring and summer seasons.

To find one location that is better than others to fish for largemouth bass in Florida would be nearly impossible. It’s best if on vacation, to find the best lake near where you will be vacationing at. No charters are needed; take your gear and enjoy the adventure. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch Florida bass, please check out this helpful guide.

Alligator Gar

Alligator Gars are the monster fish of the freshwater. Hooking into an alligator gar is an experience unlike any other in the fishing world. They can reach a whopping 6 feet long and 100 pounds, allowing them to dominate where they live. The best location to fish for alligator gar in Florida is the northwest section of the Panhandle as they are not found any further east.

The best time for alligator gar fishing is truly all year round. The difference between alligator gar fishing in Florida and other parts of the country is Florida’s laws only allow a strict catch and release unless you apply for and receive a special research license.

Crappie

Crappie fishing is the bread and butter of freshwater angling and Florida’s crappie population will not disappoint. This panfish species is found in freshwater lakes all over the state in abundance. The best time to catch crappie in Florida is late fall and early spring, though the summer months bring some incredible action as well. 

The best place to fish for crappie in Florida is around structure and deeper waters in the lake. If you find a school of them, you’ll be reeling them in all day.

Booking a Guide or Charter in Florida

If you want to truly experience the world of saltwater fishing in Florida, chances are you’ll be booking a guide. No matter which Florida location you choose, there will be an abundance of charters available to get you out on the deep. Offshore fishing, though, isn’t the only place you’ll find fishing guides. 

Many of the larger lakes in Florida will have local guides you can hire to show you the best spots in the lake to catch fish. The most popular lake in Florida is Lake Okeechobee which covers 730 square miles and is home to nearly every freshwater species found in Florida. 

Best Season for Charters 

When booking a fishing charter in Florida, you are likely to find one available all year round. That being said, you’ll want to decide which species and type of fishing you want to do before booking a fishing charter.

For example, the best season to book an offshore fishing charter is going to be from late spring to early fall, with the peak time being during the summer. You’ll want to be sure to book early, though, as many charters fill up months in advance. 

Best Time of Day for Fishing Charter in Florida

Most of the fish found in Florida are going to be most active in the early morning hours and late afternoon into the evening. This is especially true during the peak times of the summer months.

In the summer, the moon is closer to Florida than any other time of the year making the tidal swing larger. Tides move in the early morning and late afternoon. This means the best time of day for a fishing charter in Florida is during the morning. 

Are Charters Required to Catch Fish in Florida? 

The short answer to that question is it depends on the species. If you are wanting to go after a marlin, sailfish, or even a large mahi mahi, you’re going to want to book a fishing charter as that’s the only way to get to the deep waters.

However, if you’re wanting to go for a freshwater species like bass, or even fish the flats for flounder or snook, a charter isn’t required.

In fact, there are many you go to Florida and simply fish from either the beach or a pier and have just as much fun and success. The key factor in deciding whether to book a charter or not is your own experience coupled with the species you want to catch. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Naples, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Okeechobee, please check out this helpful guide.