Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Big Pine Key, FL (A Guide)
Big Pine Key is one of the best fishing locations in Florida due to its abundant coastline and rich fish populations. Knowing the best times to come fish these rich waterways will make a huge difference.
Fishing in Big Pine Key is best between January and March but very good fishing with fewer crowds can be found from September to December.
This guide provides insights into fishing in Big Pine Key and helps planning trips. As a result, anglers find it easy to decide when and where to go fishing and what species to target in the region.
Best Time to Fish Big Pine Key
Big Pine Key is the place where anglers can enjoy incredible fishing and have a rest throughout the year. Many fish species can be found in the waters surrounding Big Pine Key. When fishing in the area, anglers can target seasonal species as well as species that are active year-round.
There is no bad time to go fishing in Big Pine Key. However, fishing is different at different times of the year. The best time of the year to fish in the region depends a lot on the species of fish that you are targeting.
Fishing in Big Pine Key is excellent between January and March and between October and December. The vast majority of fish species are active in the local waters during these months.
Anglers should start planning their fishing adventures and study the bite times of their favorite fish species ahead of time. Also, it’s necessary to take into account the local weather conditions in the region.
Big Pine Key Species: Best Times & Seasons
Black Grouper
A season to fish for black grouper in Big Pine Key is high between the early winter and the early spring. Little Torch Key is one of the best places for black grouper fishing.
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper fishing is active in Big Pine Key all year round. The best months to target mangrove snapper in the region are December – January and May – July.
Mangrove snapper is active in the area in the early morning and in the evening. Cudjoe Key is one of the best places to fish for mangrove snapper in the region.
Mahi-mahi
Mahi-mahi fishing is good in Big Pine Key between March and July and in October. The best time of the year to target mahi-mahi in the region is between April and June. Oftentimes, mahi-mahi bites well in the early morning. Little Torch Key is the right place to target mahi-mahi in the area.
Tarpon
A Big Pine Key tarpon fishing season starts in the late winter and ends in the early fall. The best time of the year to target tarpon in the area is between March and June.
Fishing for tarpon is excellent in the early morning. Tarpon can be found in the waters near Summerland Key.
King Mackerel
A peak season to fish for king mackerel in Big Pine Key starts in December and ends in March. The early morning is the best time of day to fish for king mackerel in the area. Cudjoe Key is one of the best places to fish for king mackerel near Big Pine Key.
Yellowtail Snapper
Big Pine Key yellowtail snapper fishing is good throughout the year. The best time of the year to fish for yellowtail snapper in the region is between April and October.
It would be great to go fishing for yellowtail snapper in the early morning and in the evening. It makes sense to target yellowtail snapper near Summerland Key.
Permit
Permit fishing is productive in Big Pine Key between the late winter and the late summer. A peak season to catch permit in the region is between March and July. Permit can be targeted near Ramrod Key.
Jack Crevalle
Jack crevalle fishing is good in Big Pine Key year-round. The best times of the year to fish for jack crevalle in the region are between January and March and between October and December. Go fishing in Ramrod Key if you would like to catch jack crevalle in the area.
Sailfish
A season to catch sailfish in Big Pine Key is high between the early winter and the late summer. The best time of the year for sailfish fishing in the region is between February and April.
Sailfish are the most active in the early morning. It would be better to visit Cudjoe Key if you would like to catch sailfish during your fishing trip.
Wahoo
Big Pine Key wahoo fishing is good at any time of the year. The best months to target wahoo in the region are July and December. Wahoo bites well at first light. Fishermen often catch wahoo in the waters near Little Torch Key.
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 if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Big Pine Key
These Big Pine Key-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.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Reel Therapy Fishing Charters | Big Pine Key, FL |
| BGS South Charters | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Nauti Tails Fishing Charter | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Kingfisher Backcountry Charters | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Reel Therapy Fishing – 17′ | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Boneafide Charters – 29′ SeaVee | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Tight Lines Charter | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Feelin’ Fishy Charters | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Sixto Fishing Charters | Big Pine Key, FL |
| Salt Therapy Charters | Summerland Key, FL |
| Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters | Ramrod Key, FL |
Best Seasons to Book a Big Pine Key Charter
Different types of fishing trips are available for anglers in Big Pine Key. Anglers can consider booking half-day trips, full-day trips as well as extended trips to explore fishing spots in the waters near the island.
Fishing in Big Pine Key is possible during the spring, summer, fall, and winter months. Let’s deeper into Big Pine Key fishing and try to find out what species anglers can target in the region at different times of the year.
Spring
Fishing near flats is very productive in Big Pine Key during the spring months. The weather is getting better and the activity of fish increases in the local waters in spring.
Spring is a great time of the year to target such species of fish as amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, cobia, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, blue marlin, mahi-mahi, permit, redfish, sailfish, snappers, snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon, and tuna.
Summer
Anglers choose to fish near flats, bridges, and reefs in the summer. These areas attract plenty of fish. However, it’s too hot in the region during the summer months. And of course, fishing in the heat can be hard.
So, it would be better to book a half-day trip to go fishing in the morning or in the evening. In summer, anglers can target barracuda, blue marlin, bonefish, mahi-mahi, permit, snappers, swordfish, tarpon, wahoo, and other species.
Fall
Fishing in Big Pine Key is slow in the early fall. However, fishing is getting better in the late fall. Anglers get excellent results when fishing in the area’s inshore and offshore waters.
Such species as bonefish, blue marlin, groupers, jack crevalle, redfish, snappers, swordfish, spotted seatrout, redfish, tripletail, and tuna are active in the local waters in the fall.
Winter
Anglers can go fishing in Big Pine Key during the winter months. Among species that fishermen can catch in winter are barracuda, bluefish, cobia, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, sailfish, snappers, snook, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout as well as wahoo.
Best Time of Day to Fish Big Pine Key
The best time of day to fish Big Pine Key depends on several factors. Anglers need to decide when and where they are going to fish as well as what species they are targeting.
It’s also necessary to take into consideration the weather conditions when planning a Big Pine Key fishing trip. Anglers in Big Pine Key choose to go fishing either in the morning or evening in the summer. By doing so, they can avoid the summer heat.
But most importantly, the vast majority of fish species feed during the morning and evening hours. Water cools down and the activity of fish increases. As a result, fishing is becoming more productive.
Big Pine Key Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides have an impact on fishing as well. So, the best times to fish in Big Pine Key depend a lot on tides. Anglers should be able to take advantage of incoming and outgoing tides. That’s why it’s so important to know when tides are high and when tides are low in the region.
Incoming tides are usually the best fishing times in the region. Crabs, shrimp, worms, and various nutrients are brought close to shore during the rising tides. Hungry fish begin to search for food actively during the rising tides. So, anglers find it easy to catch it.
Storms & Big Pine Key Fishing
Weather is a very important factor in planning fishing adventures. It’s necessary to study weather forecasts carefully when planning fishing trips in the area. Anglers should aim to avoid fishing during tropical storms and rainstorms.
September is the rainy season in Big Pine Key. It’s raining a lot and storms are expected in the region in the early fall. Bad weather makes fishing in the area difficult and dangerous.
That’s why captains often cancel fishing trips if they see signs of bad weather. When trips are canceled, anglers either get a refund or fishing adventures are rescheduled for another date. However, the weather is good in Big Pine Key between October and December.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Big Pine Key?
Big Pine Key is a year-round fishing destination. So, it’s possible to fish in the local waters during the winter months. Winter fishing is good in the region. Anglers can fish in inshore shallows or go fishing in offshore waters. Many fish species are active in the area in winter.
Anglers can target groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, snappers, redfish, spotted seatrout as well as wahoo in the region in December. Big Pine Key fishing is getting better in January.
It is a great time of the year to fish for such species as bluefish, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout.
Many fish species are active in Big Pine Key in February. Among the fish species that anglers can catch in the late winter are barracuda, bluefish, cobia, black grouper, red grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, sailfish, snook and spotted seatrout.
Night Fishing in Big Pine Key
A lot of anglers give a preference to night fishing in Big Pine Key. Night fishing offers many great benefits to anglers. It’s not hot at night. The weather is good and the waters are calm. So, anglers find it comfortable to fish.
Tarpon is the main target during Big Pine Key night fishing trips. It’s also possible to catch groupers, snappers, snook, Spanish mackerel, and tarpon as well as spotted seatrout at night.
Top 5-10 Fishing Spots in Big Pine Key
1. Little Torch Key
Little Torch Key is a tiny island near Big Pine Key. It’s a world-class resort and popular fishing destination. Here, it’s possible to enjoy swimming and relax on sandy beaches. The island offers great fly fishing and deep-sea fishing opportunities.
Also, you can consider booking a lobster fishing excursion. While fishing on the island, anglers can enjoy great views of the ocean. Fishing in the area is best between January and May. Little Torch Key is a place where angling enthusiasts can target black grouper, mahi-mahi, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, and wahoo.
2. Ramrod Key
Ramrod Key is another good fishing location close to Big Pine Key. The island allows anglers to experience fishing in deep waters of the ocean, near reefs, or in the bay. The waters of Ramrod Key provide anglers with an opportunity to enjoy the perfect fishing trip.
Fishing in the area is excellent between January and March and October. Ramrod Key is home to such species as barracuda, black grouper, bonefish, cobia, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, permit, and tarpon.
3. Summerland Key
Summerland Key is a good place for fishing with family and friends. The best months to go fishing in the area are January – May, and June – October.
Different species of fish can be found in the local waters. These include great barracuda, jack crevalle, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, tarpon as well as yellowtail snapper.
4. Cudjoe Key
Cudjoe Key would be the perfect place for those anglers, who want to relax and enjoy fishing. Anglers can experience inshore, offshore, and nearshore fishing in the area. Fishing in Cudjoe Key is productive. A peak fishing season in the region starts in the early spring and ends in the late spring.
Among the fish species that anglers can catch in Cudjoe Key are great barracuda, cobia, jack crevalle, king mackerel, mangrove snapper, tarpon, yellowtail snapper, and sailfish.
5. Marathon
Marathon is a fishing location that attracts a lot of anglers. There are many options for anglers in the area. Here, it’s possible to explore reefs as well as flats in the nearshore waters. You can also go into deep waters to have incredible offshore fishing adventures.
Fishing in Marathon is best between January and March. Marathon is the right place to target black grouper, cobia, mahi-mahi, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, blackfin tuna, sailfish, and yellowtail snapper.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Fishing in Big Pine Key is not only about charters. Shore/surf fishing is another good way to fish Big Pine Key. Keep in mind that there are many places on the island where anglers can do shore/surf fishing.
Shore anglers usually choose to fish from bridges in the area. It’s worth noting that there are many bridges on the island. For example, it’s possible to fish from the bridge in Bahia Honda State Park. You can also fish from Seven Mile Bridge, Jewfish Draw Bridge, and Long Key Bridge.
Big Pine Key is also known for its deep channels. The channels also offer many good shore-based fishing spots. Those anglers, who are interested in shore/surf fishing in the region, should visit Channel 2 as well as Channel 5.
Shore/surf fishing in Big Pine Key is very productive. When fishing from shore in the area, anglers can also target tarpon, groupers, snappers, sharks, and many other species.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Englewood, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Marathon, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Boca Grande, check out this helpful guide. To learn the best times to fish in Venice, check out this helpful guide.
