Best Times & Seasons to Catch Bonefish in the Florida Keys
Bonefish attract anglers to the Florida Keys from all over the globe. Knowing the best season and best time of day to pursue these elusive and amazing fish will greatly improve your odds.
The best time to catch bonefish in the Florida Keys is between April and October with early morning and mid-afternoon being the best time of day. Typically, the summer is the offseason for bonefish in the Keys.
Fishermen from all over come to Florida, and especially the Florida Keys, in search of shallow water with hopes of catching these, along with many other species. Its silver and blue-green coloring make it nearly impossible to see and, as it’s prey to the likes of barracuda and shark, the “silver bullet” is also very skittish. This puts stealth and skill at the top of the requirements needed to land this beauty.
The Florida Keys is also the premier destination in Florida for bonefish. In this article, we’re going to look at the best spots to catch the bonefish in the Florida Keys as well as which season is best.
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Best Bonefish Spots in the Florida Keys (Best Times)
Many anglers call Florida the “Fishing Capital of the World” while they have dubbed the Florida Keys as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” and rightfully so.
Not very many places around the world give anglers access to so many sports fish species as does the Florida Keys, with the bonefish being at the top of that list. In this section we’re going to look at the best bonefish locations in the Florida Keys and when the best time is to fish.
Islamorada
This collection of 6 islands is located in an area called the Florida Straits as there are two ocean currents that flow around these islands which bring in a large fish population.
Along with these currents, though, Islamorada has some of the world’s best flats, which the bonefish love. Between the 6 islands, there are many flats, some of which span out 150 yards or more from the shore, giving ample places to spot the bonefish.
The biggest tip for fishing the bonefish in Islamorada is to find an experienced guide. With the right guide, even a novice angler has a chance at landing the bonefish.
Your guide will be able to help you decide which flies to use, as well as expertly guide the boat quietly through the shallow water. If you’d prefer to go without a boat, a guide can still be useful in telling you the best times and places to cast your line.
Here are some of the top areas to find the bonefish in and around Islamorada:
Anne’s Beach
The flat here is nearly ½ mile long and has a hard sand bottom. The bonefishing here is excellent with a great chance at a permit where the flat opens up to deeper water. The best time of the day to fish here for bonefish is either early morning and late evening when the bonefish are feeding, and the bathers are few.
The Highway Flat
While this isn’t considered to be a public beach area, though it is still public property, it is still an excellent spot for some world-class bonefish in the Florida Keys. It is located at the 7400 block of the Overseas Highway.
There aren’t many signs denoting where it’s located, but the fishing here is some of the best in the Keys. This would likely be a location to go on your own, as well, since there is no public beach or docks nearby.
Marathon Key
The group of islands known as Marathon Key is home to some excellent bonefish fishing. This is because it has some of the Key’s best backcountry waters and flats, making it the ideal place for bonefish to thrive. However, it is one of the most often overlooked areas, as many anglers will go to Islamorada or Key West; That’s why we’ve put it on our list.
Popularity among anglers doesn’t mean Marathon is any less of a destination for bonefish. In fact, not too long ago a 12-pounder was caught in an oceanside flat on Thanksgiving. These waters are also teeming with baitfish, making it even more likely to catch a bonefish. The best times to fish for bonefish in Marathon Key are between May and July, as well as the month of October.
Big Pine Key
The turtle grass and sand-bottomed flats make Big Pine Key an excellent place for bonefish to hunt, making it a great place for bonefish anglers. This area of Marathon Key consists of many uninhabited mangrove islands, bays, deep channels, and seemingly endless flats. Spring and summer are two of the best seasons to fish for bonefish in Big Pine Key.
Lower Keys
The Lower Keys is likely the largest group of islands in the Florida Keys, but also one of the best places to start when bonefishing the Florida Keys. It is home to some of the most expansive flats in all of the keys, making it prime water for the bonefish.
Peak bonefish fishing in the Lower Keys is between the months of June and August. During this time, you can expect to land a 3 to 8-pound bonefish. These months often produce the most bonefish caught as they tend to be when the waters are the calmest. This is especially the case in the mornings.
Sugarloaf Key
Sugarloaf Key is likely the most popular place within Lower Keys to catch bonefish. This is because the Key is home to many beautiful sand flats just miles from the docks.
Finding an experienced guide here shouldn’t be difficult, but is recommended, at least for the first couple days of your trip. This will allow you the chance to learn some of the secrets of the key and introduce you to some flats not normally able to be fished without a boat.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in the Florida Keys
These Florida Keys-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional 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 |
| Infinite Blue Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Off Course Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Reel Easy Charters | Key West, FL |
| Good Times Key West | Key West, FL |
| Jolly Roger II | Key West, FL |
| Dauntless Fishing Charters | Islamorada, FL |
| Callion Fishing Charters | Marathon, FL |
| Kekoa Charters | Islamorada, FL |
| 95FiveFishing Charters | Islamorada, FL |
| A2 Fishing Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Katz Charters | Islamorada, FL |
| Captain Buddy LaPointe | Marathon, FL |
| Local Grown Charters | Key Largo, FL |
Best time of the Year: Florida Keys Bonefishing
With the Florida Keys being a mecca for many different species of fish, there’s something to be caught all year round. But what about the bonefish? If you are going to be heading to the Florida Keys, you’ll need to know the best times and seasons to fish for the bonefish. In this section, we’re going to look at the best time of year to fish for bonefish in the Florida Keys.
While bonefish do stick around in many places all year round, there are certain times that are better than others. The best time to catch bonefish in the Florida Keys is between April and October.
For a complete guide to the best times to fish the Florida Keys, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Seasonal Breakdown-Bonefish
Winter
Though the water temperatures do fall, they still hover around 70 degrees on most days, depending on the currents. These are still prime temperatures for the Florida Keys Bonefish. Though the numbers won’t be as good as say June or July, you can still have the thrill of a lifetime.
The key to success with fishing for bonefish during the winter in the Florida Keys is timing your trip with the cold fronts. During and immediately following a cold front, the bonefish will seek out deeper, warmer waters. As the water temps warm back up after a few days, the bonefish will appear once again in the shallow flats.
Lack of water clarity and weather can also help the angler during the winter. It’s hard for the fish to see you, making them less likely to spook. However, that also means it’s harder for you to see them. You’ll have to be extra watchful, looking for the infamous tailing action.
Winter Tip: Most anglers will go opt to use small crabs, either live or imitation flies when going for the bonefish in the winter. However, many anglers have had luck with flies that mimic small toads. If you’re new to the area check with local fly shops to see what the locals have had success with during this season.
Spring
Fishing for bonefish in the Florida Keys tends to heat up starting in March. This is especially true in the backcountry waters. As the water temperatures start to rise, the baitfish become more plentiful. This puts the shallow water fish, such as the bonefish, in a fishing frenzy.
During the spring months, the bonefish will eat most of the day. What makes it even better for fishing is the wind. The spring months are some of the windiest on the Florida Keys. This gives added movement in the water, making the skittish bonefish less skittish, in turn giving you the upper hand. You will still want to be careful and go slow, but you should find it somewhat easier compared to summertime bonefish fishing. A pair of polarized sunglasses may be helpful to see the fish on windy days as well.
The springtime bonefish is often smaller than average, but they still put up a good fight. As the sun is out more, be careful where your shadow is being cast. Seeing a shadow will put the bonefish to flight as it thinks a predator is nearby.
Summer
If you’re looking for the best time to fish for bonefish in the Florida Keys, summer is the best season. The water temperatures have increased greatly, causing the activity level in the fish to increase as well. What’s even better is the size of the bonefish during the summer months.
During the winter and springtime, you can hope to catch on average 4 to 6-pound bonefish. In the summertime, this average goes to 8 to 10 pounds with several being caught even larger. There are, however, some downsides to the summertime bonefish season in the Florida Keys, with the main one being the weather.
Summer is the major hurricane and storm season for this part of the globe. Because of this, the weather can have a large impact on your ability to catch a bonefish. The fish can sense the pressure in the air increase as storms roll in; this causes them to seek out deeper, safer waters. When the storm does hit, the shallow waters which the bonefish love become murky, making it hard for them to see their prey and almost impossible for you to see them. If you wait a couple of days, the waters will clear and the fish we return.
Another downside is the sun, meaning it becomes very difficult to know just where your shadow is when trolling for fish. Also, with the waters well lit, you have to move extremely slow and delicate as to not scare the bonefish.
Also, remember what the bonefish will be feeding on this time of the year. Shrimp is a good choice as they are plenty in the shallow flats. Crab is also another good choice.
Summer tip: Hook size becomes important as the likelihood of larger fish increases. If you tie your own flies or purchase them for that matter, it’s best to use a size 2 or size 1 hook; The bigger fish won’t waste their energy on small prey.
Fall
October is probably the best month for bonefish in the Florida Keys. The pressure begins to fall, along with a slight decrease in the water temp, making the bonefish go wild. What is also great about this time of the year is the size of the fish. As they’ve been eating nearly nonstop all summer long, the chances of catching a larger fish increase, with the average size being above the 10-pound mark.
Fall also brings with it an increase in the tide. Though a few inches don’t seem like much to us, a few more inches of water in a flat will open it up to the bonefish; and this happens in the fall. Many banks and sand bars, which look like a great place to fish during the summer months, don’t hold fish until the fall tides some. Marathon is a popular fishing destination for bonefish in the fall for this exact reason.
The best time to fish in the fall is during the full and new moon phases when the tides reach their highest. You can expect to see double-digit fish during these times every day. Furthermore, the fish which appear in these flats are hungry and ready to eat.
Fall is also a great time to find open, experienced guides. Many of the guides in the keys fill up their spring and summer slots months and even years in advance. The fall, however, doesn’t tend to fill up as quickly. This often equates to finding a better deal with more fishing time.
Storms & Bonefishing in the Keys
As we’ve discussed earlier, storms can have a huge effect on bonefish fishing in the Florida Keys. This is especially the case during the summer months. Hurricane season starts June 1st and ends November 30th. However, hurricanes aren’t the only storms to be concerned with.
The weather in the Florida Keys can be somewhat unpredictable, especially in the summer months. Mornings are often clear, hot, and humid while afternoons can bring popup storms. These tiny storms can still have an effect on bonefish fishing in the Keys as they cause the clear water to become murky; bonefish don’t like to be in murky waters. And should you find yourself in a school of bonefish, getting one to take your bait during or immediately after one of these storms can be virtually impossible.
If you want to learn what are the best fighting fish to catch to include saltwater and freshwater, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key Largo, please check out this helpful article. Click here for a breakdown of the best times to catch permit in Florida.
Are the Florida Keys a good spot for bonefishing?
The short answer to this question is yes; the Florida Keys are a great spot to fish for bonefish. The peak times are the summer months and into October, though you can spot a bonefish most all year round. Be sure to practice your casting before setting off on your bonefish trip, as you want to be as precise as possible when presenting the bait to the fish.
Pro tip: Bonefish, like trout in the Pacific Northwest streams, face into the current when feeding. So, when you do spot a school of bonefish, position your boat in a way that allows you to present your bait upstream from this fish. This will give you the best chance of bonefish striking.
