Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Key West (Complete Guide)

Whether you’re interested in chartering or shore fishing, Key West offers plenty of opportunities to have a good time and experience great fishing. Boasting hundreds of varieties of seasonal and year-round species of fish, Key West is truly a fisherman’s dream spot and should be on every fisherman’s bucket list.

The best time to fish in Key West for sailfish, tarpon, spotted seatrout, mahi-mahi, and cobia is from January through September. The best times for amberjack, grouper, and king mackerel are November through March.

Fish Species	Best Times to Fish in Key West
Amberjack	December-February are the best months; March & November offer decent fishing.
Barracuda	March-October are the best months; November-February offer decent fishing.
Blue Marlin	April & May are the best months; June-August offers decent fishing.
Grouper	November-March are the best months; April-October offer decent fishing.
King Mackerel	October-April are the best months; May & September offer decent fishing.
Mahi Mahi	April-August are the best months; March & September offer decent fishing.
Permit	May-August are the best months; April & September offer decent fishing.
Tarpon	June-October are the best months; May & November offer decent fishing.
Sailfish	January-April are the best months; May can be good fishing for Key West sailfish.

If you want to fish the waters of Key West and get the best result, you had better do it at the right time. The best time to fish Key West is during spring through the autumn months. You can begin your fishing operations from March through November for high fishing results.

Fishing the waters of Key West can be very promising if you fish at the right time. You have to know the fish species you want to catch and the best time to catch them. You should fish the waters of Key West during the appropriate time to get the best results and make your fishing trip a memorable one.

Best Times to Fish Key West

The best time to fish Key West is during the fishing season. Generally, the best time to go fishing is when most fish species are in large numbers and are actively biting. This time of the year is known as the fishing season.

So, if you want to make the most of your fishing trip to Key West, you have to fish during the fishing season.

The fishing season in Key West runs from the spring through the autumn season. Fishing the waters of Key West from March through November will bring the best fishing results.

You also need to know the best time of the day to go fishing in the waters of Key West. The best time to catch a particular fish species is during its active time.

This is when the fish is most available, actively biting, and easy to catch. You should fish the waters of Key West during the right time of the day to make the best catch.

Different fish species have their active times, but most fish species in Key West are active in the morning. You will also find them very active during the evening hours. You should begin your fishing operations during these times and enjoy it to the fullest.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Key West

These Key West-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	Type of Fishing Offered
Jolly Roger II Fishing Charters	Inshore, Offshore, Reef & Wreck
Reel Easy Charters	Inshore, Wreck, Flats & Backcountry
Fish Key West – The Coolcast	Nearshore, Inshore & Offshore
Salty Goat Fishing Charters	Reef & Nearshore
Good Times Key West	Nearshore, Inshore, Reef, Backcountry & Flats
Outta Line Charters	Nearshore, Inshore, Offshore, Reef, Backcountry & Flats
Blue Dream Charters	Inshore, Offshore, Reef & Wreck

Key West Species Breakdown: Best Times

Key West is the humble abode of many fish species. You can visit and fish the waters of Key West to catch these fish species. You can give yourself a memorable fishing trip by fishing and catching these fish species in the waters of Key West.

Mahi-Mahi

The peak season for fishing mahi-mahi begins from spring to summer. You should fish the waters of Key West from late spring through summer months. You will get the best mahi-mahi fishing result from May through August.

When fishing mahi-mahi in Key West, you should always have the morning and evening in mind. You should target the early morning hours from 5 am till 8 am for excellent fishing. You should also fish during the evening from 4 pm till late in the evening for the best results.

You will find mahi-mahi at several fishing spots in Key West. One of the places you can find mahi-mahi is the White Street Pier. You will be able to catch several mahi-mahi and other fish species at this fishing spot.

Tarpon

The summer and autumn seasons are the best time to fish tarpons in Key West. These seasons have the best climatic conditions that aid successful fishing in Key West. You should begin your tarpon fishing from June through October for the best fishing result.

The early and late hours are the best for tarpon fishing in Key West. You should target the morning and evening hours of the day for productive fishing operations. You can give yourself your desired fishing experience by fishing tarpons at the right time.

One of the reasons Key West is a suitable place for fishing is the presence of numerous fishing spots. One of these fishing spots is Smathers Beach, where you can catch several tarpon. You can also catch several fish species when you fish in the waters of Smathers Beach.

Grouper

The autumn, winter, and spring seasons are the best times to fish groupers in Key West. You should target the late autumn season till early spring to make the best catch. Visit and fish the waters of Key West from November through March for the best grouper fishing.

To have the best chance of catching groupers in Key West, you will have to target the morning hours. You can also target the evening hours to make the best catch of groupers in the waters of Key West. Enjoy your grouper fishing at the right time of the day in Key West.

There are several fishing spots where you can catch groupers in Key West. One of the places you should visit is the Vandenberg Reef. You can catch several groupers and other fish species at these fishing spots. You can give yourself a memorable fishing experience.

Sailfish

You should target the winter and spring for productive sailfish fishing. You should begin your fishing operations from winter through early spring for the best result. Prepare your fishing gear and visit the waters of Key West from December through March for a productive fishing session.

Fishing sailfish is best done during the morning and evening hours. You should carry out your sailfish fishing operation during the morning hours for the best results. Enjoy your fishing and give yourself a worthy fishing trip in Key West.

You should visit the Cayo Agua when fishing sailfish in Key West. You will be able to record huge success when fishing the waters of Key West. You will also be able to give yourself a memorable fishing experience in Key West.

Blue Marlin

You should target the spring season when fishing blue marlins in Key West. You should begin your blue marlin fishing from April through May to make the best catch. Fishing during this time will provide you with the best fishing operations in the waters of Key West.

Morning fishing is one of Key West’s best productive blue marlin fishing. You can also fish the waters of Key West during the late evening hours to catch as many blue marlins as you want.

You can experience one of the best fishing operations when you fish blue marlins during the appropriate time of the day.

The Shark Channel Bridge is also a perfect place for your blue marlin fishing in Key West. This fishing location provides one of the best conditions for successful blue marlin fishing. You can enjoy your fishing operation and give yourself a memorable fishing experience in Key West.

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.

Best Time of the Day to Fish Key West

You have to know the best time of the day to fish Key West to get the best of your fishing operations. The best time to fish Key West is during the early morning hours and late evening hours of the day. Fishing during this time provides you with the best fishing results.

Key West Fishing & Tidal Impacts

You have to consider the tidal movement when fishing the waters of Key West. Fishing during the right tides will make your fishing operations highly successful and productive.

The best time to fish Key West is during the slack tides. You should begin fishing about two hours before and after a low and high tide.

Storms & Key West Fishing

You also have to consider the storms when fishing Key West. During the right storm hours, you should fish the waters to make the best catch.

You should fish the waters after a storm to make the best catch. This is because many fish species become more active and ready to bite.

Is Winter Fishing Good or Bad in Key West?

Fishing during the winter can be highly productive. The waters of Key West house several active fish species during the winter. Fishing during the winter in Key West can provide you with one of the best results.

Night Fishing in Key West

You can also enjoy fishing during the night hours in Key West. You can catch several fish species at night and make your fishing operations a successful one. You can also make your night fishing experience a memorable one.

Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons

You can fish the shores of Key West to further enjoy your trip. You can catch several fish species at the shores of Key West and give yourself a worthy fishing trip. Enjoy surfing the waters of Key West and give yourself that unforgettable experience.

Top 5 Fishing Spots in Key West

Key West has several fishing spots where you can explore your fishing skills. You can catch several fish species at these fishing spots and give yourself a memorable fishing operation. Here are some of the fishing spots you can visit in Key West;

• Vandenberg Reef: The Vandenberg Reef is one of the popular fishing spots in Key West. You can catch several fish species at this spot and make your fishing operations a memorable one.
• Smathers Beach: Smathers Beach is excellent for every one of your fishing practice. You can explore your fishing skills at this spot and experience successful fishing operations at the beach.
• Shark Channel Bridge: You should visit the Shark Channel Bridge when you are fishing in Key West. You will be able to catch several fish species at this bridge and add them to your trophy list.
• Cayo Agua: This is also one of the places you should visit when fishing Key West. You can catch several fish species at this place and make your fishing trip a productive one.
• White Street Pier: The White Street Pier houses several fish species that will catch your fancy. You should visit the pier and enjoy every one of your fishing operations and practices.

Booking Charters in Key West

One of the things you have to put in mind when fishing Key West is charters. You need to book your charters to enhance your fishing operations. Booking your charters will make your fishing operations easier and more productive.

You will find several charter services in Key West that you can make your choice from. You should book any charter of your choice and make your fishing trip to Key West an unforgettable one.

Best Season to Go

When booking your charter in Key West, you have to consider some factors. You have to know the best season for you to book your charter. And that depends on the season you intend to begin your fishing operations.

The best season to book your charter in Key West is during the season that best supports fishing, the fishing season.

Booking your charter during the fishing season provides you with more than enough fish species to catch. It also assures you of a stress-free and result-yielding fishing operation.

You should book your charters any time from the spring season to the autumn season. You can book your charter from March through November for the best fishing results. You will catch several fish species and enjoy productive fishing operations.

Booking your charters during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. It also brings additional advantages. The spring is the busiest and liveliest season in Key West. This makes fishing operations interesting during this time.

Several people visit Key West during the spring season for various purposes. Different events also occur during the spring and summer seasons in Key West.

Booking your charter during this time makes your fishing trip fun-filled. You can spice up your fishing operations by fishing the waters of Key West during the spring and summer seasons.

Morning vs. Afternoon

One of the things you also have to consider when booking your charter in Key West is the right time for you to make your booking.

You have to find the time of the day that best suits your fishing operations. This single decision can determine the success or failure of your fishing operations.

To know the best time to book your charter, you will need to check out the fish species you want to catch. You have to know the time of the day when these fish species are most active. This will be the right time for you to book your charters.

There are several fish species you will find in the waters of Key West, and these fish species have their active times. But most fish species in the waters of Key West are usually active during the morning hours. This makes the morning hours the best time to book your charters.

You can also book your charter during the afternoon and record-high success. This is because numerous fish species are active during the afternoon hours. So, the best time to book your charter is during the active time of the fish species you want to catch.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Florida Keys, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Islamorada, please check out this helpful guide.

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