Best Times & Seasons to Catch Tarpon in the Florida Keys
Tarpon are one of the most sought-after gamefish in the Florida Keys. Knowing the best seasons and times to come to the Keys in search of these silver kings can deliver the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Tarpon fishing is best in the Florida Keys from April through August. While some tarpon remain in the Keys all year, the spring and summer months see large schools of migratory tarpon stop by to eat and breed.
| Season | Quality of Tarpon Fishing in the Florida Keys |
| Winter | Poor. Once water temperatures dip below 73 degrees, tarpon head south or to the Gulf or warmer water. |
| Spring | Good: Fishing really picks up as the spring moves along peaking in May. |
| Summer | Excellent. Summer is the best time of year to catch tarpon in the Florida Keys. |
| Fall | Okay. Fishing will be best in September and get slower as the water temperatures drop. |
This event provides some excellent opportunities to catch these magnificent creatures that have inhabited the seas since prehistoric times. In this article, we will break down the best times and seasons to catch tarpon in the Florida Keys.
Seasonal Breakdown for Tarpon in the Florida Keys
The best months to catch tarpon in the Florida Keys are April, May, June, July, and the beginning of August. These are pretty much summer months, with the end of spring and the beginning of fall included. If you were to pick only two months to go, the best time is April through June, when the large fish are in the migratory period.
You can still catch tarpon outside of their migratory phase, but they are more populous within it. In the Florida Keys, the optimum time to catch huge migratory tarpon is when the water temperature reaches and stays above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can start as early as mid-March, although it generally falls between late March and early April. The month of May, as well as the majority of June, are both safe. Most migratory fish have moved on by the end of June, leaving stragglers for local fishermen to play with throughout the summer.
The worst months in the Keys to go fishing are winter and anytime the water is below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the fish have migrated out of colder water and have traveled south to the equator.
While you can still catch tarpon in the summer in the Florida Keys, I wouldn’t recommend taking a trip anytime past late June. After the water temperatures rise and tarpon have traveled into the Keys, they keep moving north. Usually, they make their way up the coast to George or as far north as South Carolina. This is all dependent on the water temperature.
If you want to know the best season & times to fish the Florida Keys, you need to check out this helpful article I wrote. To discover the best times to fish for Florida tarpon, please check out this helpful article.
Big Pine Key
The best month to head to Big Pine Key is sometime in early May. In the evenings, tarpon may be found in a variety of channels from Big Pine Key to Key West Harbor. The greatest time to catch fish is on an outgoing tide, and the smaller the channel, the simpler it will be to locate the fish. Anchor up-current approximately 50 yards if there’s a bend or a deep hole, and let the bait float back into it.
The best month to travel towards Key Largo for tarpon is from mid-March to June. This follows the migration pattern of tarpon closely. Tarpon move from the Gulf side of Florida to the Atlantic side as the season progresses.
Isalamorda
May through June is the best fishing season, and this is when visitors from all over the world come to catch tarpon. The flats surrounding Islamorada are teeming with massive tarpon. Apalachicola Bay is another great spot to fish in June and July.
Key West
If you’re planning a trip to the Lower Keys, the months of May through late July are ideal. Do you want to go tarpon fishing in the winter? From January through March, the harbor at Key West is teeming with feeding tarpon, although you won’t find as many as in peak season.
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 Day to Catch Tarpon in the Florida Keys
There are many different opinions on the best time of day to catch tarpon. Really, it depends on a few things. Where you are and the tidal cycle. During the summer, fishermen prefer fishing in the late afternoon or early morning, when the water is cooler and the sunlight is less extreme.
Tarpon fishing may also be great during the day, especially on deeper structures such as wrecks or sandbars. The tide can also have a significant impact on this.
To discover the best time of day and tides to catch tarpon, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
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Seasonal Guide: Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing
Spring
Spring can be a good time to catch tarpon, depending on the weather that year. Later in the spring is definitely preferable in comparison to early in the year. Again, when the water hits 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it will be the best time to start fishing for tarpon.
When temperatures are lower than 75 degrees (often in early spring), tarpon fishing will be less successful and can be a true challenge. In most locations on the Keys, this will happen in late March or early April, although in certain watersheds, it may happen earlier.
Before the bite reaches a consistent 75, it can be quite painful. Tarpon fishing in Florida during the winter, and early spring, is notoriously difficult. After June, most of the large tarpon will migrate away, leaving behind stragglers until October.
Summer
Summer in the Florida Keys is the best time of the year to catch tarpon. To be specific, not all of summer will yield such a surplus. The early summer months, before water temperatures hit above 82 degrees Fahrenheit, will be ideal. Once water temperatures begin to climb, the tarpon in the Keys will migrate north.
Of course, there will be some stragglers that can be caught, but it will definitely be a challenge. Fishing during early mornings is best, although nighttime as well as later in the day works as well. I do not recommend fishing during the day, as tarpon will be deep in the waters.
Fall
Fall tarpon fishing is similar to winter. Unless you can catch tarpon on their way south, you will probably have a hard time catching anything. The best time of day to catch tarpon in the fall is later in the afternoon when the sun has warmed up the water.
It is normal to see tarpon migrating towards Central America around October to November, but that is dependent on the weather that year. Either way, you should wait until the next upcoming summer to tarpon fish in the Florida Keys.
Winter
Winter tarpon fishing in the Keys is nearly impossible. When waters drop below 75 degrees, or simply cannot seem to stay consistent, tarpon migrate south, or to the Gulf, where there are warmer waters.
There are some stragglers that often stay around the Keys, but these are tough to snag, as they are less active in the colder waters. I do not recommend planning a trip, or hunting for tarpon in the winter months. Travel to the Bahamas or closer to Central America if you are looking for tarpon in the winter.
If you do, however, insist on searching for tarpon and are looking for a challenge, fishing during the middle of the day, when the sun has warmed up the water, is best. This will allow the water temperature to rise just enough for the resident tarpon to feed.
Is Nightfishing for Tarpon in the Keys Any Good?
In the Keys, it is hard to fish around docks or ports during the day because of the constant onslaught of boats. At night, you can get considerably closer to the fish, since there’s less pressure on these fish. The Seven-Mile and Bahia Honda Bridges are the Florida Keys tarpon hotspots.
You may also catch these monster fish by throwing soft plastics, topwater plugs or surface poppers into the water and watching them swim about in the wake of the lure.
The purple/black plugs and any plug that resembles a mullet or ballyhoo perform nicely when the moon is bright. When the night is darker, the most popular designs are chartreuse, pink, and red/white.
Keep an eye out for any wrecks, sandbars, or rocks that produce a drop-off in water depth; these are the best for nighttime fishing. Think about utilizing live bait or fresh dead bait at night since tarpon will have a difficult time finding food. Time is needed for the tarpon to find the meal.
On most evenings, lures won’t work as well. On full moon evenings, when the moonlight is strong, you may be able to catch several tarpon using topwater. Even so, I almost always recommend fishing with live bait. Live bait will make it that much easier to hook a tarpon and get that first bite.
What Impact Do Storms & Hurricanes Have on Tarpon Fishing in the Keys?
Tarpons prefer clear, warm water. In the event of a storm or hurricane, tarpon may be pushed deep or away from the coast, which makes them nearly impossible to catch.
During storms, cold rain showers occur, raising the water’s surface temperature. During these circumstances, tarpon will generally go to deeper waters until the rain stops. Due to increased water flow, trash from the bottom of the ocean is also lifted during stormy weather.
As a result, the water becomes murky, and the tarpon migrates to another area. Hurricanes, on the other hand, tend to disturb more of the things that tarpon like.
Structures such as rock beds and wrecks attract tarpons. In hurricanes, these submerged buildings are often altered, if not entirely destroyed. In the aftermath of a hurricane, a tarpon’s usual spots may no longer exist.
Florida Keys vs. the Rest of Florida
Florida is one of the best spots to catch tarpon. The Keys have an endless number of beaches and spots where tarpon hunt, hang out, and can be found. The Keys are definitely one of the best places in Florida to find these giant fish.
The only better location in Florida to catch tarpon would be Boca Grande. Boca Grande is perhaps one of the world’s most well-known tarpon hotspots, and for good reason.
There are a lot of large tarpon in May and June on the flats in Homosassa Bay and the Crystal River on Florida’s panhandle. To avoid crowds, get out on the lake as early as possible to find a good position.
The same can be said about the Everglade National Park, only a few hours away from the Keys. There’s also something to be said about the beauty of the Everglades when searching for tarpon. The canals around Lake Ingraham, the Lostman, and Harney river mouths are teeming with tarpon. Chokoloskee’s Turner River is another nice hunting location.
For those inland fishermen, however, Tampa Bay is probably the best place to find tarpon. There are great tarpon in Tampa Bay, which is one of Florida’s top inshore fishing spots. To find them, head to Egmont Channel, Fort De Soto Park, and John’s Pass.
If you are planning on taking a trip to the Keys for tarpon fishing, I recommend going to Islamorada. It is still the most popular tarpon fishing location in the world, and Islamorada is the hub of the tarpon fishery in the Florida Keys.
Anglers use live bait and traditional equipment to catch big tarpon near the bridges. For huge fish, fly fishermen hunt the flats and small “lakes” by sight. Baby tarpon may be seen in abundance on mangrove islands.
Many fishermen go to Flamingo in Everglades National Park to catch the Silver King, as well as snook, redfish, and Spanish mackerel. It is the central hub for tarpon.
Click here to see a breakdown of the best weather for tarpon fishing.
Booking a Charter in the Florida Keys for Tarpon
There are an impressive number of charters that are based in the Florida Keys. Finding one that will take you tarpon hunting is not rare, and during peak season it will be booked. Make sure that if you’re planning on booking a charter, you plan beforehand as it will be tricky to get a chartered trip without one.
Tarpon fishing at Marathon is excellent from March through July. Tarpon fishing season in the Florida Keys lasts practically the entire year. They can be caught as long as there is adequate warmth in the water to do so. However, the tarpon fishing season here is regarded to be in the spring and early summer.
It is common for charters to fish either early in the morning or late in the day and into the night. When the tide changes, so do the tarpon charter hours. Your trip will be a success if you follow the tides.
It’s possible to book a 3 or 4-hour marathon tarpon fishing excursion in the morning or evening to neighboring bridges such as the Seven Mile or Vaca Cut.
There are several types of fishing expeditions available, but tarpon fishing is one of the best since it’s 1) close to shore, 2) usually in calm seas, and 3) only a few hours (rather than a whole day) on the water.
On a good night, you can catch a lot of tarpon, but even if you only catch three or four, it will still be a challenge and a struggle, as tarpon are some of the strongest fighters.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key Largo, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Texas, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best spots to catch tarpon in Florida, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Belize, check out this helpful guide.
