Complete Guide to Key Largo Fishing (Best Times, Spots, etc)
Key Largo, the Florida Keys’ longest island, is nestled on the west by Florida Bay and the wilderness of Everglades National Park, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, which is home to the warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Caribbean.
This area sustains vast amounts of bait fish, attracting abundant stocks of game fish such as bonefish, permit, snapper, redfish, snook, trout, and yellowtail snapper.
Key Largo Fishing Species Breakdown
Yellowtail Snappers
The best times to fish near Key Largo is May to August. The low season is January to April and September to December. There is no closed season.
Don’t be stingy with the chum. Next, you can use a small filet of ballyhoo, shrimp, or cut bait to put on your hook. When fishing in shallower water, you can often get away with a naked filet.
You will need to head out to the reef anywhere from 30 feet deep to 90 feet. Use your depth finder to find a good bottom that has rock and coral, avoid sandy or grassy areas.
Tarpon
This Florida fish species is also unique among sport fish because they can “roll” on the surface, “gulp air” and subsequently travel far into stagnant, brackish waters with little oxygen.
The best time to catch tarpon in Key Largo is April-July when the water temperatures stay above seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid the colder months.
Use shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and crabs. Stake out above areas that hold tarpon and drift your live bait down to the fish.
Hook crabs on the corner of the shell, and baitfish through the mouth. The best bait for tarpon doesn’t spin in the current, so pinch off the heads of shrimp.
There is a large population of tarpon around Channel Bridges, Tom’s Harbor, Seven Mile Bridge, and Long Key. Also, look for them in the flats near Islamorada Key. Buchanan Bank in Marathon near Jack Banks is also considered a good place to fish.
Speckled Trout
Spotted sea trout a.k.a. speckled trout are one of the most sought-after inshore fish in Florida. They are plentiful in Key Largo. They like to be near grass flats and are very good to eat.
Spotted Sea trout fishing in Key Largo varies moderately throughout the year. The best season is January to February and November to December. The worst months are June and July.
The best way to catch a speckled trout is with a popping cork and a live shrimp. If you want to use lures instead of live bait, then a Berkeley Gulp shrimp under the same popping cork is your best bet. Trout Creek, Steamboat Creek, and John Pennekamp State Park are magnificent spots for sea trout.
Permit
The Permit is one of the most challenging fish in Key Largo to go after. Permit are plentiful in Key Largo, that being said, they’re not so easy to catch.
The best months for permit fishing are February, March, and April. Avoid the hotter months. The best bait to catch permit is any small live crab or a large live shrimp with a split shot. Head for the flats anywhere around Key Largo for the best action.
Redfish
Redfish cruise the flats and mangrove shorelines, becoming great sight-fishing targets.
As summer transitions into fall, August, September, and October are the best months for redfish. Avoid the winter months.
Live baits are the most effective method to consistently catch redfish, especially the big bull red. The best live baits are live shrimp, mullet, marine worms, mud minnows, Atlantic croaker, pinfish, ladyfish, and small blue crabs.
Creek mouths and bends, submerged structure, and deep undercut mangroves are prime redfish locations.
Snook
Snook are a highly prized game fish because of their aggressive fighting ability and delicious white flesh. Snook are excellent eating and fun to catch.
Snook can be caught year-round in Key Largo, but they prefer the warmer months. April, May, June, and July are the hot months. Avoid the winter months.
The best baits for snook fishing are shrimp, finger mullet, and pinfish. Jewfish Creek offers a good trolling spot, and Marvin D. Adams Waterway is another fantastic spot for snook fishing.
Bonefish
The “grey ghost” is aptly named. Nearly impossible to see in the water thanks to their unique silver- and blue-green coloring that helps the fish camouflage.
October is probably the best month for bones in the Keys. November is also great for bonefish in Key Largo. Avoid the late summer months.
Use either a small crab—from a quarter size on down—or a live shrimp. You pinch the tail off the shrimp, which puts a lot of scent into the water.
Some of the better bonefish locations around the Upper Keys are Tavernier Key and Rodriguez Key Oceanside, then around the Snake Creek Bridge and Whale Harbor Bridge areas.
Grouper
The Grouper is probably one of the most sought-after species due to its popularity as a great game fish and excellent table fare.
The best months for grouper fishing in Key Largo are February, March, and April. Avoid the late summer months. They will eat all varieties of live bait, including pinfish, pilchards, and threadfins. Try Tavernier Key Reefs for a hot grouper location.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Key Largo
These Key Largo-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 |
| All Hanns On Deck | Key Largo, FL |
| Tail Gator Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Fins & Feathers Fishing Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Against The Grain Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Chef Charles The Fishing Chef | Key Largo, FL |
| Off Course Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Hold Tight Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Captain Pete Jacobsen | Key Largo, FL |
| Lock It Up Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Grand Slam Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| Local Grown Charters | Key Largo, FL |
| A2 Fishing Charters | Key Largo, FL |
Best Times: Monthly Fishing in Key Largo
January: Spotted sea trout, redfish, and yellowtail fishing is great in January.
February: Spotted sea trout and redfish are abundant in February.
March: Permit, bonefish, and snook fishing in March are fantastic.
April: Permit, bonefish, tarpon, and redfish are perfect targets in April.
May: Snapper, tarpon, and bonefishing are excellent in May.
June: Snapper and tarpon are plentiful in June.
July: Snapper and tarpon are still good in July.
August: Permit, tarpon, and snapper are hot in August.
September: Permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snapper are all great choices for September.
October: Permit, bonefish, redfish, and snapper are hot in October.
November: Redfish and permit fishing in November can be fantastic.
December: Redfish and grouper are perfect picks for December.
To learn the best times to fish in Key Largo, check out this article.
Fishing Charter Cost Expectations
The average cost of Key Largo fishing charter trips that last 4 hours is $750, 6 hours is $1025, 8 hours is $1330, 10 hours is $1400 and 12 hours is $2500.
For a much more robust breakdown of the average costs to book Key Largo charters, check out this guide I wrote.
Key Largo Fishing Hotspots
Key Largo Inshore
Everglades National Park is located just west of Key Largo and comprises a network of islands and rivers that are home to some of the world’s favorite inshore fish. Snook, tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish, and even gag grouper may be encountered depending on the time of year.
Key Largo Nearshore
Jewfish Creek is located where US 1 crosses from the mainland onto the Keys. It is also known as Long Creek. Long Sound is a bay on the north end of Key Largo. Joe Bay is technically in Miami-Dade County, but it’s close to Key Largo.
Key Largo Offshore
Bibb is a sunken ship that lies 6 nautical miles off of Key Largo. Hogfish, snapper, and black grouper can be found swimming around the underwater vessel. Note that fishing is only allowed from a boat tied to the mooring buoy.
Key Largo Surf
Try John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Rowell’sWaterfront Park for amazing surf fishing opportunities in Key Largo.
Key Largo Fishing License Requirements
A saltwater fishing license is required to fish independently in the Keys, even from area bridges or from shore. These can be purchased at many bait and tackle shops, online at www.myfwc.com, or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA
