Does Key West Offer Good Fishing? A Complete Breakdown
Key West is one of the best fishing destinations on earth and home to countless species of gamefish. Many anglers want to know just how good the fishing is in this great location.
Key West offers world-class fishing for tarpon, mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, bonefish, permit, redfish, grouper, barracuda, wahoo, and tuna among other species of gamefish.
Key West is well-known for its mangroves, flats, and deep-sea holes that attract plenty of fish. Anglers can get the most out of their Key West fishing trip when they visit the destination at the right time.
Does Key West Have Good Fishing?
Home to the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef, Key West is famous for its flats fishing. Anglers from all over the world travel to key west for a shot at a saltwater grand slam, which is catching a bonefish, tarpon, and permit all in the same trip.
Located at the end of the Keys of Florida, Key West is in a spot where a lot of different kinds of fish travel through to migrate. Some fish will stick around Key West year-round, but most will be traveling back and forth from warmer and cooler waters.
Fly fishing is very popular in Key West as there are tons of flats to fish on, which are easier to fly fish than deep water. Offshore fishing is also good in Key West, offering tons of grouper, mackerel, and mahi-mahi.
Key West Species Fishing Breakdown
Tarpon
Tarpon are one of Key West’s trophies, getting up to be over 200lbs, they are commonly found along the flats in Key West, and are one-third of the saltwater grand slam.
Tarpon will roam around the flats looking for baitfish and crabs to feed on, so either using imitation or live bait can hook you up with a lot of fish. Tarpon are generally in the area from May through August, and their peak time is in June.
Bonefish
Bonefish are somewhat small, white, and gray fish and are also found in the flats of Key West and are
available during the same times that tarpon are. Bonefish are the most difficult fish to get hooked up
without the three fish in a grand slam.
Some anglers will go as far as wading in the flats and casting up to the fish while a guide sits in their boat and tries to spot them. Bonefish generally eat small crabs and shrimp.
Permit
Permit are pound for pound one of the strongest fighting fish you can find in Florida, also found in the flats, permit are known to spool unprepared anglers. Permit also like to eat crabs so having a few crab imitations in your box is a must.
Permit are easy to get hooked up on that bonefish and are easier to land than tarpon but are still a difficult fish to catch. While fishing the flats, shallower and clearer water means that the fish will be easily spooked, so moving quietly and not wasting casts are musts when it comes to fishing the flats.
Mahi-Mahi
Found in the offshore waters of Key West, mahi-mahi are a great-tasting fish and great fighters. The most common spot for them is near patches of seaweed in deep water, but you can also catch them by trolling in completely open water as well.
The most common bait for mahi-mahi is ballyhoo, but artificials can work as well. Mahi-mahi are in the area mainly during the summer, but some can be found year-round.
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 | Location |
| Easy Does It Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Jolly Roger II Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fish Key West – The Coolcast | Key West, FL |
| Hooked Up Charters | Key West, FL |
| Reel Easy Charters | Key West, FL |
| Hillbilly Hookers Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fishizzle Sportfishing Charters 30′ | Key West, FL |
| Reel A Salt Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Corsair 2 Sportfishing Key West | Key West, FL |
| Southpaw Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fish Key West – The Coolwater II | Key West, FL |
| My Ohana Sport Fishing | Key West, FL |
Best Species to Fish for in Key West
Tarpon are generally considered to be Key West’s most sought-out fish, and for good reason. The tarpon
are plentiful in the flats, and Key West has the perfect climate and water conditions to support a healthy
the population of tarpon.
They are difficult fish to land and some days you won’t land half the fish you hook up with, but the few that you do land will be worth it. Some tarpon in the area will get over 200lbs, but the most common sizes are 50-100lbs, which are much easier to land.
Does Key West Offer Good fishing?
Inshore
As mentioned before, Key West is famous for its flats fishing. This is due to a few different factors such as location and the sheer size of the flats. Key West is in a prime spot to have a variety of fish in its waters.
Since it is located at the start of the keys in the gulf, it is one of the only major structures out that far, so fish tend to be drawn to the area. Whether it’s to get out of the main current, or to look for food, plenty of fish will stop at Key West during their migration, including inshore fish like tarpon, bonefish, and permit.
Nearshore
Nearshore fishing is also a very viable option in Key West. The most popular targets nearshore in Key West are tarpon, cobia, grouper, and amberjack.
In this range from shore, you will find some structure such as reefs and wrecks. These structures act as homes for some fish, so if you find the structure, you will most likely find the fish as well.
Offshore
Offshore fishing in Key West may take the backseat to the flats fishing but shouldn’t be ignored. In the
offshore waters of Key West, you can find plenty of tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi.
Fishing offshore means going so far out that you cannot see the shore anymore. Out here, you will be able to find some structure, but it will be few and far between when compared to the nearshore waters.
Luckily, some of the top offshore species don’t require that kind of structure. Marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, and sailfish are all usually found in open water, feeding on ballyhoo on the surface, usually near a patch of seaweed.
Best Season & Times to Fish Key West
Key West has great fishing in the summer, but that doesn’t mean ignoring the other seasons either. In late spring, tarpon will start to be extremely active and, in the fall, offshore fish are feeding a lot to prepare for migration.
Even with these great opportunities in the other seasons, summer remains king in Key West. This is when you will find extremely active flats fish, along with plenty of opportunities offshore.
The weather can get extreme in the summer, but if you go out early enough it shouldn’t be an issue, the morning is usually the best time to fish the area anyway.
Is Night Fishing Good In Key West?
Nightfishing can be good in Key West, but usually isn’t the best option. Fish can use artificial light from shore to be able to see their prey at night. Key West doesn’t have nearly as much artificial light as some coastal cities in Florida do.
There are spots that have plenty, and the night fishing there is good, but some spots aren’t nearly as good. Fishing near piers with lights on them is also a good option. Using live bait is your best choice for bait, the fish’s eyesight is already impaired, so it makes sense to offer something with a strong, natural scent.
Is Beach Fishing Good in Key West?
Most beach fishing in key west will be done along the southern shore as the northern shore is mainly private land. Key West offers some great beach fishing, mainly offering cobia, snook, and the occasional tarpon or shark.
With most of the beaches in key west, you won’t be able to reach flats that fish are in, unless if the beach is near a huge patch of mangroves. Most fish in the area try to find mangroves or other kinds of cover nearshore, and if those aren’t available, they will move into currents that are reachable by a beach or pier.
Hot Fishing Spots in Key West
Edward B. Knight Pier
Edward B. Knight pier is located on the south side of Key West and is a large pier that sticks out 313 yards. While it is also a popular tourist spot, there is plenty of room on the pier to get a line out.
The pier is free and offers some great fishing in some channels that are deeper than what you can find at other piers. The most caught fish here are cobia and different species of snapper.
Ponc De Leon Fishing Pier
This pier is located to the west of the Edward B. Knight pier. The pier is quite a bit shorter, only sticking out around 133 yards. The same kind of fishing can be expected, but the pier is located in a small inlet, making the water a bit shallower.
Snapper and sheepshead are very common at this pier, but you can find a wider variety of fish if you cast deeper. This pier is a more popular tourist attraction than the Edward B. Knight pier but can still offer some good fishing.
Thompson Island
Thompson island is located on the east side of the island, along the channel that separates Key West from Stock Island. There are a few shore fishing spots in here, but you can find better spots by boat.
This area is home to plenty of inshore fish and acts as a highway between deeper and shallower water. The pass itself is called Cow Key Channel, and is a great spot for snook, redfish, and tarpon.
Key West & Fishing Charters
-is it a good idea?
It is a good idea to book a charter for your trip in Key West. Most of the fishing will require a boat, and if you can somehow rent or borrow a boat, you may not have the knowledge of the area that is required to have a good fishing day.
Most of the guides in the area have been guiding professionally for years, and some even grew up in the area fishing the waters.
Needless to say, they most likely have more knowledge than you when it comes to fishing Key West, which is a part of the reason why guides cost as much as they do. Alongside the gas, time, and labor, you are also paying for a well-experienced guide who will do anything they can to put you on fish.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cedar Key, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key West, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the charter costs in Key West, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing spots in Key West, check out this article.
