A Florida Keys fishing guide by season; whether you plan to visit during winter, spring, summer, or fall we have you covered. You will also find all of our favorite fish recipes to help you prepare your fresh catch!
Best Fishing In The Florida Keys In June
Summer has set in and it is much warmer than in the winter and spring months. The waters are mostly calm and predictable. The average high temperature is 91, the average low is 80.
Best Fishing Spots In The Florida Keys
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing has an easy run to the reef with calm conditions and is good pulling in mackerel, jacks, and grouper.
Flats Fishing
Flats fishing is still awesome and the migration is still all out. Another great month for flats fishing.
Backcountry Fishing
Backcountry fishing is outstanding and it is easy to reel in tarpon, snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, and grouper.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep sea fishing will prioritize mahi-mahi (dolphin fish), tuna, and wahoo. June is the perfect month to go deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys. In fact, several offshore tournaments take place during this month.
This is a list of the best fish species to catch which you can use to plan your fishing excursions.
- Amberjack – Excellent
- Barracuda – Excellent
- Blackfin Tuna – Good
- Blue Marlin – Possible
- Bonefish – Excellent
- Cero Mackerel – Good
- Cobia – Good
- Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi) – Excellent
- Grouper – Good
- Hogfish – Good
- Jack Crevalle – Good
- King Mackerel – Slow
- Lionfish – Excellent
- Mangrove Snapper – Excellent
- Mutton Snapper – Possible
- Sailfish – Fair
- Shark – Fair
- Swordfish – Excellent
- Tarpon – Excellent
- Wahoo – Good
- Yellowfin Tuna – Fair
- Yellowtail Snapper – Fair
Best Fishing In The Florida Keys In July
It’s full on summertime! The weather consists of mostly sunny days with innocent afternoon thunderstorms popping up at any time and without much warning. You can expect temps to be in the high 80s with a few days in the low 90s. The ocean water is crystal clear and all shades of migrating blues. Long runs to deeper waters are easy and fun. Perfect for snorkeling and diving, take your gear along on the boat to cool off mid-day! Lobster mini season is the last Wednesday and Thursday of July and then lobster season starts soon afterward.
Best Fishing Spots In The Florida Keys
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing is great with yellowtail and mutton snapper, mackerel, and jacks. Grouper season is full on open and also easy to reel in. Expect the seas to be calm.
Flats Fishing
Flats fishing is exceptional. Barracudas, shark, bonefish, and snook are ready for you while tarpon are trickling as their migration ends. Often called the SLAM season because according to local fishing experts, it is more likely to catch a slam than the rest of the year this month.
Backcountry Fishing
Backcountry fishing is awesome continuing to focus on tarpon, but it is easy to reel in snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, and grouper. An option with local guides during this month’s backcountry fishing is to venture out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sportfishing.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep sea fishing means mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) and wahoo, but marlins are definitely possible! The mahi-mahi are smaller in July, but the wahoo can be larger – so a trade off that can still be a win. Sailfish are also occasional during this month.
This is a list of the best fish species to catch which you can use to plan your fishing excursions.
- Amberjack – Fair
- Barracuda – Excellent
- Blackfin Tuna – Good
- Blue Marlin – Possible
- Bonefish – Excellent
- Bonito – Good
- Cero Mackerel – Good
- Cobia – Good
- Grouper – Excellent
- Hogfish – Good
- Jack Crevalle – Good
- King Mackerel – Slow
- Lionfish – Excellent
- Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin Fish) – Excellent
- Mangrove Snapper – Excellent
- Mutton Snapper – Possible
- Sailfish – Slow
- Shark – Excellent
- Swordfish – Excellent
- Tarpon – Good
- Wahoo – Good
- Yellowfin Tuna – Fair
- Yellowtail Snapper – Good
Best Fishing In The Florida Keys In August
August is usually the quieter time for the Florida Keys. It is hot and humid with days of no wind. The commercial lobster season is off and running with traps everywhere. You can expect temperatures to be in the high 80s with a few days in the low 90s. Heat is oppressive on some days so you want to be in the water often! Grab that snorkel gear! Take a respite on a sandbar, but keep fishing. The July conditions still apply: the ocean water is crystal clear and all shades of migrating blues. Long runs to deeper waters are easy and fun.
Best Fishing Spots In The Florida Keys
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing is great with yellowtail and mutton snapper, mackerel, and jacks. Grouper season is full on open and also easy to reel in. Expect the seas to be calm (just the same as in July).
Flats Fishing
Flats fishing is exceptional. You can find barracudas, sharks, bonefish, baby tarpon, and snook on your line. One of the best 4 months for flats fishing and again part of what locals call the SLAM season because you can achieve a slam during this month.
Backcountry Fishing
Backcountry fishing is still awesome continuing to focus on tarpon, but it is easy to reel in snapper, mackerel, jacks, sharks, cobia, barracudas, and grouper. An option with local guides again this month is to venture out to the shallow wrecks and reefs for sportfishing.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep sea fishing this month is great for marlin, but is not so great for deep sea fishing. It is best to choose one of the other fishing options in August.
This is a list of the best fish species to catch which you can use to plan your fishing excursions.
- Amberjack – Excellent
- Barracuda – Excellent
- Blackfin Tuna – Good
- Blue Marlin – Possible
- Bonefish – Excellent
- Bonito – Good
- Cero Mackerel – Good
- Cobia – Good
- Grouper – Excellent
- Hogfish – Good
- Jack Crevalle – Good
- King Mackerel – Slow
- Lionfish – Excellent
- Mangrove Snapper – Excellent
- Mutton Snapper – Possible
- Sailfish – Slow
- Shark – Fair
- Swordfish – Excellent
- Tarpon – Good
- Wahoo – Excellent
- Yellowfin Tuna – Fair
- Yellowtail Snapper – Good
Try some of these delicious recipes for dinner, snacks, and cocktails inspired by fresh from the island seafood.
Peace, Love and Vacations,
Martie, Kim and Layla the hunting poodle
