Florida Keys Monthly Fishing Trends

Backcountry fishing Calendar
General monthly fishing trends

Offshore fishing Calendar
General monthly fishing trends

Backcountry Sportfish
of the Florida Keys

Bonefish ( pictures ) primarily an inshore fish inhabiting the shallows of our Florida Keys; often in less than 1 foot deep of water over lush grass flats and occasionally over white sand. Traveling in loose schools they root out shrimp, shellfish,crabs and fish from the bottom.

Tarpon: Everything about this fish is major league. Often referred to as the Silver Kings, Tarpon have been traveling the tropical waters for over 125 million years.
Techniques for catching tarpon vary widely, but locating the fish in calm waters can be easy, these fish surface from time to time, taking a gulp of air. Recent research indicates that this supplemental oxygen is essential to their survival.

Permit: Found mainly offshore around wrecks and debris or inshore on grass flats, sand flats and in channels; most abundant in south Florida. Feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams and small fish. Permit are by far the most frustrating fish you'll encounter on the flats. They have superb eyesight and a well developed sense of smell. Due to their body shape, they seem to be much more comfortable in deeper water. Although it is fairly common to see permit with their tail and dorsal fin sticking out of the water, they usually won't remain there for long periods of time.

Snook: are found from central Florida , south. Usually inshore in coastal and brackish waters along mangrove shorelines seawalls, and bridges and can also be found on reefs and pilings near shore Average catches weight around 5 t0 8 lbs. Spawns primarily in summer. Can not tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees but can however tolerate wholly fresh or saltwater. Schools along shore and in passes during spawning season feeding on fish and large crustaceans.

Redfish: (Red Drum) Juveniles are an inshore fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population offshore. Spawning occurs from August to November in near shore waters. Feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks and can live to 20 years or more.

Offshore Sportfish
of the Florida Keys

Sailfish: Offshore species in south Florida generally associated with waters near the Gulf Stream. A rapid growing species, reaching 4 to 5 feet in a single year and are common to 7 feet having an average weight is 30 - 60 lbs.. They can swim at speeds up to 50 knots. Feeding on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid.

Dolphin: are found offshore in our warm waters most of the year. They are common to 30 pounds and can grow to much larger weights. This is one of the fastest growing fish in the ocean and are thought to live no more than 5 years. Swimming speeds for this beautiful fish are estimated to be upwards of 50 knots. Dolphin spawn in warm oceanic currents throughout much of the year and feed mainly on flying fish, ballyhoo and squid.

Cobia: Found both inshore and near shore inhabiting inlets, bays and among mangroves: frequently seen around buoys, pilings and wrecks. Common to 30 pounds. Spawns in the spring and early summers feeds on crabs, squid and small fish.

King Mackerel: Near shore and offshore common to 20 pounds. Schooling fish that migrate from south Florida waters in winter to more northerly waters in spring. Gulf population thought to be separate from Atlantic population, with considerable mixing in winter from Cape Canaveral past Key West offshore. Feeds on small fish and squid.

Blue Marlin: Offshore, blue water fish. Largest of the Atlantic marlins. common to 11 feet. Known to exceed 2,000 pounds. All trophy sized marlin are female. Males do not exceed 300 pounds. They make trans- Atlantic migrations; spawning procedures unknown, feed on squid and pelagic fishes. Including Blackfin tuna, and Frigate mackerel.