The Florida Keys fish year-round, but the species and techniques shift dramatically month to month. This calendar covers both the inshore flats and the offshore reef and bluewater fisheries.
Related: Florida Keys Fishing Guide · Keys Weekly Fishing Reports
| Month | Top Species | Peak Technique | Conditions & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Bonefish, Permit, Sailfish | Flats sight-casting, kite baits | Good permit on the flats in calm weather; sailfish offshore at peak |
| February | Permit, Bonefish, Sailfish | Crabs on the flats, kite fishing | Permit season excellent; best bonefish clarity of year in cool water |
| March | Tarpon (arriving), Permit | Live crabs, fly fishing | First tarpon of the season appear in the channels; permit season excellent |
| April | Tarpon, Permit, Mahi | Live crabs, permit crabs, trolling | Tarpon migration building — one of the best months of the year |
| May | Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish | Live crabs/mullet — fly fishing | Peak tarpon season — thousands of fish in the passes and channels |
| June | Tarpon, Mahi, Mutton Snapper | Live bait, full moon mutton fishing | Tarpon continue; mutton snapper on the full moon reef bite |
| July | Mahi, Sailfish, Snapper | Weedline trolling, bottom fishing | Offshore mahi on weedlines; reef fishing excellent; afternoon storms |
| August | Mahi, Permit, Bonefish | Offshore trolling, flats fishing | Offshore mahi active; permit fishing excellent — often the best permit month |
| September | Permit, Bonefish, Wahoo | Flats sight-casting, trolling | Excellent permit season; wahoo building on the offshore reefs |
| October | Permit, Wahoo, Sailfish | Crabs on flats, high-speed trolling | Best permit month many years; wahoo peak; sailfish season starting |
| November | Sailfish, Wahoo, Permit | Kite fishing, trolling | Sailfish arrive in force; wahoo excellent; permit still active |
| December | Sailfish, Bonefish, Permit | Kite fishing, flats fishing | Sailfish season at full stride; clear cool water = good flats conditions |
Best Months to Visit the Florida Keys
Tarpon: April–June (peak May). Permit: April–October (peak August–October). Bonefish: Year-round (best January–March, August–October). Sailfish: November–March.
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