March 2026 — Florida Keys: First Tarpon of the Season Arriving, Permit Excellent, Mahi Offshore. March is a early spring month with water in the 60-68°F range — cobia migration building; inshore species moving onto warming flats. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — March 2026
Primary targets this month: Tarpon, Sailfish, Permit, Bonefish.
Tarpon
Tarpon mostly absent — a few resident fish in deeper backwater rivers and warm-water outflows (canals, power plants).
Sailfish
Peak sailfish season on the reef edge 4-8 miles off Islamorada, the Marathon Hump, Wood’s Wall off Key West, and the Tennessee Reef. Live bait (goggle-eyes, threadfins) on kites or slow-trolled. North current with falling barometer triggers the best bites. The Stuart-Palm Beach-Fort Lauderdale corridor is the East Coast sailfish capital.
Permit
Permit on the wrecks 5-20 miles off Key West and Marathon, the channel edges of the Marquesas, and the bridges at Bahia Honda and Seven Mile. Sight-fish on the flats with live blue crabs or small crabs on a 1/0-2/0 circle hook, 20 lb fluoro leader. Extremely spooky — long casts, soft presentations, patient stalking.
Bonefish
Bonefish on the flats of Islamorada (Lower Matecumbe, Buchanan Bank), the Marathon flats, the Bahia Honda flats, and the backcountry of the Lower Keys. Sight-fishing — pole the flats, look for tailing or pushing fish, and lead them with a small crab fly (Gotcha, Crazy Charlie, Bonefish Bitter) or a live shrimp. Long leaders to 10-15 lb fluoro.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 60-68°F. Cobia migration building; inshore species moving onto warming flats. Bridge fishing in the Keys is driven entirely by current; slack water is dead. Outgoing tide through the channels is the prime tarpon window.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Cobia readiness. Keep a heavy spinning rod (8000-class, 40-50 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluoro) ready with a bucktail or live eel — cobia don’t announce themselves.
- Sight-fishing weather. Plan trips around calm seas and sun overhead. Polarized lenses essential.
- Bait migration. Spanish, kings, and predators follow bait pods — watch for diving birds and surface activity.
March Outlook
Spring transitions accelerate — water warming, fish moving onto flats, migrations intensifying.
Regulations Reminder
Tarpon: Catch-and-release only — tarpon over 40″ must remain in water. Permit: 11-22″ slot in most FL zones; special permit tag required in Keys Special Permit Zone. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: World Wide Sportsman (Islamorada, 305-664-4615); Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (Islamorada); Sea Boots Outfitters (Big Pine).
Public Boat Ramps: Founders Park (Islamorada), Whale Harbor (Islamorada), Marathon city ramps, Big Pine Key, Geiger Key, Key West (Garrison Bight, Stock Island).
Charter Fishing: $500-$900 flats (bonefish/permit/tarpon); $1,000-$1,800 offshore; backcountry skiffs $550-$800.
More Florida Keys Resources
Florida Keys Fishing Guide · Florida Keys Seasonal Calendar · All Florida Keys reports →
Reports updated every Thursday on fishing.digital.