US Southeast · United States

Fishing in Florida Keys, Florida

The Keys are the flats-fishing capital of the world - the home of the bonefish, tarpon, and permit 'grand slam' - with world-class reef and offshore fishing on the other side.

See live conditions & Bite Score for the Florida Keys

Best time to fish

Year-round (tarpon peak March-June)

Where fish hold

Backcountry flats, channels, the reef, and the Gulf Stream

What you can catch in the Florida Keys

Tactics & tides

Sight-fishing with fly and live crabs on the flats, chumming yellowtail on the reef, trolling offshore.

Flats fish move with the tide onto and off the banks; permit and bonefish tail on the shallow flood.

Baitful scores all of this for you. It reads the live tide stage, barometric pressure trend, solunar feeding windows, wind and storm-aware weather at the Florida Keys and turns them into a 0 to 100 Bite Score with a 72-hour best-window view.

Fishing in the Florida Keys: FAQ

What fish can you catch in the Florida Keys?

Popular targets in the Florida Keys include Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), and 2 more. The mix shifts with the season and conditions.

When is the best time to fish in the Florida Keys?

The prime season is Year-round (tarpon peak March-June). Day to day, the bite is usually best on moving water around dawn and dusk. Flats fish move with the tide onto and off the banks; permit and bonefish tail on the shallow flood.

Where should you fish in the Florida Keys?

Focus on Backcountry flats, channels, the reef, and the Gulf Stream. Sight-fishing with fly and live crabs on the flats, chumming yellowtail on the reef, trolling offshore.

How do I know if it's a good day to fish in the Florida Keys?

Open Florida Keys, Florida in Baitful to see the live Bite Score, tides, solunar windows, and storm-aware weather, all scored for the day and the next 72 hours.

Fish the Florida Keys with a local captain

Browse charters & guides operating in the Florida Keys - trips, target species, and direct contact with no middleman fees.

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