[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We fish every day and know where the fish are in every season. Call 1-855-GOT-BAIT to reserve a charter date
Tarpon like warm water preferably over 75 degrees. The season in the keys is longer than further north because of the warm water. July is usually a bad month as they go offshore to spawn.
Snook, seatrout, and redfish are around all year. Larger redfish are usually around at spawning time in September and October.
Seatrout will be in shallow water in April and May and in deeper water in fall and winter.
Nearshore species like kings, cobia and Spanish mackerel are hottest in the winter
Florida is considered the best place to fish by SaltWater Sportsman in October for Sailfish,snook,tarpon, permit and swordfish.They are second best for bonefish and king mackerel. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Amberjack
Amberjack are around all year, but the best months to fish are February to June. The rest of the year is slow to fair.
IGFA world record is 163lb 3oz caught in Japan.
They are considered fair as a food fish, but they are very good when smoked[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Barracuda
Barracuda are around all year, and there is no official season. The limit is 2 fish per person between 15-36 inches.
The barracuda are great fighters and are found almost everywhere in the keys. Because they are not good food fish, they are great fun to catch and release.
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Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin tuna are here all year around. The best Months to fish for them are March, April and October to December.
They run from 5-30lbs and have a great food value, The World record is 49lb 6oz caught in Marathon.
Blackfin are found in the deeper waters like around the Marathon Hump, 409 Hump and Islamorada Hump and can be caught by almost any fishing method, trolling, fly fishing, and natural and artificial baits.
Florida Keys are considered the best place in the world to fish for blackfin tuna in February.
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Blue Marlin
Blue marlin are possible to catch in the keys, but it doesn’t happen often. Best months are May to November.
Bonita
They are around all year. Best months are March and April and worst is September. The limit is 2 fish per person.
Bonefish
Bonefish are around all year but the best months to fish are April, May and September to November. They spawn offshore or in deep water from November to May.
They are a catch and release only fishery[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Cobia
Cobia fishing is good all year. June, July and August are a little slower than the other months. Minimus size id 33′ fork length and 1 per person. State record is 130lb 1oz caught at Destin. World record is 135lb 9oz caught in Australia.
Cobia are great fighters and good food quality. Theybare generally found around structure.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin are around all year. The best months are May to September. The rest of the year is slow.In the Atlantic the minimum size is 20″ fork length and the limit is 10 per person
The world record is 87lb caught in Costa Rico. The sate record is 81lbs caught in Lantana.
They like warm water and are found in the deeper waters. Often they are found around floating objects and weed lines.
They are excellent as a food fish and do well with almost any cooking method.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Grouper
Grouper are here all year, but there are closed seasons. You can retain groupers from May 1st to Dec 31. Minimum size for Gag and black grouper is 24 inches, the rest have a 20 inch minimum.
You can keep 3 groupers a person but only 1 can be Gag or Black. Goliath and Nassau groupers are protected and you can’t keep any.
Groupers are found on the reefs and wrecks of Islamorada. They live on the bottom and can be caught with live or cut bait. They are great fighters and will try to get to structure on the bottom when hooked.
The food value is excellent. Most consider black grouper as the best.
World records are listed here[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
King Mackerel
The best season for King Mackerel in the keys is December to March, April is ok and the rest of the year is slow. There is no closed season for King mackerel. The limit is 3 per person.
World record for king mackerel is 93lbs caught in Puerto Rico. The Florida record is 90lbs caught near Key West.
They are usually caught in deeper waters over 60 feet and like temperatures above 68.They are often found around reefs, wrecks and other structure, where bait fish are available. They may be found in schools but the larger fish are found alone.
Florida is considered the best place in the world to fish for King Mackerelin February by Saltwater sportsman
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Mangrove Snapper
AKA Gray Snapper: The best fishing is June to August with fair fishing in Sept and Oct. The rest of the year is slow. The season is open year round with the limit of 5 per person, but no more that 10 total snappers.
The world record is 25lb 9oz caught in Japan.
Mutton Snapper
The best months are January to April. The season is open year round with the limit of 5 per person, but no more that 10 total snappers. Minimum size is 18″.
The world record is 30lb 4oz caught in the Dry Tortugas.
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Permit
The best fishing for permit is February and March and a little bit in April. The rest of the year is dead. The limit in Islamorada is 1 fish per person and there is no closed season. Minimum size is 22 ” fork length.
The world record is 60lb caught in Brazil and the record in Florida is 55lb 2oz caught at Fort Lauderdale.
They are mostly found in grassy or sand flats near reefs and wrecks. They are great fighters on light tackle and can be hard to bring in. They will rub their mouth on the hard bottom to disengage the hook or snag it on coral.
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Pompano
Fishing is best in the winter when temperatures are in the 70-75 degree range. There is nor closed season. There are 2 main species, African and Florida Pompano.
Florida Pompano are smaller. They have a limit of 6 fish with an 11″ minimum. The African Pompano has a limit of 2 per day with a 24″ fork length minimum. There is no closed season.
Pompano are usually found inshore and around the beaches. The like oyster and sand beds.
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Sailfish
The best fishing is December through April. The rest of the year is slow although some are caught. Most sailfishing is catch and release. There is an IGFA world record kept. It is 142lb 6oz caught in Angola. They are usually in water over 36 feet and they often cruise the edges of the reefs.
They are usually caught trolling or kite fishing.
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Sharks
Sharks are around all year. April, June and August are probably the worst months, but the sharks are always around.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Swordfish
Swordfishing is good all year. The hot months , May through August are the best.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Tarpon
Tarpon fishing starts in March and ends in August. The best months are April, May and June.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Wahoo
The best wahoo fishing is best from August to November. They are around all year, but the slowest month is probably March[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
White Marlin
White marlin are not common in the keys. Sometimes a few are caught from May to August.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Yellowtail snapper
The best months are August through March., but they are caught all year round.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
