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Port guide / Florida Keys / Florida

Big Pine Key fishing guide

Big Pine Key sits just west of Bahia Honda at the start of the Lower Keys, and its fishing leans toward skinny water. Where Marathon is built around the Seven Mile Bridge, Sombrero Reef and a Gulf Stream run, and Key West sends boats to the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas, Big Pine guides spend most days on the backcountry flats from Big Pine to Sugarloaf for bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda and sharks. Looe Key is the home reef, a sanctuary area where spearfishing is banned and the core is a no-fishing zone, and the Bahia Honda channel is the local tarpon bridge. Offshore boats run south past Looe Key to the Gulf Stream, which NWS put about 19 nautical miles south-southeast of Looe Key in early October 2026.

10 ft, conditions now

Conditions now

Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.

Today’s bite

A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.

Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.

Tides

  1. Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.

On the water now

Water
Checking
Wind
Checking

Marine forecast

Loading the National Weather Service forecast.

7 day forecast

National Weather Service, for Big Pine Key. Updates through the day.

  1. Loading the 7 day forecast.

NOAA tides, Spanish Harbor Viaduct, Big Pine Key, FL NOAA station Vaca Key, Florida Bay, FL NWS 7 day forecast NWS marine forecast, Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef

12 ft, the chart

Chart and depths

The official NOAA chart, centered on Big Pine Key. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.

The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.

NOAA electronic navigational chart: soundings, depth contours, channels, markers and hazards. Zoom in to see more soundings. Not for navigation. Open NOAA ENC Online

15 ft, fishing reports

Fishing reports

What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.

Latest reports

From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.

  1. Checking the latest reports.

Report sources: Coastal Angler Florida Keys Fishing Reports Keys Weekly Florida Keys Fish Report Captain Experiences Big Pine Key guide reports

Straight from the dock

Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.

Checking for reports.

Run a shop or charter here? Send a report

20 ft, what is biting

What is biting, month by month

When each fish is at its best around Big Pine Key. This month is marked.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bonefish
Permit
Tarpon
Barracuda
Mutton snapper
Yellowtail snapper
Mangrove snapper
Mahi mahi (dolphin)
Black grouper

30 ft, seasons and rules

Seasons and rules

Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.

  • Spiny lobster, regular season

    Regular season runs Aug. 6 to March 31, so the current season is open through March 31, 2027. A saltwater license and lobster permit are required.

    FWC, 2026 to 2027 season Official page

  • Spiny lobster, sport season (mini-season)

    The last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July; FWC lists the next one as July 28 to 29, 2027. Monroe County has its own lower sport-season bag limit, and night diving for lobster is prohibited in Monroe County during sport season only.

    FWC, 2027 Official page

  • Hogfish, Atlantic including the Florida Keys

    Open May 1 to Oct. 31 in state and federal waters south of Cape Sable; closed Nov. 1 to April 30.

    FWC, current FWC rule (annual) Official page

  • Black, red and other shallow-water grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters, Atlantic and Gulf side)

    Red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby are closed Jan. 1 to April 30 and open May 1 to Dec. 31.

    FWC, current FWC rule (annual) Official page

  • Gag grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters)

    The Atlantic gag season is listed as May 1 to Aug. 1 in state and federal waters, and FWC closed Atlantic state waters to gag harvest starting Aug. 2, 2026. Closed for the rest of 2026.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters

    Gulf gag was open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026 and closed Oct. 1. During the Atlantic grouper closure you may fish open Gulf federal waters and run back to a Monroe County port through closed state waters if you go directly to port without stopping to fish.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red snapper, Atlantic state waters

    The 2026 Atlantic state season was open Oct. 9 to 22 and is now closed for 2026.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational)

    Remaining 2026 Gulf dates: Oct. 30 to Nov. 1; Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22; Nov. 26 to 29; Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20; Dec. 25 to 27; and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Snook, Southwest region (runs through the Florida Keys to the Monroe and Miami-Dade line)

    Closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Sept. 30; open the rest of the year. A snook permit is required to keep one.

    FWC, current FWC rule (annual) Official page

  • Bonefish

    Catch and release only, year-round.

    FWC, in effect since Sept. 1, 2013 Official page

  • Tarpon

    Catch and release only, year-round. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.

    FWC, current FWC rule Official page

40 ft, where to fish

Where to fish

  • Reef

    Looe Key Reef

    The home reef off Big Pine; spearfishing is banned in the Looe Key management area and the yellow-buoyed preservation area is closed to all fishing, so fish outside the buoys.

    Source

  • Bridge

    Bahia Honda bridge channel

    One of the three tarpon bridges fished in the Bob Traa Invitational each May, along with Long Key and the Seven Mile Bridge.

    Source

  • Flats

    Backcountry flats, Big Pine to Sugarloaf

    Local guides call this their main water for bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda and sharks on fly and light tackle.

    Source

  • Flats

    Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

    A sanctuary management area in the Lower Keys backcountry where personal watercraft, airboats and water skiing are banned, which keeps it quiet for poling skiffs.

    Source

  • Reef

    Shallow patch reefs

    A Summerland Key guide reported the shallow patch reefs producing lots of snapper and grouper in October 2026.

    Source

  • Offshore

    Gulf Stream off Looe Key

    The NWS put the Gulf Stream edge about 19 nautical miles south-southeast of Looe Key on Oct. 9, 2026; it moves, so check the Key West coastal forecast before running.

    Source

50 ft, launch and piers

Ramps and piers

Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.

NameTypeFeeWhere
Eden Pines Boat RampRampFreeBittersweet Ave and Geranium Ave, Big Pine Key
Koehn Avenue Boat RampRampFreeNorth end of Koehn Ave, Big Pine Key
Old Wooden Bridge Guest Cottages and MarinaRampPaid1791 Bogie Dr, Big Pine Key
Spanish Harbor Wayside ParkRampFreeUS-1, MM 34, Bayside, Scout Key
Bahia Honda State ParkRampPaid36850 Overseas Hwy, Bahia Honda
State Road 4A Boat RampRampFreeState Road 4A, Little Torch Key

60 ft, bait, tackle and charters

Bait, tackle and charters

Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.

Bait and tackle (5)

Showing all 5 shops

Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.

Charters and guides

CharterFishing
Feelin' Fishy ChartersInshore
Torch Key Charters (Capt. Danny Clark)Fly
Fair Winds Flats Fishing Charters (Capt. Ben Moloney)Inshore
Capt. Doug KilpatrickFly

70 ft, on the calendar

Tournaments and events

Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.

80 ft, asked and answered

Fishing Big Pine Key, asked and answered

How is fishing Big Pine Key different from Marathon or Key West?

Big Pine is a backcountry and flats town: local guides fish the flats from Big Pine to Sugarloaf for bonefish, permit, tarpon and barracuda, and Looe Key is the home reef. Marathon is built around the Seven Mile Bridge and Sombrero Reef, and Key West boats run to the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas.

Can I fish Looe Key?

You can fish around Looe Key, but fishing by any means is banned inside the yellow-buoyed sanctuary preservation area, and spearfishing and collecting tropical fish are banned in the wider Looe Key management area.

Is hogfish open right now in the Lower Keys?

Hogfish in the Keys follows Atlantic rules, open May 1 to Oct. 31 and closed Nov. 1 to April 30, so it closes at the end of October.

Where can I buy live bait near Big Pine Key?

Lower Keys Tackle on Big Pine has been known for live pinfish, shrimp and crabs, so call ahead. Cudjoe Gardens Marina at mile marker 21, the Sugarloaf KOA marina and Sugarloaf Marina at mile marker 17 all list live and frozen bait.

Where do I get tides and water temperature for Big Pine Key?

The nearest NOAA tide prediction station is Spanish Harbor Viaduct, 8724178, which has predictions only. For water temperature and wind, the closest NOAA station is Vaca Key in Marathon, 8723970.

Can I fish the old bridges around Big Pine?

Florida State Parks lists the Ohio to Bahia Honda and Missouri to Little Duck spans of the old Flagler bridges as closed to fishing for safety. FWC also recommends against fishing for tarpon from bridges.

90 ft, the kit

What we would take to Big Pine Key

Save $10.00

No. 01 · Headwear

Catfish Hunter

$30.00 $20.00In stock
Fishy Performance hooded fishing shirt in gray camo, front view Save $15.00

No. 02 · Fishing Shirts

Fishy Performance Hooded Fishing Shirt

$40.00 $25.00Large to XXXL in stock
Choose size

No. 03 · Accessories

Hogfish Sticker

$2.50In stock
Black Performance Rope fishing hat with rope detail, front view Sold out

No. 04 · Headwear

Black Performance Rope

$30.00Sold out
View details
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
  1. captainexperiences.com/fishing-reports/locations/regions/big-pine-key
  2. captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/big-pine-key/seasonality
  3. coastalanglermag.com/lower-keys-tackle/
  4. floridakeys.noaa.gov/regs/
  5. forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=KEY&issuedby=KEY&product=CWF
  6. gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/Florida_Keys/pages/boat_ramps.html
  7. koa.com/campgrounds/sugarloaf-key/blog/sugarloaf-key-marina-fuel-bait-fishing-license_a620
  8. marinas.com/view/marina/ywc576_Cudjoe_Gardens_Marina_Cudjoe_Key_FL_United_States
  9. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/atlantic-red-snapper/
  10. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bonefish/
  11. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/
  12. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/hogfish/
  13. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/
  14. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/
  15. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/
  16. myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/
  17. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/fair-winds-flats-fishing-charters
  18. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/feelin-fishy-charters
  19. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/torch-key-charters
  20. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/triton-sea-center
  21. visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing/tournaments
  22. sugarloafkeymarina.com/sugarloaf-key-fishing-charters
  23. sugarloafkeymarina.com/sugarloaf-marina

100 ft, the seabed

Gear up for Big Pine Key

UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.

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