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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Keaton Beach fishing guide
Keaton Beach is a small Taylor County settlement on one of the least developed stretches of coast in Florida, about 20 miles southwest of Perry, and it is the last place before St. Marks with a true deepwater channel out to the grass flats. The fishing is almost all shallow: miles of turtle grass, shell bars and creek mouths for speckled trout and redfish, with less than 6 feet of water for a mile or two off the beach and about 35 miles to reach 60 feet. Unlike Carrabelle, the nearest guide on this site, Keaton Beach sits in FWC's Big Bend Region, so seatrout harvest stays open year-round instead of closing in February, and it falls in the Fenholloway through Suwannee scallop zone, which opens June 15 instead of July 1. There are no nearby artificial reefs like Carrabelle's; the draw here is drifting the flats.
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
- 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 Keaton Beach. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Hagens Cove, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Cedar Key, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton Beach FL out 20 NM (waters north of Keaton Beach are GMZ730, Apalachee Bay or coastal waters from Keaton Beach to Ochlockonee River) (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Keaton Beach. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
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.
- We have not found a report source that posts online for this water yet.
Report sources: Captain Experiences Steinhatchee fishing reports (opens in a new tab)
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.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Keaton Beach. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Gag grouper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
The fish Keaton Beach is known for; locals drift the grass flats with live shrimp, pinfish or Gulp shrimp under popping corks, rigged to ride just above the grass.
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Reds sit shallower than the trout around shell bars, like those close to shore south of Spring Warrior Creek, and spook easily, so small topwaters, gold spoons and light soft plastics work best.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, July
An inshore target on local charters, but Florida harvest closes Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Sheepshead
Peak: May, June, July
Caught on inshore structure year-round, and local charters run dedicated sheepshead trips.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June
A flats and nearshore fish that Keaton Beach inshore guides list alongside reds and trout.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July
A warm-water fish on the deeper grass, best May through July.
Black drum
Peak: May, June, July
Shows up year-round along this coast, best in early summer.
Gag grouper
Peak: May, June, July
An offshore target for the bigger boats, but in 2026 Gulf harvest was only open Sept. 1 to 30.
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.
Spotted seatrout, Big Bend Region (includes all Taylor County waters)
Open year-round.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Redfish, Big Bend Region
Open year-round.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Big Bend Region
Harvest closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31; a snook permit is required to keep one.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bay scallops, Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers Zone (includes Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee)
Open June 15 through Labor Day, with a lower bag limit June 15 to 30.
FWC, 2026 season as listed by FWC Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, state and federal waters off Florida
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, private recreational, Gulf state and federal waters
Summer season May 22 to July 31 daily. Fall season Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 daily, Oct. 9 to 22 daily, then Oct. 23 to 25, 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. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit fishing Florida Gulf state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state and federal waters
Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026; harvest closed Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf
Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Channel
Keaton Beach main channel
Run the main channel out to marker #3 before turning north or south, since the shoreline is rocky and shallow.
- Flats
Hagens Cove flats (Piney Point to Sponge Point)
South of Keaton Beach, drift the grass between Piney Point and Sponge Point about 500 yards off the points for trout.
- Flats
Dog Head area
About two miles off Hagens Cove in slightly deeper water that can hold more trout depending on water temperature.
- Flats
Dekle Beach deep-water notch
The notch between two fingers of deeper water off Dekle Beach holds trout as the flats warm and the tide falls.
- Marsh
Spring Warrior Creek and trench
Seven miles of lightly fished flats run from Keaton Beach to Spring Warrior Creek, with a trench off the creek for trout and shell bars to the south for reds.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keaton Beach Boat Ramp (Taylor County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Keaton Beach, Taylor County, FL |
| Spring Warrior Boat Ramp (Taylor County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Spring Warrior Creek, off Puckett Road, Taylor County, FL |
| Hagens Cove Primitive Launch, Big Bend Wildlife Management Area (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Hagens Cove, south of Keaton Beach (29.7724, -83.5799) |
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 (2)
Showing all 2 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Sea Hag Marina
Bait: live shrimp
322 Riverside Drive, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Full-service marina at Marker 47 on the Steinhatchee River with a ship's store, tackle, live shrimp, fuel and rental boats.
- Bait and tackle
Wilson's Bait and Tackle
1702 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL
In Perry on the way down to the coast; locals stock up here before running Beach Road (CR 361) to Dekle Beach, Keaton Beach or Steinhatchee, and it sells Taylor County boat ramp decals.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Good Time Charters, Keaton Beach (Capt. Melissa) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Salty Tails Charters (Capt. Champ Klein) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Perry Optimist Club Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early May
2026: May 2 (weigh-ins at Sea Hag Marina, the Keaton Beach Public Boat Ramp and Econfina River Resort)Santa Fe Lady Raider Inshore Slam (Steinhatchee) (opens in a new tab)
usually early October
2026: October 3 (14th annual, at Sea Hag Marina)Nauti Girls Fishing Tournament (Steinhatchee) (opens in a new tab)
usually October
2026: October 10 (at Sea Hag Marina)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Keaton Beach, asked and answered
Can I keep speckled trout at Keaton Beach in February?
Yes. Keaton Beach is in FWC's Big Bend Region, where seatrout harvest is open year-round. That is different from Carrabelle and the rest of the Panhandle Region, which close in February.
When is scallop season at Keaton Beach in 2026?
FWC lists June 15 through Labor Day for the Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers Zone, which includes Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee. The bag limit is lower from June 15 to 30.
Do I have to pay to launch at Keaton Beach?
Yes. Taylor County charges a yearly or daily pass at its maintained ramps, including Keaton Beach and Spring Warrior, and non-residents pay a higher rate since March 31, 2025. Decals are sold at county offices, Wilson's Bait and Tackle in Perry and Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee.
Where do Keaton Beach anglers fish for trout?
Run the main channel out to marker #3, then drift the grass flats off Hagens Cove, the Dog Head area, the Dekle Beach notch or the trench off Spring Warrior Creek. Live shrimp, pinfish or Gulp shrimp under popping corks are the standard rigs.
Which marine forecast covers Keaton Beach?
NWS zone GMZ765 covers the coastal waters from the Suwannee River to Keaton Beach out 20 nautical miles. North of Keaton Beach, toward Apalachee Bay, the zone is GMZ730.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Keaton Beach
Sources for this guide (19), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/steinhatchee/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- seahag.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- seahag.com/tournaments/ (opens in a new tab)
- boardandkayak.com/charter/good-time-charters--keaton-beach-24504 (opens in a new tab)
- boardandkayak.com/charter/salty-tails-charters-12236 (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- howsyourriver.com/access_sites/hagens-cove-primitive-launch-ramp-big-bend-wildlife-managem (opens in a new tab)
- naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/kick-off-your-spring-fishing-at-keaton-beach-on-floridas-big- (opens in a new tab)
- naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/take-a-kid-fishing-but-stop-at-wilsons-bait-and-tackle-in-per (opens in a new tab)
- taylorcountytaxcollector.com/boat-ramp-permits (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Keaton Beach
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.