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Port guide / Florida Keys / Florida
Key Largo fishing guide
Key Largo is the top of the Keys, with Florida Bay, Blackwater Sound and the Everglades backcountry on the bay side and the reef tract of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the sanctuary's Key Largo Management Area on the ocean side. Offshore boats run past the reef to the Gulf Stream for sailfish, mahi and wahoo, while flats and backcountry guides work the bay for tarpon, bonefish, snook and redfish. Card Sound and Barnes Sound at the north end give small boats protected water with free ramps along Card Sound Road.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
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.
NOAA tides, Point Charles, Key Largo, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Virginia Key, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Key Largo. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Mahi mahi (dolphin) | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Wahoo | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Yellowtail snapper | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Black grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Bonefish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
Sailfish
Peak: January, April, May, November, December
Key Largo offshore boats such as HopAlong and Let It Ride list sailfish as a main target outside the reef.
Mahi mahi (dolphin)
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Mahi are an offshore target out past the reef, and Key Largo holds the Skippers Dolphin Tournament each spring.
Wahoo
Peak: January, February, November, December
Wahoo show up on Key Largo offshore trips, with the best months in winter.
Yellowtail snapper
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Yellowtail are a reef fish here, and the bite is best early morning or evening in summer.
Black grouper
Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Grouper are a reef and offshore target for Key Largo charters, but Atlantic rules close shallow-water grouper January 1 to April 30.
Tarpon
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Tarpon are a backcountry and flats fish in Florida Bay, with the best run from spring into fall.
Bonefish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Bonefish are sight fished on the shallow flats and are catch and release only in Florida.
Redfish
Peak: August, September, October, November
Redfish are a Florida Bay backcountry fish, at their best late summer through fall.
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 August 6 to March 31, so the current season is open through March 31, 2027.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 to 2027 season Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spiny lobster, sport season (mini-season)
Sport season is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July; FWC lists the next one as July 28 to 29, 2027. Night diving for lobster is prohibited in Monroe County during sport season only.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2027 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Atlantic state and federal waters
The 2026 Atlantic season for private anglers and for-hire captains in FWC's program ran October 9 to 22; anglers outside the program could fish only the federal season, October 9 to 11. It is now closed for 2026.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf private recreational
Remaining 2026 Gulf dates announced by FWC: October 30 to November 1; November 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22; November 26 to 29; December 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20; December 25 to 27; and January 1 to 4, 2027. Private-boat anglers must be registered as a State Reef Fish Angler.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters, Atlantic and Gulf side)
Open May 1 to August 1 in state and federal waters; closed the rest of the year.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual, no year stated) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Black and red grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters)
Open May 1 to December 31 in state and federal waters. The Atlantic shallow-water grouper closure (red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby) runs January 1 to April 30.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual, no year stated) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Gulf gag was open September 1 to 30, 2026 and closed October 1 for the rest of the year. Monroe County state waters follow Atlantic rules, but you may run to open Gulf federal waters and return to a Monroe County port through closed state waters if you go directly to port without stopping to fish.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Hogfish, Atlantic including the Florida Keys
Open May 1 to October 31 in state and federal waters south of Cape Sable; closed November 1 to April 30.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Southwest region (includes Monroe County and Everglades National Park)
Closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30; open the rest of the year.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bonefish
Catch and release only, year round.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in effect since September 1, 2013 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bay
Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry
Thousands of acres of shallow flats, channels and mangrove keys inside Everglades National Park; a Florida license is required and lobster may not be taken.
- Bay
Joe Bay and Snag Bay
Everglades National Park water off northern Key Largo that is catch and release for finfish only.
- Reef
Key Largo Management Area reefs
Sanctuary management area off Key Largo where spearfishing is prohibited but recreational lobster by hand is allowed under state rules; stay out of the yellow-buoyed preservation areas.
- Bay
Card Sound and Barnes Sound
Protected water at the north end reached from free ramps at the Card Sound Bridge and the Crocodile Lake refuge creeks on Card Sound Road.
- Offshore
Gulf Stream off Key Largo
Local offshore charters run past the reef for sailfish, mahi, tuna and wahoo.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 |
| Sunset Point Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 20 Sunset Rd., Key Largo |
| Harry Harris Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | End of Beach Rd., Key Largo (Tavernier) |
| Gilbert's Resort Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 107900 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo |
| Card Sound Bridge East ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | Card Sound Rd., east side of Card Sound Bridge |
| Crocodile Lake NWR, Steamboat Creek (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | Card Sound Rd. at Steamboat Creek, Key Largo |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| JD's Bait & Tackle, Marina and Beach Park (opens in a new tab) | 104100 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 | (305) 517-6522 |
| JD's Bait & Tackle Key Largo (opens in a new tab) | 99150 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL | (305) 735-4534 |
| Buddha Bait Co (opens in a new tab) | Key Largo, FL 33037 (no street address listed) | (229) 669-5876 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| HopAlong Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Let It Ride Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Sailors Choice Fishing Boat (party boat) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Backcountry Fly Championship Series, Key Largo (opens in a new tab)
usually early March
2026: March 3 to 7REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby (opens in a new tab)
usually late April
2026: April 23 to 26Skippers Dolphin Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually late May
2026: May 29 to 31Ladies Dolphin Tournament (Tavernier) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid June
2026: June 12 to 13Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge (opens in a new tab)
usually late September
2026: September 25 to 27
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Key Largo, asked and answered
When is lobster season in Key Largo?
Regular spiny lobster season runs August 6 to March 31, so it is open now through March 31, 2027. The next two-day sport season is July 28 to 29, 2027, and lobster harvest is prohibited in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park during sport season.
Can I fish on the reefs inside John Pennekamp and the sanctuary?
Fishing by any means is prohibited inside the sanctuary's yellow-buoyed Sanctuary Preservation Areas. In the Key Largo Management Area spearfishing is prohibited, but recreational lobster by hand is allowed under state rules.
When is the best time for sailfish off Key Largo?
Seasonal charts for Key Largo rate January, April, May, November and December as peak sailfish months, with fish available the rest of the year. Offshore charters run past the reef to find them.
Where can I launch for free in Key Largo?
FWC lists Sunset Point Park as a no-fee ramp, plus free ramps along Card Sound Road at the Card Sound Bridge and the Crocodile Lake refuge creeks. John Pennekamp, Harry Harris Park and Gilbert's charge a fee.
Is grouper open off Key Largo?
Black and red grouper are open May 1 to December 31 under Atlantic rules, which cover all Monroe County state waters. Gag is open only May 1 to August 1, and shallow-water grouper close January 1 to April 30.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Key Largo
Sources for this guide (20), last checked 2026-10-26
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/key-largo/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- fishanywhere.com/blog/best-time-to-fish-in-the-florida-keys-month-by-month (opens in a new tab)
- floridakeys.noaa.gov/regs/ (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/Florida_Keys/pages/boat_ramps.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/atlantic-red-snapper/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bonefish/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/hogfish/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/buddha-bait-co (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/hopalong-fishing-charters (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/let-it-ride-charters (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing/tournaments (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park (opens in a new tab)
- jdoutdooradventures.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fishing.htm (opens in a new tab)
- sailorschoicefishingboat.com/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Key Largo
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.