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Port guide / Florida Keys / Florida
Key West fishing guide
Key West is the end of the road, with flats and backcountry on the Gulf side, the reef line and Sand Key to the south, and the Gulf Stream close offshore. Guides run west to the Marquesas Keys and out to the Dry Tortugas, and the spring permit, tarpon and bonefish fishing on the flats is a big draw. Western Dry Rocks, about 10 miles southwest, closes to all fishing April 1 to July 31 to protect spawning fish.
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, Key West, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal 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 West. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Permit | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Bonefish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| 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 |
| Yellowtail snapper | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Mutton snapper | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Kingfish | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
| Barracuda | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Black grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
Tarpon
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Key West guides sight fish tarpon on the flats and backcountry, best April through October.
Permit
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Permit are sight fished on the flats, and the March Merkin permit tournament runs out of Key West and the Lower Keys each March.
Bonefish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Bonefish are a flats fish here and are catch and release only.
Sailfish
Peak: January, April, May, November, December
Sailfish are caught offshore in winter and spring, and the Key West Sailfish Tournament runs in late March.
Mahi mahi (dolphin)
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Mahi are a Gulf Stream fish, close offshore of Key West from spring through fall.
Yellowtail snapper
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Yellowtail are the main reef fish, and local charters run dedicated reef and wreck yellowtail trips.
Mutton snapper
Peak: January, February, March, April, November, December
Mutton snapper are a reef and wreck fish, rated best November through April, and they are one reason Western Dry Rocks closes in spring and summer.
Kingfish
Peak: January, February, March, December
Kingfish are best December through March, and Key West holds the King Master tournament in late January.
Barracuda
Peak: January, February, March
Barracuda are a winter flats and reef fish, and the Cuda Bowl runs out of Key West and the Lower Keys in February.
Black grouper
Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Black grouper are a reef and wreck fish, open May 1 to December 31 under the Atlantic rules that cover Monroe County.
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)
Western Dry Rocks spawning closure (about 10 miles SW of Key West)
All fishing is prohibited inside the marked 1-square-mile boundary from April 1 to July 31 each year; boats may transit with gear and fish stowed.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, annual, in effect since April 1, 2021 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Reef
Sand Key
A sanctuary preservation area where catch and release trolling is the only fishing allowed; bottom fish outside the yellow buoys.
- Reef
Western Dry Rocks
A 1-square-mile area about 10 miles southwest of Key West that is closed to all fishing April 1 to July 31.
- Flats
Key West flats and backcountry
Guides sight fish the flats for tarpon, permit and bonefish and work the backcountry channels.
- Flats
Marquesas Keys
An atoll west of Key West that local guides run to for light tackle and flats fishing.
- Offshore
Dry Tortugas
Boat fishing is allowed in the one-mile Historic Use Area around Garden Key but not in the Research Natural Area, and only circle hooks are allowed.
- Offshore
Gulf Stream off Key West
Deep sea trips run to the Gulf Stream for mahi, tuna, wahoo and sailfish.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrison Bight, Key West City Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd., Key West |
| Simonton Beach Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | North end of Simonton St., Key West |
| 11th Street Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | South end of 11th St., Key West |
| Stock Island Public Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | US-1, MM 5, Oceanside, Stock Island |
| Cow Key Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 5031 5th Ave., Stock Island |
| Shark Key Public Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | US-1, MM 11, Oceanside, Big Coppitt Key |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Key West Bait & Tackle (opens in a new tab) | 241 Margaret St., Key West, FL 33040 (Land's End Village) | (305) 292-1961 |
| Saltwater Angler (opens in a new tab) | 243 Front Street, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 296-0700 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Dream Catcher Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Key West Pro Guides (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Saltwater Angler guide service (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
King Master Key West (opens in a new tab)
usually late January
2026: January 30 to 31Cuda Bowl (opens in a new tab)
usually early February
2026: February 5 to 7March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid March
2026: March 9 to 12Key West Sailfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually late March
2026: March 26 to 28Spanish Fly Shark Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early April
2026: April 2 to 4Key West Marlin Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 22 to 25
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Key West, asked and answered
When is Western Dry Rocks closed?
FWC closes the marked 1-square-mile area near Western Dry Rocks, about 10 miles southwest of Key West, to all fishing from April 1 to July 31 every year. Boats can transit with gear and fish stowed.
When is the best time for permit in Key West?
Seasonal charts rate April through October as peak permit months, with fish around year round. The March Merkin permit tournament runs out of Key West and the Lower Keys in March.
Can I take lobster at the Dry Tortugas?
No. Spearfishing and lobster harvest are prohibited in Dry Tortugas National Park, and boat fishing is only allowed in the Historic Use Area around Garden Key, with circle hooks only.
Where can I get live tides and water temperature for Key West?
NOAA station 8724580 at Key West gives tide predictions and reports water temperature and wind.
Where are the free ramps around Key West?
FWC lists the 11th Street ramp in Key West, the Stock Island ramp at MM 5 oceanside and the Shark Key ramp at MM 11 as no-fee ramps. Garrison Bight and Simonton Beach charge a fee.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Key West
Sources for this guide (17), last checked 2026-10-26
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/key-west/seasonality (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/fishing/saltwater/recreational/wdr/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing/tournaments (opens in a new tab)
- dreamcatchercharters.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- keywestbaitandtackle.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- keywestproguides.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/fishing.htm (opens in a new tab)
- saltwaterangler.com/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Key West
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.