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Port guide / Florida Keys / Florida

Tavernier fishing guide

Tavernier sits at the south end of Key Largo with Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry on one side and Hawk Channel, the patch reefs and the Gulf Stream on the other. Tavernier Creek gives boats a cut between the two, so the same skiff can pole the bay flats for bonefish, permit and redfish in the morning and run to the reef for snapper in the afternoon. Offshore boats from here run the same water as Islamorada for sailfish in winter and mahi in late spring and summer.

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 Tavernier. Updates through the day.

  1. Loading the 7 day forecast.

NOAA tides, Tavernier Creek, FL NOAA station Vaca Key, Florida Bay, FL NWS 7 day forecast NWS marine forecast, Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef

12 ft, the chart

Chart and depths

The official NOAA chart, centered on Tavernier. 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. Green dries out at low water, the numbers are depth at chart datum, and letters like Rk, Sh and Oys mark the hard bottom worth fishing. What the symbols mean Open NOAA ENC Online

13 ft, the radar

Rain on the radar

Live NWS radar centered on Tavernier. The last 50 minutes on a loop, so you can see which way the rain is moving before you launch.

The radar loads when you scroll here.

NowLightHeavy
NEXRAD base reflectivity, updated about every 5 minutes. Radar sees rain and storms, not fog or wind. Not for navigation. Open the NWS radar

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: Keys Weekly fishing Captain Experiences Tavernier fishing 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 Tavernier. This month is marked.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tarpon
Bonefish
Permit
Redfish
Snook
Mangrove snapper
Yellowtail snapper
Mutton snapper
Sailfish
Mahi (dolphin)

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.

  • Snook, Monroe County and the Florida Keys (FWC Southwest Region)

    Harvest is closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through September 30. You need a snook permit plus a saltwater license to keep one.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Spiny lobster

    The 2026 two-day sport season was July 29 to 30. The regular season runs August 6 through March 31. Night diving for lobster is banned in Monroe County during the sport season, and a lobster permit is required.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page

  • Red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth and scamp grouper, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby

    Closed January 1 to April 30 in all state and federal Atlantic waters, including all state waters off Monroe County on both the Atlantic and Gulf sides.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Gag grouper, Atlantic state and federal waters (Monroe County follows Atlantic rules)

    Open May 1 to August 1. New Atlantic gag and black grouper rules took effect October 28, including a combined limit of 2 gag or black grouper per vessel per day, and for-hire captain and crew may not keep any.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Hogfish, Atlantic waters including the Florida Keys

    Open May 1 to October 31; closed the rest of the year.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Greater amberjack, Atlantic waters

    Open January to March and May to December; closed in April.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Permit, Special Permit Zone (all of the Keys south of Cape Florida)

    Harvest is closed April 1 to July 31.

    Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 (current FWC rule) Official page

  • Red snapper, Gulf side of the Keys (bay side of U.S. 1), Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer

    The 2026 summer season ran daily May 22 to July 31. Anyone fishing for red snapper from a private boat, in state or federal waters, must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation, renewed every year, even if they do not need a fishing license.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red snapper, Gulf side of the Keys (bay side of U.S. 1), Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall

    The 2026 fall season opened Sept. 1 and ran daily Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 and again Oct. 9 to 25. Remaining open days: Oct. 30 to Nov. 1; Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22; Nov. 26 to 29 (Thanksgiving weekend); Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20; Dec. 25 to 27 (Christmas weekend); and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Private-boat anglers must be signed up for the State Reef Fish Survey (State Reef Fish Angler designation). Charter boats without a federal permit may fish these days in Florida Gulf state waters only.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red snapper, Atlantic side of the Keys (ocean side of U.S. 1), Florida season in Atlantic state and federal waters

    The 2026 Atlantic season ran Oct. 9 to 22 under Florida's exempted fishing permit and is now closed. It was open to private anglers and for-hire boats; anglers 16 and older had to declare each trip in FWC's Atlantic Red Snapper Reporting app, and private anglers needed the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.

    FWC, 2026 Official page

  • Red snapper, Atlantic side of the Keys (ocean side of U.S. 1), federal season

    The 2026 South Atlantic federal season was three days, Oct. 9 to 11, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 12. NOAA Fisheries and the states will decide whether a second season opens in December 2026; none had been announced as of Oct. 30, 2026.

    NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page

40 ft, where to fish

Where to fish

  • Bay

    Florida Bay

    The shallow bay between the Keys and the mainland holds bonefish, tarpon, redfish and snook on its flats and mangrove shorelines.

    Source

  • Marsh

    Everglades National Park backcountry

    Tavernier guides run west into the park's backcountry channels for snook, redfish and tarpon; lobster harvest is banned inside the park.

    Source

  • Reef

    Hawk Channel patch reefs and wrecks

    Half day reef trips out of Tavernier fish the patch reefs and wrecks for snapper and grouper, but stay out of the Conch Reef, Davis Reef and Hen and Chickens Sanctuary Preservation Areas, where all fishing is banned.

    Source

  • Offshore

    Islamorada Humps

    Underwater seamounts roughly 20 miles off Islamorada that hold mahi, sailfish, tuna and wahoo.

    Source

  • Offshore

    Gulf Stream

    Offshore boats from Tavernier troll the Gulf Stream edge for sailfish, mahi and tuna.

    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
Harry Harris Park boat rampRampPaidEnd of East Beach Road, Tavernier, FL
Mangrove MarinaRampPaid200 Florida Ave., Tavernier, FL 33070
Florida Keys Dive Center rampRampPaid90451 Old Highway, Tavernier, FL
Plantation Key Boat RampRampFreeEnd of E. Ridge Rd., Plantation Key, Islamorada, FL

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 (8)

Showing all 8 shops

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

Charters and guides (27)

Showing all 27

CharterFishingTargetsLeaves fromCall
Beyond Blessed Charters25 ft center console listed in Tavernier for reef, wreck, bay and offshore trolling trips, half or full day, running out of Key Largo and Islamorada.Inshore and offshore
Sun King Charters26 ft center console listed in Tavernier for half day reef trips.Nearshorereef fish
Salty Morada Charters30 ft boat for inshore, nearshore and offshore trips.Inshore and offshoreMeeting point on Old Highway, Tavernier, per its listing
Back Bone Charters19 ft flats skiff for half and full day flats and backcountry trips, also covering Biscayne and Everglades National Parks.Inshore
Danica Anne Sportfishing42 ft sportfisher listed in Tavernier for half and full day offshore trolling.Offshore
Why Knote Charters28 ft Contender listed in Tavernier for offshore trips.Offshore
Green Eyed Girl Charters25 ft boat listed in Tavernier for family friendly light tackle, reef and offshore trips, up to 4 guests.Inshore and offshore
Reel Screamer Charters27 ft boat listed in Tavernier for half and full day trips, up to 4 guests.
Golden Glare Fly Charters17 ft skiff listed in Tavernier for flats and fly fishing.Fly
M & M Charters32 ft center console listed in Tavernier.
Sea Senorita Charters32 ft center console listed in Tavernier.
JD Outdoor Adventures Charters31 ft center console listed in Tavernier.
Always Late Fishing Charters32 ft center console listed in Tavernier.
Capt. Kyle VelunzaShallow draft boat listed in Tavernier for backcountry snook and tarpon.Inshoresnook, tarpon
Captain GW Guide ServiceTrips tagged Tavernier for flats and backcountry, tarpon, sharks and Everglades National Park sight fishing.Inshoretarpon, sharks
Tackle Center Charters4, 6 and 8 hour offshore trips on a 34 ft SeaVee run by Tackle Center of Islamorada.Offshore
Bud N' Mary's charter fleet and Miss Islamorada party boatOffshore and backcountry charters including Everglades trips, plus the Miss Islamorada full day party boat.Inshore and offshoreBud N' Mary's Marina, 79851 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada(305) 664-2461
Reel Keys Fishing Charter34 ft boat in Key Largo, about 9 minutes from Tavernier, for reef and offshore species.Inshore and offshoreamberjack, cobia, mahiKey Largo
Randy Stallings Charters18 ft flats boat in Key Largo, about 7 minutes from Tavernier.InshoreKey Largo
Whiskey Throttle ChartersFlats boat for inshore, nearshore, reef, flats and backcountry trips.Inshoreredfish, snook, tarpon, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, black drumPickup agreed on booking; listed at Florida Avenue, Tavernier
Blue Water Girl Charters36 ft sportfisher for 4 hour reef, 6 hour reef and wreck and full day offshore trips, plus a backcountry skiff trip for a single angler.Inshore and offshorewahoo, kingfish, tarpon, blackfin tuna, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, sailfish, mahiListed on Old Highway, Tavernier
Snap Em Up Fishing29 ft SeaVee for nearshore, reef, wreck and offshore trips.Offshoreyellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, kingfish, sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, wahooListed at 85920 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada; its description says trips leave out of Tavernier
Benchmark Sportfishing44 ft boat for offshore, reef and wreck trips, plus a 3 hour shark and tarpon trip.Offshoreamberjack, mahi, kingfish, sailfish, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, blackfin tuna, wahoo, tarponListed on Old Highway, Tavernier
Out Of The Blue ChartersInshore and backcountry trips.InshoreTavernier(305) 393-5003
FireFly ChartersFly and light tackle backcountry trips in Islamorada and Key Largo.FlyTavernier(305) 762-2279
Blackfly ChartersBackcountry and flats trips.InshoreTavernier(305) 395-0311
Duke ChartersFishing charters out of Tavernier.Tavernier(305) 852-5424

We are not paid to list anyone. Rates, boats and trips change, so confirm when you book.

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 Tavernier, asked and answered

When is the best time to fish Tavernier for tarpon?

April through June is the core of the run, with March and July also good. Guides fish Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry, and every tarpon goes back: over 40 inches it has to stay in the water.

Where can I launch a boat in Tavernier?

Harry Harris Park at the end of East Beach Road has a county ramp that is free for Monroe County residents; visitors pay a $15 vehicle fee plus $40 on non-holiday weekends or $60 on holidays and lobster mini-season. Mangrove Marina at 200 Florida Ave. also has a ramp and fuel.

Can I keep a snook in Tavernier right now?

Only from March through April and October through November. The Keys are in the FWC Southwest snook region, which is closed December 1 through February and May 1 through September 30, and you need a snook permit.

Can I fish the reefs off Tavernier?

Yes, the patch reefs and wrecks in Hawk Channel are the bread and butter for yellowtail and mangrove snapper. Conch Reef, Davis Reef and Hen and Chickens are Sanctuary Preservation Areas where all fishing is banned.

When is grouper season off Tavernier?

Red, black and most other shallow-water grouper are closed January 1 to April 30 in all Monroe County state waters and Atlantic federal waters. Atlantic gag is open May 1 to August 1.

90 ft, the kit

What we would take to Tavernier

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 (36), last checked 2026-10-30
  1. captainexperiences.com/blog/the-top-7-places-to-fish-near-islamorada-fl
  2. captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/tavernier
  3. fishingbooker.com/blog/?p=17528
  4. fishingbooker.com/charters/view/26468
  5. fishingbooker.com/charters/view/28335
  6. fishingbooker.com/charters/view/36444
  7. fishingbooker.com/charters/view/46786
  8. fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/FL/tavernier
  9. fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/layton
  10. gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/florida_keys/pages/boat_ramps.html
  11. keysweekly.com/42/category/weekly-columns/fishing/feed/
  12. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/amberjack
  13. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/atlantic-red-snapper/
  14. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/
  15. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/hogfish/
  16. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/
  17. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/permit/
  18. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/
  19. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/
  20. myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/
  21. myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/
  22. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/blackfly-charters
  23. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/duke-charters
  24. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/express-bait
  25. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/firefly-charters
  26. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/out-of-the-blue-charters
  27. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/tackle-center-of-islamorada
  28. visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/tinys-bait
  29. visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing/tournaments
  30. budnmarys.com/
  31. fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-federal-recreational-red-snapper
  32. google.com/maps?cid=17685389148865273421
  33. google.com/maps?cid=5630045628485499086
  34. google.com/maps?cid=7283312923121188597
  35. jdoutdooradventures.com/
  36. monroecounty-fl.gov/1354/Harry-Harris-Park

100 ft, the seabed

Gear up for Tavernier

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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