Fishing in Key West: The Ultimate Guide

Key West Florida is the ultimate island paradise with beautiful beaches, crystal clear blue water, and, of course — lots of game fish. It’s no surprise that this area attracts anglers from all over the world.

Fishing is one of the most popular things to do in Key West, and there are numerous ways to do it. Whether you want to catch snook from your kayak or reel in a deep-sea sailfish, you’ll find it all in Key West. And when you’re ready to bring home your catch of the day, there are plenty of cozy vacation homes in Key West with full kitchens and BBQ grills, so you can cook up your catch any way you like.

Now, let’s dive into all the details you’ll need to know for the ultimate Key West fishing trip!

 

Key West Fishing Must-Knows

If you’ve never gone fishing in Key West before, you’re in for a treat! The waters surrounding this island paradise are teeming with fish year-round, so there’s always a good catch to be had. But, like any new fishing destination, there are a few things to know before you go.

Fishing Licenses 

To saltwater fish in Key West (or anywhere in the Florida Keys), you will need a fishing license, which can be obtained through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ahead of time or at some local bait and tackle shops around Key West.

If you are planning to book a fishing charter, most operators carry all the necessary licensing to cover charter passengers, so no additional license will be needed (but be sure to check with your individual charter company).

Fishing Regulations 

Like many states, Florida has some rules and regulations on sport fishing, including species, size, and daily catch limits. You can review regulations with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission or by downloading the Fish Rules app.

Fishing Safety

While most days on the water in Key West are sunny and beautiful, even paradise can have a few storms! Be sure to check the local weather forecast and water conditions before heading out, especially if you’re planning to fly solo (without a charter).

The Florida sun and heat can also sneak up on you, especially if you’re visiting from a cooler climate. Be sure to bring sun protection and stay hydrated while out on the water to avoid sunburns or heat exhaustion.

 

Where to Fish in Key West

While there’s no shortage of fishing spots in Key West, the fishing scene here is mainly divided into three categories — shore, offshore, and backcountry.

Shore Fishing in Key West

Shore fishing is permitted from The Edward B. Knight Pier and the rock jetties of Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. There are plenty of local bait and tackle shops nearby where you can rent or purchase everything you need.

Common species you might find shore fishing in Key West include snapper, tarpon, cobia, snook, and amberjack.

Offshore Fishing in Key West

Offshore or deep sea fishing can be accessed in a variety of ways, namely through charter boats, which include captain-led charters, fishing party boats, or private rentals. There are numerous companies to choose from as your Key West fishing guide.

Common species you might find offshore fishing in Key West include grouper, snapper, mahi mahi, wahoo, barracuda, pompano, and sailfish.

Backcountry Fishing in Key West

Backcountry fishing, also commonly known as “fishing the flats,” refers to fishing in the calm, shallow waters of the mangroves, bays, channels, and other “flat” waterways on the Gulf side of the island. You can access backcountry fishing through captain-led charters, private rentals, or kayaking.

Common species you might find backcountry fishing in Key West include tarpon, snook, mangrove snapper, and yellow jack.

 

When to Go Fishing in Key West

Thanks to its balmy, tropical climate and being surrounded by coral reefs, you can fish year-round in Key West. However, if you’re looking to target a specific fish, there are some seasonal differences in which species you’ll find in abundance. Here’s a breakdown of what’s biting the most each season.

• Spring Fishing in Key West (March, April, & May): tarpon, mahi mahi, tuna, grouper, and snapper


• Summer Fishing in Key West (June, July, & August): marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, and tarpon


• Fall Fishing in Key West (September, October, & November): grouper, snapper, and mackerel


• Winter Fishing in Key West (December, January, & February): sailfish, kingfish, snapper, and grouper

While these are some of the most popular fish species that anglers come to Key West for, remember that you can still catch many species outside of their season, and there are plenty more fish (species) in the sea! The different species you catch each season will also depend on which waters you are fishing from.

For more up-to-date information, you can also review Key West fishing reports to see current water conditions and get daily reports from local captains about what fish are biting and where to find them.

 

Fishing Charters in Key West

One of the best ways to go fishing in Key West, especially for first-timers, is through a charter. Key West is home to several fishing charter companies led by knowledgeable captions and crew that will ensure you have a fun, safe time and, of course — catch lots of fish! Many will even clean, filet, and pack the fish for you to take back to your vacation home or a local restaurant to cook.

Here are just a few of the most popular Key West fishing charters:

Fish Monster Charters

• Departs from A&B Marina


• 700 Front Street, Key West, FL


• fishmonster.com/book-now


• Offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing


• 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing charters

Fish Monster Charters offers a wide variety of fishing charters, including private, split, and fishing party boats, but their most popular is the half-day charter on their brand-new Fish Monster Max.

Rated #1 on Tripadvisor, the half-day charter will take you out to the reef on a comfy, spacious catamaran with a shaded air-conditioned galley and restrooms on board. You’ll have the opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish with as much assistance as you need from the crew. It’s the perfect fishing charter for beginners and families.

Gulfstream Fishing 

• Departs from Garrison Bight Marina


• 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL


• gulfstreamkeywest.com


• Offshore fishing


• 4, 5, or 6-hour fishing charters

Gulfstream Fishing offers private charters, party boat fishing, special holiday fishing trips, and summer night fishing aboard the Gulfstream IV, a cozy catamaran with an air-conditioned galley and onboard restrooms.

A favorite among both visitors and locals, Gulfstream Fishing also offers multi-trip passes, so if you’re in town for a while and want to go fishing a few times, you can snag a great deal!

Cora Beth Fishing 

• Departs from 230 Margaret Street C Dock, Key West, FL


• corabethfishing.com


• Offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing


• 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour fishing charters

Cora Beth Fishing offers a wide range of both private and shared charters, including their popular daily reef fishing trips that are priced just right for beginners, families, or those looking for a more casual, fun fishing experience.

For Snapper lovers — Cora Beth’s signature Sunset Snapper trip combines the beauty of a Key West sunset with the thrill of hunting these elusive fish. And for those wanting a full-day fishing adventure, Cora Beth offers a 10-hour deep-sea fishing trip that will surely get you your fill of fish.

Key West Fishing Charters

• Departs from Garrison Bight Marina


• 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL


• fishingkeywest.com


• Offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing


• 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour fishing charters

Key West Fishing Charters offers a wide variety of private fishing charters, with an impressive fleet of boats to cover different waters, including bay boats, flats, center console, and deep-sea boats.

You can book a backcountry, deep-sea, or reef fishing adventure or try one of their special charters for target species like tarpon or bonefish. Key West Fishing Charters is perfect for more experienced anglers or those looking for a more challenging fishing experience.

Shadowcaster Flats Fishing

• Departs from A&B Marina


• 700 Front Street, Key West, FL


• keysflatsfishing.com


• Backcountry fishing


• 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing charters

Shadowcaster Flats Fishing specializes in backcountry or “flats” fishing with a fleet of smooth-sailing, comfortable flat boats. You’ll cruise around serene mangroves, calm shallows, and narrow channels for a fishing experience you won’t find on bigger, deep-sea boats.

If a tranquil day on the water, exploring the beauty of the backcountry while reeling them in sounds like your kind of fishing fun, Shadowcaster Flats Fishing is the perfect charter!

 

Stay and Fish in Key West

Whether you prefer the flat, calm waters of the backcountry or an exhilarating deep-sea fishing adventure — the waters off Key West are an angler’s dream come true any time of year.

Ready to plan your dream Key West fishing trip? Book your stay with VHKW to stay close to all the action.

With a variety of vacation rentals just minutes from all the best fishing spots on the island, you’ll never have to go far for a good catch. And with amenities like full kitchens and BBQ grills, you can relax and grill up your catch of the day any way you like — something you just can’t do at hotels!