Key West Fishing: 10 Top Things for Beginners to Know

Here are the top 10 things you need to know if you want to go fishing in Key West.

Key West Fishing: 10 Top Things for Beginners to Know
Key West Fishing: 10 Top Things for Beginners to Know
Team Guidesly

January 26, 2022, 6 min read

Updated on January 20, 2022

Key West Fishing: 10 Top Things for Beginners to Know
Team Guidesly

January 26, 2022, 6 min read

Updated on January 20, 2022

copyCopy Link
copyCopy Link

Surrounded by flats, reefs, and the deep blue sea, Key West and its world-class fishing scene barely need an introduction. The remote tropical island right off the southernmost tip of the United States acts as an ideal habitat to the five most coveted gamefish: tarpon, permit, bonefish, redfish, and snook. Its waters are also home to sport fish such as blue marlin, white marlin, swordfish, and sailfish. Those species have been celebrated in the stories of novelist Ernest Hemingway. 

Key West is undoubtedly one of the most incredible fishing spots globally. It boasts easy access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The city also lives up to its reputation as a perfect vacation destination, having a rich cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned angler, you’ll be guaranteed a successful and productive experience when you’re out in the most popular place in the Florida Keys. 

Here are some of the things you need to know when you’re out fishing in Key West:

paragraph ad 1

Top 10 Things for Beginners to Know

1. Fish Species 

man spearfishing in the ocean

Key West is at the crossroads between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean. This makes it an ideal meeting point for migrating and native fish. The following are the top fish species in Key West:

Tarpon, aka ‘Silver Kings,’ are heavyweight champions who can top 200 pounds. They are an excellent target for fly fishing and sight fishing. Bonefish, also known as 'Gray Ghosts', are ideal for fly fishing and sight fishing targets. However, they are difficult to spot and rarely hit double digits. Other species that make great fly fishing targets are snook and permit. The latter can be found in reefs. White and blue marlins are the main draw for deep sea fishing excursions. They are what drew novelist Ernest Hemingway to Key West. You'll also find mangrove, mutton, yellowtail, and the occasional cubera snappers, which are great for eating fish. They are usually spotted around reefs, wrecks, bridges, and inshore. Groupers are great at eating fish as well. Specific species you’ll find are gag, black, red, and goliath groupers. Those targeting shark species can fish for blacktip, bonnethead, bull, tiger, and hammerhead sharks.

Other species you can target in Key West are redfish, sailfish, swordfish, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and barracuda.

2. Best Ways to Fish

There are many ways to wet your line when you’re angling in Key West. Here are the most common ways to reel in fish:

Charter fishing is the best way to fish in Key West. This is because the island city’s vastness and variety in fishing can be daunting for some. Booking a fishing charter will ease that worry, leaving it up to the experts that will help guide you around the area. Charters can have you baitcasting across flats, bottomfish over reefs, dive into the water to spearfish, or go deep sea fishing. Charters will not only offer you a boat but will also provide you with superb equipment.

Shore fishing is another viable option. Fly fishing enthusiasts can wade across the tropical flats riddled throughout Key West. Surf casting is also a great way to reel in the game as many fish also gather nearshore. There are also plenty of piers and bridges where plenty of fish can be spotted and caught. Backcountry fishing is also prevalent.

paragraph ad 2

Kayak fishing is advantageous if you’re targeting fish that are easily spooked. It’s because kayaks move silently through the water. Renting kayaks is also affordable, and it’s easy to find launch spots around Key West.

Booking a party boat or fishing excursion is more affordable for those who can’t acquire a private charter boat. You’ll share a vessel with several other anglers. This means you’ll get less help from guides. Because party boat vessels are large, inshore fishing is limited. 

3. Best Fishing Spots

Here are some of the best spots to angle in Key West:

The Wall is a legendary bluewater spot as deep as 2000 feet. It mixes nutrients below with the warm currents of the Gulf, attracting fish like marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and swordfish.

Dry Tortugas is a fantastic all-in-one fishery where you’ll be able to catch snappers and groupers from its reefs. It’s also a great place to troll for sailfish and mahi-mahi. You can also wade for bonefish there.

Vandenberg Reef is an excellent spot for boaters and kayakers who want to cast their line in deeper water. Fish you can find in the area include snapper, grouper, sharks, mackerel, and amberjack.

Smathers Beach is an excellent wade fishing and shore fishing area that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Tarpon is the primary target.

White Street Pier is a reliable area to find tarpon, snapper, snook, crevalle jack, and redfish

4. Fishing Seasons

Though subtle, the water temperature in Key West does change through the year. A good catch can be harder to come by from December to February. During this time, backcountry fishing is recommended because the waters are windier. March through May is the best time to go angling for all types of fish in Key West. This is because waters start to warm up and migrating fish begin to bombard the ocean. June to August is the hottest period, making it a great time for fishing. Inexperienced anglers may not want to go angling during this time as it gets pretty hot. The next best time to fish in Key West is in September and October. Fishing during the fall still produces plenty of fish while seeing fewer crowds compared to the summer season.

5. Fishing Rules and Guidelines

Catch-and-release fishing is common practice because protecting sea life is prioritized. If you’re going to fish independently in the Keys, a saltwater fishing license is required. Some species are protected during a particular season, and some have special rules when catching them. For example, groupers are protected until the first of May every year. A permit is covered during their spawning season from April to July but can be catch-and-release year-round.

6. Equipment and Gear

Because it’s known as a world-class fishing destination, renting gear in Key West is easy. Bait and tackle shops can also be found all over the island. You can also rent a boat, but you must be at least 21 years old and pass a Boaters Safety Test. 

7. How to Attract Fish

Free-lining pilchards or cigar minnows can attract choice gamefish. Other effective baits are mullet, pinfish, chum, shrimp, and crabs. Use a line that won’t be visible in the water for easily spooked fish, and practice stealthy sight fishing. Fishing at night also yields excellent results.

8. How to Get In and Around

Key West International Airport has direct or connecting flights available from many cities. Once you land, you won’t have difficulty  getting around the island because it’s small., Many routes will lead you to Key West if you travel by land. The most common way is to follow the Florida Turnpike. Shuttle and train services are available on the island. Express ferries can also bring you to the island.

9. Fishing Tournaments

You can test your skills in some of the numerous fishing tournaments held in Key West. The Cuda Bowl Tournament and the Key West Kingfish Mayhem are in January. There are serious sportfishing tournaments in July, such as Key West Marlin Tournament and the Del Brown Permit Tournament. An event that runs from December to July called the Key West Fishing Tournament is a great family-friendly endeavor. 

10. Other Water Activities

Though Key West is mainly known for its exceptional fishing, you may want to consider doing other fun activities in the water. A lot of local businesses offer boating tours and sunset cruises. Waterbound activities such as snorkeling, parasailing, jet-skiing, beaching, scuba diving, and sea life watches are readily available on the island.

article-ads-1
article-ads-9