All About Cudjoe Bay, FL

Cudjoe Bay is a bay surrounded by the census-designated place and unincorporated community of Cudjoe Key situated southeast in Monroe County, Florida. It is also known as Drawgun Bay, Ridding Key Lake, and Sacarma Bay. It is located nearby Gopher Key in its south, Pirates Cove to its west, as well as Out Key, Venture Out Keys and Venture Key in its southeast. The bay is part of the lower Florida Keys archipelago. 

The bay along with Cudjoe Key is a popular fishing, diving and boating destination for tourists, with the island having undergone rebuilding after 2017 following Hurricane Irma, a category four storm that directly impacted the area. The bay is also surrounded by multiple resorts and restaurants and is located next to the family-run eco-friendly Cudjoe Gardens Marina, providing access to the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the backcountry. 

All About Fishing in Cudjoe Bay, FL

Waters for offshore, backcountry and blue water fishing in Cudjoe Bay are abundant with fish species that are both great for sport and consumption including mahi mahi (dorado and dolphin), wahoo, grouper, tuna, a variety of snapper, jack crevalle, yellowtail, mutton, sailfish, red drum, mangrove, hogfish, tarpon, bonefish, jewfish, nurse shark and more. Areas where reefs and gulf wrecks are held are also good places to find fish like cobia, permit, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda.

Whether one opts for chumming, either light or heavy tackle fishing, bottom fishing, baitcasting, trolling or spinning, chances of seeing great fishing action at the bay will garner favorable results as well as a memorable and productive fishing experience. The bay is also close to several fishing, charter and boat rental services as well as bait and gear shops. There are boat ramps around the bay that can accommodate boats, kayaks and other vessels up to 40 feet in size. There are areas in the bay where it’s shallow enough to wade or do some relaxing inshore fishing. Docks are also available for this. According to veterans who have fished at the bay, the best places to see some action are where the deeper cuts of water or where there are channels as most of the bay is relatively shallow. The middle of the bay is mostly flat so anglers can pin fish all around that area. 

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to fish at the gulf side of Cudjoe Bay is during the spring and summer. Cobia, permit, mackerel, and tuna are the most active during that period as these species like warmer conditions. The best months to fish for mangrove snapper is in June and July when they spawn. Mahi mahi’s peak season is from April to August while its lowest season is in October. Wahoo is best caught from November to February while grouper season is open from June to December. From June to September, chances of catching yellowtail are great as it’s when the waters are calm and there are a lot of juvenile bait fish around. Mutton and sailfish can be caught all year round but the latter can be caught easier between November and May. Spawning season for redfish is between the months of August and November and it’s best to target them during this period especially in September. Recreational fishing for hogfish is open from May to October, tarpon can be targeted from March to July, while bonefish season is from March to October. Anglers are advised to check local fishing regulations, daily weather and water forecasts, as well as daily catch and bag limits for certain species. 

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to fish at the gulf side of Cudjoe Bay is during the spring and summer. Cobia, permit, mackerel, and tuna are the most active during that period as these species like warmer conditions. The best months to fish for mangrove snapper is in June and July when they spawn. Mahi mahi’s peak season is from April to August while its lowest season is in October. Wahoo is best caught from November to February while grouper season is open from June to December. From June to September, chances of catching yellowtail are great as it’s when the waters are calm and there are a lot of juvenile bait fish around. Mutton and sailfish can be caught all year round but the latter can be caught easier between November and May. Spawning season for redfish is between the months of August and November and it’s best to target them during this period especially in September. Recreational fishing for hogfish is open from May to October, tarpon can be targeted from March to July, while bonefish season is from March to October. Anglers are advised to check local fishing regulations, daily weather and water forecasts, as well as daily catch and bag limits for certain species. 

All About Fishing in Cudjoe Bay, FL

Waters for offshore, backcountry and blue water fishing in Cudjoe Bay are abundant with fish species that are both great for sport and consumption including mahi mahi (dorado and dolphin), wahoo, grouper, tuna, a variety of snapper, jack crevalle, yellowtail, mutton, sailfish, red drum, mangrove, hogfish, tarpon, bonefish, jewfish, nurse shark and more. Areas where reefs and gulf wrecks are held are also good places to find fish like cobia, permit, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda.

Whether one opts for chumming, either light or heavy tackle fishing, bottom fishing, baitcasting, trolling or spinning, chances of seeing great fishing action at the bay will garner favorable results as well as a memorable and productive fishing experience. The bay is also close to several fishing, charter and boat rental services as well as bait and gear shops. There are boat ramps around the bay that can accommodate boats, kayaks and other vessels up to 40 feet in size. There are areas in the bay where it’s shallow enough to wade or do some relaxing inshore fishing. Docks are also available for this. According to veterans who have fished at the bay, the best places to see some action are where the deeper cuts of water or where there are channels as most of the bay is relatively shallow. The middle of the bay is mostly flat so anglers can pin fish all around that area.