About Jewfish Basin, FL

Jewfish Basin is a saltwater bay located near the southmost region of Florida Keys, just roughly 7 kilometers from the coast of Boca Chica Key, Monroe County, Florida. The body water contains numerous sand bars, which is attractive not just for anglers but also for their families as the bay offers great opportunities for both fishing and camping. It is a usually quiet spot with very low boat traffic but is brimming with fish and natural beauty.

Jewfish Basin got its name from the local delicacy fish that used to be known as jewfish. After a petition in 2002, its name was changed to goliath grouper to eliminate the derogatory notions of the name. The basin itself and the creek that goes by the same name has also been petitioned for a change, but the last attempt has not been approved.

All About Fishing in Jewfish Basin, FL

Jewfish Basin itself is located slightly far from the closest shore, so hopping on a boat is essential to reach it. The water habitat is patches of seagrass over a sand bottom, with a system of crevided, ledges and holes that connect to one another. The minimum water depth is about 5 feet, and its entrance channel is basically surrounded by shoal water. These conditions make it an ideal place to go spearfishing, aside from the usual baitcasting.

It is important to plan the dive depending on the tide changes, with the best time being at the slack before an incoming tide. Anglers who have sailed its water agree that the best time to go would be during the low tide as the fish are easier to catch. Regardless, it is an amazing destination when the front is too rough. The weather is always comfortable throughout the seasons.

Freely being fed by the Gulf of Mexico, Jewfish Basin offers a wide range of fish: huge goliath grouper and hogfish are very common in this area. Anglers have also reported catching ladyfish, mutton snapper, barracuda, trout, crevalle jack, common dolphinfish, wahoo, and horse mackerel in the basin. Snorkelers can also chance on seeing a stingray at the bottom of the waters. Some fish also tend to stay close to the mangroves in some of the nearby islets, so it’s best not to neglect these areas. Bait fish, crabs, and shrimp were the most effective baits for getting a bite.

Aside from these fish, sharks such as hammerhead and bull shark are also very common to see, so it is important to pay attention to  fish that seem to be swimming unusually fast - they might just be running away from a shark.

Fishing Seasonality 

Though Jewfish Basin was named after the goliath grouper, this species is not allowed to be fished and is strictly for catch and immediate release only, so anglers who are spearfishing in the waters should never try and gun it. That poses no problem because the diversity of fish in the Jewfish Basin promises that there is always something to catch all year round, such as wahoo and barracuda. Both are great catches during the winter months of late-December to mid-March. Other key months for catching wahoo are from April to May, and another in October.

The nearby area of Key West is known as the world’s mutton snapper capital, which is why Jewfish Basin is also a prime location for the fish. Anglers may see good sizes as early as November, but the larger sizes come in around late-December to May. For those aiming for hogfish, they are most active from May to October, and for ladyfish, from November to April.

Fishing Seasonality 

Though Jewfish Basin was named after the goliath grouper, this species is not allowed to be fished and is strictly for catch and immediate release only, so anglers who are spearfishing in the waters should never try and gun it. That poses no problem because the diversity of fish in the Jewfish Basin promises that there is always something to catch all year round, such as wahoo and barracuda. Both are great catches during the winter months of late-December to mid-March. Other key months for catching wahoo are from April to May, and another in October.

The nearby area of Key West is known as the world’s mutton snapper capital, which is why Jewfish Basin is also a prime location for the fish. Anglers may see good sizes as early as November, but the larger sizes come in around late-December to May. For those aiming for hogfish, they are most active from May to October, and for ladyfish, from November to April.

All About Fishing in Jewfish Basin, FL

Jewfish Basin itself is located slightly far from the closest shore, so hopping on a boat is essential to reach it. The water habitat is patches of seagrass over a sand bottom, with a system of crevided, ledges and holes that connect to one another. The minimum water depth is about 5 feet, and its entrance channel is basically surrounded by shoal water. These conditions make it an ideal place to go spearfishing, aside from the usual baitcasting.

It is important to plan the dive depending on the tide changes, with the best time being at the slack before an incoming tide. Anglers who have sailed its water agree that the best time to go would be during the low tide as the fish are easier to catch. Regardless, it is an amazing destination when the front is too rough. The weather is always comfortable throughout the seasons.

Freely being fed by the Gulf of Mexico, Jewfish Basin offers a wide range of fish: huge goliath grouper and hogfish are very common in this area. Anglers have also reported catching ladyfish, mutton snapper, barracuda, trout, crevalle jack, common dolphinfish, wahoo, and horse mackerel in the basin. Snorkelers can also chance on seeing a stingray at the bottom of the waters. Some fish also tend to stay close to the mangroves in some of the nearby islets, so it’s best not to neglect these areas. Bait fish, crabs, and shrimp were the most effective baits for getting a bite.

Aside from these fish, sharks such as hammerhead and bull shark are also very common to see, so it is important to pay attention to  fish that seem to be swimming unusually fast - they might just be running away from a shark.