About Waltz Key Basin, FL

Waltz Key Basin is a saltwater bay located in Monroe County, Florida. It is situated in the southeastern part of the United States, fed by the Gulf of Mexico. Several other water bodies surround it such as Crane Keys, Snipe Keys, and the Whiting Key. It is named after the island that it encompasses called “Waltz Key”, hence the name.

The body of water is populated by several sand bars, making it a popular destination among families, campers, and anglers. It is a large body of water, so a boat would be necessary to reach its deeper parts. Its lowest water depth is at around 5 feet and goes deeper from there. The area is usually peaceful, with only a few boats roaming around. It also provides scenic views that tourists and locals enjoy. 

All About Fishing in Waltz Key Basin, FL

An abundance of weed and sand characterizes the water habitat in Waltz Key Basin. It also has many holes and ledges on the shores and underwater that are connected and gives the impression of tunnels. Waltz Key is a prime location to target spotted seatrout, lookdown, lane snapper, and hogfish. Since it is close to Jewfish Basin, anglers are likely to catch the same fish species found there, such as ladyfish, barracuda, wahoo, and cero mackerel. 

Spinning and baitcasting are among the most used fishing techniques in Waltz Key Basin. However, with the location’s many ledges around the shores and sand bars, Waltz Key Basin became a popular destination for anglers looking to go spearfishing. With the abundance of fish in the area in combination with the low volume of anglers, spearfishing should be an easy feat.

Sharks are also commonly found in Waltz Key Basin and its nearby waters. The best advice is for anglers to constantly look for unusual fish behavior, such as fish swimming too fast, which usually indicates the appearance of a shark.

Fishing Seasonality

With the diversity of fish species and the abundance of surrounding water bodies in Waltz Key Basin, anglers should be able to enjoy fishing all year round. Wahoo and Barracuda are typically caught during various seasons but are usually more abundant during the colder months, around December to March. Wahoo and Barracuda also peak during the periods between April to May and during October. Snappers start to spawn around November of each year. However, if anglers are looking for reeling in one of Waltz Key Basin’s enormous-sized snappers, the period between December to May is typically the best time to go. As for anglers targeting hogfish, they spawn around May to October, followed by the ladyfish season from November to April.  

Aside from the time of year, easy indicators of whether it’s a great time to fish in Waltz Key are the water pressure, water temperature, and the tides. When pressure or tides are low, it is not advisable to go fishing because fish are typically inactive or bite could be extremely slow. When pressure is high, or tides are high, fish are more active and likely bite faster. Water temperature also plays a vital role in scheduling a fishing trip. Fish in Waltz Key Basin are responsive to low and extremely high temperatures. It is also best to go when there’s not much water movement from tides since fish tend to react to movement. 

Fishing Seasonality

With the diversity of fish species and the abundance of surrounding water bodies in Waltz Key Basin, anglers should be able to enjoy fishing all year round. Wahoo and Barracuda are typically caught during various seasons but are usually more abundant during the colder months, around December to March. Wahoo and Barracuda also peak during the periods between April to May and during October. Snappers start to spawn around November of each year. However, if anglers are looking for reeling in one of Waltz Key Basin’s enormous-sized snappers, the period between December to May is typically the best time to go. As for anglers targeting hogfish, they spawn around May to October, followed by the ladyfish season from November to April.  

Aside from the time of year, easy indicators of whether it’s a great time to fish in Waltz Key are the water pressure, water temperature, and the tides. When pressure or tides are low, it is not advisable to go fishing because fish are typically inactive or bite could be extremely slow. When pressure is high, or tides are high, fish are more active and likely bite faster. Water temperature also plays a vital role in scheduling a fishing trip. Fish in Waltz Key Basin are responsive to low and extremely high temperatures. It is also best to go when there’s not much water movement from tides since fish tend to react to movement. 

All About Fishing in Waltz Key Basin, FL

An abundance of weed and sand characterizes the water habitat in Waltz Key Basin. It also has many holes and ledges on the shores and underwater that are connected and gives the impression of tunnels. Waltz Key is a prime location to target spotted seatrout, lookdown, lane snapper, and hogfish. Since it is close to Jewfish Basin, anglers are likely to catch the same fish species found there, such as ladyfish, barracuda, wahoo, and cero mackerel. 

Spinning and baitcasting are among the most used fishing techniques in Waltz Key Basin. However, with the location’s many ledges around the shores and sand bars, Waltz Key Basin became a popular destination for anglers looking to go spearfishing. With the abundance of fish in the area in combination with the low volume of anglers, spearfishing should be an easy feat.

Sharks are also commonly found in Waltz Key Basin and its nearby waters. The best advice is for anglers to constantly look for unusual fish behavior, such as fish swimming too fast, which usually indicates the appearance of a shark.