Key West Fishing: 7 Tips for Catching More Fish


As any experienced angler knows, fishing in Key West offers world-class opportunities to hook huge gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, and snapper. But between picking the right charter, timing your trip, and mastering techniques, fishing here has a learning curve. Follow these seven tips to improve your odds and reel in your limit on a Key West fishing adventure.


Choose the Right Charter Boat

Not all fishing charters in Key West are created equal. Consider these factors when booking:

●Fishing style - The Florida Keys are home to shallow flats, deep offshore ledges, wrecks, and more. Pick a boat that specializes in your preferred style, whether that's light tackle or Deep-Sea Fishing in Key West. 

●Reputation - Read recent reviews and ask locals for recommendations. A charter with a proven track record for big catches is key.

●Crew Experience - An experienced captain and mate who knows the local hot spots gives you a leg up. Ask about their background before booking.

●Boat size - For offshore fishing, choose a spacious boat with a range to reach productive areas like the Florida Straits. For inshore fishing, a flats skiff allows access to backcountry channels.

Time Your Trip Right

Timing is everything during Fishing Season in Key West. Consider the Florida Keys fishing seasons chart to determine the best times to target your desired species:

●Winter - Peak season for sailfish and blackfin tuna offshore. Inshore, sea trout and redfish abound.

●Spring - Mahi-mahi, cobia, and snapper come closer to shore and fill out rods.

●Summer - Calm seas bring kingfish, permit, tarpon, and bonefish to the flats.

●Fall - Wahoo, barracuda, mackerel, and grouper make fall a top season for varied action.


Master Proper Bait Techniques

Live bait fishes best by mimicking a species’ natural behavior. Follow these tips for tempting bites:

●For bottom dwellers, slowly bounce bait along the seabed.

●Let bait suspend under balloons or floats for mid-level hunters like mahi-mahi.

●To mimic fleeing bait, briskly swim bait back to the boat.

●Vary retrieval speeds until you find what triggers strikes.


Diversify Your Tackle

Carry a diverse spread of rods ready to switch up tactics and target the full range of species on any given trip. Basic essentials include:

●Light spin tackle - for casting jigs, plugs, and spoons

●Medium conventional tackle - for trolling bait and handling mid-sized gamefish

●Heavy conventional tackle - for deep dropping to structure and battling large gamefish

●Fly tackle - for stalking predictable species like bonefish, permit, and tarpon on the flats


Follow the Fish finder

Investing in quality fish finders, chart plotters, and bottom machines gives you an advantage for zeroing in on sweet spots holding bait and gamefish. Never stop scanning.

Use Chum to Your Advantage

Strategically dispensed chum draws fish in and stimulates feeding. Try chumming over wrecks, ledges, timelines, or other high-percentage areas to ignite the bite. Popular chum choices include live bait, fish carcasses, and canned ground bait.

Practice Conservation

Remember that responsible fishing preserves our fishery for the future. Follow regulations, avoid over-limits, and release breeders and trophies as much as possible. Together, we can protect paradise.

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