Best Florida Keys Fishing Report
Amberjack
Amberjack, or “Reef Donkeys,” might not look great but are indeed hard to pull out. They are often found in the Atlantic and Pacific tropical reefs, near towe can find ite bottom from 60 to 250 feet. They are heavy, and an accurate BX2 or BX reel can work better. Book your charter now with GameChangers.
Barracuda
Fishing Barracuda in the Florida Keys is lots of fun, and they’re much under-rated fish here in Islamorada and the rest of the Florida Keys. They can be caught year-round, both coastal and out of the reef. Barracuda can be easily caught with both bait and lures.
Blackfin Tuna
The Florida Keys have a substantial population of Blackfin Tuna just about round-year, but between March to July, you’ll find them mainly in The Islamorada Hump and The Marathon. It gets excellent tablet fare but best bite in low light conditions.
Black Grouper
The Black Grouper, “Mycteroperca Bonaci,” is perhaps the most popular Grouper species in the Florida Keys. The season starts in Springs, and as a gamefish, it gets excellent table fare. It is often found in shallow peaches and sometimes around 250 feet deep.
Blue Marlin
Primetime to catch Blue Marlin starts with springs when Mahi runs across the Gulf. The purest form of big game sport fishing, Blue Marlin, can be caught in Woods Walls and Destin – Panama City using artificial trolling lures or large baitfish. Book your charters today!
Bonefish
Bonefish is backcountry fish and can be caught year-round in the Keys, but the primetime is March through October. High bait can be spotted in the Upper Keys and Tavernier Keys. Call our captain to learn more.
Cobia
Fishing for Cobia is the Keys can be a hard-hitting, strong fighter experience that peels off your lines. In the springtime, it can be caught on a variety of lures. The GameChanger Charters abide by the regulations and offer excellent fishing in the keys experience.
Red Grouper
King Mackerel
Tend to be found at a depth of 50 to 150 feet. The best way to catch King Mackerel is to slow-troll on live baits over likely wreaks or around inlets. It gets an excellent table fare and tastes good.
Dolphin aka Mahi Mahi
Permit
The best time to catch Permit in the Florida Keys is March to April. Deeply-forked, V-shaped tail fins taste great. Bait on the wrecks or live crab for a good catch.
Sailfish
Shark
Shark species such as Hammerhead tiger bull and nerf black shark always put up a great fight as they are incredibly powerful and often weigh hundreds of pounds. Book our charters now for great picture opportunities but no shark killing on our charters.
Yellowtail Snapper
Do you want an exciting fishing experience in the Keys? Come to Florida anytime and catch Yellowtail Snapper. It is an incredible sportfishing for all ages.
Mangrove Snapper
If you choose to catch Mangrove snapper in the Florida Keys, go to the backcountry with live shrimp, small pinfish, or other bait. It is available year-round for all ages. Check here to learn more.
Mutton Snapper
The Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus Analis) is one of the most requested fish by our anglers. It is a fun and exciting sportfishing experience for people of all ages. They can also be targeted on kite and drift fishing.
Yelloweye snapper
Yellow-eye Snapper (aka silky snapper) can be found roaming deeper reefs and rocky bottom from 250-500 feet. There are different techniques to catch Yelloweye Snapper. Call our captain to learn more.
Tarpon
Wahoo
Yellowfin Tuna
In the Florida Keys, Yellowfin Tuna are often caught accidentally when targeting Blackfin Tuna or Mahi Mahi. Better fishing offshore with live bait for an excellent catch.
African Pompano
It is a year-round catch, but prime time is winter-spring. Try with live bait on wrecks, rocky outcrops, open water, or estuary water. It doesn’t require special techniques. Talk to our captain to learn more
Cero Mackerel
Primetime is March to October and better-set bait in low light conditions. Spanish Mackerel can eat about anything but try sardines, mullet, cut bait, and shrimp—also, target inshore in the gulf and Florida bay. Let our expert guide you ahead!
Spanish Mackerel
Primetime is March to October and better-set bait in low light conditions. Spanish Mackerel can eat about anything but try sardines, mullet, cut bait, and shrimp—also, target inshore in the gulf and Florida bay. Let our expert guide you ahead!
Gag Grouper
One of the highly-priced catches in the Florida Keys, Gag Grouper, is not uncommon in shallow water grass. It can be found in reefs and wrecks; this is the captain’s least favorite.
Vermilion Snapper
They are caught deep, dropping in all the Gulf waters with an electric reel. This species can eat fish, shrimp, crabs and gets an excellent table fare. Use grub tail or jig head for chicken rig style fishing at depths of 300-800 feet.
Vermilion Snapper
Swordfishing
Ironman’s favorite Swordfish grounds, at depth 1,000 to 1,500 feet in the middle of the Gulfstream. This species is caught on electric reels but can do detachable electric drive to hand crank. Are you ready for fishing in the keys? Our charters can be a GameChanger