When to fish Key Largo
Key Largo fishes well twelve months a year — but the species rotate. Here's what's biting when, straight from the captain's logbook.
January
- ●Sailfish (PEAK)
- ●Blackfin Tuna
- ●Snapper
- ●Grouper
Cold-front sailfish bite peaks. Best month for a billfish-only trip.
February
- ●Sailfish (PEAK)
- ●Blackfin Tuna
- ●Snapper
Sailfish continues. Tuna stack on the humps.
March
- ●Sailfish
- ●Mahi-Mahi (early)
- ●Tuna
- ●Snapper
Transition month. Mahi start showing up offshore.
April
- ●Sailfish (tail end)
- ●Mahi-Mahi
- ●Tuna
- ●Snapper
Last solid sailfish window. Mahi getting more reliable.
May
- ●Mahi-Mahi (PEAK)
- ●Tuna
- ●Wahoo
- ●Snapper
Mahi peak — schoolies and gaffers on weed lines.
June
- ●Mahi-Mahi (PEAK)
- ●Swordfish
- ●Snapper
- ●Grouper
Swordfish charters get great calm days. Mahi continue.
July
- ●Mahi-Mahi
- ●Swordfish
- ●Snapper
- ●Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper peak on the reef. Swordfish ideal.
August
- ●Mahi-Mahi
- ●Swordfish
- ●Snapper
- ●Tarpon
Hot. Swordfish, reef fishing, and inshore tarpon.
September
- ●Mahi-Mahi
- ●Swordfish
- ●Snapper
Slowest month historically — but the offshore is wide open and the boat is easy to book.
October
- ●Mahi-Mahi
- ●Sailfish (returning)
- ●Snapper
First cold fronts. Sailfish start showing back up.
November
- ●Sailfish (early peak)
- ●Snapper
- ●Grouper
Sailfish bite kicks on. Excellent month overall.
December
- ●Sailfish (PEAK)
- ●Tuna
- ●Snapper
Holidays + sailfish = book early.
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