Fishing trip USA
Fishing trip to the Florida Keys: tarpon, bonefish, mahi-mahi, sailfish
Flats on one side, Gulf Stream on the other: the Keys offer fly fishing in knee-deep water and offshore fishing in one day, with a Florida saltwater licence.
Licence and rules
In Florida visitors need the state saltwater licence, for a few days or longer. On licensed charter boats the boat's licence usually covers you. Tarpon, bonefish and permit have special protection, many species are release only. Agency and sources on our USA page. All rules with source
Which fish when
Rules of thumb per month, weather and closed seasons decide on the day.
- January good timeSailfish off the reef, kingfish, snapper, cool air, dry season.
- February good timeSailfish, kingfish, first bonefish on the flats on warm days.
- March good timeSailfish tails off, bonefish and permit on the flats, mahi starts.
- April good timeTarpon season starts, bonefish, permit, mahi-mahi offshore.
- May good timePeak tarpon, mahi-mahi, permit, warm and calm.
- June good timeTarpon, mahi-mahi, snapper, hurricane season begins.
- July possibleMahi-mahi, snapper, bonefish early, hot, afternoon storms.
- August possibleSnapper, bonefish and permit early and late, hurricane risk.
- September possibleBonefish and permit strong in autumn, watch the weather, hurricane risk highest.
- October good timeBonefish, permit, first sailfish, hurricane season fades.
- November good timeSailfish, kingfish, bonefish, dry season begins.
- December good timeSailfish, kingfish, snapper, main season for visitors.
Species in the guide
Getting there
- Flight To Miami, then a hire car down the Overseas Highway to Key West; Key West has a small airport too.
- Car The Overseas Highway links all the Keys, bridges with fishing platforms, parking at many bridge ends.
- Entry Sort ESTA or visa beforehand, tackle in luggage is fine, do not bring bait.
Boat and shore
- Charter Flats guides with skiffs for tarpon, bonefish and permit, offshore charters for mahi and sailfish; half and full days, licence usually included.
- From the shore Bridges and piers bring snapper, jacks and tarpon at night, licence required.
- Kayak Hire kayaks for the backcountry flats, mind wind and tide.
Lodging and camping
Motels and resorts along the highway, holiday houses with a dock on the canals, camping only on sites: state parks such as Bahia Honda and Long Key have tent sites and RV pitches, reserve well ahead. Wild camping is not allowed.
- Motel or resort
- Holiday house with dock
- State park (tent, RV, reserve)
- RV park
Official sites: Florida Keys (official tourism site) · Florida State Parks (camping)
Trip calculator: what does it cost per person?
Enter people, days, licence, boat, lodging and travel, Pescaday works it out per person and shows the season for your month. Everything stays on your device.
Quick questions
Do I need a fishing licence in the Keys?
Yes, the Florida saltwater licence, as a visitor for a few days or longer. On licensed charter boats it is usually included. Agency and link on our USA page.
When is the best time for tarpon in the Keys?
Late spring and early summer, when the big tarpon migrate along the Keys. Sailfish in winter off the reef, bonefish and permit in spring and autumn.
Can I camp in the Keys?
Yes, on campsites and in state parks with tent or RV, usually with a reservation well in advance. Wild camping is not allowed.
Other destinations
We do not broker lodging, boats or charters, the links lead to the official tourism and nature sites. You enter the prices yourself.
Know more?
Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.
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