Key West Fishing Report (Updated March 2026)

This is the season when Key West gets into a stable hot, dry summer weather pattern. Air temps stay between the low 80s and about 90 with no worries about rain other than quick passing thundershowers. Key West charter captains love this weather because glassy water means they can run anywhere they want to find […]

In the heat of July and the dog days of August, the Key West fishing focus tends to shift from the offshore waters to near-shore and Key West Flats fishing action. The Gulf Stream is swinging farther out to sea, taking the green water zone with it, so boats hunting big Mahi-Mahi or searching the […]

July is one of America’s favorite months, perhaps because it is dominated by nice weather and highlighted by the 4th of July, family reunions, vacations, and other special occasions. This midsummer month is also prime time for outdoor recreation, and fishing is right there at the top of the list from coast to coast.

Warm summer weather and calm sea conditions make July a good time for Key West fishing. It is the season when tropical depressions swing up out of the southeast bringing short spells of unsettled weather and rain to the Gulf region but these tend to be short-lived events. Average rain day count for July is […]

High summer in Key West brings days of heat and humidity, but it also marks some of the best fishing of the year for those who would like to get out on uncrowded water and go for a Grand Slam on the Flats. Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit are The Big Three, a sportfish combo that […]

Late August brings classic Key West summer, with air temps steady in the low 90’s and clear skies punctuated only by the occasional thunderstorm. While the heat is intense, the crowds are not as island life moves into back-to-school mode during the last two weeks of August and the first two weeks of September. Visitor-wise, […]

August is a good time to be in Key West. Once the dust clears from the two-day Spiny Lobster Mini Season, it gets pretty quiet around town and out on the water. The weather is generally calm, and seas are flat although a sharp eye must be kept out for the tropical storm patterns that […]

August is usually dependable for providing simmering hot days with the light wind and gin-clear water that get fly fisherman out on the Key West Flats in pursuit of wily Bonefish and Permit. It is not unheard of to see a few scattered afternoon thunderstorms and showers, but calm waters generally prevail as the Keys […]

Cloudy skies, wind, and showers of rain are unusual for August in the Keys. This month is generally expected to be very hot, with humid air hanging over slick calm sea conditions. It is prime Flats fishing season, when fly fishermen and live bait anglers work the shallows for Bonefish, Permit, and a few hold-over […]

The dog days of mid-August are on us here in Key West, with day time heat and humidity levels that leave the water as the only option for relief outside of a generously air-conditioned bar. Luckily, both options are very readily available and work out fine to turn August in Key West into an enjoyable […]

Fall is kicking into high gear in Key West as we go into the tail end of what some people call our monsoon season – May through October, and hit the prime time for tropical depressions to be swinging through the Keys and the Gulf region. Temperatures usually stay in the lower 80s this time […]

Fall is coming on here in Key West. The weather is cooling as we start transitioning into typical fall patterns, and it is the norm to see some shower or thunderstorm action on most days. The winds also kick up this time of year, and September can produce a few days where it is a […]

The mild weather and cool breezes of fall bring great Key West fishing action. The last weeks of September generally bring on the transition to autumn down in Key West. We get strong winds, multiple rainy days, and high temperatures that consistently stay below the 90s. This combination lights up the fishing, and October nearly […]

When the late fall to winter transition is in effect here in Key West, water temperatures go down and the schools of baitfish move into the shallows and over the reefs. A nice live well full of fresh pilchards is all that is needed this time of year to guarantee a great day of action […]

When the fall transition comes on here in the Florida Keys, we get cold fronts moving in from the north every few days. The weather change sparks increased intensity in the Key West fishing action, particularly on the reef and in the Flats and Backcountry waters. In fact Key West October Fishing is some of […]

November is a great time for booking a Key West fishing trip. Key West fall fishing is generally a wonderful experience. Air temperatures hold on around 75 degrees or so, and town is nice and peaceful in a between-season lull. We do get a few windy days in fall, but fortunately there is always some […]