Best time of year to flats fish the Florida Keys??  I get asked that question a lot....  

The Florida Keys fishing season lasts all year.  Every month of the calendar can be great.  Like most places it depends a lot on current weather conditions.

Regardless of the season we catch fish, and more important, have fun.  Give me a call and we can talk about the fishing and the times that would be optimum to schedule your trip.

JANUARY.....

Typically this month is barracuda time.  Lots of these big predators on the flats, along with a variety of sharks prowling the shallow warmer water.   Redfish, trout, ladyfish and jacks are also a fun option.

However January can be warm.  Baby tarpon, bonefish and permit are on the flats during the warm periods before and between cold fronts.

FEBRUARY.....

The first schools of migratory tarpon start to appear in the back country and lay up basins on the nicer days.  They can also be found rolling in the deep channels early morning.

Bonefish, juvenile tarpon and permit are also available on the warmer days, between cold fronts.  Redfish, sharks, barracuda lady fish and trout are a fun option.

MARCH.....

Considered one of the BEST months for permit.  As the water temperatures rise, tarpon start moving to the warmer flats and basins.  Good month to fish for laid up tarpon. Bonefish also move on to the warmer flats.

APRIL.....

Tarpon!  Permit!  Bonefish!  Hard to make up your mind. Fishing just gets better as water temperature improves. Tarpon and permit are cruising the flats and the edges.

Good time for large bonefish feeding on the flats.  Mid April the permit begin to move off shore. 

MAY.....

Prime time for tarpon, also a good time for bonefish.  Permit slows down early in the month, when these fish move offshore to spawn.  Fishing picks back up near the end of the month when they start to return.

JUNE....

Weather is hot and so is the fishing!   Still migratory tarpon swimming though the Keys...  However a lot less boats on the water..  The seasonal guides have left and are back in the mountains, chasing trout,,  Pemit are back from thier off shore spawn and are hungry..  Bonefish are on the same flats as the permit..

July to September....

Fishing is good for bonefish, tarpon and permit.   Especially early mornings, before the flats become too warm.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER.....

Fall is my favorite time to fish here in the Florida Keys..  Off Season..  Very few people on the water..  Some days we do not see another flats skiff..  Good time of year for permit, bonefish and  tarpon.  Water is warm and the fishing is good.  As the water temperature cool a little, large barracuda begin to move back on the flats.

DECEMBER.......

Baby tarpon, bonefish and permit are on the flats during the warm periods before and between cold fronts.  However cooler water temps bring large barracudas on to the shallow flats.  Redfish , sharks, ladyfish, sea trout and jacks are always a fun option on cooler days.

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