Key West Fish

Fish of Key West

Amberjack - a fish that is strong enough to jerk an unwary angler off his feet. Come to Key West and drop a bait fish over one of the many deep wrecks and brace yourself for an amberjack strike.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig:

 

Barracuda - formerly known as "drag burners". The Cuda's ability to destroy inferior drag systems when the fish was not targeted is well known. With the improvements in reels this lightning quick fish is beginning to get the respect it deserves as a game fish.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Type of trip: Flats, light tackle
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig: fly, spin

 

Cobia - How can a fish that ugly taste so good? Often confused with a brown shark by novice anglers, the cobia is a savvy fighter that uses structure and coral to cut lines. Beware!!

Cobias often save their best fight for a wrestling match to the ice box. Simply put cobia have a bad attitude.

Available: oct-mat
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig: spin, fly

 

Dolphin- The annual dolphin migration fires the imagination and adrenal glands of just about every fisherman.

Whether you're throwing flies, light tackle to schoolies, or battling a 50lb.er Few fish are as beautiful as a lit up dolphin or taste as good for dinner.

Available: April-August
Peak Season:apr-june
Favorite bait:
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Grouper- Many anglers consider battling a grouper more like a tug of war the a fish fight.

A fish that hits like a train and dives like a submarine. If this fish makes it to the bottom. you're going to lose. Break out the heavy tackle, hammer down the drag, & prepare yourself for a brawl.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig:

 

Kingfish- Often called Smokers for two reasons: The first refers to the fact that Kingfish are generally smoked for consumption.

The second and more important reason refers to the powerful, blistering runs that can literally smoke a reel's drag system

Available: Nov - Aug
Peak Season: Dec- March
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig:

 

Marlin- Big game anglers rejoice! Conservation efforts such as the ban on long lining and the catch and release policies seem to be working.

Marlin are making a strong comeback in the waters off of Key West. Nothing in the angling world can prepare you for the power and spectacle of fighting a big blue Marlin.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: may -, oct
Favorite bait:
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Permit - This fish combines a keen sense of observation with a cunning and powerful fighting style.

These attributes can try the patience and skills of even the most seasoned angler. In fact, the permit is often referred to as the world's most difficult fish to take on fly. Key West is a premier permit destination that provides memories any angler can cherish.

Available: march - sept
Peak Season: March; - May - oct
Favorite bait:
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Sailfish- You're watching your bait as it skips across the surface when suddenly a sailfish surfaces with it's sail fully erect.

It chases and starts violently slashing at the bait with its bill. All that imagery and the fish isn't even hooked yet. Generally, not ever the old tradition of throwing the angler off the dock at the end of their first sailfish trip will remove the smile.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: oct- Nov; March - apr
Favorite bait:
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Shark- Experience the acrobatic leaps of the Spinner and Black Tip - the long and fast runs of the Lemons - the size and strength of the GBull.

Sharks are a big fish anglers have come to count on for a good time. Get a great trophy photo before releasing this apex predator back into their world.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
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Snapper -A light tackle favorite. Whether it's a child that has never fished or and old salt, snappers can provide a fast pace fishing day that is a crowd pleaser and a gourmet meal.

Watch your fingers; they're called snapper for a reason

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
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Swordfish - Catch and release Only! You're spending a beautiful night at sea, under the stars of Key West.

The captain has just put out the largest baits you're ever seen, each rigged with a fish attracting glow stick. When the glow stick reappears on the horizon, you know it's a swordfish.

The rod bends, the reel screams, the adrenalin flows, and it occurs to you " I have just given one of the most powerful and rugged fish in the ocean a huge head start!

Available: Year round
Peak Season: Nov - Dec, March - May
Favorite bait:
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Tarpon - Strength, acrobatic leaps, endurance and size, Tarpon have it all. On fly, spin or even conventional gear, few fish can test an angler like a Tarpon.

It's no wonder why this fish becomes the focus and/or obsession of so many experienced anglers.

Available: Feb - sept
Peak Season:may-july
Favorite bait:
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Tuna- If you sat down to design the perfect game fish, you would probably come up with something that resembles a tuna.

With a body that is the shape of a football and muscle to spare, the tuna is pound for pound one of the strongest fish swimming.

Additionally, if you're fortunate enough to catch one, blackened, steaked, or even raw, Tuna is a gourmet treat tough to beat.

Available: Oct - June
Peak Season: Oct - Jan
Favorite bait:
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Wahoo -A very aptly named fish. With its stream- lined body and size, wahoo are one of the fastest fish alive.

During the wild fish fight characterized by sizzling runs, "Wahoooo" is a typical angler response.

Available: Year round
Peak Season: sept - dec, June - Aug
Favorite bait:
Best Tackle rig: