Hooked on Adventure: A Month-by-Month Guide to Fishing in the Islands of Marathon
Hooked on Adventure: A Month-by-Month Guide to Fishing in the Islands of Marathon.
Welcome to Gulfview Getaways, News & Updates, a gateway to accessing year round fishing opportunities for anglers. The Florida Keys are renowned for their world-class fishing opportunities, with a diverse range of species and fishing techniques to suit every skill level and style. In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the year, highlighting the best fishing spots, techniques, and tips for each month in Marathon, Florida.
January: Winter Fishing in the Florida Keys
January marks the beginning of the winter fishing season in the Florida Keys. The cooler waters bring a variety of species to your doorstep, making it an exciting time for anglers.
Best Fish to Catch: Snook, Redfish, Trout, Bonefish and Tarpon
Best Techniques: Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards for Snook and Redfish; Fly fishing with small flies for Trout; and bottom fishing with jigs or live bait for Tarpon
Best Bait or Lures: Live shrimp, pilchards, small flies, and jigs
Top Fishing Spots: The Gulf side offers excellent fishing opportunities for redfish, tarpon, and snook. Target areas with structure like rocks, weed beds, and shallow waters. Vaca Key is a popular spot for catching redfish, tarpon, and snook in January. Look for areas with structure like mangroves, seawalls, and piers.
February: Late Winter Fishing in the Florida Keys
It can be a bit stormy with approaching cold fronts. Temps as low as the lower 60s – this is our coldest month, but the winter species are still plentiful.
Best Fish to Catch: Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Mackerel
Best Techniques: Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards for Snook and Redfish; Fly fishing with small flies for Tarpon; and trolling with spoons or jigs for Mackerel
Best Bait or Lures: When it comes to bait and lures, live baiting and shrimp are a favorite among tarpon, redfish, and snook. DOA Lures’ shrimp-style lures are a popular choice for catching redfish and snook, while MirrOlures’ 1/8 oz Jig is a favorite among tarpon and snook anglers.
Top Fishing Spots: Florida Bay’s shallow waters, mangrove tunnels, and structure like seawalls and piers offers excellent fishing opportunities for tarpon, redfish, and snook. Sombrero Beach is another hotspot for catching these species, with shallow waters and mangrove roots making it easy to find active fish. And, of course, the Seven Mile Bridge is a popular spot to try your luck at catching tarpon, redfish, and snook.
March: Spring Fishing in the Florida Keys
March marks the beginning of spring in the Florida Keys, with temperatures rising and fish becoming more active. A busy time to go fishing in the Florida Keys with tourist season in full swing. Bookings get tight and planning ahead is critical to getting on a fishing charter. March can be very windy. Fishing is very good across the board.
Best Fish to Catch: Bonefish, Snapper, Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda, and Jacks.
Best Techniques: Fly fishing with small flies for Bonefish and Permit; Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards for Tarpon; and bottom fishing with jigs or spoons for Barracuda
Best Bait or Lures: Small flies, live shrimp, pilchards, jigs, and spoons
Top Fishing Spots: The Atlantic Side, The beaches and jetties continue to produce Snook and Redfish; The Gulf Stream, Start to target larger fish like Tarpon and Barracuda.
April: Spring Fling in the Florida Keys
The busiest time to visit with the windy days in the beginning of the month tapering off in the end of the month. April is a great time to target a variety of species in the Florida Keys.
Best Fish to Catch: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda, Mahi, Tuna, Sailfish, Sharks
Best Techniques: Fly fishing with small flies for Bonefish and Permit; Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards for Tarpon; bottom fishing with jigs or spoons for Barracuda; and trolling with lures for Sharks
Best Bait or Lures: Small flies, live shrimp, pilchards, jigs, spoons, and lures
Top Fishing Spots: The Atlantic Side, Beaches and jetties continue to produce Snook and Redfish; The Gulf Stream, Target larger fish like Tarpon and Barracuda.
May: Pre-Summer Fishing in the Florida Keys
May is a transitional month in the Florida Keys, as temperatures continue to rise and fish start to scatter. Without a doubt the busiest fishing time of the year for the flats fishing guides and backcountry guides for sure.
Best Fish to Catch: Tarpon, Barracuda, Sharks, Mackerel, Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo
Best Techniques: Live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards for Tarpon; bottom fishing with jigs or spoons for Barracuda; trolling with lures for Sharks; and trolling with spoons or jigs for Mackerel
Best Bait or Lures: Live shrimp, pilchards, jigs, spoons, lures
Top Fishing Spots: The Gulf Stream, Target larger fish like Tarpon and Barracuda; The Atlantic Side, Beaches and jetties are still good spots for Snook and Redfish.
June-July: Summer Slam Fishing in the Florida Keys
Summer is here with warm water temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms popping up at any time. Fish become more scattered due to warm water temperatures. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. The water is crystal clear. Long runs are easy. Fishing and snorkeling trips are a big thing this time of the year for the cooling off factor while fishing. Lobster sportsman season is last week in July.
Best Fish to Catch: Target species like Tarpon, Mahi, Grouper, Swordfish, Lionfish, Barracuda, Sharks, Mackerel, and Cobia
Best Bait or Lures: using techniques like live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards; bottom fishing with jigs or spoons; trolling with lures; and fly fishing with large flies.
Top Fishing Spots: you can target Tarpon at the Seven Mile Bridge docks, Marathon City Pier, and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Barracuda can be found near Sombrero Reef and the Marathon Hump. Mackerel can be found in fast-moving currents, such as the Gulf Stream and island channels. Cobia inhabit shallow flats and structure like rocks and weed beds.
August-September: Pre-Fall Fishing Frenzy
These two months are usually the quieter time for the Florida Keys. It is hot and humid with days of no wind. The ocean water is crystal clear and all shades of migrating blues. Long runs to deeper waters are easy and fun.
Best Fish to Catch: Focus on species like Sharks, Bonefish, Barracudas, Mackerels, Snook, Redfish & Cobia.
Best Bait or Lures: using techniques like live bait fishing with shrimp or pilchards; bottom fishing with jigs or spoons; trolling with lures; and fly fishing with large flies.
Top Fishing Spots: The Seven Mile Bridge, is a must-visit for tarpon, snook, redfish, and snappers. Sombrero Beach on the west side of Marathon is another hotspot for tarpon, sharks, while Coco Plum Beach on the eastern side is known for tarpon, snook, and redfish. Tarpon season is in full swing during these months, with shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms being prime spots to find them. Snook and redfish are also abundant during this time, and sharks and rays are common in shallow waters
October-November: Fall Fishing with an Autumn Breeze
Fall is here and the temperatures are going down with some cooler days and nights. The first cold fronts start coming into the islands middle of November. The colder temperatures can be shocking to the fish in the shallower waters. They move a little slower and sometime go deeper. The average high temperature is 82, the average low is 72.
Best Fish to Catch: Tarpon, Snook, Red Fish, Shark, Grouper, Pompano
Best Bait or Lures: These species can be caught using a variety of techniques, including bottom fishing, trolling, casting, and fly fishing.
Top Fishing Spots: The Atlantic side remains a hotspot for grouper, snappers, and barracudas. The Seven Mile Bridge continues to be a productive spot for tarpon, snook, and redfish. Coco Plum Beach on the eastern side of Marathon, is known for its consistent catches of tarpon, snook, and redfish. Tarpon can be found in shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms. Snook and redfish can also be caught in areas with structure like mangroves, docks, or seawalls.
December: Make it a reel holiday this Winter
December’s mild winter weather in Marathon makes it an ideal time to fish, with average temperatures ranging from 68°F to 78°F. It’s considered the shoulder season for fishing in Marathon compared to the peak summer months, which means smaller crowds and a more peaceful fishing experience.
Best Fish to Catch: Red Fish, Snook, Pompano, Grouper species like black grouper, gag grouper, and red grouper.
Best Bait or Lures: Live baits like shrimp, mullet, and pinfish are excellent choices for targeting redfish, snook, and pompano. Soft plastic lures like curly tail grubs or shad-tailed grubs can also be effective for catching redfish and grouper. Jigs like bucktails or spoons can be used to target a variety of species.
Top Fishing Spots: The Seven Mile Bridge is known for its consistent catches of redfish, snook, and pompano. Coco Plum Beach is another popular spot for catching pompano, snook, and redfish. The Sunset Park Pier is a great spot to catch a variety of species like pompano, whiting, and sharks.
Tips & Tricks
- Always check the Florida Fishing & Wildlife Conservation to make sure you have all necessary permits and licenses before starting your trip.
- Understand all local regulations before heading out on your fishing adventure.
- Know the tide changes, and if strong be prepared to adjust your fishing strategy accordingly.
- Be aware of the water conditions and check the weather report. Calm and clear, makes it easier to spot fish.
- Respect catch limits and release excess fish to conserve species.
- Use proper tackle management practices to reduce waste.
- Consider hiring a local guide or charter service if you’re new to the area or unsure about where to go.
Is a Fishing License Required?
A saltwater fishing license is required to fish independently in the Keys, even from area bridges or from shore. These can be purchased at most local bait and tackle shops, online at www.myfwc.com or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356) toll-free. Anglers fishing on a charter boat or backcountry boat do not need a license, however, as they are covered by the captain’s documentation.
Florida Keys Bridges Open To Fishing:
Channel 2 (MM 73)
Channel 5 (south end, MM 71)
Long Key (MM 63-65)
Tom’s Harbor Cut (MM 61.2)
Tom’s Harbor Channel (access from north end only, MM 60.6)
Seven Mile Bridge (south end only, MM 40)
Spanish Harbor (MM 34)
South Pine Channel Historic Bridge (MM 30)
Kemp Channel (MM 23)
Bow Channel (MM 20)
Park Channel (MM 18.5)
Shark Channel (MM 11)
Florida Keys Bridges Closed To Fishing:
Little Duck Key-Missouri Historic Bridge, (MM 39.5)
Missouri-Ohio Historic Bridge (MM 39)
Ohio-Bahia Honda Historic Bridge (MM 38.5)
Lower Sugarloaf Channel (MM 15.8)
The Florida Keys offer an incredible variety of fishing experiences throughout the year. By understanding what species are available during each month and using the right techniques and gear, you’ll be well on your way to catching your limit. Remember to respect local regulations and practice sustainable fishing practices.
Happy Angling!!