Best
Months to catch different fish:
Atlantic Sailfish - Year
Round, November - February
Probably the best known game fish in the keys, this fighter can reach a
weight of 100 pounds; but averages around 50. Fall and winter are the
best times of year to tangle with a sailfish, but they are caught
year-round.
Sword Fish - Winter
Months, November - March
Swordfish are large, highly migratory predators that generally migrate
between colder waters in the summer to warmer waters in the winter for
spawning. If they live long enough (perhaps 25 years), they can reach
2,200 lbs. Like other billfish, all the large ones are females since
male swordfish rarely exceed 200 lbs.
Blue Marlin March -
October and April - July
Found in the Gulfstream and in the open ocean this granddaddy of
gamefish averages 150-250 lbs. (Florida Record: 980 lbs., 8 ozs.) Spring
and summer are the best time to hook up with one, and be ready for a
battle.
White Marlin March -
October and April - July
Some say white marlin, which can reach a weight of 200 lbs. and more
than 9 ft. in length, are a perfect gamefish - fast, powerful, hard to
subdue and very acrobatic. The color of body is dark blue to chocolate
brown, shading to silvery white underbelly. It is an offshore, blue
water fish and is usually around 8 feet long. The *Florida Record is 161
lbs. It uses its bill to stun fast-moving fishes, then turns to consume
them.
Cobia November -
April, January - March
This sleek and extremely strong fish is an exciting catch. They range in
size up to about 135 pounds. The largest Cobia ever caught in Florida
USA weighed about 104 lbs. An average size fish will weigh 20 to 40
pounds. Along the Atlantic Coast of Florida, Cobia spend the winter
(December – March) in the harbors and around the wrecks and reefs of
the south Florida Keys.
Dolphin - April -
September; April - July
Also a schooling fish, the dolphin is found in all warm waters usually
250 feet or deeper. Caught all year in the keys, summer is the best, and
it is not unusual to catch a dozen 10 - 12 pounders, and a good 35 - 50
lb. bull. Delicious.
Grouper - Year Round, November - March
There are several types of grouper - Nassau (protected), Black, Gag,
Snowy, Red, Goliath (protected). Many can change their colors and
patterns making identification difficult. Size and limits vary. Groupers
are usually found over hard bottom such as coral reefs. Some species
prefer shallow water, while others inhabit deep, dark regions far
offshore. Snowy's are deep water species found on the bottom 300' to
800' deep. During the summer when the shallow waters are warmed,
groupers in shallow waters move to deeper reefs and holes.
Kingfish (King Mackerel) - September - April 
Winter is the best time to catch a king. Traveling in schools they
average 12-20 lbs. but can exceed 50 pounds. Caught in waters offshore,
they are an excellent eating fish and are considered by some the best
for smoking.
Snapper - Year Round, March - March
This edible delight is found all year round mostly inshore or around
reefs. Averaging 1 to 4 pounds, they can be found in holes, channels,
bridges, pier areas, mangroves and shorelines.
Tarpon - Year Round,
May - July 
This Backcountry fighter may be found along the entire Florida coast in
estuaries and among mangroves. Tarpon can be caught year round but
summer is the best time of year to catch the big ones by casting on the
shallow flats. Typical catch is 50 to 70 pounds. Edibility is poor.
Tuna (Blackfin Tuna) - Year Round, December -
February
Tuna is a hard fighting fish that is delicious. You can usually catch
the larger Tuna in Islamorada during the winter months . The average
blackfin weighs up to 30 lbs.
Wahoo - Year Round, April - May October -
December
The Wahoo is another good eating fish that is fun to catch. Since it is
one of the fastest fish in the sea, the best way to catch it is to use
live bait at a high speed. They can weigh up to 60 lbs.
Yellowtail - Year Round, April - June
The Yellowtail often has a yellow tint but over all a uniform gray
color. Its name comes from the forked tail that is a dark yellow in
color. The Yellowtail will feed along the bottom of the sea floor on
crustaceans and small fish. The meat is tender with a pinkish tint and
can be smoked, baked, or fried.
Bonefish - Year Round
Bonefish are primarily inshore fish inhabiting Florida Key shallows.
They can be found in shallows often less than 1 foot deep, usually over
lush grass flats, occasionally over white sand. Size: 3 to 5 pounds.
*Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs. The travel in loose schools looking for
shrimp, shellfish, crabs, and fish from the bottom.
Snook - Year Round
They are found from central Florida south, usually inshore in coastal
and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges;
also on reefs and pilings near shore. Size: most catches 5 to 8 pounds.
*Florida Record: 44 lbs., 3 ozs. They cannot tolerate water temperatures
below 60 degrees F.
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