Key West Fish Species And Calendar
A comprehensive guide to the Key West fish species that we target while deep sea fishing in Key West on board the INXS.
The fish species are listed alphabetically with a calendar of times best to visit Key West and target them. To put tougether your special fishing vacation to Key West, please reach out to us directly, we are alway happy to help in person.
Barracuda
Barracudas are really fun to catch.
Food Value – Poor
Fight – Good
Availability – Excellent
Barracuda fishing in Key West is an exhilarating experience that draws anglers from far and wide to the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. These sleek predators, with their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes, offer a thrilling challenge for both seasoned fishermen and novices alike. Key West’s warm, tropical climate provides ideal conditions for barracuda year-round, making it a premier destination for anglers seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure. The excitement of hooking into a barracuda as it explodes from the water in a display of raw power is unmatched. With the stunning backdrop of Key West’s turquoise seas and vibrant marine life, barracuda fishing becomes not just a sport, but a memorable journey into the heart of the Florida Keys’ natural beauty.
Barracudas are generally caught when trolling on our boat the INXS. Mostly a by catch when we are targeting other species. These fish can be a welcome surprise between hits. For beginners barracudas are a great way to get used to the tackle and methods of deep sea fishing.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin tunas are not only tasty but also really fun to catch.
Food Value – Excellent
Fight – Really Good
Availability – Excellent
Trolling for blackfin tunas in Key West offers anglers an exhilarating pursuit in the rich waters of the Gulf Stream. Key West’s strategic location at the convergence of major ocean currents makes it a hotspot for these powerful and prized game fish. With its sleek, torpedo-like body and incredible speed, the blackfin tuna presents a thrilling challenge for fishermen eager to test their skills against nature’s finest. Whether trolling near the surface or using downriggers to target deeper depths, the anticipation of a strike is always palpable. As the reel screams and the rod bends under the weight of a hooked tuna, the adrenaline rush is undeniable. With Key West’s stunning scenery as a backdrop and the promise of a bountiful catch, trolling for blackfin tunas becomes not just a sport, but an unforgettable adventure on the shimmering waters of the Florida Keys.
Blackfin tunas are amazing table fare. While not something we can recommend they provide excellent sashimi right out of the ocean. We catch them using trolling and live bait techniques as well as speed jigs with a run and gun technique on board our 36 ft Yellowfin Center console that we use for Key West reef fishing charters.
ALSO: Call and ask about blackfin tunas behind the shrimp boats in the Gulf. Another really fun fishing charter we offer.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
Bonito AKA "Bo Bo"
Bonito are not great eating but really fun to catch.
Food Value – Poor
Fight – Really Good
Availability – Excellent
Bonito fishing in Key West is a thrilling pursuit that attracts anglers to the vibrant waters of the Florida Keys. These feisty and energetic fish, known for their explosive strikes provide an exciting challenge for both seasoned fishermen and newcomers alike. Key West’s warm, clear waters offer the perfect habitat for bonito, making it a prime destination for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping fishing adventure. The excitement of hooking into a bonito really brings a smile to any angler looking for a big pull on their rod. Bonito are great shark and strip bait for us. No food value but as we mentioned fun to catch.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
Dolphin Fish AKA Mahi Mahi, Dorado
Dolphin are great eating and really fun to catch.
Food Value – Excellent
Fight – Really Good
Availability – Excellent
Deep sea fishing for mahi mahi, also known as dolphin fish, is an exhilarating experience that beckons anglers to the azure waters off the coast of Key West. These vibrant and acrobatic fish, with their dazzling colors and impressive fighting spirit, offer a thrilling challenge for adventurers seeking the ultimate offshore catch. Key West’s strategic location along the Gulf Stream provides fertile fishing grounds for mahi mahi, with the warm currents attracting schools of these prized game fish. Whether trolling with colorful lures or casting with live bait, the anticipation of a mahi mahi strike is always electric. As these majestic creatures leap from the water in a display of aerial acrobatics, anglers are treated to a spectacle of nature’s beauty. With the sun-kissed horizon as a backdrop and the promise of a bountiful catch, deep sea fishing for mahi mahi in Key West becomes not just a sport, but an unforgettable adventure on the high seas.
Our dolphin get to be up to 50lbs here off of Key West with most catches being in the 22″ – 35″ range. A great way to catch fish for shipping back home and vacuum sealing for freezing.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
King Mackerel AKA Kingfish, Smoker
Kingfish are good eating and really fun to catch.
Food Value – Good
Fight – Really Good
Availability – Seasonally Excellent
Kingfish, particularly the King Mackerel, offer a thrilling challenge for fishermen venturing into the waters around Key West. Known for their speed and powerful runs, these sleek predators are prized catches for both seasoned anglers and newcomers to the sport. Key West’s strategic position along the Florida coastline provides prime habitat for King Mackerel, drawing them in abundance to the area’s warm, nutrient-rich waters. Anglers often employ trolling techniques with live bait or artificial lures to entice these voracious fish, with the anticipation of a strike keeping the excitement levels high. Once hooked, King Mackerel showcase their formidable strength, often making blistering runs that test the angler’s skill and equipment to the limit.
For those looking to savor the flavors of their catch, smoking King Mackerel is a popular method that preserves the delicate taste of the fish while infusing it with a rich, smoky aroma.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
Sailfish
Sailfish are really fun to catch.
Food Value – Good – But we release them.
Fight – Really Good
Availability – Good
Fishing for sailfish in Key West’s deep sea waters can be a pinnacle experience for anglers seeking the thrill of chasing one of the ocean’s most iconic game fish. The vibrant sails of these majestic creatures, coupled with their incredible speed and acrobatic displays, make them a prized catch for fishermen venturing into the open sea. Key West’s strategic location along the Gulf Stream provides fertile grounds for sailfish, drawing them in abundance to the area’s warm and nutrient-rich waters. Anglers often employ trolling techniques with live bait or artificial lures to entice these magnificent predators, with the adrenaline rush of a sailfish strike keeping anticipation levels sky-high. Once hooked, the true spectacle begins as sailfish leap and tail-walk across the water’s surface, testing the angler’s skill and resolve to the fullest.
All of the sailfish we catch here on board the INXS are de-hooked and released back unharmed. Although sailfish are very tasty and we are allowed to keep one per day this fishery is very important to Key West and we take a stand to release them all.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November
Wahoo
Wahoo are really fun to catch.
Food Value – Excellent
Fight – Excellent
Availability – Good
Wahoo fishing aboard the INXS in Key West is an unparalleled adventure that promises excitement and thrills for avid anglers. The sleek and powerful INXS vessel provides the perfect platform for targeting these lightning-fast predators in the deep waters of the Florida Keys. With its experienced crew and top-notch equipment, the INXS offers anglers the best chance of hooking into these prized game fish. Key West’s strategic location along the Gulf Stream ensures ample opportunities to encounter wahoo, drawn to the area’s warm currents and abundant prey. We often deploy high-speed trolling techniques with flashy lures to entice these elusive predators, with the anticipation of a wahoo strike sending pulses racing. Once hooked, the INXS crew expertly maneuvers to battle these formidable adversaries, with wahoo known for their blistering runs and strong spirit. The promise of a thrilling wahoo catch, fishing aboard the INXS becomes not just a sport, but an unforgettable journey into the heart of offshore angling excitement.
Wahoo are super tasty and a prized food fish. We will keep them and prepare them for you after your fishing charter with us.
Winter
December – February
Spring
March – April
Summer
May – September
Fall
October – November