Florida Keys fishing forecast
Florida Keys is a saltwater fishing spot in Florida Straits, United States. Anglers here target Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, Tarpon, Permit. The most productive months are typically January, February, March, April, November, December.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #64 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
In line with this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 31.4 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 8 km/h from SSE, gusting 11 km/h |
| Wave height | 0.1 m at 3 s |
| Current | 0.55 m/s toward NE |
| Pressure | 1016 hPa |
| Depth | 1 m |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
| Chlorophyll | 1.72 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 36.9 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 9 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.0 m at 0 s |
| Ground swell | 0.1 m at 3 s from ESE |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.55 → 0.40 m/s |
The water here is 5.3 °C warmer than the September average of 26.1 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 67.3 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Florida Keys
Florida Keys currently scores 88 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 31.4 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +24.8
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +18.0
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Current +16.1
- moving water concentrates bait
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Pre-storm bite +5.0
- the classic feed before heavy weather
What’s biting now
The model expects today: blackfin-tuna, tarpon, permit, mahi-mahi, wahoo, blue-tang, stoplight-parrotfish, french-grunt
Bite windows
Best months for Florida Keys:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-08-12, 97/100
29 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
About this spot
Straits funnel strong tidal currents. Fish tend to feed around slack water and in the first hour of the flood or ebb, when bait is pushed through.
Access & shore
Best reached by boat · offshore-only
What you can catch
-
Istiophorus platypterus
-
Coryphaena hippurus
-
Megalops atlanticus
-
Trachinotus falcatus
Best months by species at Florida Keys
| Indo-Pacific SailfishIstiophorus platypterus | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahi-MahiCoryphaena hippurus | ||||||||||||
| TarponMegalops atlanticus | ||||||||||||
| PermitTrachinotus falcatus |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| TarponFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Tarpon; Chapter 68B, F.A.C. | 1/day | min 190.5 cm | — |
| A tarpon tag is required to harvest tarpon. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged. Harvest heavily restricted. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Florida residents 16–64 must purchase a Saltwater Fishing License; $17/yr (short-term rates available)., non-residents Non-residents 16+: $17/3-day, $30/7-day, $47/annual.
- saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. Always verify current rules at myfwc.com before fishing. Seasons and limits change annually.
Check Florida Keys before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 320 km of Florida Keys.
-
Florida Keys Reef
Marathon Hump
Marco Island Florida
Dry Tortugas
Miami Offshore
Fort Lauderdale Offshore
Lake Okeechobee Florida
Palm Beach Offshore
Stuart Sailfish Alley
Sarasota Bay Gulf
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Florida Keys?
Anglers at Florida Keys target Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, Tarpon and Permit.
When is the best time to fish Florida Keys?
The most productive months at Florida Keys are typically January, February, March, April, November, December.
What is the fishing forecast for Florida Keys right now?
Florida Keys currently scores 88 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Florida Keys from shore?
Florida Keys is best reached by boat; the scored water sits off a offshore-only.
Is the thermocline set up at Florida Keys right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Mahi-Mahi / Dorado: Chasing the Electric-Green Ghosts of the BluewaterHow to Catch Tarpon: The Silver King PlaybookHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.