Big Pine Key Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Big Pine Key Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Big Pine Key

Bill Giliberti
Marathon, Florida
Reported: 1 day ago

Yellow tail snappers, mutton snapper, amber Jacob

Bill Giliberti Marathon, Florida Reported: 1 day ago

Yellow tail snappers, mutton snapper, amber Jacob

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Torre Palmeno
Big Pine Key, Florida
Reported: 2 days ago

Reef fishing been good !

Torre Palmeno Big Pine Key, Florida Reported: 2 days ago

Reef fishing been good !

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Tom Kasprzak
Big Pine Key, Florida
Reported: 3 days ago

Grouper season is here, and they're biting! Yellowtail bite has still been hot as well. Inshore fishing has slowed down this week, and the mahi are starting to show up.

Tom Kasprzak Big Pine Key, Florida Reported: 3 days ago

Grouper season is here, and they're biting! Yellowtail bite has still been hot as well. Inshore fishing has slowed down this week, and the mahi are starting to show up.

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Aaron Black
Marathon, Florida
Reported: 6 days ago

Aaron Black Marathon, Florida Reported: 6 days ago

May Fishing Report – Marathon, Florida Keys

The summer fishing bite is building fast here in the Florida Keys, and we have been staying on the fish!

Recent offshore trips have delivered classic “Mahi Madness” action with aggressive mahi crashing weed lines and floating debris. Anglers enjoyed nonstop excitement, including multiple hookups and beautiful keeper mahi coming over the rails.

Back on the reef, the bite has stayed steady with quality Yellowtail Snapper and Mackerel making great table fare. Jim’s recent 4-hour reef trip produced fresh fish for dinner and even turned into an incredible homemade fish sandwich just hours after leaving the dock.

With warming water temperatures, calmer conditions, and summer patterns beginning to settle in, we’re excited for what’s ahead for mahi, tuna, snapper, and reef fishing in Marathon.

Whether you want fast-paced offshore action or a fun family reef trip, now is a great time to fish the Florida Keys with us!

Capt. Aaron

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Hunter Ledbetter
Key West, Florida
Reported: 6 days ago

My team won the the Reef defender division in the recent Reef Lionfish derby What we are really excited about is this year's expanded red snapper season we have 39 days of red snapper season starting May 22. This season will go from May 22 to June 30 and then...

Hunter Ledbetter Key West, Florida Reported: 6 days ago

My team won the the Reef defender division in the recent Reef Lionfish derby
What we are really excited about is this year's expanded red snapper season we have 39 days of red snapper season starting May 22.
This season will go from May 22 to June 30 and then we'll have 4 three day weekends in October

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Robert Horachek
Big Pine Key, Florida
Reported: 1 week ago

Tarpon season is in peak season but I guess that I got distracted with permit

Robert Horachek Big Pine Key, Florida Reported: 1 week ago

Tarpon season is in peak season but I guess that I got distracted with permit

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Sean Okeefe
Key West, Florida
Reported: 1 week ago

Fishing's great!

Sean Okeefe Key West, Florida Reported: 1 week ago

Fishing's great!

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Alex Harmon
Summerland Key, Florida
Reported: 2 weeks ago

The tarpon bite is still very good! As well as some shallow water snapper!

Alex Harmon Summerland Key, Florida Reported: 2 weeks ago

The tarpon bite is still very good! As well as some shallow water snapper!

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★★★★★
We had an absolute blast. Great guide, highly recommend!
Ashley V. | May 12, 2026

Trip: Iguana Hunt
★★★★★
Fishing trip was amazing. Jim was exceptional guide. We caught a lot of fish, and we learned a lot about the area. Looking forward to coming back next year. Very professional. Customer focused.
Brian L. | May 11, 2026

Trip: FL Keys Inshore/Backcountry Fishing
★★★★★
I am caught some great fish. Mahi Mahi and a Wahoo! Great trip. Joel wasn’t able to join us but he had a buddy named Johnny assist us for the day. A bunch of dumb guys trying to catch fish. Johnny was very good at what he does. Just not good at directions! 10/10
Zachary W. | May 11, 2026

Trip: Private Offshore Fishing
★★★★★
We loved our trip with Captain Johnny! He was super experienced and explained everything nicely. We all had a great time fishing for yellow tail and went home with enough fish for dinner! The weather was great, the music was great and the captain was great! We will be back!
Allison G. | May 8, 2026

Trip: Florida Fish Slam -23'
★★★★★
I had a fantastic experience fishing with Captain Zac. He was professional and dialed in, getting us onto the fish immediately. We spent the day targeting Tarpon, Yellowtail Snapper, and Mutton Snapper with great success. A top-tier charter!"
William A. | April 29, 2026

Trip: Key West Offshore Excitement!
★★★★★
We went out on a day when weather conditions were less than ideal and honestly I wasn’t sure we’d see much action at all. Despite the conditions, Captain Bill’s fishing and boat knowledge kept us in the game. The highlight of the trip was catching a 140lb lb Tarpon, the fight of a lifetime. If you are looking for a local guide who knows his craft, works hard, and has an easy to talk to personality, I would highly recommend Captain Bill.
Joe S. | April 28, 2026

Trip: Top Notch Tarpon Trips
★★★★★
Ben was very knowledgeable on the water and put us on the fish. We had a great day on the water and enjoyed every minute of the trip. We would strongly recommend Ben as a fishing guide.
Charles H. | April 27, 2026

Trip: Summerland Key Flats Fishing
★★★★★
Great guide. Awesome boat. Aways enjoy fishing for tarpon.
George L. | April 21, 2026

Trip: Top Notch Tarpon Trips
★★★★★
Jim was great! He was a wealth of knowledge and put us on fish all day long. Was very patient with us beginners, and helped us pick it up quickly. Conversation was great throughout the trip, we talked all about fishing, travel, and the Keys. We would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great day of fishing while in the area!
Kerry C. | April 17, 2026

Trip: FL Keys Inshore/Backcountry Fishing
★★★★★
Great Trip The boat was beautiful. Very accommodating and professional . When we come back next year we will do it again. Easy for all. Thanks .
Chuck M. | April 13, 2026

Trip: Night Iguana Hunt

Top Fishing Trips in Big Pine Key

Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Inshore, Flats Fishing in Key West

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27 ft 1 - 8 People From $700

Damn Good

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.