Key West Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Key West Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Key West

Joey Sauvageau
Destin, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Joey Sauvageau Destin, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

What’s Biting in Destin: Early Spring: At this time of the year, inshore fishing in Destin, Florida can yield a variety of fish species. Some common catches during this time of year may include: 1 Speckled Trout: Speckled trout are abundant in the inshore waters of Destin during the early spring months. They can be found in shallow waters around grass flats, oyster bars, and sandy bottoms. 2 Redfish: Redfish, also known as red drum, are another popular target for inshore anglers in Destin. They are often found near marshy areas, mangroves, and oyster beds, particularly during the spring months. 3 Flounder: Flounder are commonly caught in the inshore waters of Destin, especially around sandy bottoms and near structures like docks and bridges. They are known for their unique flat body shape and can be targeted using bottom fishing techniques. 4 Sheepshead: Sheepshead are a favorite among inshore anglers in Destin, particularly around structures such as docks, jetties, and bridges. They are known for their sharp teeth and strong fighting ability. 5 Black Drum: Black drum can also be found in the inshore waters of Destin during the spring. They are often found near oyster beds, docks, and other structures, and can be targeted using a variety of baits and techniques. What’s Biting in Destin: Early Spring—- Overall, this time of the year offers excellent opportunities for inshore fishing in Destin, with a variety of species available to target. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, there’s plenty of action to be had in the beautiful waters of Destin, Florida.

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Robert Horachek
Big Pine Key, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Bonefishing has been very good

Robert Horachek Big Pine Key, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

Bonefishing has been very good

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Justin Ferrell with Good Times Key West
Key West, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Justin Ferrell with Good Times Key West Key West, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

Inshore on our 24' the reef has been on fire with almost every species of snapper. A ton of black grouper have been caught because the season is closed. Couple of monster sharks including a monster (10+ft) hammerhead. Cobia are starting to show up, but Im yet to catch a keeper cobia (yet) this year. The offshore bite has been hit or miss, but when it's good, it's gooooood. Just this week we have caught multiple species of tuna, sailfish, mahi, and we are targeting a full moon wahoo tomorrow.

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John Guieb
Key West, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

John Guieb Key West, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

February 2025 The offshore bite around Key West is absolutely red hot right now, with blackfin tuna and cobia stealing the show! Blackfin Tuna Frenzy The blackfin tuna action has been nothing short of spectacular. Schools of these torpedoes are stacking up along the edge of the reef and in deeper blue water, particularly around the humps and wrecks. Anglers live baiting with pilchards, threadfin herring, and small blue runners on light tackle are experiencing non-stop action. The key has been to chum heavy with live baits, creating a slick that pulls them right up to the boat. Once they’re fired up, it’s game on! Fish in the 15–25 lb range are common, with some larger bruisers mixed in. Light fluorocarbon leaders (20-30 lb) and small circle hooks are doing the trick, providing an epic fight that tests every inch of your gear. Cobia Crash the Party While targeting tuna, surprise visits from cobia have added to the excitement. These fish are cruising the same wrecks and structure, often trailing behind rays, sharks, and even alongside the tuna schools. They’re aggressive right now, smashing live baits like pinfish and pilchards without hesitation. Anglers are reporting cobia in the 20–40 lb class, with some true Key West giants pushing beyond that. Keep a pitch rod ready with a live bait hooked up because these fish often appear out of nowhere, especially when you’re chumming heavily. Tips for Success: • Chum Heavy: Live chumming with pilchards keeps both tuna and cobia around the boat.

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Jamie Snediker
Key West, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Lots of mackerel.

Jamie Snediker Key West, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

Lots of mackerel.

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Ryan Carter
Key West, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Ryan Carter Key West, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

East winds this week will bring in some warm waters and calm seas. The mangrove snapper bite has been very good with pilchards, pinfish and or cut bait. The jack crevel have taken over the gulf of America in strong numbers. The average size is 8 pounds with some 12 pounders mixed in. The Cobia are still hanging around the shallow wrecks. Fishing will only continue getting better later in the months coming.

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Antonio Estenoz
Key West, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Tunas are biting!!

Antonio Estenoz Key West, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

Tunas are biting!!

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Alex Harmon
Summerland Key, Florida
Reported: 9 months ago

Lots of tunas and snappers around.

Alex Harmon Summerland Key, Florida Reported: 9 months ago

Lots of tunas and snappers around.

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What's Biting in Key West

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★★★★★
Wonderful trip, they made it so easy to enjoy ourselves, crew was inviting and welcoming. will definitely be booking again
Heather W. | November 27, 2025

Trip: Key West Nearshore/Offshore Trip
★★★★★
Capt Justin knows what he's doing. If you're in the Keys and looking to catch fish and have a great experience, call him!
Dale S. | November 27, 2025

Trip: Key West Fishing Adventure
★★★★★
Hunter and Valerie were awesome! Even in unideal conditions at the end of the season, we were still able to bring in a bunch of lobster. They made things quick and easy, and Hunter was communicating with me all throughout the planning process. Would absolutely book again.
Dalton R. | November 18, 2025

Trip: Lionfish Spearfishing Fury
★★★★★
Amazing trip! Captain was awesome! Put us right on the spot to catch lobster! Definitely a must do!
Noel S. | November 16, 2025

Trip: Catch Your Own Tasty Lobster!
★★★★★
Captain Jamie took us out in the early afternoon, and even though we knew the bite was a little slow at this time, we just wanted to get out and enjoy the water around beautiful Key West. He made the most of our four hours; we hit around four spots and even cruised over to the ocean side to try and find the bite that way. In this 4-hour trip, I got a crash course in fly fishing from one of the best. Jamie’s super laid-back, easy to talk to, and knows the area like the back of his hand. We wrapped up the trip with a gorgeous sunset; it was a 10/10 day all around. Even with the slow bite, it was one of the most scenic, educational, and unforgettable trips I’ve ever been on!
Jonathan N. | November 6, 2025

Trip: Key West On Light Tackle & Flies
★★★★★
We had an amazing time! Captain was friendly and very helpful. The captain recommended that we take our catch to Mac’s Place bar just steps from the marina and have it prepared. The staff and preparation were both amazing!! We will return to do it all again! Thanks Antonio!!
Todd R. | November 5, 2025

Trip: Key West Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty
★★★★★
We took our team out with Hunter for a combo lobstering and deep sea trip and he didn't let us down! First and foremost, Hunter is an ex-marine who is incredibly on top of his equipment, his boat, and his safety and was very clear about expectations for the day and what we should be doing at any point in time. After a quick scuba diving refresher & safety brief we put on our gear for a dive and were rewarded with a number of keeper lobsters, a bigger number of lobsters that were too small to keep, a lionfish which we speared, and too many great wildlife sightings to count including a big loggerhead turtle, a black grouper, and a nurse shark hoping for a handout. After the dive we put our gear away we drove a few miles further out to catch some yellowtail snapper. We started slow, but pretty soon were reeling in a yellowtail almost every cast. We probably caught 20-25 within a few hours, as well as a small yellow jack, a parrotfish, and an undersized red grouper. Lastly, we decided to use the last hour of our trip to try to hook into a big black grouper using some of our yellowtail as bait. This was a bit of a "go big or go home" bet and unfortunately didn't pay off for us this time - I wish we'd had a bit more time to drift and I'm sure we would have hooked one. Overall can't speak highly enough of Hunter and the experience diving and fishing in the Keys. There is such a variety of things to do that even on a full day trip you will never feel bored and can always pivot to something else. We even chased a frigate bird and threw some bucktails in the middle of the day at some bait that was busting. You won't go wrong booking a trip with Hunter.
Attison B. | November 5, 2025

Trip: Full Day Offshore - 30' Seahunter
★★★★★
Awesome trip Captain Brad put us on the fish all day
Sam R. | November 2, 2025

Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip
★★★★★
Great crew and cap weather wasn’t the best but still had a good time
Stephen | October 31, 2025

Trip: Key West Lobstering - 30’ Seahunter
★★★★★
Captain Brad did a great job! Very good boat.
Jeff M. | October 13, 2025

Trip: Key West Mixed Bag Trip

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