Biting · SEPTEMBER4 peak · 21 total

Fish.

Sorted by seasonal rating for the selected month. Tap any species for behavior, gear, and the factors that move its bite.

Bonefish
Albula vulpes
Flats ghost. The patience-and-presentation fish.
PEAK100
Permit
Trachinotus falcatus
Crab-feeding diamond. Marquesas spawn the most famous in the world.
PEAK100
Yellowtail Snapper
Ocyurus chrysurus
Reef-edge schoolers. Light leader, hard chum, all-day fun.
PEAK100
Mangrove Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Bridge-and-mangrove ambusher. July full moon stacks the wrecks.
PEAK100
Tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
Silver king. Bridge ambush, dawn rolls, June migration.
GOOD80
Black Grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci
Reef ambusher. Heavy line, sudden hit, immediate problem.
GOOD80
Red Grouper
Epinephelus morio
Hard-bottom resident. Less drama than blacks, all-day reliable.
GOOD80
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis
Cool-water grouper. Mid-shelf structure, winter peaks.
GOOD80
Snowy Grouper
Hyporthodus niveatus
Deep-drop trophy. 500–1000 ft, electric reels, big fillets.
GOOD80
Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Buoy-cruiser. Sight cast a 50-pounder following a turtle.
GOOD80
Red SnapperSpawn
Lutjanus campechanus
Gulf-side trophy. Heavily managed Atlantic, more abundant offshore.
GOOD80
Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps
Deep-mud burrower. 600–900 ft, neon yellow, mild fillet.
GOOD80
Blueline Tilefish
Caulolatilus microps
Mid-depth deep drop. 300–700 ft, smaller than goldens, similar plate.
GOOD80
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
Riley's Hump May full moon. The Keys' largest snapper aggregation.
GOOD80
Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus
Snouted bottom-rooter. Spear target #1, light tackle treasure.
GOOD80
Mahi (Dolphinfish)
Coryphaena hippurus
Blue-water schoolers. Weed lines, frigates, neon body, table-fish prize.
GOOD80
Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus atlanticus
Marathon and Islamorada humps. Dawn jigging on stacked schools.
GOOD80
Bonita (Little Tunny)
Euthynnus alletteratus
Bait or sport. Surface schools, light tackle, big fight.
GOOD80
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri
Full-moon torpedo. 50+ knot strikes, blue water, white plate.
OK60
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus
Winter NE wind = Stream sail bite. Kite fishing's apex.
OFF40
Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Rare Keys winter visitor. Mostly a Carolinas/Northeast fishery.
OFF20