Biting · MAY21 species

Fish.

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

Bonefish
Albula vulpes

Flats ghost. The patience-and-presentation fish.

PEAK100
TarponSpawn
Megalops atlanticus

Silver king. Bridge ambush, dawn rolls, June migration.

PEAK100
PermitSpawn
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
Red GrouperSpawn
Epinephelus morio

Hard-bottom resident. Less drama than blacks, all-day reliable.

PEAK100
Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

Deep-mud burrower. 600–900 ft, neon yellow, mild fillet.

PEAK100
Blueline Tilefish
Caulolatilus microps

Mid-depth deep drop. 300–700 ft, smaller than goldens, similar plate.

PEAK100
Mutton SnapperSpawn
Lutjanus analis

Riley's Hump May full moon. The Keys' largest snapper aggregation.

PEAK100
Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus

Snouted bottom-rooter. Spear target #1, light tackle treasure.

PEAK100
Mahi (Dolphinfish)Spawn
Coryphaena hippurus

Blue-water schoolers. Weed lines, frigates, neon body, table-fish prize.

PEAK100
Blackfin Tuna
Thunnus atlanticus

Marathon and Islamorada humps. Dawn jigging on stacked schools.

PEAK100
Bonita (Little Tunny)
Euthynnus alletteratus

Bait or sport. Surface schools, light tackle, big fight.

PEAK100
Snowy GrouperSpawn
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
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis

Cool-water grouper. Mid-shelf structure, winter peaks.

OK60
Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus

Winter NE wind = Stream sail bite. Kite fishing's apex.

OK60
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri

Full-moon torpedo. 50+ knot strikes, blue water, white plate.

OK60
Black Grouper
Mycteroperca bonaci

Reef ambusher. Heavy line, sudden hit, immediate problem.

OFF40
Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus

Rare Keys winter visitor. Mostly a Carolinas/Northeast fishery.

OFF20