Tarpon Fishing in Key West

Yes. Anglers fishing in Key West need a valid Florida fishing license (with the right freshwater or saltwater privileges for where you fish). Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our Florida guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.

Key West fishes 12 months, but the calendar has clear peaks. Sailfish and the offshore cold-front bite are best December through March. The tarpon migration lights up the harbor, the bridges, and the backcountry channels April through June — the marquee event of the year. Permit are catchable year-round on the flats and wrecks, with spring and early summer best. Mahi run the blue water May through August, and yellowtail snapper fill the reef all year. Summer is hot and calm (good for offshore and flats) with afternoon storms; winter cold fronts turn on the sailfish but can blow out the flats for a day or two.

Create a free MyFishingBuds profile, set Tarpon as a target species, and pick Key West as your area. You'll be matched with nearby anglers who target the same species and fish a similar style, so you can plan a trip, share a boat, and split the costs.