1
|
Florida Fish Species | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2
|
Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
3
|
Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | |
4
|
Blackfin Tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | |
5
|
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | |
6
|
Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) | OK | OK | OK | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | OK | |
7
|
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | |
8
|
Cero Mackeral (Scomberomorous regalis) | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | |
9
|
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) | Good | Best | Best | Best | Good | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | Good | Good | |
10
|
Dorado (Mahi Mahi, Dolphin) (Coryphaena hippurus) | OK | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | OK | OK | |
11
|
Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | |
12
|
Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | |
13
|
Jacks/Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos) | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | |
14
|
King Mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | Good | Best | |
15
|
Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) | Good | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | |
16
|
Mutton Snapper (Lutjanus analis) | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | |
17
|
Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | |
18
|
Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Good | OK | OK | Good | OK | OK | |
19
|
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | |
20
|
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) | CLOSED | CLOSED | OK | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | OK | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | |
21
|
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solanderi) | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | |
22
|
Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | OK | |
23
|
Yellowtail Snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best |
Use this Florida fishing calendar as a general guide for your fishing expeditions for the fish mentioned. Of course there is some seasonal variability which will make some months better or worse than they are listed here. Also, the terms Best, Good, and OK are entirely subjective. Don’t put too much faith in the fishing charts you see like this, just use them as one bit of data as you’re planning your trip. Also consult tide charts which are far more important to Florida saltwater fishing because they are highly correlated with the fishing ‘bite.’
Note – This is not a legal guide regarding the open or closed status of fishing for Florida species above. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information download the official Florida Saltwater Fishing Regulations PDF (click) (July 2020).
Florida Saltwater Fishing Guides
Amberjack, Black Drum, Bluefish, Cobia, Dorado (Dolphin, Mahi-mahi), Speckled Trout, Grouper, Gulf Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Lobster, Permit, Pompano, Red-bellied Pacu, Redfish, Redfish Index, Salmon Index, Shark Fishing, Sheepshead, Snapper, Snook, Tarpon, Tarpon, Tripletail. Don’t miss our new SHARK Fishing Guide.
Florida Fishing Style Guides
Deep Sea Fishing, Shore Fishing, Inshore Boat Fishing, Kayak Fishing, Pier Fishing, Wade-fishing
Fishing Tacklebox Essentials
Florida Fish Regulation Ruler (Belt)

Fish Scale (Digital and up to 110 lbs.)

Florida Fishing Identification Booklet – 5×7″ Laminated (Waterproof)
