Winter Fishing Key West
January 21 2025 – We have had a very cool winter this year here in Key West. This week has been the coolest so far. Temps in the 70s today plummeting to the mid 50s by Wednesday with loads of NW and N winds to really chill things out. It looks like End of the weekend and early next week the weather starts to get more favorable here in Key West.
Key West Fishing Report
With the ups and downs in temperature and the constant changes in wind direction our fishing has been changing every day. I think the best part of the fishing due to the cooler weather has to be the reef fishing. We do not have to go far or deep to find some great mutton snapper fishing. The ballyhoo bait is everywhere and the fish are chewing.
Out West of Key West the cobia have been stacking up pretty nicely on the structures that hold them. We have been able to put a limit together for folks that want to book our trips that go West of the Marquesas Keys.
Offshore past the reef the kingfish are prevalent when the tide is running. The sailfish are pushing up the bait on the reef. Some days are stronger than other for blackfin tunas and the mahi mahi have been caught for the guys making the run to deep water and occasionally up on the reef edge. I wont say its been gang busters deep sea fishing last week but fun none-the-less..
Inshore our backcountry fishing charters have been pretty busy. There have been some trips that folks did not wish to go offshore in the windy rough conditions that were present so we got them fishing out back. Trout, pompano and lady fish are the cast and catch variety. Spanish mackerels and blue fish are in the shallows too with flying teeth. Our backcountry fishing charters are certainly the most popular trips this time of the year for sure. Even on the sloppier days folks have been wanting to get out there..
Fishing Forecast
Key West fishing in February is right around the corner. It looks as though the last week in January will have a nice warming trend to it. Besides the fact it will be more comfortable for folks wanting to get out. The backcountry fishing will stay really strong with our typical cast of characters for folks who enjoy casting and catching.
The reef fishing will stay strong as well with all the bait in close and the snappers following them looking for a snack. Let’s not forget that the best months for cobia fishing are January and February. If cobia are on your list – call us we will get you on them and then go catch some snappers.
Look for some more opportunities on sailfish, tuna and some wahoo as winter marches on. With the southerly breezes Mahi Mahi will also be a thing deep sea fishing. The nicest thing about February is we do not have to go far offshore to find the fish making a 4 or 6 hour day pretty feasible.
Fishing Charters
Booking any one of the fishing charters that target the fish mentioned above is super easy. We do everything over the phone in person. Just give us a call. We will go over what is happening, what we expect to happen in fishing and help you with recommendations for accommodations and activities.
Call Direct 305-292-7212
Email Me steven@fishingkeywest.com