Key West fishing report for April 26, 2026. Is it windy and bumpy one. Each year in the spring we’re not sure if it’s March or April the Bermuda high establishes off the eastern seaboard and can provide the Florida Keys fishing with pretty stiff breezes from the east on the daily. Sometimes these breezes can last over 30 days in a row. Fortunately, this year we’ve had some reprieve on a couple of weeks in the past few work conditions got pretty nice, but mostly it’s been windy.

Key West Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing, due to the higher winds things has been pretty choppy however there has been a very large loop coming off the Gulfstream 50 miles to the south of Key West that has provided a pretty strong, westbound current knocking down the chop provided by these 20 to 25 mph winds. This time of year typically we get a real good push of Sailfish down our reef edge while we have been seeing some and catching some Sailfish. It has not been anything to write home about yet. In the deep sea fishing in the blue water there have been some occasional nice catches of mahi off of floating debris, such as pallet tree, branches, and clumps of trash. Not much in the way of Weed lines just yet. Randomly between 350 and 700 feet. We have been hitting some nice Skip jacks (skipies) and blackfin tuna. Last week we did pretty well on wahoo on board the INXS our deep sea fishing boat out of Oceans Edge Marina on Stock Island.

Inshore Flats and Backcountry

Inshore the backcountry Key West fishing report has been pretty darn good in this Key West fishing report. First off backcountry fishing becomes very popular when it’s windy as some of our folks want to avoid the beating of deep sea fishing and go tarpon fishing. The month of April started off with a very strong tarpon bite in and around the full moon. Our captains here at Dream Catcher Charters were reporting 4 to 6 tarpon in the air on half day trips with lots of catches.

Even in the wind, the flats fishing has been very good side Fishing for barracudas and jacks in the shallows. Typically the permit spawn during the month of April. They will be back by mid May, but shots at bonefish are very good this time of year if you have some patience and a decent cast using spin fishing or fly fishing tackle. Flats fishing Guides of Key West are traditionally very busy this time of year if you’re looking to book a Fishing Charter do it soon.

Marquesas Keys Charters

With the nicer days Marquesas Keys fishing has been well within reach and offering a lot of fun on our signature All In Wonder fishing Charter here at Dream Catcher Charters. This last week Capt. Abi and her clients smashed African Pompano, mutton, mangrove and yellowtails snappers. Also Tarpon fishing, flats fishing for bonefish in the shallow patch reefs for just about everything else including lunch is all part of this incredible fishing charter.

Key West Reef Fishing

Reef Fishing is often subject to the wind but I will tell you when you get out there the yellowtail and mutton snapper fishing is very good right now. Grouper season opens May 1 and from what we are seeing in our by catch it will be a good one. Now would be a good time to book for May and June grouper season. Check out a reef fishing page in our website to learn more.

The Key West Fishing Report

Is written by Capt. Steven Lamp. Owner of Dream Catcher Charters here in Key West since 1994. Also a veteran Key West fishing guide.

Book a Key West Fishing Charter

Book direct with a live person when you can, especially for private charters. We have seen so many charters that were booked online with Fishing booking websites, it’s a tragedy. So many vacations wasted because of double booking or cancellations last minute. Always call direct.

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Text Us 786-847-3808
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