Fishing Calendar
January: Sailfish to be found around the reefs, cobia near Hawk Channel and kingfish numbers peaking in the latter part of the month.
February: Sailfish, kingfish, blackfin tuna and amberjack offshore, with shrimp running on the outgoing tide through the channels.
March: Sailfish and kingfish decline, white tuna and ambejack increase. Dolphin and wahoo appear. Backcountry bonefish, permit and tarpons com in. Snook season opens.
April: Offshore, dolphin and marlin increase. Tarpon, snook and bonefish continue in the backcountry.
May: Dolphin, tuna, and amberjack are plentiful later in the month, blue marlin, white marlin and giant bluefin tuna appear. Tarpon and bonefish peak in the backcountry with redfish and snook.
June: The best time of the year for dolphin, marlin, wahoo, sharks and bonefish. Sailfish and tarpon begin to taper off.
July: Dolphin and marlin continue offshore. Warmer waters bring less tarpon, but snapper and grouper are still consistent. Trout moving farther out in the backcountry.
August: Offshore fishing is still excellent in early morning and evening hours. Backcountry tarpon and tailing bonefish excellent at dawn and dusk.
September: Bonefish increases again, with amberjack and sharks returning. Dolphin declines, wahoo returns. Big yellowtail to be found on the reefs, with a variety of snapper increasing. Backcountry snooks re-opens.
October: Permit and bonefish are at their best, with a comeback of dolphin and marlin. Grouper and snapper in deep holes. Sharks increase both offshore and in the backcountry.
November: Sailfish and kingfish return with cooler weather, dolphin and marlin on the decline. Tarpon and bonefish taper off, while mutton snapper increases.
December: Sailfish peak at the end of the year. Kingfish numerous offshore. In the backcountry, trout, redfish, jack crevalle and blacktip sharks dominate
Fishing Guides
Capt. Bill Knowles
305-664-4259 (Offshore
& back Country)
Capt. Brian Premaza 305-852-6030 (Light
Tackle Specialist)
Mandalay Charters 305-853-0296
(Offshore Sportfishing)