Anglers Booking Team
The expert copywriters at Anglers Booking have meticulously crafted this article. Our dedicated team of writers provides valuable insights and information to enhance your angling experience.
14 minutes readKey Largo is a renowned tourist spot known as the diving capital of the world, thanks to its many features. It stretches 33 miles, making it the largest expanse of the Keys. Surrounded by the Everglades' wilds, the Atlantic Ocean's depths, and marvelous living coral reefs, Key Largo is a legendary destination that offers a unique experience to visitors.
This place is famous for the movie of the same name, which stars Hollywood's famous love couple, Loren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. However, it has many other unique features, such as its beautiful nature and rich history. It's an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts who want to catch some of Florida's famous fish species while soaking in its scenic beauty and historical significance.
That's why we created this fishing guide for you! We are drawn and can't resist Key Largo either, so we want to share our excitement with you through something that will benefit you as you get to know the fishing scene of this beautiful location! Let's not waste time. Let's indulge ourselves with some new film-fishing adventures.
Nature has been very generous in creating every inch of Key Largo. Blessed with favorable climatic conditions, the waters surrounding Key Largo offer an incredible bounty and a genuinely breathtaking variety of fish species. Whether native or migratory, the environment encourages their growth well, so you will often meet trophy specimens!
The waters of Key Largo are always crowded, with dynamic year-round life in which various native and migratory species are always intertwined with fins and swimming. Let's introduce you to the native one first.
The good old Snook, a fish species found in the waters of Key Largo as an old acquaintance but always formidable, with a fighting spirit not so easily overcome. Thanks to many favorable conditions,
In Key Largo, Snooks often exceed 40 inches in length and weigh over 30 pounds. They mainly swim around estuaries, mangrove-fringed streams, and shallow bays, seeking shelter and plenty of food. The prime season for Snook fishing in Key Largo is spring to early fall when the water temperatures are optimal and most active.
They are mainly caught on live fish or artificial bait that imitate their prey or by fly fishing. It is best to do this with light strokes and stealthy presentations.
In addition to their characteristic combativeness, Snook looks wicked, with an elongated shape, large mouth, and protruding lower jaw. These features make them formidable predators and significantly contribute to their fishing appeal.
A silver body decorated with a cute, random series of freckles along the back and fins, these native fish species are often seen in Key Largo. They have sharp teeth and a somewhat indifferent expression. They can be found in various habitats, such as grassy areas, sandy bottoms, and oyster bars. The Key Largo waters favor Speckled Trout, so it is not uncommon to find specimens exceeding 30 inches.
Speckled Trout are opportunistic and feed on various shrimp, baitfish, and crustaceans, making them susceptible to multiple baits. This species likes colder waters, so their season is in the colder months when the water temperatures are lower. Using live bait such as shrimp or small fish or casting with baits such as soft plastics and water plugs has proven to be the most successful of the techniques.
They are a delicate species that requires the same approach, i.e., a light to medium agile grip to increase the excitement of the fight and ensure finesse in the presentation.
The permit brings balance to the vibrant and always active waters of Key Largo with its cautious nature, but that does not in the least take away from the excitement it brings to anglers who love this species.
Sleek, with a silver sheen, Permits have a deeply forked tail and characteristic dark vertical stripes along their flanks. They can be found around a variety of habitats, including flats, channels, wrecks, and coral reefs, where they search for crabs and small baits.
The prime season for Permit hunting is from March to April and August to November when they are more active in their search for food. Permits like and will happily bite live crawfish, shrimp, small baits, artificial flies, and lures that mimic their natural prey.
It is best to catch them by fly fishing or casting on light or medium spinning or flying tackle, as this ensures the necessary finesse and control during the battle. Since they are very cautious and aggressive, landing a permit is considered a badge of honor among anglers.
Wherever Tarpon appears, it is a gift, a challenge, and a reward! An iconic species that reigns supreme in the sparkling waters of Key Largo. The iconic Tarpon is known for its gymnastic displays and tremendous strength. They often exceed 6 feet in length and weigh over 100 pounds, all of which give them a prehistoric appeal with their elongated bodies and giant, upward-facing mouths.
Tarpons live in various places, including canals, flats, bridges, and deep passages, and the best way to catch them is with crabs and shrimp.
They can be found year-round in Key Largo, with the peak season for targeting them being late spring through summer. These fish are often caught using artificial lures, swimbaits, and topwater plugs.
To land them successfully, it is best to use heavy spinning or fly fishing tackle that can withstand the jerks and jumps. Landing the Silver Kings is considered the ultimate achievement for any angler.
The queen of shallow waters and lightning speed, the shimmering Bonefish captivates anglers with its stealth, speed, and striking beauty. This silver torpedo, the trigger of exciting fishing battles, mainly inhabits sandy bottoms and grass flats in the hinterland. They generally grow in the 2 to 5 pounds range, with some individuals exceeding 10 pounds.
Whatever they lack in weight, they make up for in fighting and violence, and as such, bonefish test anglers' skills. You can target them year-round, although their prime season often runs from late spring to early fall. They are caught mainly on live shrimp, crabs, baits, and artificial flies such as imitation shrimp. Of the techniques, light spinning predominates.
Light spinning or fly rigging is preferred, as both techniques provide the finesse needed to display lures or flies accurately and handle explosive strikes.
When you're in Key Largo, it would be a shame not to try your hand at hunting migratory species. In Key Largo, there are always high stakes in life or fishing, so why not try it? Read below about what kind of deep-sea fish you can play with.
The Atlantic Sailfish is a beautiful aquatic species with an elongated body and lively sail-like dorsal fin. It is very skilled at jumps, acrobatics, and incredible bursts of speed.
These majestic creatures can reach up to 11 feet and weigh over 200 pounds. Their highly sharp vision and teeth mean they are equipped as a superior weapon! With impulsive reflexes, they ruthlessly hunt schools of bait fish, such as sardines and mullets.
Sailfish are deep-sea creatures often found in offshore waters and around structures. The peak season for Sailfish fishing in Key Largo is during the winter months, January to April when large numbers migrate south along the Florida coast. Sailfish are traditionally caught here by trolling with set baits, live bait, or kite fishing.
Beauty, athleticism, and a legendary fighting spirit make meeting a Sailfish in the waters of Key Largo an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
King Mackerel, also known as Kingfish, dominates its predatory speed in the coastal waters off Key Largo. Kingfish is another aristocratic species, migrating from January to March and in December when they cross the warm waters of Key Largo in search of prey.
Their aerodynamics allow them to reach up to 40 miles per hour, which sets them apart as fearless hunters in addition to their prowess. You should search for them in artificial reefs, wrecks, and other underwater structures.
Mullet, sardines, and herring are the favorite foods and, therefore, the easiest baits to catch. The preferred technique is trolling with rigged baits such as spoons, plugs, or strip baits, as this allows you to cover large areas of water and locate schools of feeding fish.
One of the most tempting aspects of shooting Kings is the powerful strikes and bubbles they create once they set the hook. They are known for their tenacious fighting spirit, testing the fisherman's equipment and endurance to the limit.
Spanish Mackerel, another vicious inhabitant of deeper waters and open seas, likes to swim in schools during the spring and summer when it's officially in season in Key Largo. They are very greedy, which is one of their main characteristics, and if they are fed well, they can grow to over 30 inches. You will mostly find them in flocks or alone in coastal waters, where they feed on anchovies, sardines, and glass baits.
They have very sharp teeth and can decimate schools of bait fish with extreme efficiency. Anglers targeting Spanish Mackerel in Key Largo generally do so by trolling small spoons, plugs, or feather jigs. Casting from shiny metal lures has also proven to be excellent.
The exotic appeal of the Spanish Mackerel is a combination of aggressiveness, energy, and elegance, which means that anglers must possess the same qualities to land on them.
Wahoos are owners of tasty meat, speed, and agility. They are known for their extensive migrations, which often take them through the waters of Key Largo from late spring to early fall. You will find them lurking around underwater structures such as drop-offs and seamounts. Thanks to their streamlined bodies and powerful tails, they can reach up to 60 mph speeds, making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean.
It feeds primarily on smaller fish, such as bonito, mackerel, flying fish, squid, and other cephalopods. Trolling on fast baits is most commonly used to catch Wahoo. The peak season is during the late hot spring and summer months. Like most aquatic species, Wahoo's aggressiveness and indomitable fighting spirit attract anglers like magnets.
The shores of Key Largo are rich in a variety of Tuna species, including Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna, which migrate through the waters of Key Largo, especially during the warmer months of the year. These game fish are highly valued, both for their speed and strength, as well as for their tasty meat, which makes them the primary target for anglers.
Tunas migrate through the waters of Key Largo during the spring and summer and prefer underwater ridges and areas of upwelling. Their beautiful, clearly water-shaped bodies allow them to cover long distances in search of prey easily. They love to eat and are happy to chase schools of bait fish such as mullet, herring, and flying fish by bottom fishing or trolling.
Key Largo itself is a prime spot for many things, including fishing! However, some locations stand out; we'll walk you through them.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State is a truly unique location. It is a coral reef system that is part of the only coral reef in the continental United States. It has diverse fish species, and you can fish for Barracuda or Snappers here. It is located relatively close to Key Largo, on average about three miles from the coast, and to get there, you will need a short boat ride.
It is an excellent destination for one-day trips with solo pleasure or with selected friends and family. Boats can be launched from the various marinas and ramps in Key Largo, and some charters offer guided fishing trips to the park's famous fishing areas. If you are coming to Key Largo for the first time to fish or for any other reason, this location must be noticed first or next.
Located just a few miles offshore from Key Largo, Molasses Reef has a reputation for being the most beautiful reef in these waters. In addition to unquestioned beauty, it is adorned with rich marine life.
You can reach this place by boat from the Key Largo marina and ramps or by kayak. Whether you're using all your senses or relying on your fishing instinct, you'll be captivated by its beautiful reef system, especially if you know that you can catch incomparable Grouper, Mahi Mahi, and even Kingfish here.
You can cast, snorkel, and explore the water from a kayak since navigating around Molasses Reef is easy, with possessing navigational aids ensuring safe passage. In addition, it is an excellent place for deep relaxation and contemplation, regardless of the water or on the shore.
If you are thinking about fishing in Florida and want to cast from bridges and piers, you will surely love the bridge system between the islands of Key Largo. These bridges provide access to productive fishing grounds just a few steps away from the shore and are accessible to everyone.
Viewpoints on the bridges allow you to dive into the depths below, where there is a high chance of catching Tarpon and Snapper. When the currents stimulate increased activity, you can find various fish species during tide changes. You can enjoy fly fishing, casting, and fishing with live or artificial bait from these beautiful bridges.
If you like the mysteries of missing and sunken ships, wrecks, and fish species that find shelter or homes in such places, you will find your favorite fishing ground in the Duane shipwreck. Although nothing is known about the fate of this wreck, Duane, a former US Coast Guard cutter deliberately sunk in 1987, won't take away from the excitement.
It is close to Key Largo, but you will need a short boat ride. This sunken vessel abounds with thousands of fish, such as Grouper, Amberjack, and Barracuda. You can explore the crevices and corners of the ship and fish by casting, trolling, fly fishing, and diving.
Are you looking for an ideal place to fish and enjoy with your family? If so, Harry Harris Park, which has a beautiful beach and family facilities in Tavernier, is a place for you. There is enough space for small children to play; if you love sunbathing and gazing, you will find a satisfying place here.
From here, you can practice many recreational opportunities, such as scuba diving or snorkeling, and in so many ways explore the vibrant underwater world just off the coast, encountering a myriad of marine life amid the clear, azure waters. These stunning waters, near coral reefs, will treat you to species such as Snapper, Grouper, Barracuda, or Permit.
Now that we've introduced you to the best fishing spots and the most famous inhabitants of these waters, it's time to get to know you about the most popular fishing techniques to round off the whole story called fishing in Key Largo.
Bottom fishing is one of the primary fishing techniques in Key Largo, which provides excellent opportunities for fishing for migratory species and trophy specimens. It is often used for the species that predominate in the reef-rich waters around Key Largo and for fishing for Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack.
This method involves placing bait rigs on or near the seabed, often around reefs and wrecks. Common baits include squid, shrimp, and cuttlefish, carefully hooked and lowered to attract fish.
Quality equipment suitable for the target species and underwater environment is crucial for successful fishing, where strikes are detected through the rod's drag system.
Bottom fishing is always productive and famous, but if you are not experienced, it is essential to have a guide or someone to guide you. Also, quality equipment and a sound navigation system are always a must-have.
Trolling is another technique mainly used for fishing at great depths. Like bottom fishing, it requires more robust equipment that can withstand the blows and bites of aquatic species.
Trolling is pulling lures or lures behind a moving vessel, which is how species like Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and King Mackerel are attracted. Both natural and artificial baits are strategically positioned at different depths and distances from the boat.
During navigation, at different speeds, these offerings imitate the movements of fleeing prey, thus attracting the attention of hungry game animals from the depths of the ocean. A diverse offer of aquatic species ensures that trolling remains a prevalent method, always playing out a rhythmic dance of anticipation and excitement.
Casting is one of the most popular techniques, thanks to Key Largo's many bridges and reefs. Its accessibility and easy adaptability to the conditions and level of anglers' skills make it stand out as a technique everyone can apply.
In the shallow waters surrounding Key Largo, fishing is mainly used for species such as Bonefish, Redfish, and Snook. It is possible to combine it with live or artificial lures, and the essence is precisely the quality presentation of lures, which must imitate the movement of natural prey as faithfully as possible.
Key Largo's diverse habitats, full of flats, mangrove-lined creeks, and shallow bays, are perfect locations to practice this technique. Casting is the basis of all fishing and has real but profound connections with all generations of anglers.
Fly fishing fits spontaneously into the environment of Key Largo; it's simple and easygoing, although it's not that easy. There is something stoic about fly fishing, which is suited to the Key West region's shallow flats and pristine waters.
You need lightweight fly rods that allow you to control the movement more precisely and lures designed to imitate natural prey such as shrimp or crabs. The flies must be tied to match the target species carefully' desired food size, shape, and color, ensuring optimal presentation and enticing strikes.
Fly fishing often involves various casting techniques, including overhead and side casting. In Key Largo, species such as Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, and Barracuda have traditionally been caught using this technique. Precision and focus are the most important aspects of fly fishing, and the method is perfected with each new cast.
Drift fishing combines calmness and dynamism and blends nicely with the waters surrounding Key Largo. Looking at it from the side, it looks adorable and relaxing. It allows the vessel to drift naturally, in sync with the sea current, while presenting baits and thus covering different depths and structures. This is an excellent technique for fishing for Pike, Kingfish, and Sailfish.
By allowing the boat to sail with the current, bait presentation has a natural flow while also being able to maneuver speed and change presentation depths.
Drifting in the open sea or close to the coast is a functional technique. Of course, a quality boat with good navigation is mandatory if you plan to hunt in greater depths.
Understanding fishing regulations in an area is crucial for protecting fish populations and ecosystems and promoting responsible angling practices.
Anglers Booking team
Suppose you plan to fish in Key Largo. In that case, you must comply with all applicable fishing regulations and possess all necessary permits and licenses, depending on the season, species, location, and technique. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues permits and licenses and oversees the regulations to maintain fish populations and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Anglers must obtain a valid Florida fishing license before any fishing activity. It can be purchased through the official FWC website or at local bait and tackle stores. Depending on the kind of fishing you want, such permits may include bag and size limits for different fish species, seasonal closures during spawning, and gear limits.
You must be well-informed and act according to all applicable legal provisions. This will save you from potential legal penalties and, most importantly, contribute to the longevity of the Key Largo marine ecosystem.
If you were unsure about choosing Key Largo for your next fishing trip, this guide will clear up any doubts. This destination will captivate you with its stunning views and endless fishing opportunities. The rich waters of the Gulf and Atlantic offer diverse fishing spots, both on land and underwater, making it easy to fall in love with the experience and want to stay even longer.
We recommend reading our guide multiple times and examining the photos in detail if you need convincing. You will discover the irresistible urge to experience fishing on Key Largo!
We would love to hear all about your experience in the comments. Please share your photos and stories with us upon your return. Remember to recommend us to your fishing buddies, and we hope to see you soon on Key Largo's bridges or coral reefs!
The expert copywriters at Anglers Booking have meticulously crafted this article. Our dedicated team of writers provides valuable insights and information to enhance your angling experience.
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