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Key West Bight

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

4.8·609 catches

Top fish species at Key West Bight

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Key West Bight fishing reports

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Atlantic sailfish

length · weight

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Common dolphinfish

length · weight

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Tarpon

length · weight

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Red drum

length · weight

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Tarpon

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Bluestriped grunt

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General info

Key West Bight is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Common dolphinfish, Great barracuda, and Mangrove snapper.

Location

24°33′45.4″N 81°48′6″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Key West Bight, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Common dolphinfish

Common dolphinfish

Regulation boundaryFL Gulf State Waters
Bag limit10

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Vessel limit60

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Additional information
No minimum size limit in Florida Gulf State Waters. This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Excellent, and they are considered a very sustainable fishery. Catch, Clean, Cook Mahi Mahi by DMFD
Synonyms
Coryphaena hippurus, dorado, mahi mahi
Season open: year-round
Great barracuda

Great barracuda

Regulation boundaryFL Barracuda
Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size15" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Memorable / trophy limits1 > 36

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Vessel limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally possessed aboard any vessel.

Additional information
These regulations apply in state and federal waters from Martin County to Collier County (Including Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin counties).Slot Limit: 15-36" fork length with 1 fish greater than 36" per person or vessel per dayDaily Bag Limit: 2 fish per person, 6 per vesselNo closed season.
Edibility
Small to medium barracuda are very good, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels. Check out BlueGabe's Great Barracuda catch, clean, cook.
Synonyms
Kaku, Sphyraena barracuda
Season open: year-round
Mangrove snapper

Mangrove snapper

Regulation boundaryFL Gulf State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size10" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit10

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

Circle Hooks

The use of a dehooking device is required when fishing for reef fish. All persons aboard a vessel harvesting reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico must possess and use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready is required when fishing for reef fish, and use such device if releasing a fish that suffers from barotrauma. Get descending device gear for FREE by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right. Get started here: returnemright.org

Additional information
This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.Anglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use. Take a short 15‑minute training to learn how to properly use required release gear and access it at a discounted price through returnemright.org.
Edibility
Excellent. Here's a fun and tasty mangrove snapper Catch, Clean, Cook by Deer Meat for Dinner!
Synonyms
Lutjanus griseus, Mangrove Snapper
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Key West Bight

4.8
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38 ratings

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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Key West

1.6 miles away

Big Coppitt Key

9.3 miles away

Cudjoe Key

20.5 miles away

Big Pine Key

28.6 miles away

Marathon

49.3 miles away

Key Colony Beach

50.2 miles away

Duck Key

57.6 miles away

Layton

64.7 miles away

Tavernier

86.7 miles away

Chokoloskee

90.8 miles away

Everglades

93.2 miles away

Goodland

94.6 miles away

Marco Island

94.9 miles away

Key Largo

95.3 miles away

Florida City

103.2 miles away

Winding Cypress

104.0 miles away

North Key Largo

104.3 miles away

Homestead

105.3 miles away

Lely Resort

105.6 miles away

Lely

106.5 miles away

Leisure City

106.9 miles away

Naranja

108.6 miles away

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FAQ about Key West Bight fishing

📍 Where is Key West Bight located?
Key West Bight is a part of an ocean located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
24°33′45.4″N 81°48′6″W
.
🎣 Where on Key West Bight is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Key West Bight by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Key West Bight?
The most common species in Key West Bight are:
📢 What are the latest Key West Bight fishing reports?
The latest Key West Bight fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Key West Bight right now?
According to fishing regulations at Key West Bight, some of the species in season this October include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Permit. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Key West Bight?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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