Fish Smarter in the Florida Keys: Top Spots & Pro Tips from Better Boat Electronics
- Better Boat Electronics
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Florida Keys Fishing Guide: Best Spots, Top Species & Pro Tips for Success From Key Largo to Key West — powered by Better Boat Electronics
When you’re navigating the waters of the Florida Keys, having the right gear and local knowledge is everything. At Better Boat Electronics, we help anglers stay dialed in with advanced tech — but no matter how sharp your sonar or radar is, it always helps to know where to look and what to target.
This guide will take you through the best fishing zones in the Keys, from Key Largo to Key West, complete with species highlights and smart, field-tested tips to help you make the most of your next trip.
Key Largo: The Gateway to the Keys
Target Species:
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin fish)
Blackfin Tuna
Grouper (seasonal closures apply)
Yellowtail Snapper
Tarpon (inshore)
Top Spots:
The Humps: Offshore seamounts drawing in pelagics.
Molasses Reef: Popular for bottom fishing and diving; great reef species.
Pro Tip: Use your sonar to locate bait schools near The Humps and troll rigged ballyhoo or artificial lures early morning for mahi and tuna. Keep an eye on surface temp breaks and weed lines — mahi love structure and temperature edges. Over the reefs, a heavy chum slick will bring yellowtail and grouper into your spread.
Islamorada: Sportfishing Central
Target Species:
Sailfish
Mutton Snapper
Permit
Bonefish
Tarpon
Top Spots:
Alligator Reef: High-visibility waters packed with life.
Islamorada Hump: Offshore pelagic hotspot.
Channel Bridges: Bridges like Channel 2 and Channel 5 are legendary for tarpon.
Pro Tip: Winter sailfish follow baitfish along color changes offshore. Use live pilchards or goggle-eyes and drift or slow troll along these edges in 120-200 ft depths. For tarpon, anchor at bridge shadow lines during tidal changes and present live crabs or mullet under floats.
Marathon: Bridges & Offshore Action
Target Species:
Tarpon
Goliath Grouper
Yellowtail Snapper
King Mackerel
Cobia
Top Spots:
Seven Mile Bridge: Epic for bridge tarpon and snapper.
Marathon Hump: Offshore seamount that’s a blackfin tuna magnet.
Pro Tip: For the Marathon Hump, locate thermoclines and bait schools with your fishfinder. Vertical jigging and trolling small feathers or cedar plugs produce excellent tuna action. At Seven Mile Bridge, target tarpon with live mullet under floats, especially during outgoing tide transitions.
Big Pine Key: Quiet Waters, Big Action
Target Species:
Bonefish
Permit
Tarpon
Yellowtail Snapper
Barracuda
Top Spots:
Content Keys: Shallow flats prime for sight-fishing.
Looe Key Reef: Pristine reef system for snappers and groupers.
Pro Tip: On the flats, stealth is crucial. Use polarized sunglasses and approach quietly. Light fluorocarbon leaders paired with live shrimp or crabs are ideal for spooky bonefish and permit. For reef action, position up-current and chum aggressively to draw in yellowtail.
Key West: The End of the Road, Start of Adventure
Target Species:
Tarpon
Permit
Wahoo
Mahi-Mahi
Blackfin Tuna
Grouper & Snapper
Top Spots:
Western Dry Rocks: Seasonal spawning site for permit and other species.
Marquesas Keys: Remote backcountry flats for permit and tarpon.
The Wall: Offshore drop-off for wahoo, tuna, and even blue marlin.
Pro Tip: For wahoo, run high-speed trolling lures at first light along The Wall's edge. Permit fishing at Western Dry Rocks peaks on the falling tide — drift live crabs naturally with the current. Backcountry tarpon action fires up on early morning outgoing tides; use your side-scan sonar to locate rolling fish.
Final Thought from Better Boat Electronics
Whether you’re offshore trolling or stalking shallow-water permit, smart preparation pays off. With the right electronics on board — from GPS chartplotters to advanced sonar — you’ll not only find the fish but stay safer and more efficient on the water.
Stay tight to structure, follow the bait, and let your electronics be your extra set of eyes.
Fish smarter, not harder.
📍 Serving Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West, as well as South Florida!
📞 Call us at (305) 849-8129
🌊 Visit us at www.betterboatelectronics.com
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