"Best time to Fish"

So. Florida Waters

Capt. Dave Sutton


 
 
 
Here's a page to help you decide when to book a trip.
The species are best during these times and of course, during the spring tides.
Although the season here is a little different than you would think. During winter months the Bones & Permit forage in deeper water...( 3 to 10 ft.) than in the other 9 months of the year. This is where the temp. stays more constant. As the water warms they move to shallower & shallower flats.
 
 
Click here for Miami Tide Charts
 

National Weather Service
 
 
 
 

Lunar Phases Link
 
 

 

Season

Everglades

Biscayne Bay/Key Largo

January

&
February
  • Tarpon in Whitewater Bay & deeper backcountry 
  • Trout in Florida Bay and Flamingo ... Redfish & Black Drum in the cuts
  • Tarpon deep in Gov. cut 
  • Bones in deeper water 
  • Snook in canals & cuts 
  • Barracuda on the flats 

March

&
April
  • Tarpon showing on coastal areas 
  • Snook will start to show up on the beaches of Flamingo
  • Redfish are on the flats  
  • Big Bones start to show as water gets to 72° 
  • Permit gets better 
  • Peak Bonefishing is starting 
  • Tarpon start run to the Key's past Oceanside flats 

May

&
June
  • Snook & Redfish on the flats 
  • Mudding Ray's & the Tarpon run south to the Keys 
  • Peak Bonefishing is here 
  • tarpon run to the Keys past Oceanside flats 
     
     

July

&
August
  • HOT...HOT...HOT! Everywhere, the bones back off a little and feed in the morning & evenings. 
  • Permit love the heat 
  • Tarpon start to return 
  • The Backcountry flats are alive w/ Redfish and Snook
  • Snook (out of season) are all over the flats. 

September

&
October
  • Channels and cuts will hold the Snook, Red's & Trout as the flats empty into them w/ heated water from the high tide. 
  • Cooler water will bring out big Bones again 
  • It's Peak Time again ... yeah again! 
  • Permit mid-day is best 

November

&
December
  • Fishing the cuts and channels and the deep Everglades again as the fish look for warmer water
  • Water temp. cools and we're back to deeper water, mudding fish, cuts & cannels for Snook 

 

 
 

 
 
Keep in mind that here in So. Florida we have year round Bonefishing. It's just much better in the spring and fall when water temps are in the perfect range. Also the Snook, Tarpon and others in the Bay are a year round fishery due to the diverse surroundings and depths. Snook can follow the mullet runs into cooler water in the heat of the summer, and vise versa in winter, up into the canals, channels and cuts. This is truly a great place to love fishing.
So .. are you ready to book a trip?
Drop me a line!
 
 

DJSutton@Bellsouth.net
 

Destinations     Capt. Dave's Credentials

Photo Gallery    Book a Trip w/ Capt. Dave

Fishing Reports   Tournament Participation

Different Seasons/Different Fishing   My Sponsors

Memberships & Subscriptions   Articles & Stories

No Fishing Zones?  TV Appearances 

My Ancient History

  A Glades Moment

Home