UTERCero mackerel fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, cero mackerel peak November–April and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: On the patch reefs and channel markers in a chum slick.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cero mackerel in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeakOn the patch reefs and channel markers in a chum slick.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish cero mackerel near Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon
Oceanside flats and patch reefs inside the reef line, the reef itself, then the Gulf-side banks and basins of Florida Bay and the backcountry. Bridges and channels connect the two. The clearest, warmest water in the state.
Fish Scouter charts 695 artificial reef, 565 marker / buoy, 49 pass / inlet, 43 beach / surf spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds cero mackerel hold on.
What to use for cero mackerel
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 70–88°F water, best at 74–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch cero mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is November–April. Cero mackerel are here year-round. January: On the patch reefs and channel markers in a chum slick.
Where do cero mackerel hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on artificial reef, pass / inlet, marker / buoy — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for cero mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), glass minnows (bay anchovies). Pilchards (whitebait): Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for cero mackerel in The Florida Keys?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about cero mackerel · The Florida Keys, the whole year