UTERGreat hammerhead fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, great hammerhead peak April–June and are around March–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Following the tarpon migration through the bridges and channels. Prohibited — check MyFWC.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Great hammerhead in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeak
- MayPeakFollowing the tarpon migration through the bridges and channels. Prohibited — check MyFWC.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish great hammerhead 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 5,035 grass flat, 695 artificial reef, 49 pass / inlet, 43 beach / surf spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds great hammerhead hold on.
What to use for great hammerhead
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
- Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
- Leader80–150 lb mono
- Hook8/0–16/0
- Braid65–150 lb
Feeds in 68–88°F water, best at 72–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch great hammerhead in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is April–June. Great hammerhead are in The Florida Keys March–October. May: Following the tarpon migration through the bridges and channels. Prohibited — check MyFWC.
Where do great hammerhead hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on pass / inlet, grass flat, artificial reef — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for great hammerhead in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), finger mullet, cut ladyfish, bonito (cut). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 80–150 lb mono, hook 8/0–16/0, braid 65–150 lb.
What are the rules for great hammerhead 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/.
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All about great hammerhead · The Florida Keys, the whole year