UTERSwordfish fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, swordfish are around year-round but never at the peak of their run, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Daytime deep-drop swordfishing in 1,500 ft off the Keys year-round.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Swordfish in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryAroundDaytime deep-drop swordfishing in 1,500 ft off the Keys year-round.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish swordfish 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 1,715 ledge / hard bottom spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds swordfish hold on.
What to use for swordfish
- SquidStrips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig.
- Leader80–150 lb mono
- Hook8/0–14/0
- Braid65–100 lb
Feeds in 55–75°F water, best at 58–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch swordfish in The Florida Keys?
Swordfish are in The Florida Keys year-round, but the calendar never marks a peak here. January: Daytime deep-drop swordfishing in 1,500 ft off the Keys year-round.
Where do swordfish hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for swordfish in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: squid. Squid: Strips on a bottom rig for snapper, grunts and porgies; whole on a deep-drop rig. Tackle: leader 80–150 lb mono, hook 8/0–14/0, braid 65–100 lb.
What are the rules for swordfish 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 swordfish · The Florida Keys, the whole year