UTERWahoo fishing in The Florida Keys
In The Florida Keys, wahoo peak October–April and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. November: Wahoo on the dropoffs and humps around the full moon — high-speed trolling.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Wahoo in The Florida Keys, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeakWahoo on the dropoffs and humps around the full moon — high-speed trolling.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish wahoo 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, 695 artificial reef, 340 wreck spots in the The Florida Keys map area — the kinds wahoo hold on.
What to use for wahoo
- BallyhooRigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked.
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 70–86°F water, best at 74–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch wahoo in The Florida Keys?
Peak season is October–April. Wahoo are here year-round. November: Wahoo on the dropoffs and humps around the full moon — high-speed trolling.
Where do wahoo hold in The Florida Keys?
Look on ledge / hard bottom, wreck, artificial reef — around Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine, Key West.
What is the best bait for wahoo in The Florida Keys?
Live bait: ballyhoo, blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Ballyhoo: Rigged on a wire or mono trolling rig, skipping or swimming, behind a skirt or naked. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for wahoo 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
Fish Scouter scores wahoo for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about wahoo · The Florida Keys, the whole year