Rigged and ready

Light Tackle Fishing

Florida Keys light tackle fishing combines the best of both offshore and inshore fishing experiences. It's ideal for beginners who have never experienced the thrill of saltwater fishing before and for advanced anglers looking to feel the drag-screaming power of fighting a fat grouper or hundred-pound tarpon on light-spinning gear. Light tackle trips journey into the Atlantic Ocean to fish the reef for snapper, grouper, sailfish and more; or will venture beyond the reef to pursue large game fish such as Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), wahoo, tuna and marlin.

Florida Keys light tackle charters can also pursue mangrove snapper, goliath grouper and sharksin the calm waters of Florida Bay. Snook, permit and bonefish can be caught in the shallow, while large cobia stalk the deep Gulf wrecks and tarpon are abound at the local bridges and channels. Hawks Cay Resort is proud to offer guests the opportunity to fish with the very best Florida Keys light tackle guides, who will tailor your trip to target the species you wish to catch. Their vessels range from economical bay boats to larger center consoles and can accommodate anywhere from one to four anglers.

Light Tackle Fish Species

In addition to the light-tackle species below, anglers may catch the Atlantic sailfish and yellowtail snapper. Sailfish are common at 30-60 pounds and best fished March through May. The recent Florida record is 116 pounds, 10 ounces. Yellowtail snapper are common at three pounds and best found April through June. The Florida record for yellowtail snapper is 10 pounds and 9 ounces.



 

Tarpon

fishing

Offshore Fishing/Light tackle fishing

Common from 40 to 50 pounds, but can be found at 100 to 150 pounds in some areas. Recent Florida record is 243 pounds. Best Tarpon fishing is February through June.

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tarpon fishing florida keys

Grouper

fishing

Offshore Fishing/Light tackle fishing

There are nearly a dozen different species of grouper found in Florida waters, but most charter boats fishing in The Keys target the big three – gag, red and black grouper. The record black is 113.38 lbs.

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Fishing for grouper in the Florida Keys

Snook

fishing

backcountry/flats fishing

Snook fishing is a Florida Keys specialty. Most catches are 3 to 15 lbs; 16 to 30-pounders are also common. The current Florida record is 45.75 pounds. Snook fishing is best in spring and summer.

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Snook fishing is popular in the Keys

Mahi Mahi

fishing

Offshore Fishing

Visually speaking you won’t find a prettier fish in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. With electric hues of blue, yellow and green, dolphin fish are like free-swimming neon signs. Caught year ‘round.

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Offshore fishing for Mahi Mahi in the Keys