One of the most common questions we get at Miss Penny Charters is: "What's biting right now?" The honest answer is that Islamorada fishes well year-round — but the target species change with the seasons. Here's what you can expect, month by month.

Winter (December – February)

Winter is sailfish season in Islamorada, and it's exceptional. Cold fronts push south and the sailfish follow, stacking up along the reef edge and current lines. Kite fishing with live bait is the technique — Miss Penny is set up perfectly for it, and a 10-fish day is not out of the question when the bite turns on.

Wahoo are also prime in winter, especially December through February. These 60mph rockets stack on the reef edge and offshore wrecks. High-speed trolling with lipped plugs is the method. Best eating fish in the ocean, hands down.

Blackfin tuna are year-round, but winter concentrations on the current seams can be particularly dense. Chunking and live bait both work.

Swordfish are available year-round via daytime deep dropping at 1,500–1,800ft — winter is no exception. If broadbill is your goal, we have a dedicated swordfish charter built for it.

Spring (March – May)

Spring is arguably the best overall fishing season in Islamorada. Sailfish linger into March and April. Mahi-mahi start showing in April, riding the warming current edge. And kingfish are stacked on the reef throughout spring — 20–40lb kings on live bait are a real possibility.

By May, the mahi bite is on fire. Schools of dolphinfish follow weedlines and current edges offshore. When you find one, you find hundreds. It's fast-paced, visual fishing that gets everyone on the boat involved.

Yellowfin tuna start making an appearance in the Gulf Stream in late spring — making a full-day offshore charter in May worth every penny.

Summer (June – August)

Mahi-mahi season peaks in summer. June through August is the prime window — fish are everywhere along the Gulf Stream edge, under floating debris and weedlines. This is the best time to target limits of dolphinfish. Schools are active, surface action is constant, and the fishing can be nonstop.

Blackfin tuna remain reliable year-round on the reef edge. Mutton snapper are available on the reef in summer, providing excellent bottom fishing action for those who prefer reef fishing over offshore.

Water temps are warm (84–87°F), which pushes some species deeper — but offshore fishing remains strong throughout summer.

Fall (September – November)

Fall is a transition season — and a productive one. Wahoo return in October and November, building toward their winter peak. Mahi-mahi taper off but are still catchable into October on good current days.

Kingfish make another strong showing in fall, stacking on the reef edge as water cools. Sailfish start trickling in by November as the first fronts push through.

September and October can also be exceptional for offshore mixed-bag fishing — combining trolling for wahoo and mahi with live baiting for sails and kings on the same trip.

Year-Round Species

Swordfish — Daytime deep drop, year-round from Islamorada
Blackfin Tuna — Reef edge and current seams, every month
Barracuda — Reef and inshore, always around
Grouper & Snapper — Bottom fishing on the reef, seasonal regulations apply

Plan Your Trip

The bottom line: there's no bad time to fish Islamorada. Miss Penny runs charters year-round, and we'll always put you on the best available bite. Whether you're targeting sailfish in January, mahi in June, or swordfish any month of the year, the 3/4 day and full day charters are designed to maximize your time on the water.

Have a specific species in mind? Contact us and we'll tell you exactly when to come.