Key West Fish Species Guide

Fishing for blacktip shark can be quite the experience – these magnificent creatures are known to sometimes swim above the water. They’ve also been spotted leaping above the surface, rotating several times and then splashing down on their backs. They do so – it’s believed – to strike schools of bony fishes that are near the water’s surface. They will then come at the fish from below as they attack.

Key West FL are abundant in Ladyfish, a cousin of the Tarpon but much, much smaller. Often referred to as the “poor man’s tarpon,” these small fish (usually not any larger than a few pounds), are used mostly as bait, with slender bodies and small scales. Although Ladyfish are extremely feisty and readily take bait and lures, they have small, sharp teeth and often form large schools.

Amazing fishing adventures are no secret in Key West! In fact, some of the best Flats Fishing, Backcountry, and Light Tackle Charter fishing can be found in the Florida Keys. Flats Fishing for Jack Crevalle is fun and challenging sport fishing, with the opportunity to use either spinning gear or fly-fishing equipment. The Jack Crevalle is an extremely fun fish to catch!

Since they have become protected from this type of fishing, they have made an incredible recovery, reproducing rapidly throughout the Gulf Coast and along the Eastern Seaboard. Their healthy recovery has made for, once again, tremendous and delicious fishing of the Redfish in Key West FL. You can tell a Redfish by the black eye on its tail fin.

There’s no not recognizing the hammerhead shark. These fish possibly are the most recognizable of sharks, due to their odd, mallet-shaped head and wide-spaced eyes.