When is wahoo season in the Florida Keys?
Winter: the Keys tourism council grades wahoo Peak from December to February and Lower in July and August. Key West captains troll high-speed lures and rigged baits near the drop-offs. Florida allows two per person with no minimum size, and FWC notes a state health advisory on wahoo from the Keys.
What wahoo are
Wahoo are long, fast offshore fish. FWC’s research institute says they reach up to 60 miles an hour, among the fastest pelagic species; NOAA says they grow to eight feet but are commonly 3.3 to 5.4 feet, and live five or six years. They hunt fish and squid alone rather than in schools, often near banks, pinnacles and drifting debris. The Florida state record, 139 pounds, came from near Marathon.
NOAA describes the meat as firm with a large, circular flake, and FWC calls wahoo prized for speed, fight and flavour.
When wahoo run in the Keys
The Keys tourism council grades wahoo Peak in December, January and February, Good from March to June and September to November, and Lower in July and August. Key West Fishing Deals names October to February as prime; Florida Straits fishes the winter and early-summer runs; Captain Conch’s blog names April and May.
How Key West captains fish for wahoo
Named by Key West Fishing Deals, Wet Dream, Blind Squirrel, Boa Vida, Charter Boat Linda D, Captain Conch, Gulfstream, Laid Back, Wrecked, Conch ’N Around, Eva Marie and Florida Straits on their own websites or booking pages.
- Florida Straits Sportfishing trolls high-speed lures and rigged baits near the drop-offs.
- Key West Fishing Deals pulls high-speed planer spreads.
- Boa Vida Charters names wahoo on its six-hour offshore trolling trip.
- Wet Dream Charters hunts wahoo with spears, not rods, on its spearfishing trips.
Can you keep wahoo?
FWC notes that the Florida Department of Health has a health advisory for wahoo from the Florida Keys and Florida Bay. Check the Department of Health’s current fish consumption guide before eating a large catch.
Every limit for every common Keys fish is on what fish you can keep.
| Rule | FWC, Keys state waters |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | None |
| Bag limit | 2 per person |
| Season | Open all year |
| Source | FWC: Wahoo |
Which trip to book for wahoo
A winter offshore trip of six to eight hours with an operator that trolls for them. See deep-sea fishing and the charter price page.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: wahoo profile ; FWC research: wahoo ; NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic wahoo ; IGFA game fish database .
Check it at the source
- FWC — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations Current state size limits, bag limits and seasons, species by species. Link checked 6 September 2026
- South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Federal management for snapper, grouper and reef species on the Atlantic side. Link checked 6 September 2026
Wahoo: questions
What is the best month for wahoo in the Florida Keys?
The Keys tourism council grades wahoo Peak in December, January and February. Key West Fishing Deals names October to February as prime. Most sources agree on winter; Captain Conch is the exception, naming April and May.
How many wahoo can you keep in Florida?
Two per person per day, with no minimum size, per FWC. FWC also notes a Florida Department of Health advisory on wahoo from the Keys and Florida Bay, so check the current consumption guidance.
How fast is a wahoo?
FWC’s research institute says wahoo reach speeds up to 60 miles an hour, among the fastest fish in the ocean, which is why captains troll for them at high speed.
Next step
Looking for fishing trips in the Florida Keys?
Fishing Trips Florida Keys is an independent guide — no boats, no bookings, nothing to sell. It exists so you can ask better questions before you hand an operator a deposit.
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