Key West is a Florida Keys harbor-and-shore fishery where channels, seawalls, docks, flats edges, and nearby reef-influenced water create varied inshore habitat. Atlantic tarpon, jack crevalle, and common snook are the principal supported targets.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 56
Beta
Conditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Service Status
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 8:00 AM–11:00 AM EDT
Window score
81
Max wind
19 mph
Max gust
26 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Peak current
1.2 kn
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Current Readings
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 5:54 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
NOAA CO-OPS
Key West station
0.0 mi from destination
Water level
2.6 ft MLLW
Updated 7 min ago
Water temperature
83.3°F
Updated 7 min ago
Wind
NE · 13 mph
Updated 7 min ago
Wind gust
23 mph
Updated 7 min ago
Past 7 Days
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 5:54 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 5:54 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1678 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM Range 0.7 ft MLLW to 3.0 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1678 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 5:48 AM
These values are tidal-current predictions, not real-time observed currents. They describe conditions near this prediction station rather than the entire surrounding coastal area.
Data coverage
This station provides max-current and slack-water events, but not a continuous current-speed timeline.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Key West harbor and shipping-channel shore fishery
A Florida Keys harbor and shipping-channel fishery at Key West. Shore access includes Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park's rock jetty on the Key West shipping channel, where tarpon, jacks, and snook use channel edges and harbor structure. This is harbor/shore fishery.
Fishery type
Harbor
Channel
Jetty
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
Fort Zachary Taylor west rock jetty on the Key West shipping channel · Key West Harbor bulkheads, channel edges, and harbor current · Hard bottom and man-made rock rather than Florida Bay seagrass flats
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park names tarpon and jacks among jetty catches on the Key West shipping channel; snook remain a Keys harbor/channel target inside FWC's Atlantic range. Bonefish and permit are omitted because FWC treats bonefish as a flats fishery and this destination is harbor and shore only. Listed species are not typical every month. Seasonal notes describe typical presence.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Atlantic tarpon
Primary
Megalops atlanticus
Typical seasonal window: APRIL — JUNE
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park names tarpon among jetty/channel catches. FWC state record is near Key West.
Jack crevalle
Primary
Caranx hippos
No seasonal pulse known
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park names jacks among jetty/channel catches. Jacks use the harbor and the shipping channel.
Common snook
Secondary
Centropomus undecimalis
No seasonal pulse known
FWC Atlantic abundance includes the Keys. Harbor/mangrove/channel edges are relevant.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Atlantic tarpon — APRIL — JUNE
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Public shore fishing includes Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (601 Howard England Way). Florida State Parks states fishing is popular from the rock jetty adjacent to the main shipping channel and that anglers should bring a fishing license. Confirm current park hours, entry fees, and jetty postings. Harbor boat fishing exists around Key West; Florida Bay, Key West National Wildlife Refuge backcountry, and Dry Tortugas are not this destination.
Primary hazards
The Key West shipping channel carries commercial and ferry traffic. Jetty rock, heat, and thunderstorms are routine. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary rules apply in surrounding waters; sanctuary zone maps still apply on their own.
Fishery considerations
Harbor and shipping-channel current is the fishing context.
Winter fronts and summer thunderstorms both matter in the Keys. A local wave reading is not available here, and it would not describe the reef.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
