Fishing Charters in Florida
Browse fishing charters in Florida that can help you catch skipjack tuna.
Island Baby Islamorada
Tavernier, Florida
Flying Thief Charters
Big Pine Key, Florida
Key West Tarpon Fishing with Flying Thief Charters. Let us be your guide to the best Bonefish Spin Fishing, and excellent Flats Fishing in the Florida Keys.
Fat Cat Charters
Big Pine Key, Florida
Sea Glass Excursions
Cudjoe Key, Florida
Sea Glass Excursions offers offshore and inshore fishing, snorkeling, sandbars, sunset cruise, or just a ride, I’m your guide. My Name is Captain Brian and I live in the Lower Florida Keys.
Double O Fishing Charter
Cudjoe Key, Florida
Tarpon Trips
Summerland Key, Florida
Shane Wood Fishing
Summerland Key, Florida
Shane Wood Fly Fishing Guide - Rates and Information. Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit Photo Gallery. Book your fishing charter now.
Stock Island Fishing Charters
Naval Air Station Key West, Florida
Stock Island fishing charters at the entrance to Key West. Many different charters offered for all types of anglers and vacationers.
Captain Eddie Griffiths Charters
Key West, Florida
Dry Tortugas fishing trips with Andy Griffiths charters out of Key West, Florida. Overnight fishing to Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas and Marquesas Keys. Enjoy fishing and diving on your private charter, 2 or 3 day fishing charters for snapper, grouper, mahi mahi, wahoo and more. Best reef and wreck fishing available year round in the Florida Keys and west of Key West near the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Captain Bill Lowman Anna Maria Sportfishing
Holmes Beach, Florida
Anna Maria Island Charter Fishing Guide
Destination Fish Charters
Marco Island, Florida
Danny Fabian is one of Southwest Florida's premier backwater and sport fishermen in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. As a professional fishing quide, Danny specializes in fishing in Everglades National Park and focuses on Snook, Grouper, Tarpon, Trout, Redfish.
Captain Rio Adventures
Marco Island, Florida
Go fish with fun catching Charter fishing at its best!
Best Time to Catch Skipjack Tuna
Peak season: May, June, July. Also good: March, April, August. Right now in February, activity is fair.
Seasonal Activity Chart
Skipjack Tuna
Key West is a prime location for chasing Skipjack Tuna, offering relatively easy access to deep, productive waters. The 'football' tunas, as they're sometimes called, school up in large numbers, providing exciting action for anglers of all skill levels. The best time to target Skipjack here is generally from late spring to early fall, coinciding with the migration of baitfish. Focus your efforts around offshore reefs, wrecks, and current rips, particularly those south and west of Key West. Chumming heavily will bring the Skipjack to the surface in a feeding frenzy. Trolling small feathers or cedar plugs is a classic technique, but casting jigs or topwater lures into a feeding school is incredibly exciting. Remember that these fish are fast and powerful, so use tackle that can handle a good fight. A local tip: check recent fishing reports for areas where shrimp boats have been working, as Skipjack often follow them to feed on discarded bycatch.
How to Catch Skipjack Tuna
Detailed fishing techniques coming soon for Skipjack Tuna in Key West.
Skipjack Tuna Fishing Regulations in Florida
Open Season
Year-round
Daily Bag Limit
5 per person per day
Size Limit
No size limit
License Required
Saltwater fishing license
Included in the aggregate bag limit of 5 highly migratory species (tunas, billfish, swordfish).
⚠️ Always verify current regulations with the Florida state wildlife agency before fishing.
Related Species in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the daily limit for skipjack tuna near Key West?
The daily bag limit for skipjack tuna in Florida is 5 per person.
What kind of license do I need to fish for skipjack tuna in Key West?
You'll need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license to target skipjack tuna and other saltwater species in Key West waters.
What's the best time of year to target skipjack tuna around Key West?
Skipjack tuna are generally available year-round in the waters around Key West, but they can be more abundant during certain times of the year, like Spring and Fall, when baitfish are plentiful.
What lures work well for skipjack tuna in Key West?
Small, shiny lures like spoons and jigs are effective for skipjack tuna. They are also known to hit trolled feathers and diving plugs. Match the lure size to the size of the prevalent baitfish.
More Skipjack Tuna Fishing in Florida
Other Species to Fish in Key West
Ready to Catch Skipjack Tuna in Key West?
Book a trip with an expert guide who knows the best local spots and techniques.