Fish finder
Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder with GPS
The default budget fish finder for a reason: CHIRP sonar, built-in GPS for marking spots, and a price that won't sting. Ideal for inshore and small boats.
Key West, Florida fishing
Key West sits where the Atlantic meets the Gulf, with the shallow backcountry flats on one side and the deep blue of the Florida Straits a few miles out the other. It's a genuine grand-slam fishery — tarpon, permit and bonefish on the flats, mahi and sailfish offshore — and it's the moving tide pushing water across the flats that switches the fish on.
Key West at a glance
- Target species
- tarpon, permit, bonefish, mahi-mahi, yellowtail snapper
- NOAA tide station
- #8724580
- Position
- 24.56°, -81.81°
Fishing the tide here
The big tidal exchanges around new and full moon sweep bait across the flats and trigger the best tarpon and permit feeding. Light winds keep the shallow backcountry fishable; a stiff blow sends boats to the leeward keys.
Chart map
Toggle Esri Ocean ↔ official NOAA ENC chart · OpenSeaMap seamarks overlay · reference only, not for navigation.
Gear for Key West
Tackle and electronics that suit this fishery. See our full gear guides for the detail.
Fish finder
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3
A step up with a bigger, sharper display and Humminbird's excellent mapping. A great all-rounder for anglers who've outgrown an entry unit.
Reel
Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A near-bulletproof saltwater spinning reel: full metal body, sealed drag, and the workhorse choice for stripers, reds and inshore species.
Tides and conditions are from NOAA public data and may lag real time. Always check the official NOAA marine forecast and your state's regulations before going out.