KEY WEST FISHING REPORTMay 2026
Yellowtail snapper stacking behind the boat — muttons, lanes, and red grouper opening day.
Conditions: Light SE wind 5–10 kts most days, 1–2 ft seas, water temp climbing 78–82°F, visibility 40+ ft on the reef.
What Was Biting in May 2026
🔥 Hot
- Yellowtail Snapper
- Mutton Snapper
- Lane Snapper
- Cero Mackerel
📈 Building
- Red Grouper (opens May 1)
- Lane Snapper
- Hogfish
💤 Slow
- King Mackerel
- Blackfin Tuna
The Month in Review
May is the month every Key West reef captain waits for. Water temp settles into the high 70s, the chum slick comes alive within minutes, and yellowtail snapper feed all morning long. We've had solid coolers most days with steady 1–2 lb fish and a few bigger flag yellowtails mixed in on the deeper drops.
Muttons are the bonus catch — fish in the 3–5 lb range are showing on the patch reefs at slack tide, especially the slow-down right before the change. Red grouper season opened May 1 and the hard bottom is producing the occasional keeper on cut bait. Lane snapper and the occasional hogfish are filling out the cooler too.
Captain's Tip
Bring a long fluorocarbon leader (15 lb, 8+ ft) when the water gets gin-clear in the afternoon. Yellowtails get leader-shy fast in May.
Get on This Year's Bite
Fishing changes month to month — book today and see what's coming over the rail right now.