Cudas on the Flats
The tides have been high for the last two weeks. The temperature is set to be in the upper 70's early in the week, and dip to the low 70's to upper 60's by weeks end. The winds will be in the 3 to 18 mph range most of the week.
Summer Weather
September 14, 2026
Conditions
The summer weather pattern is in full swing here in the Keys! This week, anglers can expect winds ranging from 5 to 16 mph. Monday through Friday, winds are forecast from the east to southeast, with Saturday and Sunday shifting more toward the south and southeast.
We’re looking at plenty of sunshine early and later in the week, with sunny skies expected Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. The remaining days will bring a mix of sun and clouds, along with a chance of scattered showers Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Temperatures will remain in the mid to upper 80s throughout the week.
Backcountry Flats
The flats and backcountry continue to offer some exciting opportunities. Captains are still finding groups of smaller tarpon, with some medium-sized fish mixed in when the conditions line up.
Bonefish continue to impress, with good numbers of fish being caught as water temperatures remain in a favorable range. The best action has been around the tide changes, so keep an eye on moving water when planning your trip.
Permit fishing remains a little slow, but there are still fish around. As always, permit can be selective and elusive, making every hookup that much more rewarding.
The big barracuda are also prowling the flats. These aggressive fish are a blast on fly or light tackle. When throwing a fly, keep it moving quickly to get their attention. If you're using live bait, you may have a hard time keeping them away!
Offshore
The offshore bite continues to offer a great mix of species. Snapper and grouper remain reliable targets around the bottom, while a variety of pelagic fish are keeping things exciting.
There have been reports of wahoo, kingfish, barracuda, bonito, mahi-mahi, and blackfin tuna. Sailfish are also making an appearance, giving offshore anglers another exciting fish to target.
With such a diverse mix of fish around, there are plenty of ways to spend a day on the water—from working the reefs and bottom to chasing pelagic action offshore.
Get Out There
Summer fishing in the Keys is all about watching the conditions, following the tides, and taking advantage when the fish are active. Whether you're chasing tarpon and bonefish on the flats or looking for a wahoo or tuna offshore, there’s always something swimming in the waters around Key West and the Lower Keys.
