Wahoo in Islamorada

Long, striped and among the fastest fish in the ocean. Islamorada crews look for them in fall and winter, around the moons and after cold fronts.

By Updated

When can you catch wahoo in Islamorada?

Fall and winter. A Fishing Guru says wahoo come on the moons in winter and fall and that February cold fronts trigger excellent wahoo fishing, with an October mahi and wahoo window. FWC says wahoo are caught by trolling bait and lures on flat lines. The limit is 2 per person.

A wahoo, long and striped, in blue water

The fish

NOAA says Atlantic wahoo grow fast, up to eight feet and 158 pounds, though most run 3.3 to 5.4 feet, and live only five or six years. FWC calls them among the fastest pelagic fish, reaching up to 60 mph, and says they are generally not found in schools. The Florida record, 139 pounds, came from near Marathon.

NOAA describes the meat as firm with a large flake, but the Florida Department of Health has a health advisory for wahoo in the Florida Keys and Florida Bay, so check it before eating much.

When

A Fishing Guru: wahoo on the moons in winter and fall, and excellent fishing on February cold fronts. Snap ’Em Up says wahoo are an occasional half-day catch. Shake N Bait, A Fishing Guru and Big Dave all name wahoo among their offshore targets.

Can you keep wahoo?

Every limit is on what fish you can keep.

Florida state-water rules as they apply in the Keys, Islamorada included, read on FWC’s page on 6 October 2026. FWC changes these; its page is the final word.
RuleFWC, Keys state waters
Minimum sizeNone
Bag limit2 per person
SeasonOpen all year
SourceFWC: Wahoo

Which trip to book

Offshore, six or eight hours, in fall or winter: $950–$2,000 per boat for a full day in October 2026.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: FWC: wahoo profile ; NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic wahoo ; A Fishing Guru: month by month .

Check it at the source

Wahoo: questions

When is wahoo season in the Florida Keys?

Off Islamorada, fall and winter: A Fishing Guru points to the full moons in those seasons and to February cold fronts. Wahoo can be caught all year; the limit is two per person.

Is wahoo safe to eat from the Florida Keys?

The Florida Department of Health has issued a health advisory for wahoo from the Florida Keys and Florida Bay. Read it before eating wahoo regularly.

Next step

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