Fishing Calendar

Fishing Cedar Key, Florida in the Spring

Month Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo)
March 69° / 59°
April 74° / 65°
May 80° / 72°

Spring is one of the best times to fish Cedar Key. As water temperatures rise, fish activity increases across the board. While cold fronts may still roll through in March, warming trends bring redfish, sea trout, Spanish mackerel, flounder, and sheepshead into shallower areas. By late spring, tarpon and snook show up, while sheepshead begin to move out. Offshore structure attracts grouper, amberjack, and cobia.

What’s Hot / What’s Not – Spring

  • Inshore: Hot – redfish, trout, sheepshead (early), flounder, mackerel
  • Nearshore: Hot – cobia, Spanish mackerel, snapper; Not – kingfish (early spring)
  • Offshore: Hot – grouper, amberjack, barracuda; Not – sailfish
  • Surf Fishing: Limited beaches; occasional trout or whiting in sandy zones near inlets

Fishing Cedar Key, Florida in the Summer

Month Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo)
June 85° / 77°
July 86° / 79°
August 86° / 79°

Summer fishing heats up with steady action across inshore and offshore waters. Tarpon, snook, and redfish are active around mangroves and creeks. Spanish mackerel, cobia, tripletail, and kingfish show up nearshore. Offshore, mahi mahi, sailfish, and grouper provide strong opportunities. Mornings and evenings are most productive as midday heat slows fish activity.

What’s Hot / What’s Not – Summer

  • Inshore: Hot – tarpon, snook, redfish, trout; Not – sheepshead
  • Nearshore: Hot – kingfish, cobia, tripletail, Spanish mackerel
  • Offshore: Hot – mahi mahi, sailfish, grouper, amberjack; Not – snapper bite can slow mid-day
  • Surf Fishing: Minimal surf zones; some action possible near points and channels for trout and reds

Fishing Cedar Key, Florida in the Fall

Month Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo)
September 84° / 75°
October 79° / 68°
November 71° / 58°

Fall is an excellent time to fish Cedar Key. Water temperatures gradually cool and large redfish begin to school inshore. Sea trout action improves, and flounder become more available. Migratory species like kingfish and Spanish mackerel move through nearshore waters. Offshore, grouper and snapper are reliable targets on reefs and wrecks.

What’s Hot / What’s Not – Fall

  • Inshore: Hot – redfish, sea trout, flounder; Not – tarpon (late fall)
  • Nearshore: Hot – Spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia
  • Offshore: Hot – grouper, snapper, amberjack; Not – mahi mahi and sailfish fade late fall
  • Surf Fishing: Best potential during early fall around jetties and rocky points

Fishing Cedar Key, Florida in the Winter

Month Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo)
December 65° / 54°
January 62° / 50°
February 64° / 53°

Winter brings a slower pace but still great fishing for those who adjust to the conditions. Inshore creeks and rivers become productive, especially after cold fronts. Redfish and sea trout move to deeper holes. Sheepshead stack up near rocks and structure. Offshore trips are weather-dependent but can yield grouper and snapper when seas allow.

What’s Hot / What’s Not – Winter

  • Inshore: Hot – redfish, trout, sheepshead; Not – snook and tarpon
  • Nearshore: Hot – sheepshead, black drum (reef/rock piles)
  • Offshore: Hot – grouper, snapper (when conditions allow); Not – pelagic species
  • Surf Fishing: Minimal access, but whiting and drum possible near river mouths