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BoatFlorida Keys State Waters: Southwest RegionPermit · Open

Johnston Key Mangroves

24.73°N · 81.58°W

Species

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14-Day Forecast

Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
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24-Hour Conditions

All times EDT

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Conditions
Time
1 PM
Now
Score
65
Fair
Tide
0.3 ft ▼
Ebbing
Current
—
Ebb
Wind
15 kn
E · steady
Sea state
Easy
1 ft chop
Air temp
80°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 1 PM. Score 65 Fair. Tide 0.3ft Falling ▼. Current -0.3kn Ebb. Wind 15kn E G20. Sea 1 ft chop Easy. Air 80.4°.

Why this score

Current
Slack
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Permit
Retention open
Daily limit
1 per day
Possession
Not published
Size
Minimum 22"
Gear
State waters: hook and line only; no multiple hook with natural bait; no snatching
Annual quota
Not published
Other
SPZ rule: 22" fork length minimum, 1 per harvester. Vessel limit: no more than 2 per vessel. Open Jan 1-Mar 31 and Aug 1-Dec 31.
Season
Aug 1 to Dec 31
Other species here
Great Barracuda Retention openTarpon Retention openRed Drum Retention openBonefish Retention open
Always check with FWC ↗

Source: FWC · Florida Keys State Waters: Southwest Region · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Permit is best at this spot

Off seasonOff season for Permit
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff seasonClosed

SPOT PROFILE

DEPTH
1-6 ft
Mud
STRUCTURE
Flat
Inner Protected

About Johnston Key Mangroves

Johnston Key Mangroves is a protected inshore flat west of the Saddlebunch Keys near Key West, Florida, where a soft mud bottom runs from the mangrove edge out to about 5 feet of water. Tarpon move through from March to June, and Mutton Snapper peak over the same months alongside Gray Snapper and Common Snook working the mangrove fringe. Great Barracuda take over the flat from December through February, cruising the shallow mud in search of baitfish. Anglers target Tarpon by drifting live crabs, live mullet, or live pinfish along the deeper edges, while fly anglers present toad flies and worm flies to fish rolling over the shallows. Barracuda respond to casting tube lures, needlefish lures, and topwater plugs across the open mud. For Mutton Snapper, bottom fishing with cut ballyhoo or live pilchards near the mangrove margins is the dominant approach.

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Johnston Key Mangroves is one of the spots we track around Key West. More spots in Key West · All of Florida.

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