Holiday fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your Holiday fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.
When is the best time to fish in Holiday?
The best fishing in Holiday is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon and Spanish mackerel are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for snook, spotted seatrout and tarpon; summer is best for snook, redfish and tarpon; fall is best for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; also redfish and grouper.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for snook, spotted seatrout, tarpon and sheepshead; also redfish, grouper and mangrove snapper.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for snook, redfish, tarpon and mangrove snapper; also spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel and grouper.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for snook, redfish, spotted seatrout and Spanish mackerel; also sheepshead and cobia.
Holiday fishing calendar by month
How good the fishing is for each fish, month by month. Tap a fish for our full guide.
- Peak best fishing of the year
- Good steady fishing
- Fair possible, but slower
- – slow, out of season or closed
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Snook | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Tarpon | Fair | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | ||||||
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | ||||
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Fair | ||
| Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Mangrove snapper | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair |
| King mackerel (kingfish) | Good | Peak | Peak | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Peak | Peak | Fair | ||
| Cobia | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Fair | |
Seasons, size limits and bag limits change every year: see FWC saltwater rules and FWC freshwater rules. Snook and some other fish are catch-and-release in closed months.
What’s biting each month in Holiday
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead
Good Redfish and Grouper
February
Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead
Good Redfish and Grouper
March
Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead
Good Snook, Redfish, Spanish mackerel, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
April
Peak Snook, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
Good Redfish, Sheepshead, Grouper and Mangrove snapper
May
Peak Snook, Tarpon, Spanish mackerel, King mackerel (kingfish) and Cobia
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and Mangrove snapper
June
Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Grouper and Cobia
July
Peak Snook, Tarpon and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spanish mackerel and Grouper
August
Peak Snook, Redfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Tarpon, Spanish mackerel and Grouper
September
Peak Snook, Redfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel and Grouper
October
Peak Snook, Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Mangrove snapper and Cobia
November
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Snook, Sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and Cobia
December
Peak Spotted seatrout and Sheepshead
Good Redfish and Grouper
Best months for each fish in Holiday
- Snook: best Apr–Oct; good Mar–Nov.
- Redfish: best Aug–Nov; good all year.
- Spotted seatrout: best Oct–Apr; good Sep–Jun.
- Tarpon: best May–Jul; good May–Aug.
- Sheepshead: best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Apr.
- Spanish mackerel: best Apr–May and Oct; good Mar–Nov.
- Grouper: best Oct–Nov; good all year.
- Mangrove snapper: best Jun–Sep; good Apr–Oct.
- King mackerel (kingfish): best Apr–May and Oct–Nov; good Mar–May and Oct–Nov.
- Cobia: best Apr–May; good Mar–Jun and Oct–Nov.
Reviews from Holiday trips
5.02 reviews
Fishing Lake Tarpon w/ Cpt Mike
Day on the water was terrific. Cpt Mike is a pro and being a dad himself was great with my son. Will def be back for more bass!
Footprints26316 · August 2019
Peacock bass and he delivered!
I want to thank Mike Goshon. We booked him looking for Peacock bass and he delivered!! We took a 3 man trip (2 of us are saltwater guides from another area). We know what a good charter trip looks like! Can't speak highly enough of the product he delivered! He was meticulous in his explanation…
Erik Nelson · October 2017
Holiday fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Holiday?
The best fishing in Holiday is Apr–May and Oct–Nov, when snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, tarpon and Spanish mackerel are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for spotted seatrout and sheepshead; spring is best for snook, spotted seatrout and tarpon; summer is best for snook, redfish and tarpon; fall is best for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout.
What fish are biting in Holiday in winter?
From December to February, spotted seatrout and sheepshead are at their best, and redfish and grouper are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in Holiday in summer?
From June to August, snook, redfish, tarpon and mangrove snapper are at their best, and spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, grouper and cobia are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for snook in Holiday?
Snook fishing in Holiday is best Apr–Oct, and good Mar–Nov.
When is the best time for grouper in Holiday?
Grouper fishing in Holiday is best Oct–Nov, and good all year.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Holiday?
Yes. Some fish have closed seasons, size limits and bag limits that change from year to year. Months marked “–” on this calendar are slow, out of season or usually closed. Your captain follows the current rules; check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for this year’s dates.
How do I book a fishing trip in Holiday?
Pick your trip and date on the Holiday fishing charters page and book online with a local captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip, and a full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593.