Fishing

From backcountry flats to the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf, the Florida Keys are an angler’s dream. Cast for bonefish, tarpon, and permit in skinny water, or chase sailfish, mahi, and tuna offshore—the variety is unmatched. Local captains and charters know where the action is, whether you’re after a record catch or dinner for the grill. With easy access from every island, fishing here is less about luck and more about adventure. Rods ready? The Keys are always biting.

Fishing Information

All the details you need: licenses, regulations, videos, styles, and tips to make your Florida Keys fishing excursion a keeper.

Fishing boats docked at a harbor, black-and-white photograph.

Sportfishing History in The Florida Keys

Renowned worldwide as a legendary angling destination, The Florida Keys helped pioneer backcountry sportfishing, saltwater fly fishing and light-tackle angling. Celebrated captains such as Jimmie Albright, Cecil Keith, Billy Knowles and Richard Stanczyk Sr. shaped the sport, while famous anglers including Ted Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey and Presidents Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman and George H.W. Bush added to the island chain’s enduring fishing legacy.

Silhouetted fishers on a boat during a vibrant orange sunset.

Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments

The Florida Keys is a famous for fishing tournaments. Check our list highlighting some of the many tournaments taking place throughout the year.

Diver holding a lobster underwater, wearing snorkel and flippers.

Florida Keys Lobster Season

Every year, thousands of locals and visitors dive into spiny lobster season, a favorite Florida Keys tradition. The Florida Fish and Wildlife...

Islamorada

Under The Radar Charters

Under The Radar Charters — back‑country and flats fishing in Islamorada where expert fly‑ and light‑tackle guide Riley Holden takes anglers into shallow‑water hotspots for tarpon, redfish, snook, bonefish and more.

Key Largo

Scales 2 Tales Charters

Scales 2 Tales Charters — experienced guided fishing trips in Key Largo, offering inshore/back‑country and reef/wreck excursions where you’ll target species like snook, redfish, tarpon and grouper.

Key West

Capt Dans Fishing Charters

Capt. Dan’s Fishing Charters — private sportfishing excursions in Islamorada, Florida Keys.

Marathon

Strip Strike Charters

Strip Strike Charters offers guided fly fishing and light tackle flats charters for tarpon, bonefish, and permit out of Marathon, Florida Keys, with Captain Paul Fisicaro, a Thomas & Thomas pro staff guide with 26 years of Keys experience.

Islamorada

Captain Sam Baker

Captain Sam Baker — expert private fishing charters in Islamorada for flats, back-country and reef adventures.

Key West

Key West Pro Guides

Key West Pro Guides is Key West's largest professional fishing guide team, offering private backcountry, wreck and reef, offshore, shark, tarpon, Marquesas Atoll, group, and family fishing charters with nine full-time owner-operator captains since 1998.

Islamorada

Islamorada Spearfishing Adventures

Islamorada Spearfishing Adventures is Islamorada's premier spearfishing charter led by Captain Jordi, a Florida Keys-raised PADI Scuba Instructor with 16 years of diving experience, offering private spearfishing, lobster hunting, scuba diving, freediving, and snorkeling charters with a 5.0-star rating across 100-plus reviews.

Islamorada

Bean Sportfishing

Captain Brandon Storin, also known as “Bean” of Bean Sportfishing, offers full-service backcountry, inshore and offshore fishing charters in Islamorada and throughout the Florida Keys.