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.
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.
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.
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...
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Reel Attack Charters
Reel Attack Charters — full-service fishing charters in Islamorada, where expert guides, big catches and unforgettable Florida Keys experiences converge.
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.
Moon Cast Anglers
A premier fly-and-light-tackle charter in Islamorada specializing in flats and back-country fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish.
Ultimate Dream Fishing Charters
Scott’s Fishing Florida Keys — expert private charters in Islamorada offering back-country, reef and offshore fishing adventures.
6th Generation Charters
6th Generation Charters — multi-generational Keys fishing charter delivering sportfishing, back-country flats and sand-bar adventures in Islamorada.
Westward Expeditions
Westward Expeditions offers USCG-licensed light tackle and fly fishing charters from Islamorada to Biscayne Bay, Flamingo and the Upper Florida Keys.
Flyin' High Charters
Flyin' High Charters offers guided fly fishing and flats fishing charters for tarpon, permit, and bonefish throughout the Florida Keys, Everglades, and Biscayne Bay with Captain Jesse Register.
Sassylady Fishing Charter
Sassy Lady Charter — seasoned offshore sportfishing charters out of Islamorada, Florida Keys.
Feelin' Fishy Charters
Feelin' Fishy Charters offers flats fly fishing and spin fishing charters for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and barracuda throughout the Lower Florida Keys from Big Pine Key to Key West.
Ivory Keys Charters
Ivory Keys Outfitters — expert inshore and back-country fishing charters based in Islamorada, Florida Keys.
Capt. Rich Mitchell
Captain Rich Mitchell — book your private fishing charter with an experienced Florida Keys guide.
Captain Shane Wood Fly Fishing Key West
Captain Shane Wood offers guided fly fishing and spin fishing charters for tarpon, bonefish, and permit on the Gulf-side flats of Key West, departing from City Marina with over a decade of local expertise.
Grand Slam Fishing Charters
Grand Slam Charters — premier fishing charters in South Florida & the Keys, where expert guiding meets world-class waters.
Stray Cat Charters
Stray Cat Charters — versatile private fishing charters in Islamorada, where inshore flats, back‑country and offshore reef trips are led by experienced Captain Chris Barron.
Catch 'Em All Sportfishing
Catch 'Em All Sportfishing offers reef, offshore, wreck, and tarpon fishing charters out of Marathon Sailfish Marina with Captain Jeff Shelar, a 20-plus-year Keys veteran and 12-time TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award winner with a no-fish-no-pay guarantee.