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...
Filters
Islamorada
Fisher Guide Service
Tarpon Slayer — elite fly- and light-tackle tarpon charters in the Florida Keys offering unforgettable “Silver King” angling experiences.
Key West
Native Charters Key West
Native Charters Key West offers flats and backcountry fishing charters out of Sugarloaf Key in the Lower Florida Keys, led by Captain Chris Duncan with over 30 years of experience.
Islamorada
Glades Built Backcountry
Glades Built Backcountry Charters — expert fly- and light-tackle guiding across the Everglades & Florida Keys from Islamorada.
Key Largo
Let It Ride Charters
Let It Ride Charters offers private fishing, snorkeling, and dive trips from Key Largo—gear, bait, licenses included, tailored for all skill levels.
Key West
Mike Pollack Flats Guide
Michael Pollack Flats Guide – Expert shallow-water flats charters in Key West targeting tarpon, permit, bonefish and more.
Islamorada
Captain Sam Baker
Captain Sam Baker — expert private fishing charters in Islamorada for flats, back-country and reef adventures.
The Lower Keys
Lower Keys Kayak Fishing
Lower Keys Kayak Fishing offers guided kayak fishing charters for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and more on the flats and backcountry waters of the Lower Florida Keys and Key West with guide Randy Morrow.
The Lower Keys
Chard Fly
Chard Fly offers guided fly fishing charters in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys focused on tarpon, bonefish, permit and shallow-water sight fishing.
Key West
Captain Mel’s Sportfishing Charters
Capt. Mel’s Sportfishing Charters — personalized private fishing adventures in Key West, Florida Keys.
Islamorada
Islamorada Fishing Charters Florida Keys
Offshore and inshore sportfishing charters in Islamorada.
Marathon
No Slack Sportfishing
No Slack Sportfishing is a Marathon-based family fishing charter service led by born-and-raised Keys captains James "Bucko" Platt and Jared Platt, specializing in light tackle sailfish and tarpon aboard two SeaVee vessels.
Key Largo
Reel Mell-O Fishing Charters
Reel Mell-O Fishing Charters offers flexible 5, 6, and 7-hour family fishing charters for up to four anglers in the flats and backcountry of Tavernier, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Everglades National Park with Captain Troy Mell, operating since 2003.
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.
Islamorada
Fly+Spin Poling Guide
Andy Janoski — expert fly- and spin-fishing charter guide based in Islamorada, Florida Keys.
