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

Ivory Keys Charters

Ivory Keys Outfitters — expert inshore and back-country fishing charters based in Islamorada, Florida Keys.

The Lower Keys

Kingfisher Backcountry Charters

Kingfisher Backcountry Charters offers guided flats and backcountry fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook, and redfish throughout the Lower Florida Keys with Captain Robert Horachek, a lifelong Keys resident with over 20 years of fishing experience.

The Lower Keys

Livin' the Dream Charters

Livin' The Dream Charters is a laid-back, locally run outfit fishing, diving, and cruising the Lower Keys out of Parmer's Resort on Little Torch Key. Whether you want to chase mahi offshore, spearfish the reef, scoop up lobster, or just soak in a sandbar sunset, Capt. Ray and Leah shape the day around you.

The Lower Keys

Key West Fly & Spin Fishing Charters

Key West Fly & Spin Fishing Charters offers guided fly fishing and spin fishing charters for tarpon, permit, bonefish, shark, and barracuda across the flats from Marathon to Key West and the Marquesas with Captain Steve Hancock.

Key West

First Light Charters Key West

First Light Charters Key West offers offshore, reef, wreck, swordfish, and Dry Tortugas fishing charters out of Stock Island aboard a 31-foot Yellowfin with Captain Kody Michael, a South Florida native with deep expertise in offshore and deep-water fishing.

Islamorada

TAN MAN Charters

Islamorada Offshore Charters — full‑service offshore & reef fishing charters in Islamorada, Florida, where experienced captain Matt “Tan Man” Davis leads anglers after sailfish, mahi‑mahi, wahoo and more.

Key West

Capt Dans Fishing Charters

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

Islamorada

No Regrets Fishing Charter

No Regrets Sport Fishing – Premier Lake Erie walleye & perch charters helmed by Captain Tom Sieczkarek out of Buffalo, NY.

The Lower Keys

I'm Hooked Fishing Charters

I’m Hooked Fishing Charters — inshore & flats fishing charters at the Hawks Cay Resort Marina in Duck Key, where expert guidance and tailored Angling meet prestigious Florida Bay waters.

Key Largo

Capt'n Pete's Pro Shop

Doors open at 6 in the morning, which is the only hour that matters when you are trying to get off the dock in Key Largo. Live shrimp and crabs, frozen bait, rods and reels, rod repair, rental gear and fishing licenses, all in one stop at mile marker 103.

Islamorada

6th Generation Charters

6th Generation Charters — multi-generational Keys fishing charter delivering sportfishing, back-country flats and sand-bar adventures in Islamorada.

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.