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
The Lower Keys
Elusive Endeavors
Fly Fish Key West — expert fly-fishing charters targeting tarpon, bonefish and permit in the Florida Keys.
Marathon
Seasquared Charters
Experience top-rated family fishing adventures in the stunning Florida Keys!
Key Largo
Costa Morada Fishing Charters
Costa Morada Fishing Charters — high-performance offshore sportfishing adventures from Islamorada, Florida Keys.
Marathon
Marathon Lady Party Boats
A 73 foot party boat that has been fishing out of Marathon since 1958, with bait and a temporary fishing license included in the fare. Snapper, grouper and mackerel on the reef, and night trips through the summer.
Islamorada
Takedown Charters
Takedown Charters — premium offshore sport‑fishing charters in Islamorada, where Captain Greg Hartlaub leads you after sailfish, mahi, wahoo and trophy game off the Florida Keys.
Islamorada
Florida Keys Dive Center
Three-dive adventures, snorkeling & scuba charters from Islamorada with courses & lobstering.
Key Largo
Sea Spirit Offshore Fishing
Sea Spirit Offshore Sportfishing — full‑service deep‑sea & reef fishing charters in Key Largo, where expert captains guide you to mahi, tuna, sailfish and more aboard a 43′ sport‑fisher.
Islamorada
Pelagic Raptors Charters
Captain Mike runs a 39 foot Contender with triple 300s and a Seakeeper stabilizer out of Islamorada, for up to six anglers. Trips run from four hours to a ten hour swordfish expedition, with tackle and your fishing license included.
Key West
Captain Hook's Dive Key West
A NOAA Blue Star dive operator running two trips a day out to the Vandenberg, Sand Key Lighthouse and the reefs off Key West, with a divemaster in the water on every dive. Snorkelers get their own departures and all the gear, and no experience is required.
Key West
Folklure Charters
Folklure Charters offers offshore, reef, and wreck fishing trips aboard the 27-foot "Leviathan" in the Florida Keys. Led by Captain Frank Betz, they provide 4, 6, 8, and 10-hour charters targeting species like mahi-mahi, tuna, grouper, marlin, yellowtail, tarpon, and kingfish.
Marathon
Coco's Deli & General Store & Tackle
A deli, a grocery and a bait counter in one small building on Coco Plum Drive, just off US-1 at mile marker 52. Order a Cuban, grab a bag of ice and some bait, and you are provisioned for the whole day.
Islamorada
Hooligan Sportfishing
Hooligan Sportfishing — top-rated private fishing charters out of Islamorada, Florida Keys, led by Captain Sal Gozzo.
The Lower Keys
Snapshot Charters
Family-friendly Snapshot Charters offers unforgettable reef to swordfish fishing trips!
