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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Fish Key West®
Fish Key West — full-service fishing charter company in Key West offering flats, deep-sea and split-charters.
Reel Attack Charters
Reel Attack Charters — full-service fishing charters in Islamorada, where expert guides, big catches and unforgettable Florida Keys experiences converge.
City of Marathon Marina
The city runs the mooring field in Boot Key Harbor, about as protected a spot as a boat can find in the Middle Keys, with the dinghy dock, showers and laundry open around the clock. Sombrero Reef is four miles straight out the front door.
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.
Custom Charters
Custom Charters — versatile private fishing trips in Islamorada for reef, sandbar, snorkeling or multi-day adventures.
Florida Keys Dive Center
Three-dive adventures, snorkeling & scuba charters from Islamorada with courses & lobstering.
My Ohana Fishing Charters
My Ohana Fishing & Charters offers sport fishing, snorkeling, reef & sandbar tours, and custom boat adventures in Key West.
Robbie's of Islamorada
Robbie’s of Islamorada offers thrilling tarpon feeding, fishing, water sports, and vibrant local dining in the heart of the Florida Keys.
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.
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.
ShadowCaster Flats Fishing
Keys Flats Fishing Guide — flats and back‑country light‑tackle fishing charter in Key West, where you target tarpon, bonefish, permit and other iconic species with experienced guides.
Low Key Angling
Low Key Angling offers flats, backcountry and nearshore fishing charters in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys targeting tarpon, permit, bonefish and other inshore species.
Beach Weekend
Pontoons with waterslides, including a 30 footer with three of them, plus panga and Everglades fishing boats, all tied up on the ocean side of US-1 on Stock Island. Fuel, bait, ice, snacks and a full ship's store are right there at the dock, so you load up once and go.
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.