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
Snapshot Charters
Family-friendly Snapshot Charters offers unforgettable reef to swordfish fishing trips!
The Lower Keys
Captain Zach Stells Florida Keys Fly Fishing
Captain Zach Stells offers guided fly fishing charters for tarpon, bonefish, permit, and redfish on the flats of the Lower Florida Keys and Everglades out of Big Pine Key.
Key West
RideOut Charters Key West
RideOut Charters Key West offers offshore, reef, wreck, and inshore fishing charters for up to six anglers aboard a 28-foot Whitewater with Captain Nick Collins, a Key West guide with seven years of Keys diving and fishing experience and a 4.9-star rating across 74 FishingBooker reviews.
Islamorada
Bamboo Charters
Bamboo Charters, led by Captain Matt Bellinger, offers personalized fishing, snorkeling, sandbar, and sunset excursions aboard the "Chubby Mermaid," providing unforgettable experiences in the Florida Keys.
Key West
Second Generation Fishing Charters
We Fish Key West — your local charter partner for top offshore, reef, and backcountry fishing adventures.
Islamorada
White Waters Paradise Bait & Tackle
Open at 7 every morning, seven days a week, at mile marker 74.5 with live shrimp and crabs in the tanks and everything you need for lobster season. It shares a roof with Lobster Walk, so you can buy bait on the way out and dinner on the way back.
Key Largo
Coastal Dreams Fishing Charter
Coastal Dreams Fishing — premium offshore and reef charters based in Key Largo, Florida Keys.
Islamorada
Florida Keys Outfitters Fly Shop & Guide Service
A fly shop and guide service in Islamorada since 1989, and home to a saltwater fly fishing school now in its 37th year. Among the instructors is Chico Fernandez, who has been fishing salt on a fly since the 1950s and designed three of the patterns already in your box.
The Lower Keys
Captain Doug Kilpatrick
Florida Keys Flats Fishing — expert flats and back-country fishing charters from Marathon to Key West.
Key West
West Marine
The Key West store sits at 951 Caroline Street in the Historic Seaport, inside Conch Harbor Marina, so you can walk up from your slip. Open 8 to 6 most days and 9 to 5 Sundays, for the part that broke this morning.
Marathon
Huntress Sportfishing
Experience thrilling sportfishing adventures in Marathon with Huntress Sportfishing!
Islamorada
Custom Charters
Custom Charters — versatile private fishing trips in Islamorada for reef, sandbar, snorkeling or multi-day adventures.
Key West
Lost Reef Adventures
Lost Reef Adventures is a 5-Star PADI dive center in Key West offering daily scuba diving, snorkeling trips, certifications, sunset cruises, and private charters—all backed by 30 years of experience and full-service gear support.
Islamorada
Charlie Boy Charters
Charlie Boy Charters, led by Captain Joe Gargan, offers personalized backcountry fishing adventures in the Florida Keys, specializing in tarpon, snook, and shark excursions.
Key West
Adventure Watersport Charters
Adventure Water Sport Charters offers private and community excursions with safety-first itineraries, top-tier gear, and unforgettable experiences on the water.
