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
Capt. Greg Poland Charters
Capt. Greg Poland is a full-time Florida native running fishing, eco, and sandbar trips out of Lorelei's in Islamorada. Chase tarpon through the backcountry, snorkel the flats, or cruise into the sunset aboard a brand-new 29-foot Contender bay boat, with trips for every level from two hours to all day.
Islamorada
Broadminded Charters
Broad Minded — high-performance 42′ charter boat for offshore and deep-water sportfishing out of Islamorada.
Islamorada
Hound Dawg Charters
Hound Dawg Charters — upscale offshore sportfishing charters out of Islamorada aboard a 48-ft Viking.
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.
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.
Islamorada
Cayo Vida Marina
A small working marina on Old Highway at the top end of Islamorada, open from 6 in the morning for people who are actually going fishing. Live and frozen bait at the counter, charter boats on the dock, and Cayo Vida shirts on your way out.
Islamorada
Lightly Salted Charters
Private Islamorada boat tours: snorkel, sandbar, fishing—book your adventure.
Marathon
Slamtime Charters
Slamtime Charters in Marathon offers private Florida Keys fishing charters targeting offshore, reef, wreck, and backcountry species with an experienced local captain.
Islamorada
Sea Horse Private Charters
Florida Keys Fishing Charters — premium guided fishing trips in Key Largo where expert captains take you reef‑, wreck‑ and offshore to target trophy species.
Islamorada
Islamorada Boat Rentals
Center consoles and a twelve seat pontoon, bookable online with instant confirmation for a half day, a full day, or up to a month. GPS, VHF and safety gear come aboard, and you need to be 25 to rent.
Islamorada
Chelsea Charters
Florida Keys Charter Fishing — full-service offshore, reef and wreck charters out of Islamorada’s Whale Harbor Marina.
Islamorada
Couple A Bucks Charters
Couple-A-Bucks Charters — family-friendly flats & back-country fishing adventures from Islamorada, Florida Keys.
Key West
Always Somethin' Charters Key West
Always Somethin' Charters is one of the top-rated fishing charter operations in Key West, offering family-friendly light tackle inshore fishing for tarpon, shark, bonefish, permit, and snapper aboard an 18-foot Sterling skiff with a team of experienced captains and a 4.9-star average across 580+ reviews.
Key West
Second Generation Fishing Charters
We Fish Key West — your local charter partner for top offshore, reef, and backcountry fishing adventures.
Marathon
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.
