Fishing
From skinny-water flats to deep-blue runs offshore, The Florida Keys give anglers plenty of ways to bend a rod. Sight-cast for Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit in the backcountry, or head for open water in search of Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, Tuna and more. Local captains know the tides, the bite and the spots worth chasing, whether you’re hoping for a personal best or fresh catch for dinner. Around here, the hardest part is deciding where to fish first.
Fishing Information
Everything you need to plan a Florida Keys fishing trip, from finding and booking a local charter to checking the best times to target different...
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
Sting Rea Charters
Sting Rea Charters offers world-class fly fishing and light tackle charters for tarpon, permit, and bonefish across the Lower Florida Keys, Key West, and the Marquesas with Captain Justin Rea.
Islamorada
Dog House Charters
Dog House Charters sets out from Whale Harbor Marina in Islamorada aboard a 53-foot Hatteras, taking up to six anglers offshore into the sportfishing capital of the world. Chase sailfish, mahi, tuna, and wahoo with Capt. Jesse Cromer, from half-day reef trips to full days trolling the bluewater.
The Lower Keys
Captain Doug Kilpatrick
Florida Keys Flats Fishing — expert flats and back-country fishing charters from Marathon to Key West.
Key West
Compass Rose Charters
Key West Florida Fishing provides personalized fishing charters targeting species like tarpon, bonefish, permit, snapper, and grouper.
Islamorada
Fisher Guide Service
Tarpon Slayer — elite fly- and light-tackle tarpon charters in the Florida Keys offering unforgettable “Silver King” angling experiences.
Marathon
Marathon Bait & Tackle
Open 6 to 6, seven days a week, at mile marker 49 bayside in Marathon, with live shrimp and crabs in the tanks. Rod rentals run $25 a week, which makes this the first stop if you flew in without gear.
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.
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.
Marathon
Ladies, Let's Go Fishing
Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing! Keys University & Fishing Fever — women’s fishing seminar & tournament in the Upper Keys, where learning, charters & friendly competition meet.
Islamorada
Hold Tight Charters
Hold Tight Charters — expert flats, back-country and reef fishing charters out of Key Largo and the Florida Keys.
Key Largo
Dirty Waters Charters
Dirty Waters Charters — expert back-country and flats fishing excursions out of Key Largo and the Upper Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
Overtime Flats Fishing Charters
Overtime Flats Fishing Charters offers guided light tackle flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, and barracuda throughout the Lower Florida Keys and Key West with Captain Pat Bracher, a tournament-decorated guide since 1987.
Islamorada
Pisces Connections Charters
Islamorada Charter Fishing — premier sport-fishing charters in Islamorada, where experienced guides and deep-water access deliver world-class catches.
Islamorada
Stray Cat Charters
Stray Cat Charters — versatile private fishing charters in Islamorada, where inshore flats, back‑country and offshore reef trips are led by experienced Captain Chris Barron.
