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.

Diver holding a lobster underwater, wearing snorkel and flippers.

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...

Silhouetted fishers on a boat during a vibrant orange sunset.

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.

Fishing boats docked at a harbor, black-and-white photograph.

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.

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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.

Key West

Time Flys Fishing

Time Flys Fishing offers guided flats and fly fishing charters for bonefish, permit, tarpon, shark, and barracuda in the crystal-clear waters of Key West with Captain Scott Irvine, a born-and-raised Key West native with over 36 years on the water.

Islamorada

Singing Reel Charters

Singing Reel Charters — premium sport‑fishing charters out of Islamorada, where an expert captain and a 42′ luxury fishing vessel deliver big‑fish adventures from reef to offshore.

Islamorada

Leatherneck Backcountry Fishing

Leatherneck Backcountry Fishing — veteran-owned Islamorada charter offering unforgettable backcountry, flats, and inshore fishing adventures in the Florida Keys.

Key Largo

Tails Up Fishing Charters

Tails Up Fishing Charters, led by Captain Kerry Wingo, offers personalized backcountry and flats fishing trips in the Florida Everglades and Key Largo. Specializing in catch-and-release of tarpon, permit, bonefish, redfish, and snook, they provide eco-conscious adventures for anglers of all skill levels.

Islamorada

First Choice Charters

First Choice Charters offers private, all-inclusive fishing trips in Islamorada Florida Keys.

Islamorada

Blue Heaven Charter

Blue Heaven Charter — premier sport-fishing charters out of Islamorada specializing in deep-sea, reef and wreck trips.

Marathon

Wet Tails Charters

Wet Tails Charters is a Marathon fishing charter operating out of Captain Hook's Marina aboard a 31-foot Stamas with a private bathroom, offering family-friendly reef, offshore, wreck, and big game fishing trips with Captain Ed Traylor and first mate Mikey.

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

Can-O-Worms Fishin'

Can-O-Worm’s Fishin’ — personalized back-country charter fishing in Islamorada with Captain Jimi “Worm” Fickling.

Islamorada

Play Baby Fishing Charters

Play Baby Charters — high-performance deep-sea fishing charters in Islamorada where big-game action meets family-friendly service.

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.

Islamorada

R-U Fishing Yet

R U Fishing Yet Charters, led by Captain Richard Burson, offers personalized backcountry and fly fishing trips in the Florida Keys and Everglades. Target species include snook, redfish, sea trout, bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Family-friendly charters are available for anglers of all skill levels.