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. Rich Mitchell
Captain Rich Mitchell — book your private fishing charter with an experienced Florida Keys guide.
The Lower Keys
Elusive Endeavors
Fly Fish Key West — expert fly-fishing charters targeting tarpon, bonefish and permit in the Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
World Angling
World Angling, founded by Captain Will Benson in 1999, offers expert fly fishing charters in Key West, specializing in tarpon, permit, bonefish, and barracuda.
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.
Islamorada
Captain Michael Fishing
Captain Michael Party Boat Fishing offers affordable, group-friendly deep-sea fishing trips aboard a 65-foot vessel, departing daily from Robbie’s of Islamorada.
Key West
Key West Pro Guides
Key West Pro Guides is Key West's largest professional fishing guide team, offering private backcountry, wreck and reef, offshore, shark, tarpon, Marquesas Atoll, group, and family fishing charters with nine full-time owner-operator captains since 1998.
The Lower Keys
Sugarloaf Marina
Sugarloaf Key Marina — full-service “old school” Keys marina offering rentals, charters, ramps, bait & tackle, tours, and more.
Islamorada
Capt Rick Stanczyk
Islamorada Tarpon Fishing — expert tarpon-focused fishing charters based in Islamorada, Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
Snapshot Charters
Family-friendly Snapshot Charters offers unforgettable reef to swordfish fishing trips!
Key West
Mike Pollack Flats Guide
Michael Pollack Flats Guide – Expert shallow-water flats charters in Key West targeting tarpon, permit, bonefish and more.
Key Largo
Salty Morada Charters
Beyond Blessed Charters offers guided fishing trips in Islamorada and Tavernier, delivering fun, hassle-free offshore and reef fishing for anglers of all skill levels.
Islamorada
Expedition Fishing Charters
Expedition Fishing Charters — premier offshore sportfishing trips out of Islamorada’s Bud ’n Mary’s Marina in the Florida Keys.
The Lower Keys
Captain Hook's Looe Key Reef Adventures
Explore vibrant reefs, snorkeling, diving, and fishing adventures at Big Pine Key!
Key West
Landboat Charters
Fish The Bridges — shore-side bridge fishing charters in Key Largo, where accessible, exciting angling meets local expertise.
