Two people holding a large fish beside a boat in clear turquoise water.

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.

Diver swims above a bright green mahi-mahi underwater.

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...

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.

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.

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...

Key West

Capt. Andy Glynn Charters - Aboard the RIDLA Too

Ridla Charters — private fishing and eco-tour charters departing from Key West.

Marathon

Main Attraction

Main Attraction Charter Fishing — top-tier deep-sea sportfishing charters in Marathon, Florida Keys, where “first out, freshest catch” meets unparalleled local expertise.

The Lower Keys

Torch Key Charters

Torch Key Charters offers guided flats and backcountry fishing for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and shark throughout the Lower Florida Keys from Little Torch Key with Captain Danny Clark.

Islamorada

Go Time Sportfishing Charters

Go Time Charters — private sportfishing & snorkeling charters in Islamorada, where expert guiding and smooth rides fuel Keys-adventure dreams.

Key Largo

Underwater Cowboy

Underwater Cowboy – luxury private charters in Key Largo offering scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling & PADI instruction.

Superfish Charters

Superfish Charters offers private reef, wreck, offshore, deep-drop, far Gulf, and family fishing charters in Marathon aboard 34-foot and 39-foot SeaVee center consoles with Captain Jeff Rella, a Keys native with 30 years of Marathon fishing experience.

Key Largo

Living Aloha Excursions

Your dog is invited. Living Aloha Excursions runs private boat charters from the Caribbean Club dock in Key Largo, and you build the day yourself: sandbar, snorkel, sunset, backcountry fishing, or all of the above.

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.

Marathon

Captain Hook’s Marina and Dive Center

A Blue Star dive shop and marina at mile marker 53 on Vaca Cut, running reef and wreck trips twice a day, plus snorkeling, sunset cruises, boat rentals and a bait and tackle counter. They will also put you on a coral nursery dive with Mote Marine Lab, which is not something most dive shops can offer.