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

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.

The Lower Keys

I'm Hooked Fishing Charters

I’m Hooked Fishing Charters — inshore & flats fishing charters at the Hawks Cay Resort Marina in Duck Key, where expert guidance and tailored Angling meet prestigious Florida Bay waters.

Key West

Odyssea Key West Sportfishing

Odyssea Key West Sportfishing offers private offshore, reef, wreck, fly fishing, and swordfishing charters aboard a 34-foot SeaVee out of Key West with Captain Rush Maltz, a Florida Keys native and co-host of the nationally televised fishing show Local Knowledge.

Key West

Keys Custom Fishing Charters

Keys Custom Fishing Charters — private sport-fishing charters in Key West, where expert guides and tailored trips deliver unforgettable angling adventures.

Key West

Purple Heron Charters

Purple Heron Charters offers private flats, backcountry, and eco-tour fishing charters out of Key West with Captain John Hoover, specializing in fly fishing, spin fishing, and sight fishing for a wide variety of inshore species.

Marathon

Conch Key Fishing Lodge & Marina

Escape to paradise at Conch Key Fishing Lodge—prime fishing, stunning views, and cozy waterfront rooms!

The Lower Keys

Ye Olde English Fly Shop

Ye Olde English Fly Shop — premium custom fly rod building supplies and fly-tying gear in the Florida Keys.

Islamorada

Couple A Bucks Charters

Couple-A-Bucks Charters — family-friendly flats & back-country fishing adventures from Islamorada, Florida Keys.

Key West

Folklure Charters

Folklure Charters offers offshore, reef, and wreck fishing trips aboard the 27-foot "Leviathan" in the Florida Keys. Led by Captain Frank Betz, they provide 4, 6, 8, and 10-hour charters targeting species like mahi-mahi, tuna, grouper, marlin, yellowtail, tarpon, and kingfish.

The Lower Keys

Captain Doug Kilpatrick

Florida Keys Flats Fishing — expert flats and back-country fishing charters from Marathon to Key West.

Key West

Got Em On Sport Fishing

Got Em On Sportfishing offers backcountry fishing charters in Key West and the Lower Florida Keys with Capt. Anthony Solmo targeting tarpon, permit, bonefish, and reef species.

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.

Keys Season Deals