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.

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...

Islamorada

A Fishing Guide

Captain Steve Friedman helped build the sanctuary's Blue Star Fishing Guide program and fishes under its certification. Sight fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, redfish and snook out of Islamorada, on a poling skiff or a bay boat with room for the whole family.

Key West

Your Island Charter

Your Island Charter — private boat charters for sandbars, snorkeling, fishing and sunsets in the Florida Keys.

Islamorada

Islamorada Boat Rentals

Center consoles and a twelve seat pontoon, bookable online with instant confirmation for a half day, a full day, or up to a month. GPS, VHF and safety gear come aboard, and you need to be 25 to rent.

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.

Key West

CN-it Adventures

CN-IT Adventures offers personalized boat excursions in Key West aboard a 26-foot Twin Vee, delivering custom eco-tours, snorkeling, and island hopping catered to your preferences and weather conditions.

The Lower Keys

Tail Chasin' Charters

Tail Chasin' Charters offers flats, inshore, offshore, reef, and night tarpon fishing charters out of Little Torch Key in the Lower Florida Keys with a team of five experienced captains.

Josh Benton

4Reel Charters — premier offshore fishing charters out of Islamorada, Florida Keys.

The Lower Keys

Key West On Fly

Key West On Fly is a collective of four independent fly fishing guides offering expert flats, backcountry, and Everglades National Park charters out of Big Pine Key in the Lower Florida Keys.

Islamorada

Islamorada Backcountry & Offshore

Islamorada Backcountry & Offshore — private fishing charters in Islamorada, where expert guiding, modern gear, and local experience deliver unbeatable Keys fishing.

Islamorada

Endeavor Sportfishing

Endeavor Sportfishing — premier sportfishing charters out of Islamorada, Florida Keys aboard a custom offshore vessel.

Islamorada

Relentless Fishing

Relentless Fishing – Captain Paul Ross — offshore charter fishing trips in Islamorada, where elite tournament experience meets family-friendly adventure.

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.