Diver swims above a bright green mahi-mahi underwater.

Your Florida Keys Fishing Guide

So, you want to go fishing in The Florida Keys, but you have no idea where to start.

Offshore? Backcountry? Reef? Flats? Deep dropping? And what exactly is a bay boat?

This guide is here to make all of that a little easier. We’ll break down the different types of fishing, the boats typically used for each, what you might target throughout the year and a few things people don’t always tell you before booking a charter.

The first thing to know is that fishing in The Florida Keys isn’t simply divided into “offshore” and “backcountry.” There are plenty of branches in between, and quite a bit of crossover depending on the boat, the weather and what’s biting.

And remember: fish swim. Just because a species is usually associated with one type of fishing doesn’t mean it can’t show up somewhere else.

2026 FWC REGULATIONS

What’s Biting When

Fishing Opportunity Calendar

Use this calendar as a quick guide to the typical fishing opportunities throughout the year in The Florida Keys. See when popular backcountry, reef, wreck and offshore species are generally easier to target, from tarpon and bonefish to mahi-mahi, sailfish and more. Conditions can change quickly, so your local captain is always the best resource for what’s biting right now.

Disclaimer: This calendar reflects typical fishing opportunities only and does not indicate legal harvest seasons. A species may be catchable even when harvest is closed or restricted. Fishing conditions vary, and catches are never guaranteed. Always check current FWC and applicable federal regulations for seasons, size limits, bag limits, permits and other requirements before fishing.

To start off, let’s go over the various types of fishing there are: Offshore and Backcountry. From there, there are some branches off and then some “cross collaboration” in certain boats’ abilities

Two anglers hold a large mahi-mahi on a boat at sea.

Offshore & Bluewater Fishing

Offshore fishing is all oceanside fishing. In the Keys, there are three bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay, aka the Everglades, and the Gulf of America, basically way, way back there. Offshore fishing boats are usually bigger center consoles or sportfishers. Here, you can go miles and miles out from land, or you could go right to the reef, which is between 3 and 6 miles offshore. Offshore fishing means bluewater fishing for Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Amberjacks, bigger Snappers and Groupers, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo and Bonito. These charters tend to be more expensive because of the gas costs, crew and gear needed to go farther.

Bay Boats

In this category, there can also be some “Bay Boats.” Bay boats are your hybrid center consoles, usually between 22 and 26 feet, that have the ability to go offshore on calm days, but they can also go into the backcountry and usually do. Those are the best of both worlds, but it is weather dependent, which sometimes could work out in your favor, especially if you get seasick.

Reef Fishing

Offshore fishing can also mean sticking to the reef if the Sailfish or other species are there. Sometimes there’s Wahoo or certain Snapper during their spawning months. This is really called fishing the reef, but most offshore boats and bay boats can do this.

Deep Dropping

Deep dropping can be expensive and is something else offshore captains do. If you want to catch something special like a Swordfish, those are also specialized charters where a premium fee is usually involved, mainly because of the gas since you may have to run much farther, and the gear is also bigger and more expensive. Deep dropping can also be for your more exotic Groupers, special-level Snappers, Vermilions, Yelloweyes and such.

Inshore Fishing

Inshore fishing still means close to the shore, obviously, but it can be on “both sides of the fence,” so it can be oceanside or bayside. This type of fishing is usually great in the wintertime and is actually more of a backcountry and bay boat type of deal, since you’re going for common Snappers like Mangroves and Muttons, Red and Black Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, Hogfish or sometimes Tarpon and Snook.

Fish Swim...

It’s important to remember that fish swim. You can find common Snappers and species like Goliath Grouper offshore, but they can definitely be found in the backcountry as well. The same goes for Spanish Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Permit and Tripletail.

It’s also important to note that Jack Crevalles, Barracudas and Sharks can indeed be found everywhere on both sides of the fence, and luckily, all of those put up a strong fight and are fun to catch.

Two people on a boat holding a large fish over clear water.

Backcountry Fishing

The backcountry is your calmer, shallower water out in Florida Bay, Flamingo as the guides call it, and Everglades National Park. There are bay boats that can do this, as well as smaller boats that specialize in fly fishing and others that strictly do light tackle. These species include Tarpon, which on fly is a big deal but super hard, Sea Trout, Snook, Sheepshead, Bonefish, Permit and Red Drum in the winter. That’s your backcountry stuff.

The occasional smaller Goliath Grouper and Mangrove Snapper are very common there as well. Backcountry is great, but please note that in the summer, it’s important to wear a long-sleeve shirt and pants, as the mosquitoes and green flies can be annoying. If you dress right, they will leave you alone to enjoy the scenic wilderness of the backcountry.

Everglades National Park

If you are looking to head out to the Everglades National Park, its best to book this out of Islamorada, as it’s the closest run to that area. But there is great shallow-water fishing up and down the Keys! If you wanted to get a backcountry slam, you’d have to land a Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit, which is a pretty special moment when you’re able to do it.

Gulf Fishing

Further back, toward the Gulf of America, this is considered fishing in the Gulf. No fancy name. Only a handful of captains specialize in this, and we strongly suggest you book a solid bay boat and a captain with great vision to take you there. You could get bigger Permit, Cobia, random Goliath Grouper or the occasional Snook.

Man holding a large fish on a boat in sunny ocean waters.

Plan Your Catch the Right Way

The months in the guidelines mean that conditions are typically ideal, but they do not in any way imply that a fish is “in season.” Again, it’s important to go over the FWC regulations for what’s in season and to have the proper fishing licenses and permits.

In the Keys, the fishing guides are the experts. They know where to fish, how to fish and have the know-how that would take most people a long time to figure out, so we strongly suggest hiring the experts.

Sea turtle swimming over a coral reef with colorful fish.

Catch with Conservation in Mind

Protecting wildlife and conservation are a big deal to the entire community. While it’s great to fill the cooler when regulations allow, being mindful of sustainability is part of what makes The Florida Keys special. Protecting the fishery long term will help ensure that we can continue to enjoy one of the best fisheries in the world.