The warm Gulf Stream waters running along the Florida Keys offer some of the world’s best sport fishing, regardless of whether you’re in the deep blue offshore or trolling the mangrove estuaries of the backcountry. Extolled as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, Islamorada hosts more tournaments and breaks more weight records than anywhere else in the archipelago. That’s not to say, though, that the other islands don’t offer a spectacular bounty of sailfish, tarpon, tuna, bonefish, sharks, and more. Professional, recreational, and amateur anglers alike find that they’ve never spent a day badly when they cast their line into Florida Keys.

Impress your friends back home by landing a record Dolphin or Tarpon in one of the many tournaments held along the Florida Keys each month. Test your angling skills against the some of the sea’s toughest fighters – wahoo are lightning-fast, and the wily bonefish and permit are nearly impossible to even locate. Tournaments are held for a variety of skill levels, with a variety of prizes (from “nothing but fame & glory” to actual cash); look for children’s and ladies’ tournaments, or those benefiting charities.

Florida Keys Fishing

Florida Keys fishermen have three inviting “hunting grounds” to choose from: the depths of the offshore waters, the challenging backcountry, and the reef and wreck spots. Those who troll the reefs and wrecks frequently find the most delectable fish plus the chance to tangle with massive amberjack and the staggering submarine-size Goliath Grouper (which are protected). These grouper, formerly known as Jewfish, have been said to eat divers whole, so try to keep your footing on deck. The reefs teem with delicious snapper and grouper varieties and might offer a glimpse of beautiful coral expanses beneath the surface.

Offshore fishermen seek out Dolphin (a.k.a. Mahi Mahi), sailfish, swordfish, tuna, amberjack, sharks, wahoo, marlin, and more from aboard nicely outfitted charter vessels. The show put on by a jumping Sailfish or a thrashing Mako shark certainly makes your trip a memorable one, but hooking a multi-hued Dolphin means you’ll eat well that evening.

Backcountry fishermen glide across the sea grass beds as the sun rises, seeking out evasive bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Hunt the mangrove stands from a kayak or bass boat, testing your fly-fishing abilities. It’s fairly important to hire a charter captain for backcountry fishing, which is probably the trickiest of the three types and relies heavily on the angler’s ability to locate their quarry. The search can be well worth your trouble, though, as tarpon weighing between 50 and 150 pounds are caught in the Keys each spring.

While backcountry charters generally launch before sunrise and have you back in time for lunch, offshore charter trips typically operate half-day, full-day, night, and overnight excursions. Once you’re decided where you’d like to fish, decide how you’d like to fish – experienced anglers opt for private, professional, all-business charters, while novices and large groups often prefer “party boat” style fishing. These larger boats accommodate a large number of people, often provide tackle and instruction, and may offer distractions for those not interested in dropping a line.

This chart represents the prime season for each fish species - many game fish species are frequently caught outside these guidelines. Others, such as barracuda, sailfish, wahoo, and tarpon, are abundant throughout the year (though they do still have high seasons).

No Boat Required

If you haven’t the time, the inclination, or the sea-legs required to make it offshore, consider bridge fishing. It’s cheap, it’s easily accessible, anyone with a saltwater license can do it, and it offers up better opportunities for landing large fish than many think. Bridge fishing can save a too-choppy day, and keep groups together when some would rather lie on the beach than wield a rod and line.

Among the best spots in all the Florida Keys is the Old Seven Mile Bridge, which (unsurprisingly) lies alongside the modern Seven Mile Bridge. It’s between Big Pine and Marathon, and directly adjacent to the gorgeous white sand beaches of Bahia Honda State Park. This bridge is also a prime spot for catching large tarpon, though there’s a variety of species living around the pilings.

Photo of Florida Keys Grouper Fishing

Florida Fishing Basics

Many of the fighting fish are much better to battle than they are to eat; large barracuda are actually poisonous. To prevent over fishing, capture on camera and quickly release anything you’re not planning to eat. Snapper and grouper varieties and Dolphin are among the best to eat; tarpon and bonefish among the worst. Of course, size limits, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions may require release even if your catch would have been delicious, so check with your captain or the Fish & Wildlife Commission. (Additionally, some species are protected unconditionally, and some areas can’t be fished, such as parts of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.)

On the other hand, if you do catch a tasty fish but are too exhausted to handle the filleting and cooking, put it on ice and haul to a local restaurant. Most are happy to prepare your fish to your liking for a reasonable fee – plus you’ll get tasty side dishes.

Be sure to pack your sunscreen and camera for any offshore excursion. Ask whether your charter boat provides refreshments or invites passengers to bring their own – some allow alcohol, some don’t. Sandwiches and water are a must.

Florida Keys Lobster

If you’re planning a trip to the Florida Keys for late July, don’t forget to grab a crawfish stamp when you buy your fishing license. Held the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July, the two-day Sport Lobster Season begins at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ends at midnight Thursday. Lobster-lovers can hardly resist the allure of bagging and broiling their own spiny Florida Lobster, which are similar in taste to the larger Maine variety, but lacking claws. You can have your bag limit iced for shipment home, or prepared fresh at many of the area seafood restaurants. If you sadly fail to score your own Florida Lobster, they can be purchased fresh or frozen, whole or tails only, at most Florida Keys seafood markets.

During the mini-lobster season, snorkelers and divers must remain 300 feet away from private shorelines, canals, and marinas. Some marine sanctuaries are closed, and bag limits vary depending upon the area. Before grabbing your bag and diving in, please call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-4676 for current regulations.