Florida Keys Fishing Charters
Florida Keys fishing charters offer legendary access to inshore flats, nearshore reefs, and deep sea drop-offs teeming with tarpon, mahi, and more.
TrustedFish connects anglers with proven local captains in Florida Keys, Florida —no commissions, no pay-to-play listings, no BS. Every charter on our platform is invite-only, vetted for skill, local knowledge, and reputation. If they’re listed, they’ve earned it.
Top Rated Charters in Florida Keys
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Florida Keys, FL Fishing Guide
The Florida Keys fishery is a nonstop playground for saltwater anglers. Stretching from Key Largo to Key West, this island chain offers every style of saltwater charter—shallow-water skiff trips, reef runs, bluewater trolling, and multi-species mixed bags. Most charters are half-day or full-day, depending on where you’re headed and what you’re chasing.
Inshore fishing in the Florida Keys centers around the endless flats, mangrove shorelines, and backcountry basins. From spring through fall, sight-fishing for tarpon, bonefish, and permit is the name of the game, often with light spinning tackle or fly gear. Guides pole shallow skiffs across turtle grass and sandy potholes, scanning for tailing fish. Meanwhile, snook and redfish are more common up in Florida Bay and around the upper Keys.
Nearshore, the Atlantic-side patch reefs and Gulf wrecks are loaded with snapper, grouper, mackerel, and cobia. Yellowtail snapper fishing is a staple on these trips—anchoring up, chumming hard, and free-lining cut bait into the slick. Deeper reef and wreck trips can yield big mutton snapper, amberjack, and even African pompano.
Offshore, the bluewater bite starts just a few miles out. The Gulf Stream hugs close to the Keys, so trolling trips for mahi, wahoo, tuna, and sailfish don’t require long runs. Most offshore captains depart from places like Islamorada, Marathon, or Key West, where channels give quick access to deep water.
Techniques range from live bait drifting and vertical jigging to high-speed trolling, kite fishing, and sight-casting. With warm water year-round and a constantly shifting seasonal bite, there’s never a bad time to fish the Florida Keys—it just depends what you’re after.
Fishing Seasons in Florida Keys
Spring
Spring kicks off the tarpon migration, especially around bridges, channels, and flats near Islamorada and Marathon. Bonefish and permit are active across the flats, while offshore boats chase mahi and early blackfin tuna. Snapper fishing heats up on the patch reefs.
Summer
This is peak mahi season offshore, with good numbers of wahoo, sailfish, and blackfin tuna mixed in. Inshore, the flats are prime for bonefish and permit on calm mornings. Reef fishing is steady, and snappers spawn in the full moon windows.
Fall
As water temps cool slightly, reef and wreck fishing gets even better. Mutton snapper, grouper, and amberjack become main targets. Tarpon are still around in good numbers, especially early in the season. You’ll also see an uptick in sailfish and kingfish offshore.
Winter
Reef trips are king in winter, with yellowtail, mutton snapper, and grouper filling coolers. Sailfish season hits full stride with strong Gulf Stream pushes. Inshore, cooler water brings more consistent redfish, sheepshead, and snook action around structure and mangroves.
Gamefish in Florida Keys
- Tarpon – 30–150+ lbs Found around bridges, channels, and flats from spring through early fall. Targeted with live mullet, crabs, or fly tackle on the oceanside and backcountry
- Bonefish – 3–8 lbs Tail on shallow flats in the early morning. Caught with shrimp, jigs, or flies on sight-fishing trips around sandy and grassy bottoms.
- Permit – 10–30 lbs Common on flats and wrecks. Often targeted with live crabs or jigs, especially on calm, sunny days.
- Mahi-Mahi – 5–30 lbs Peak season in summer. Trolled offshore near weedlines and floating debris using ballyhoo or artificials.
- Sailfish – 30–70 lbs Winter through spring offshore. Targeted with live bait under kites or slow trolling in the bluewater edge.
- Yellowtail Snapper – 1–4 lbs Year-round near reefs. Fished on light tackle using chum and cut bait freelined back in the current.
- Mutton Snapper – 5–20 lbs Caught on deeper reefs and wrecks using live bait or bottom rigs, often in 60–120 ft of water.
- Grouper – 10–30 lbs Red and black grouper are common on deep reefs and ledges. Caught with live pinfish or jigs near structure.
- Blackfin Tuna – 10–30 lbs Fall through spring offshore. Hit during trolling runs or chunking near humps and drop-offs.
Florida Keys Fishing FAQs
Do I need a fishing license for a Florida Keys charter?
No, licensed charter captains in the Florida Keys provide coverage for all anglers on board, so you won’t need a separate license.
What kind of charters are most popular in the Keys?
Inshore flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, and permit is iconic, but reef and offshore charters for snapper, mahi, and tuna are just as popular.
Where do most charters leave from in the Florida Keys?
Top launch points include Islamorada, Marathon, Key West, and Key Largo—each offering quick access to different parts of the fishery.
When is tarpon season in the Keys?
Tarpon peak in the spring and early summer, especially around bridges and backcountry channels. Prime months are April through June.
How long are most trips?
Half-day (4-hour) and full-day (8-hour) trips are standard. Inshore and reef trips often stay shorter, while offshore runs go longer.
What gear should I bring on my charter?
Most Florida Keys charters include all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Just bring sun protection, drinks, snacks, and a camera.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes—within legal limits. Most captains clean and bag your catch at the dock, especially snapper and grouper from reef trips.
What happens if the weather’s bad?
Keys captains keep a close eye on marine conditions. Trips may be rescheduled or rerouted for safety, especially in summer storm season.
Is fly fishing available in the Keys?
Absolutely. Fly fishing for tarpon, bonefish, and permit on the flats is a bucket-list experience, best done with a dedicated flats guide.