Florida Keys Fishing

FISHING CHARTERS

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OCEAN CONDITIONS

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photo by Stephen Frink

Fishing and the Florida Keys - it's a match made in heaven. But before you cast off, you'll want to decide what type of fishing appeals to you.

Generally, visitors choose either of two ways to fish in the Keys. One is to hire a Backcountry Guide to pilot you into the wilderness of the uninhabited Keys and mangrove shorelines of Florida Bay.

Those who prefer offshore fishing have two options. One is to hop on board a Party Boat Charter that will carry you, and a group of others to the waters offshore.

For the novice, serious and experienced angler, a Deep Sea Charter will take you into the Gulf Stream for big game fishing .

All selections provide unparalleled opportunities for excitement, adventure and a good chance of bringing home your own "catch-of-the-day." And if you don't have equipment, most establishments have top notch gear available for rent. So whatever your vessel of choice may be, good luck! You've come to the place that made fishing famous - the Florida Keys.

photo by Stephen Frink

photo by Jack Grove

BACKCOUNTRY FISHING

When you hire a backcountry guide, you're doing more than just heading out for a day of saltwater angling. Specially designed skiffs average from 16 to 20 feet in length with shallow draft enabling them to run through shallow water.

A blend of talent, knowledge and skill distinguishes the best backcountry guides in the Florida Keys. As you embark on your expedition into the wilderness of the Florida Keys, your guide's objective is to find the fish. The guide must consider such factors as the tides, time of day, water temperature, wind speed and direction and cloud cover, just to name a few. And while the guide must be proficient in processing this information, he must also be adept at piloting the relatively small craft through tiny channels, which sometimes are nothing more than unmarked prop ditches And finally, the guide is there to take you where you should be; that is, where your skill level dictates.

Spending a day with your guide, you'll learn more about fishing, the folklore of the Keys, and possibly about your guide, than you could ever imagine. Keep in mind that backcountry skiffs usually hold no more than four people (including the guide), so choose your company wisely.

After selecting your guide and your fellow anglers, you can expect some of the most fantastic fishing of your life. Common catches when fishing the flats include barracuda, bonefish, permit, redfish, shark and tarpon. Backcountry fishing in Florida Bay brings with it the excellent chance to reel in black drum, ladyfish, pompano, redfish, sheepshead, shark, snapper, snook, tarpon and trout.

PARTY BOAT FISHING

For those looking to get out in the open seas (but not too far out) there is a fleet of party boats (or headboats) waiting for you to climb aboard. Ranging in size by passenger capacity, party boats are the perfect choice for the novice fishermen looking for a chance to reel in the big one.

Both half day and full-day excursions are available, and you will find a knowledgeable and friendly crew waiting to make even the most inexperienced angler welcome. The half-day trips are especially attractive to those new to the sport, and a morning or afternoon trip leaves the rest of the day open for other excursions. For the more experienced full-day trips offer the opportunity to fish for live bait as well as the chance to change locations to find the best spot. Another option is night fishing, which usually affords calmer seas and cooler weather. Fishing at night is ideal for those looking to avoid exposure to the sun. Some even say it's a bit romantic.

Generally, Keys party boats fish at anchor in a variety of locations, depending on weather conditions and time of year. In shallow waters, anglers can expect to catch cero and Spanish mackerel on the surface and grouper, mangrove snapper, mutton, porgy, sheepshead and yellowtail. Fishing reefs bring catches that can include big grouper, bonito, cero, king mackerel, mutton snapper, sailfish, tuna, yellowtail and wahoo. Deep ledge (130 to 200 feet) fishing is the spot of choice for big king mackerel, muttons, vermillion and lane snappers, larger porgy, mangrove, silk and genuine red snappers. Fishing the wrecks will bring big amberjack, smoker kings, grouper and blacktip sharks.

If you don't mind sharing your fishing spot with sometimes 30 or more people, or maybe you're new to fishing and want "to just give it a try" for the morning, then party boat fishing is for you.

photo by Jack Grove

DEEP SEA FISHING

If you've come to the Keys with serious fishing in mind, deep sea fishing has what you're looking for. Charters to the Gulf Stream offer challenging and exciting fishing, usually at depths of 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Seasoned anglers will delight in the challenge of the hunt for dolphin (the fish), marlin, sailfish, shark, tuna and wahoo.

Smaller than party boat charters, deep sea charters (also known as offshore) generally take up to six people. Like the party boats, both half and full day excursions are available. The parties are smaller and the fare is higher, but the challenge is greater. For the veteran big game fisherman who wants the best, the answer is found in the deep sea.