Florida Keys fishing charters
Pick your Keys destination: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon or Key West.
Fish the Florida Keys from four towns along the Overseas Highway: Key Largo and Islamorada in the Upper Keys, Marathon in the Middle Keys and Key West at the end of the road. Pick a town to see its trips. Marathon trips book online from $575; the other towns are booked by phone.
Pick your Keys destination
Each town has its own captains and water. Pick one to see its trips, prices and booking.
Upper KeysKey LargoReef, backcountry, offshore, inshore and tarponCall to bookExplore Key Largo 
Upper KeysIslamoradaBackcountry, reef, offshore, inshore and tarponCall to bookExplore Islamorada 
Middle KeysMarathonBackcountry, inshore and tarpon online; reef and offshore by phoneFrom $575Explore Marathon 
Lower KeysKey WestBackcountry, reef, offshore, inshore and tarponCall to bookExplore Key West Nearby in the Everglades
Everglades National ParkFlamingoInshore in Florida Bay and the backcountryCall to bookExplore Flamingo 
Ten Thousand IslandsChokoloskeeInshore in the Ten Thousand IslandsCall to bookExplore Chokoloskee Marathon trips book online. Key Largo, Islamorada, Key West and the Everglades are booked by phone for now: call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What fishing charters can you book in the Florida Keys?
iOutdoors books inshore, backcountry, tarpon, reef and offshore fishing trips in the Florida Keys. Inshore trips for snook, redfish and snapper start at $650 for 4 hours, $750 for 6 hours and $850 for 8 hours. Backcountry trips for bonefish, permit and redfish start at $575 for 4 hours and $650 for 6 hours. Tarpon trips start at $650 for 4 hours. Reef and offshore trips are booked by phone at (407) 392-4593.
Compare Florida Keys fishing towns
| Key Largo | Islamorada | Marathon | Key West | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Upper Keys | Upper Keys | Middle Keys | Lower Keys |
| Trips | Inshore, backcountry, reef, offshore, tarpon | Inshore, backcountry, reef, offshore, tarpon | Inshore, backcountry, tarpon, reef, offshore | Inshore, backcountry, reef, offshore, tarpon |
| Booking | By phone | By phone | Online (inshore, backcountry, tarpon); reef and offshore by phone | By phone |
| Price | Call to book | Call to book | From $575 | Call to book |
| Explore Key Largo | Explore Islamorada | Explore Marathon | Explore Key West |
What’s biting in the Florida Keys by season
Florida Keys fishing calendarWinter Dec–Feb
- Inshore: Snook and snapper on warmer days
- Backcountry: Redfish and bonefish on warm days
- Tarpon: Off season
- Reef: Kingfish and grouper
- Offshore: Sailfish season
Spring Mar–May
- Inshore: Snook and redfish get active
- Backcountry: Bonefish and permit on the flats
- Tarpon: Tarpon season starts
- Reef: Mutton snapper
- Offshore: Mahi start to show
Summer Jun–Aug
- Inshore: Snapper and snook; early starts beat the heat
- Backcountry: Permit and bonefish; early starts
- Tarpon: Peak tarpon season
- Reef: Snapper on the reef
- Offshore: Mahi on the weed lines
Fall Sep–Nov
- Inshore: Redfish and snook
- Backcountry: Bonefish and redfish
- Tarpon: Late-season tarpon
- Reef: Grouper and snapper
- Offshore: Wahoo and kingfish
What you can catch in the Florida Keys
Inshore, backcountry and tarpon trips book online from Marathon in the Middle Keys. Trips in Key Largo, Islamorada and Key West, and reef and offshore trips, are booked by phone.
- Inshore: snook, redfish and snapper, depending on the season.
- Backcountry: bonefish, permit and redfish, depending on the season.
- Tarpon: tarpon, depending on the season.
- Reef (by phone): snapper, grouper and kingfish, depending on the season.
- Offshore (by phone): mahi-mahi, sailfish and wahoo, depending on the season.
Redfish
Red drumOn the grass flats and shorelines, all year.
Mangrove snapper
Gray snapperAround mangroves, bridges and the reef.
Bonefish
Gray ghostOn shallow Keys flats; spooky and fast.
Permit
PermitOn flats and wrecks; a prized catch.
Mutton snapper
Mutton snapperOn the reef, best in spring.
Black grouper
Black grouperOn reefs and ledges.
Kingfish
King mackerelOn the reefs and along the coast in the warmer months.
Mahi-mahi
DolphinfishSpring and summer offshore, often under weed lines.
Wahoo
WahooFast offshore fish, best in the cooler months.
Seasons, size and bag limits apply to many species: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Where you’ll fish
Open in Google Maps: Marathon · Islamorada · Key West
Online: inshore, backcountry and tarpon trips from Marathon. Your captain confirms the meeting spot and start time before the trip.
By phone: Key Largo, Islamorada and Key West trips, plus reef and offshore trips anywhere in the Keys.
How to plan your Florida Keys fishing trip
The Florida Keys run about 120 miles from Key Largo to Key West, with Florida Bay on one side and the Atlantic reef on the other.
Which trip should we book?
Inshore (online): snook, redfish and snapper. Backcountry (online): bonefish, permit and redfish. Tarpon (online): tarpon. Reef (by phone): snapper, grouper and kingfish. Offshore (by phone): mahi-mahi, sailfish and wahoo. Inshore and reef trips suit families and first-timers.
How long should we go?
4 hours is a good first trip and works well with kids. 6 or 8 hours gives the captain time to move between spots and wait for the tide.
Where to stay and what’s nearby
The Keys are long, so stay near the town your trip leaves from. Your captain or guide confirms the exact meeting spot before the trip.
- Online trips from Marathon: Tranquility Bay Beachfront Resort, Faro Blanco Resort (Curio by Hilton) and Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort are in Marathon.
- Phone-booked trips in the Upper Keys: Islander Resort in Islamorada is a good base for Islamorada and Key Largo.
Getting here: Miami International (MIA) and Key West International (EYW) are the closest major airports.
Off the water: Sombrero Beach and the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
Hotels are listed for convenience; iOutdoors isn’t affiliated with them.
Booking by phone
Reef and offshore trips aren’t booking online right now. Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, to book one.
Florida Keys fishing charter FAQ
How much does a fishing charter in the Florida Keys cost?
Inshore trips start at $650 for 4 hours, $750 for 6 hours, $850 for 8 hours. Backcountry trips start at $575 for 4 hours, $650 for 6 hours. Tarpon trips start at $650 for 4 hours. The booking calendar shows the exact price for your date and group.
What can I catch in the Florida Keys?
Inshore: snook, redfish and snapper. Backcountry: bonefish, permit and redfish. Tarpon: tarpon. Reef: snapper, grouper and kingfish. Offshore: mahi-mahi, sailfish and wahoo, depending on the season.
Can I book reef fishing in the Florida Keys?
Yes, by phone. Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, to book a reef trip (4, 6 or 8 hours).
Can I book offshore fishing in the Florida Keys?
Yes, by phone. Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm, to book an offshore trip (4, 6 or 8 hours).
Are these trips good for kids and first-timers?
Yes. Inshore and reef trips fish calmer water close to shore, and your captain sets up the rods and helps every step of the way.
Do I need a fishing license?
No. On saltwater trips the captain’s license covers you.
What’s included?
Inshore trips include the licensed captain, fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel. Backcountry trips include the licensed captain, fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel. Tarpon trips include the licensed captain, fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel. Reef trips include the licensed captain, fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel. Offshore trips include the licensed captain, fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait and fuel. Not included: the tip (10–20% is customary) and food and drinks.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the guide or captain cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 72 hours before your trip.