People from all corners of the globe are attracted to the lure of Islamorada fishing, and they have been for decades. Famous faces such as Sir Winston Churchill and George Bush Sr. have been spotted dipping a line in these waters, while most traveling anglers have the town pinned securely at the top of their bucket list. This small town probably has one of the highest concentrations of professional sportfishing boats in the entire world, and it's easy to see why.

The historic marinas in Islamorada have seen the concept of saltwater fly fishing and backcountry sport fishing emerge and grow right on their doorsteps. Pay a visit to Bud N’ Mary’s Marina and you will walk in the footsteps of pioneering Florida Keys fishing guides such as Ted Williams, Cecil Keith, and Jimmy Albright. Take a backcountry fishing trip in the Everglades National Park and picture yourselves in the shoes of these legendary guides, who were among the first to explore these waters in search of Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish.

Experienced anglers won't be able to resist hiring a guide and a skiff and finding out why Islamorada is synonymous with Florida flats fishing. A good guide will help you perfect your cast as you sight fish for a whole variety of species. If you haven’t felt just how hard a little Bonefish can fight, now is your chance.

Hand feed Tarpon from the dock at Robbie’s Marina before joining a guide and experiencing the phenomenal Tarpon fishing the Florida Keys are famous for. The waters surrounding Islamorada are effectively a ‘Tarpon highway,’ linking the migration routes the Silver King takes up the east and west coasts of Florida state and creating a paradise for admirers of the 'Silver King.'

But there’s more to Islamorada than backcountry and flats fishing. The Gulf Stream runs just 10 to 20 miles from the coast, making deep sea fishing accessible even for smaller boats. Warm water pelagics such as Sailfish, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and even Marlin can be caught within easy reach of the coastline, making Islamorada one of the few places in the world where you can catch a Bonefish, Permit, and Sailfish all in one day. Record Snappers, Groupers, and Swordfish can be caught further down the water column. Islamorada is one of the most diverse fisheries out there, without a doubt.

Fish with a registered guide, and you will not need to purchase a Florida saltwater fishing license of your own - this will be included in their own licensing. Seasonal limits and restrictions apply to a variety of fish species, including Snappers, Groupers, and Amberjacks. Check with your charter operator before your trip for up to date advice.

Experience fly fishing Florida Keys style, stalking the flats for Bonefish, permit, and Tarpon and perusing the backcountry in search of Snook and Redfish. Not a fan of fly rods? There’s a lot of fun to be had on light tackle spinning gear, too.

Head offshore to some of the most famous Islamorada fishing spots, such as the Islamorada Hump. Here, trolling, vertical jigging, and dropping bait can get some incredible hits. Look out for monster Amberjack, Sailfish, and Sharks, among many others. Deep sea fishing in Islamorada is both very productive and provides an incredibly fun fight for all anglers.

Closer to home, check out the Conch Reef and Pickles Reef, where you can catch a variety of Snappers, Barracuda, and the occasional Blackfin Tuna. Bottom fishing, trolling, and Shark fishing on heavy tackle will all give you a great day out.