Florida Keys Reef Fishing Charters
Florida Keys Reef Fishing Charters
Top Florida Keys Reef Fishing Destinations
Top Florida Keys Reef Fishing Destinations
Best Reef Fishing Charters in Florida Keys
Best Reef Fishing Charters in Florida Keys
Reef Fishing in Florida Keys
Reef Fishing in Florida Keys
Aboard a Florida Keys reef fishing charter, you’ll get to explore the crown jewels of these islands which span across more than 100 miles. Discover the productive coral reefs and their dazzling inhabitants, and get your fish on!
What to Expect
From Key Largo to Key West, the Keys are surrounded by reefs. Within seconds from the coastline, you can target a range of beautiful and delicious fish, wasting no time on the water. Even a 4-hour charter will get you filling the boat, while avid anglers can spend 6 or 8 hours on the water, too.
Most captains in Florida exploring the shallows in Florida use a center console. These sturdy boats also provide for 360-degree views, allowing you to sight cast and keep your eye on your target fish as you battle it out. You’ll bottom fish most of the time but some charters will take you trolling too.
Beginners can stay close to shore and target smaller sized Snappers and Groupers. All along the Keys, you can land Hogfish and Yellowtail, Mangrove, Mutton, and Lane Snapper that will also make for a delicious dish.
Experienced anglers will love battling it out with some of the ocean’s bigger creatures. On the deeper reefs, you’ll encounter huge Gag, Red, and Black Groupers, Mackerel, Barracuda, Cobia, and Amberjack. These beasts will test your strength to the limit, so get ready for an exhilarating trip.
Where to Go
No matter where you go in the Keys, you’ll be fishing some of the world’s best fishing grounds. Islamorada is home to the most professional fishing boats in the world, so you know you’re in for a treat. All along the Upper Keys, you’ll explore patch reefs and sunken wrecks to fill the boat.
A trip to the Middle Keys will see you fish the reefs immediately close to shore or the wrecks a bit further out. Out of Marathon, beginners can land their first catch in Duck Key, while the deep artificial reefs will attract any angler worth their salt.
The further south you go, the greater the reef fishing opportunities get. With coral heads close to shore, there’s something for beginners, while longer trips will take you offshore to the island reefs of the Tortugas. You’ll find a much wider range of fish out of Key West than anywhere else, providing fun for novices and experts alike.
How to Prepare
Before stepping aboard your Florida Keys reef fishing charter, you should pay attention to which trip suits you best. Some captains may list specific reef fishing trips, while others ask you to let them know where you’d like to go. Get in touch with your captain for the avoidance of any doubt.
Your captain will provide all the tackle and may even provide live bait. Bring your own drinks and snacks aboard to make the most of what promises to be a thrilling day out!
Florida Keys
4.6
/
5
Based on 26,558 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
What anglers said about Reef Fishing in Florida Keys
What anglers said about Reef Fishing in Florida Keys
Good fly casting is key. Be able to double haul well. Plenty of fish there but they are highly pressured. You will see lots fish. Whether or not you connect with them might be a different story.
5.0
/
5
Good fly casting is key. Be able to double haul well. Plenty of fish there but they are highly pressured. You will see lots fish. Whether or not you connect with them might be a different story.
Alan P.
Trumbull, CT
Check the charters for what you want to do. There are many very experienced captains and crews waiting to make your day.
5.0
/
5
Check the charters for what you want to do. There are many very experienced captains and crews waiting to make your day.
John J.
Scituate, Massachusetts
End of the year for a bit cooler weather, a little breeze definitely helped keep cool. Lots of water and sunscreen applied
5.0
/
5
End of the year for a bit cooler weather, a little breeze definitely helped keep cool. Lots of water and sunscreen applied
Ben L.
Wilder, ID
I highly recommend fishing the Keys once in your life as I have been fishing it many times throughout my life. There so many opportunities to catch species of fish, along with the weather being great the majority of the year.
5.0
/
5
I highly recommend fishing the Keys once in your life as I have been fishing it many times throughout my life. There so many opportunities to catch species of fish, along with the weather being great the majority of the year.
Jerome R.
Plan ahead and use Charters as they know where to go and for what kinds of fish.
5.0
/
5
Plan ahead and use Charters as they know where to go and for what kinds of fish.
Paul Y.
North Aurora, IL
Cannot lose. Your choice of backcountry, reefs & wrecks, or deep sea. And, of course, Islamorada is the Sportfishing Capitol of the World.
5.0
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5
Cannot lose. Your choice of backcountry, reefs & wrecks, or deep sea. And, of course, Islamorada is the Sportfishing Capitol of the World.
Mark Y.
Jacksonville, Florida
Make sure you know the seasons of what fish you really want to catch. The sailfish are January-April, and mahi/tuna are June-September. So I missed both but the yellowtail snapper is what we caught and they were delicious.
5.0
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5
Make sure you know the seasons of what fish you really want to catch. The sailfish are January-April, and mahi/tuna are June-September. So I missed both but the yellowtail snapper is what we caught and they were delicious.
Hilarion B.
Make sure to bring a hat, sun glasses and some water/Gatorade. Consider motion sickness pills if you have never been out on the water. Bring sun screen. Relax, have fun and enjoy your experience!
5.0
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5
Make sure to bring a hat, sun glasses and some water/Gatorade. Consider motion sickness pills if you have never been out on the water. Bring sun screen. Relax, have fun and enjoy your experience!
David C.
Research your guides, and come when the timing is optimum for the species you are after. Give yourself two or three days to fish.
5.0
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5
Research your guides, and come when the timing is optimum for the species you are after. Give yourself two or three days to fish.
John D.
Crossnore, NC
Make sure and research the company you go with and book early as boats fill up fast.
5.0
/
5
Make sure and research the company you go with and book early as boats fill up fast.
Michele H.
Hooper, UT
Be ready for any weather conditions. Very hot, but also very windy. Make sure you pack lots of water and sunblock.
5.0
/
5
Be ready for any weather conditions. Very hot, but also very windy. Make sure you pack lots of water and sunblock.
Todd S.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Look for Getting Tight Charters. We went twice this week. Would highly recommend
5.0
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5
Look for Getting Tight Charters. We went twice this week. Would highly recommend
Linda M.
Jacksonville, FL
Bring the Captain and mate a breakfast sandwich or lunch when you go. It is truly appreciated and simple gesture that we make new friends.
5.0
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5
Bring the Captain and mate a breakfast sandwich or lunch when you go. It is truly appreciated and simple gesture that we make new friends.
Walter M.
Lincoln University, PA
Fish around the bridges in May and avoid the traffic jam at the Marathon Hump unless you target 200lb plus gamefish or deep sea species and fish for more than a one day charter.
4.0
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5
Fish around the bridges in May and avoid the traffic jam at the Marathon Hump unless you target 200lb plus gamefish or deep sea species and fish for more than a one day charter.
Jacqueline S.
I have been fishing the lower Florida keys for over 20 years an Key West is my favorite
5.0
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5
I have been fishing the lower Florida keys for over 20 years an Key West is my favorite
Bill G.
Vero Beach, FL
Be prepared for a great time! Lather up with sunblock, wear polarized sunglasses, wear a hat, bring a towel, enough water to hydrate and prepare for a great time.
5.0
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5
Be prepared for a great time! Lather up with sunblock, wear polarized sunglasses, wear a hat, bring a towel, enough water to hydrate and prepare for a great time.
Shannon M.
Riviera Beach, FL
Definitely pay attention to the wind speed and direction the wind is coming from. Be open minded and just enjoy the ride. The ocean is a beautiful and terrifying place, so what you can to take it in.
5.0
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5
Definitely pay attention to the wind speed and direction the wind is coming from. Be open minded and just enjoy the ride. The ocean is a beautiful and terrifying place, so what you can to take it in.
Gina F.
You are in good hands with the Capt. and Mate on the Corsair II. They were awesome and made the entire experience enjoyable.
5.0
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5
You are in good hands with the Capt. and Mate on the Corsair II. They were awesome and made the entire experience enjoyable.
Judith A.
It's very exciting and challenging. If you are a fisherman you know what I mean? ?
3.7
/
5
It's very exciting and challenging. If you are a fisherman you know what I mean? ?
Parvlakis M.
Westlake, FL
Do a half day and get to understand the ropes. Then if you get what you expect go do more. Just do it!
5.0
/
5
Do a half day and get to understand the ropes. Then if you get what you expect go do more. Just do it!
James L.
Rossford, OH