What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Islamorada, Florida for the first time?

Answers by verified FishingBooker anglers who went fishing in Islamorada

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ALAN MORGAN
Marion, VA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Bank And Bight Backcountry Charters on September 12, 2023
I can't speak for all of September, but for our experience, the true game fish bite wasn’t on for either of our charters. Even our boat Captains said it was a slow time for them. I can only assume that is why.

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Robert Burgess
LaGrange, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Miss O Sport Fishing on August 8, 2023
I felt a little deprived, Captain Nolan bailed at the last minute, and sent a younger captain who really didn’t live up to my expectations in his place, he even said he like catering to richer folks, which when he said that I felt used, cause we didn’t target anything I has asked for. Just put us on a few mangrove snapper. Plus a two hour boat ride. When I talked to the new captain I even expressed what I had in mind , but they did what they wanted.

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Randall Sonderhouse
Estero, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with 95FiveFishing on August 9, 2023
The islands are historically good for fishing. Water is beautiful and there are plenty of fish. Many choices of accommodations and restaurants. Very "laid back" beach town vibe. WE will definitely go back!

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Peter Mandelblatt
Cape Saint Claire, MD
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Attack Charters on August 4, 2023
Come to the Keys at the right time of the year- spring /early summer or fall- winter time, July - August the water gets to 90 degrees and above- not conducive to great fishing. But it’s still beautiful down here no matter the season.

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Levi Facemyer
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Snap Em Up Fishing on June 25, 2023
Be patient, listen to your captain, the fish are big but the ocean is much bigger, not easy to always find fish that are always on the move! What worked yesterday might not work today, so don’t over expect!

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Richard McKuhen
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with SaltWalker Sportfishing Charters on June 20, 2023
Research, google, and try more than one charter. Call the Captain and others. Be ready for rough seas. If you’re prone to seasickness, come prepared. But also be ready to have some fish to freeze.

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Tony Wilcoxson
Vidor, TX
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on June 6, 2023
Remember it is fishing and not "catching". No guarantees in the open water. Take your time and find the right guide service. Singing Reel with Captain Tony had great reviews and was recommended by Fishingbooker. They were a great choice.

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Bradley Alexander
United States
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Best Day Ever Charters on May 25, 2023
Be ready to see amazing waters and beautiful fish. Best Day Ever Charters gave me an experience that was unmatched from any I have ever had. The weather was beautiful the water was clear and the fishing was amazing.

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Joe Mitchell
Locust Grove, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on May 29, 2023
Get sea sick patches from the doctor just in case (put them on the night before) and trust the crew they do this every day and don’t want you to be left empty-handed. You have to take what the ocean gives you.

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Hilarion Bibicoff
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on May 16, 2023
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.

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Michael Hindley
Parsippany, New Jersey
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Hooligan Sportfishing on May 10, 2023
The fishing is great, research your captains a bit, but it’s hard to go wrong because the fishing is generally good all year, just research when it’s best to go for the fish you want to target. I would call a few captains to get that intel, not totally clear with some on the reports online.

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Larry Koubsky
Omaha, NE
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Liquid Gold Fishing Charters on April 6, 2023
If you are a first-timer with charter fishing or a particular boat. Communicate with the captain before hand so you know what kind of space is available on the boat. Take just what you need for the charter.

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Lyles Box
Mountain Brook, AL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Billy B Charter Services on March 28, 2023
Enjoy the whole experience not every trip starts the way you think, the weather and tides effect the fish. Enjoy the surrounding, bring some drinks and snack. The captain is working hard for you just be patient he wants to catch fish too.

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Forest Heis
Tampa, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Salty Morada Charters on March 12, 2023
We went out to different gods. Too tough days fishing. And from the reports seem like we were not alone. The highlight of our trip that was the lobster fishing. We caught over 40 lobsters, 13 keepers. Good times!

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Charles Eidson
Gainesville, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Coral Sea Fishing Charters on March 1, 2023
2nd year of fishing in Isamorada. 1st year heavy wind with 3 to 4 foot waves. Went out and did not catch much. 2nd time out. Perfect weather and perfect seas. Great day of fishing. So check the weather before you go.

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Phillip Smith
Covington, KY
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on February 21, 2023
First, you should decide what type of fishing you want to do. There are lots of options from shore, bridges, bay, channels, near shore and deep sea. For example, I caught a 6' long 60lbs sailfish on my 60th birthday and we were only a couple of miles off shore. On that same 1/2 day trip, my group caught 21 redfish in about 20 minutes about 15 miles off shore. Mrs. Macs cooked them up for our dinner that evening! On a recent trip my group of 4 guys caught 10 nurse sharks that were from 175lbs up to 325lbs in a channel only 100' off shore.

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Steven Martin
Miami, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Fishin Mission Offshore Charters on April 16, 2019
I would suggest to plan for multiple days in order that you can cancel due to weather. Local fisherman of leisure will not go out if there are any whitecaps. Whitecaps generally equate to 5' seas in my experience, and fishing can be miserable. There should be some standard in which the fisherman has ability to cancel without being damaged. Captains need to make money, so leaving decision in his hands is not objective decision.

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Mick Kenney
Clifton Heights, PA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Fish Dauntless on October 23, 2021
Weather is excellent. Crowds are low so easy to get around. Food everywhere is excellent. And the fishing is off the charts. One of the best places in the WORLD. Islamorada offers so many places to stay from High End Luxury hotels, to mom and pop motels to camping and RV parks. You cannot go wrong.

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J.d. Madden
Morgan Hill, CA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Tekéze Charters on June 12, 2019
The fishing in Islamorada in June is great in the backcountry and average for Tarpon. The Tarpon bite is mostly for local resident tarpon with the migrating tarpon already being done. Overall an amazing fishery. The shrimp availability was low which definitely impacts the guides.

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David Hackford
Ballard, UT
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Eric Scoble Blackwater Charters on May 20, 2019
Islamorada is expensive. Tarpon fishing is hours of boredom followed by unbelievable excitement if you are lucky enough to hook one up. Listen closely to your captain. This type of fishing is different than any I've done before, and I've been fishing for 60 years. I most certainly want to try again.

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John Apgar
Beach Haven, NJ
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Solutions Sportfishing – 36' on November 20, 2018
Fishing in Islamorada was terrific. Plenty of areas to target. There is a great patch reef area for fishing with the smaller children. Grouper, snapper. Action was cool and within sight of the beach. Capt Paul was terrific.

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Bocas Michael
Lake Monticello, VA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on September 13, 2023
Plenty of sunscreen and be prepared to hunt for fish on the move. Offshore definitely preferable to bottom fishing this time of year.

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George Rosenthal
St. Petersburg, Florida
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Keys Aquatic Adventures on June 11, 2023
Take your catch to Lazy Days restaurant in Islamorada and they will cook your catch for you I recommend getting it prepared Lazy Days style.

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Paul Ferguson
Rogers, AR
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Miller Time Sportfishing on July 25, 2023
Find the right charter for you and bring lots of water... Target Tuna, grouper, snapper and Mahi.. Lots of fun..

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Richard Lebakken
Cape Coral, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Ivory Keys Charters on July 31, 2023
Observe and take in the unique beauty of the area. We caught good fish, but also saw porpoise, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, osprey, pelicans, shorebirds and an eagle. Awesome experience.

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Jennifer Himes
Saint Marys, PA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Sun King Charters on August 4, 2023
It's too hot during the day if you're not from here. It's especially hot this year over others.

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Craig Towers
United States
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Coral Sea Fishing Charters on July 22, 2023
Enjoy the overall experience and remember it's Fishing not Catching. Getting a hot bite is not guaranteed but a bonus.

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Sean McDermaid
Waxhaw, NC
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Capt. Trentin Leary on July 6, 2023
Our charter with captain Trentin out of Bud n Mary’s marina was outstanding. Put us on great fish and was a pleasure to be with. Highly recommend.

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Chris Allen
Meadowlakes, TX
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Singing Reel Charters on July 3, 2023
Hot and not a lot big fish in July, so tamper expectations of huge fish and get excited about good eating fish that range in the 5 lbs range. Still a lot of fight in the fish

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Andy Dameron
Holly Springs, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with J&F eXcursions - 26 on July 3, 2023
It’s a beautiful place! Be flexible! Captain Joey was awesome!! You won’t go wrong with choosing him!