Florida Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Florida Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Top Florida Deep Sea Fishing Destinations

Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Florida

Deep Sea Fishing in Florida

Florida has pioneered much of the modern-day big game scene, and every part has something to offer for blue water enthusiasts. The closest deep sea fishing Florida has access to is out of the Keys or Miami, where you can hit the 100-fathom line in under an hour. Florida’s Gulf Coast takes a lot longer to get that deep. But the further you have to go, the less competition you’ll have to deal with. Every part of the Sunshine State is different, and they all have their special draw.

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys top most people’s big game bucket lists. If it was good enough for Hemingway, it’s good enough for us! Battling Blue Marlin and Sailfish out at Wood’s Wall is some of the best fun you can have at sea. They’re not the only Billfish, either. Swordfish patrol the deepest waters and are the ultimate prize for many hardcore anglers. As if that’s not enough, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna keep the topwaters boiling across much of the Sunshine State.
 
The great thing about the Keys is that you can target Billfish pretty much year-round. Blue Marlin are around spring through fall, and the Sailfish migration shows as soon as they leave. Marlin are almost always trolled for in Florida, using, bridled Tuna or spreads of artificial lures. Sailfish will take a trolled bait quick as anything, but it’s the kites they go crazy for. Nothing says winter in the Keys like a sky full of kites and an ear full of screaming drag.

Florida Atlantic Coast

Florida’s Atlantic Coast can be broken into north and the south. In the north, the waters stay shallow and the Gulf Stream moves away from land. The big game action’s amazing, but you may need to travel 60 miles to find it. In the south, things are very, very different.
 
Florida’s Gold Coast is named by those in the know as the best place in the world for Atlantic Sailfish. Why? Because of the infamous “Sailfish Alley”. The Gulf Stream hugs the drop-off a few miles from shore, creating an underwater highway running right past Miami. As well as Sailfish, you’ll find Blue and White Marlin, Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna, and other big game favorites like Wahoo and Mahi Mahi.

Florida Gulf Coast

Most charter captains in Tampa or Fort Myers use “deep sea fishing” to talk about Snapper and Grouper trips in federal waters. There are some specialists who run multi-day trips, and if you’re willing to travel you’ll find epic big game action with very little fishing pressure. Apart from that, most of the Gulf Coast’s big game action happens further north in the Panhandle.
 
Destin didn’t get called “the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” for no reason. The Emerald Coast is the only place in western Florida where you can go big game fishing on a standard 8-hour trip, and Destin is smack dab in the middle of it. Venture out 70 miles to the De Soto Valley, and you can target Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish, all on the same trip. This makes it your best bet at landing a Billfish Super Grand Slam in the state.
 
Every part of Florida can give you incredible big game battles, the difference is just in how far you have to travel. The deep sea fishing Florida is most famous for is the eight-hour sprints to Sailfish Alley or Wood’s Wall. Commit to the long haul, though, and you could be fishing in that corner of the map that reads “here be monsters”. Sportfishing has come to define the Sunshine State, and no matter where you go, you can always find a seasoned captain willing to put you on that fish of a lifetime.
 
Florida
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 26,616 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Deep Sea Fishing in Florida

Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses, hat, beverages and snacks. Talk to the Captain about what you would like and any suggestions they may have about the locale. This is their home and their livelihood, they know what they're talking about. You will have a great time and a wonderful experience!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses, hat, beverages and snacks. Talk to the Captain about what you would like and any suggestions they may have about the locale. This is their home and their livelihood, they know what they're talking about. You will have a great time and a wonderful experience!
Derek  W.
Derek W. Wetumpka, AL
Bring you A Game! Especially if youโ€™re looking to catch some fish to put on ice. The amber jacks were crazy this time of year.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring you A Game! Especially if youโ€™re looking to catch some fish to put on ice. The amber jacks were crazy this time of year.
Jeremy  C.
Jeremy C. Greencastle, IN
Book with Freegaff Fishing Sports- amazing and knowledgeable and will put you on the fish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Freegaff Fishing Sports- amazing and knowledgeable and will put you on the fish!
Bridgette  A.  S.
Bridgette A. S. Perry, GA
Any day on the water is great. Itโ€™s even better when the fish are biting and the dolphin are jumping.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Any day on the water is great. Itโ€™s even better when the fish are biting and the dolphin are jumping.
SHARYN  M.
SHARYN M. Sarasota, FL
Check the season carefully of your targeted species so you keep everything you are going for.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Check the season carefully of your targeted species so you keep everything you are going for.
Alan  C.
Alan C. Gainesville, GA
Throwing your hook in the water and trolling the bag is a great way to catch some stuff. We did a lot of trolling, and even more catching.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Throwing your hook in the water and trolling the bag is a great way to catch some stuff. We did a lot of trolling, and even more catching.
Sarrah  M.
Sarrah M. Waleska, GA
Itโ€™s fun being out there early in the morning but many people are fishing so the fish arenโ€™t super active. Other than that, itโ€™s great!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Itโ€™s fun being out there early in the morning but many people are fishing so the fish arenโ€™t super active. Other than that, itโ€™s great!
Malachi  V.
Malachi V. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Donโ€™t come with expectations, different fish hit at different times and seasons. We caught fish and had a great time but just not what we were expecting keep that in mind!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t come with expectations, different fish hit at different times and seasons. We caught fish and had a great time but just not what we were expecting keep that in mind!
Aaron  P.
Aaron P. Sun City, AZ
1/2 day trip to start. Depending on time of year, the sun can be pretty intense. UV protective clothing from top of head to feet. Chasing fish in Keys can be intense.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
1/2 day trip to start. Depending on time of year, the sun can be pretty intense. UV protective clothing from top of head to feet. Chasing fish in Keys can be intense.
Mark  V.
Mark V. Pembroke, NC
Donโ€™t cut yourself short on time. Our fishing trip was amazing. The waters around here are beautiful and for the most part extremely calm. Definitely a trip we will take again!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t cut yourself short on time. Our fishing trip was amazing. The waters around here are beautiful and for the most part extremely calm. Definitely a trip we will take again!
Richard  M.
Richard M. Greenbackville, VA
Had an amazing experience and caught a boatload of fish! Highlight of our trip to the Keys.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Had an amazing experience and caught a boatload of fish! Highlight of our trip to the Keys.
Michael  S.
Michael S.
If going for dolphin (which I highly recommend), do so in late summer or early September.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
If going for dolphin (which I highly recommend), do so in late summer or early September.
David  L.
David L. Shulerville, SC
Know the fish are there but sometimes not biting. Thatโ€™s way itโ€™s called fishing not catching. Know Captain Dave is trying everything to get you fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know the fish are there but sometimes not biting. Thatโ€™s way itโ€™s called fishing not catching. Know Captain Dave is trying everything to get you fish
Christine  H.
Christine H. Stuart, Florida
Expect to have a good time and some nice fish. Mind the weather and try to plan for a calm day if possible. The fishing is awesome
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Expect to have a good time and some nice fish. Mind the weather and try to plan for a calm day if possible. The fishing is awesome
Wesley  S.
Wesley S. Charlotte, North Carolina
Donโ€™t be scared to try something new. Never know what you might catch. Also donโ€™t forget motion sickness medication.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t be scared to try something new. Never know what you might catch. Also donโ€™t forget motion sickness medication.
Stephen  M.
Stephen M. Hartselle, AL
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 donโ€™t want you to be left empty-handed. You have to take what the ocean gives you.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
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 donโ€™t want you to be left empty-handed. You have to take what the ocean gives you.
Joe  M.
Joe M. Locust Grove, GA
It would have been 5 star but the seasons for species were changed and we didnโ€™t get the fish we were trying for. Better luck next time!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It would have been 5 star but the seasons for species were changed and we didnโ€™t get the fish we were trying for. Better luck next time!
Johnney  A.
Johnney A. Rapids City, IL
Itโ€™s the best time of the Year down there. Donโ€™t wait for it to get too hot.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Itโ€™s the best time of the Year down there. Donโ€™t wait for it to get too hot.
Benjamin  G.
Benjamin G.
Wear tons of industrial strenght sunscreen and bring a rashguard! Also, take arm day at the gym seriously. You will need all of the upper body strength you've got to pull some of these giants in!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Wear tons of industrial strenght sunscreen and bring a rashguard! Also, take arm day at the gym seriously. You will need all of the upper body strength you've got to pull some of these giants in!
Jennifer  M.
Jennifer M.
The only negative thing I would have to say is with all the red snapper out there. Theyโ€™re not good to keep until June 1 but catch and release is awesome also
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The only negative thing I would have to say is with all the red snapper out there. Theyโ€™re not good to keep until June 1 but catch and release is awesome also
Scott  B.
Scott B.

Top Targeted Deep Sea Fishing Species in Florida