Florida Keys Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Florida Keys Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Top Florida Keys Deep Sea Fishing Destinations

Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Florida Keys

Deep Sea Fishing in Florida Keys

It was Ernest Hemingway who popularized deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys. Now, locals and visitors from far and wide make their way to the Keys to follow in his footsteps, heading out into the Atlantic or up into the Gulf of Mexico.

Deep sea fishing in the Keys is fantastic no matter where you set sail. The offshore waters running all the way from Key Largo to Key West host Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, King Mackerel, Swordfish and a variety of enchanting Snapper and Grouper species.

In November, Sailfish, Tuna, and King Mackerel start showing up offshore, peaking between December and February. As these species start fading out in spring, they’re replaced by Mahi Mahi, followed by Blue Marlin in June. Anglers tend to catch more Swordfish during summer, too. December through February is a good time to target Snapper and Grouper on the reefs, then they move offshore from spring until August.

Since deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys is so popular, you’ll have no problem finding a local captain to put you on the bite. Full day trips are usually the best since you might have to go further offshore to reach the hottest spots. Shorter trips (6-hour charters) can also be productive, especially if you want to just check what’s biting.

Where to try deep sea fishing in the Florida Keys? The Bluewater comes right up to the Florida Reef. The Gulf Stream runs roughly 10-20 miles offshore, and 10 miles further is a chain of underwater mountains – The Humps. The Lower Keys offers access to the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida Keys
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Based on 26,563 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Deep Sea 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.
Excellent
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.
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.
Excellent
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.
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
Excellent
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.
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.
Excellent
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.
Jerome R.
Plan ahead and use Charters as they know where to go and for what kinds of fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Plan ahead and use Charters as they know where to go and for what kinds of fish.
Paul  Y.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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!
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
John D. Crossnore, NC
Make sure and research the company you go with and book early as boats fill up fast.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure and research the company you go with and book early as boats fill up fast.
Michele  H.
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.
Excellent
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.
Todd S. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Look for Getting Tight Charters. We went twice this week. Would highly recommend
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Look for Getting Tight Charters. We went twice this week. Would highly recommend
Linda  M.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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.
Very good
4.0 / 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.
Jacqueline S.
I have been fishing the lower Florida keys for over 20 years an Key West is my favorite
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I have been fishing the lower Florida keys for over 20 years an Key West is my favorite
Bill  G.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
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.
Excellent
5.0 / 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.
Judith A.
It's very exciting and challenging. If you are a fisherman you know what I mean? ?
Very good
3.7 / 5
It's very exciting and challenging. If you are a fisherman you know what I mean? ?
Parvlakis  M.
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!
Excellent
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.
James L. Rossford, OH

Top Targeted Deep Sea Fishing Species in Florida Keys