Florida Keys
fishing charters
Top Fishing Charters in the Florida Keys
Explore the Florida Keys on a Fishing Charter
If you love the water and hot weather, then you will love the Florida Keys. With enticing coastlines, lakes, rivers, and plenty of fascinating swampland areas, there is a body of water for all kinds of anglers in the Florida Keys. When you book a Florida Keys fishing charter, you can enjoy all of the islands in style while you explore the amazing fishing opportunities.
Fishing in the Florida Keys
Here are three of the most popular Florida Keys fishing experiences.
Sport Fishing in Islamorada
If you are into fishing, you'll be interested to know that Islamorada has been called the sport fishing capital of the world. Any fishing on Islamorada promises to yield all kinds of picture-worthy catches.
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Big Pine Key
Big Pine Key also boasts excellent fishing. Part of the class of islands known as the Lower Keys, Big Pine is a good place for small catches and amateur fishing. Swordfish, yellowtail, and mangrove snapper can all be found in the waters of Big Pine Key.
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Fish the Reefs in the Keys
The Reef Crawl Florida Keys is a four-day event that usually takes place during late August. Sail your Florida Keys fishing charter to Key Largo and make your way down the coast to Islamorada to fish all of the reefs, wrecks, mangroves and other ecosystems of the Upper Florida Keys.
Learn moreBest Places to Fish in the Florida Keys
These are three of the best places to fish in the Florida Keys.
The Flats of Key Biscayne
This 4,000-square-mile region of water, known as the Flats, ranges from several inches to several feet deep. Very clear water makes this area a dependable destination for anglers of all experience levels.
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Florida Bay
At the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's mainland is a body of water called Florida Bay with a diverse variety of underwater habitats. Among the fish found here are snapper, tarpon, ladyfish, and even a few sharks.
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Key Largo to Key West
The Florida Keys are so long and the type of fishing varies from location to location. But you can be sure to hook all kinds of fish all the way from Key Largo to Key West from your Florida Keys fishing charter.
Learn moreHow to Fish in the Florida Keys
Because there are so many different bodies of water in the Florida Keys, the fishing conditions can be very different. Here are three ways to get started.
Type of Fishing
First, consider the type of fishing you are planning to do in the Florida Keys. This will help you get the correct tackle, as well as maps or a guide to lead you to the best fishing holes.
Fishing Location
Choose which area you would like to fish. The Florida Keys can be good for catching cobia, redfish, Spanish and king mackerel, but there are also nearby inshore waters with good snook fishing.
Bait, Tackle, and Flies
Once you have considered the type of fishing you will be doing, get the type of bait and tackle you will need. You can get lots of information from local bait and tackle or fly shops, or look for other help online.
Types of Fish in the Florida Keys
With all the different bodies of water in the Florida Keys come a wide variety of fish species. Here are three of the most common ones.
Snook
Snook live in mangroves, bridges, rock outcrops, sandbars, grass flats, wrecks, or jetties. They are ambush feeders that wait for bait to pass by before pouncing.
Amberjack
The best time to catch amberjack in the Florida Keys is November through April but also during the months of June and July.
Barracuda
A barracuda is a large, predatory ray-finned fish with a fearsome appearance.
Top Types of Fishing in the Florida Keys
There are so many different environments in the Florida Keys which make the area ideal for many styles of fishing. Here are three styles to try.
Deep Sea and Offshore Fishing
Whether you are on an offshore sport fisher or a center console, the Florida Keys offer quick access to deep water at a closer distance than most other locations in the U.S. can claim.
Fishing the Intracoastal Waterway
With mile after mile of fresh, brackish and marine water, the Intracoastal Waterway near Key Largo can be a greatsport fisher place to fish. Try for some flounder or seabass, or even fish for crab and shrimp.
Barracuda Fishing
Barracuda fishing can be loads of fun. Just be aware that barracuda numbers are declining, and there might be catch limits imposed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Florida Keys Fishing Seasons
If you have decided to charter a boat in the Florida Keys, there really is no bad time to go. Here are the conditions you might expect from month to month.
January
While the weather is cold in the rest of the country, the Florida Keys stay mild. There is good bottom fishing for snapper offshore.
February
Bottom fishing for reef fish and amberjack is the way to go in February.
March
Temperatures start climbing and reef fish come out of hibernation and much closer to the coastal areas.
April
April in the Florida Keys is one of the most pleasant months. The weather is great and cobia fishing can be spectacular.
May
May is the best month for offshore fishing for pelagic fish in the Florida Keys.
June
Book early for fishing outings, because the Florida Keys can get really busy during June.
July
July is the hottest month, with average temperatures easily exceeding 90. Tarpon is a popular fish to catch in July.
August
The tourist season continues in August, with offshore fishing for pelagics still great and plenty of snapper still in season.
September
Trolling and surface fishing are popular during this month, with schools of blackfin tuna just a few miles from shore.
October
Inshore fishing can be a real treat in October in the Florida Keys.
November
During November in the Florida Keys, try to troll for pelagics, as well as try out some bay and bottom fishing.
December
Temperatures are cooler in the Florida Keys in December, but they are still amazing compared to the rest of the country.
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