Florida Keys fishing is four fisheries stacked into 120 miles of road: the flats, the backcountry, the reef and the Gulf Stream — and most Keys captains sell more than one of them. We read the websites of 728 Keys charter boats to build this page. Every number below comes from a sentence a captain published themselves, and the source is named beside it.
What Florida Keys Fishing Costs
Published rate cards, by town and trip length, from the charters’ own websites. These are whole-boat prices — the Keys is a six-pack fishery, so you charter the vessel rather than buy a seat. Ranges are the tenth to ninetieth percentile; nothing is averaged into one number, and party boats are excluded because they sell seats.
| Town | Half day (3–5 hr) | Three-quarter (6–7 hr) | Full day (8+ hr) | Rate cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | $500–$1,000 | $700–$1,400 | $900–$1,800 | 51 |
| Islamorada | $500–$1,100 | $650–$1,600 | $700–$2,000 | 29 |
| Marathon | $550–$995 | $950–$1,600 | $1,200–$2,600 | 32 |
| Key Largo | $400–$1,150 | $750–$1,500 | $900–$1,800 | 22 |
| Tavernier | $550–$900 | $600–$1,000 | $700–$1,300 | 10 |
| Duck Key | $550–$900 | — | — | 6 |
| Big Pine Key | $375–$849 | — | — | 9 |
| Cudjoe Key | $450–$650 | — | — | 13 |
| Summerland Key | $500–$1,000 | — | — | 6 |
Big Pine Key is the cheapest half day in the chain at $375–$849; Marathon has the most expensive full day at $1,200–$2,600, which is the swordfish and Hump run rather than a markup. Watch for fuel billed on top — several Islamorada boats quote a per-person rate plus a per-seat fuel charge. A typical Key West card reads: “4 Hours — Half Day: $850, 6 Hours — 3/4 Day: $1,150, 8 Hours — Full Day: $1,350, 10 Hours: $1,550, 12 Hours: $1,750” (Cowboy Cowgirl SportFishing Charters).
Best Times to Fish the Florida Keys
There is no off-season here, only different fisheries — and because the peaks do not overlap, every month is somebody’s best month. The table counts different Florida charters naming each fish in each month on their own sites, so a high number means agreement rather than marketing.
| Fish | Peak months | Best single month | Captains naming it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grouper & snapper | Jan, May, Dec | May | 101 |
| Tarpon | Mar, Apr, May, Jun | May | 380 |
| Tuna | Apr, May, Jun, Jul | May | 37 |
| Sailfish | Jan, Feb, Dec | December | 107 |
| Mahi | Mar, Apr, May, Jun | June | 132 |
| Permit & bonefish | Feb, Mar, Apr, May | June | 13 |
November through April is the settled half of the year. March through May is the tarpon migration: 26 separate Islamorada charters name April and May for tarpon, more agreement than any other fish-and-month pairing in Florida. December is sailfish, June is mahi. Early morning and late afternoon are the most consistent windows in every season, and moving water matters more than the month — plan around the tide. Month-by-month detail is on the Florida Keys fishing calendar.
Top Species in the Florida Keys
Keys captains name 53 distinct species between them. These six carry the trips; counts are how many of the 249 boats with a verified species list target each.
Grouper & snapper
Grouper — what you take home. 151 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Key West 39 of 63, Islamorada 36 of 66, Marathon 33 of 43. Peak May. The quiet headline of the Keys: more boats name grouper than tarpon (151 against 138). FWC counts grouper as an aggregate — no more than 3 per person per day combined in the Atlantic.
Tarpon
Tarpon — the fish the Keys are known for. 138 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Islamorada 37 of 66, Key West 34 of 63, Marathon 25 of 43. Peak May. Release-only in practice, and a tarpon tag is required to land one — FWC states plainly that there are no exemptions.
Tuna
Tuna — blackfin, close in. 129 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Islamorada 35 of 66, Key West 30 of 63, Marathon 28 of 43. Peak May.
Sailfish
Sailfish — the winter fishery. 124 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Islamorada 34 of 66, Marathon 31 of 43, Key West 24 of 63. Peak December. Marathon leans hardest — 31 of its 43 boats, 45% above the Keys average.
Mahi
Mahi — the summer fishery. 117 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Islamorada 30 of 66, Marathon 28 of 43, Key West 26 of 63. Peak June.
Permit & bonefish
Permit — the flats pair. 105 of 249 boats target it, strongest in Islamorada 29 of 66, Key West 29 of 63, Marathon 16 of 43. Peak June. Permit is the bigger business of the two — 105 boats against 77 for bonefish, which is release-only.
Everything Else the Fleet Names
The rest of the Keys species list, with how many boats name each:
- Wahoo96
- Barracuda83
- Shark76
- Snook68
- Redfish65
- Yellowtail61
- King Mackerel58
- Cobia55
- Mutton Snapper49
- Amberjack45
- Marlin44
- Snapper44
- Mangrove Snapper43
- Swordfish40
- Yellowtail Snapper39
- Pompano21
- Hogfish21
- Speckled Trout17
- Spanish Mackerel15
- Jack Crevalle10
- Tripletail9
- Ladyfish9
- Red Snapper6
Best Fishing Spots in the Florida Keys
- Bahia Honda ChannelA deep-water passage where strong current holds tarpon, permit and sharks in 30–40 feet. Fish the channel edges on a tide change with live bait; the current stacks baitfish along the drop-offs.
- Islamorada HumpOffshore structure in 120–180 feet holding mahi, blackfin tuna and billfish year-round. Troll the edges and drift live bait over the peak.
- Seven Mile BridgeTarpon, snook and snapper in the shadow lines whenever water is moving. Night fishing with live pilchards is most productive — the pilings create current breaks that stack bait.
- Snake CreekA narrow tidal creek joining Florida Bay to the Atlantic, and an ambush point for snook and tarpon. Fish the mouth on a tide change as water funnels through.
- Content KeysBackcountry flats and basins for redfish, snook and tarpon. Wade the sandy potholes on an incoming tide with live shrimp and spoons.
- Lignumvitae Key BasinProtected backcountry with good redfish and sea trout numbers. Fish the mangrove edges and grass flats with soft plastics during moving water.
Deep Sea and Offshore Fishing in the Keys
“Deep sea” here means past the reef line, into the Gulf Stream. Of the 180 boats we verified, 157 run offshore, 123 run inshore and 103 fish the flats — and 106 run both offshore and inshore, so for most captains here it is one phone call rather than two. The median offshore hull is 32 feet. Pick by fish: offshore for mahi, sailfish, tuna and wahoo; flats for tarpon, bonefish and permit. Want to keep dinner? Ask for reef on the way home — 48 boats sell bottom fishing explicitly.
Four Keys Boats That Document Themselves
Of the 180 verified boats, these four clear our evidence bar with the most to show for it — every claim below is quoted from the captain’s own website, with the sentence that carries it. One per Keys town.
DirtyBoat Charters
The biggest review base of any evidence-backed offshore boat in the chain, and one of the few whose own site documents an air-conditioned cabin and a marine head — what a full day 20 miles out actually turns on. Names marlin and swordfish.
“The 42-foot Liberty has an air-conditioned cabin and a marine head for breaks out of the sun.”
dirtyboat.com
All Keys Fishing Charters
Two boats, which is why it shows up twice on this page: the 42’ Morgan runs offshore while the 34’ Seavee covers flats and tarpon. Marathon is the sailfish town and this is one of them.
“Our 42’ Morgan comfortably accommodates up to 6 guests as does our 34’ Seavee.”
allkeyscharters.com
Sea Spirit Offshore Fishing
The longest hull of the four, and the only one that publishes how far out it goes. Key Largo over-indexes on reef and wreck work and this boat sells both — offshore trolling plus patch reef for grouper on the way home.
“Offshore Sport Fishing Wreck & Reef Fishing Deep Sea Fishing THE BOAT Sea Spirit Offshore Charters fish aboard a 43 foot Torres sportfisher that is well suited to the toughest anglers as well as to families looking for a fun day out on the water.”
bookkeylargofishing.com
Conch Too Charters
The smallest and most versatile — nine trip types off one hull, spearfishing among them, which only 16 Keys boats run. Its own site recommends six hours or longer, the honest answer offshore out of Key West: the fish are not close.
“USCG Licensed Expert Guide Top Rated The Conch Too Our 36-foot sportfishing vessel is built for comfort and performance.”
conchtoocharters.com
Which Keys Town to Fish From
Not opinion — what each town’s own captains say they target, measured against the Keys average.
| Town | Boats verified | Known for | Half day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | 63 | Biggest and broadest fleet; leads the chain on grouper and permit | $500–$1,000 |
| Islamorada | 66 | Tarpon capital — the highest share of tarpon boats anywhere | $500–$1,100 |
| Marathon | 43 | Sailfish, and the snapper town: mangrove snapper 2.7× and yellowtail snapper 2.4× the Keys average | $550–$995 |
| Key Largo | 27 | Reef and wreck; hogfish at 2.6× the Keys average, and the shortest run from Miami | $400–$1,150 |
| Tavernier | 15 | Backcountry — redfish 2.6× and snook 2.0× the Keys average | $550–$900 |
| Duck Key | 5 | Small fleet, reef trips, resort access | $550–$900 |
| Big Pine Key | 6 | Cheapest half day in the chain, and Lower Keys flats | $375–$849 |
| Cudjoe Key | 5 | Quiet Lower Keys backcountry; tarpon is what its boats name most | $450–$650 |
| Summerland Key | 7 | Flats and reef without the Key West traffic — permit over-indexes here | $500–$1,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fish in the Florida Keys?
A half day on your own boat runs $375 to $1,150 depending on the town, and a full day $900 to $2,600, from 178 published rate cards. Big Pine Key is cheapest; Marathon’s full day is the most expensive. Shared per-person trips run far lower, $125 to $250, but you are sharing the deck.
What is the best month to fish in the Florida Keys?
It depends entirely on the fish, and that is the honest answer: May for tarpon, December for sailfish, June for mahi. Winter and summer are different fisheries here, not better and worse ones.
Which Florida key is best for fishing?
Islamorada for tarpon and the flats — it has the highest share of tarpon boats in the chain. Key West for the widest choice of boat and the broadest fishery. Marathon for sailfish and snapper. Key Largo for reef and wreck, and the shortest drive from Miami.
Do you need a license to fish in the Florida Keys?
On a charter, no. FWC exempts “individuals saltwater fishing from a for-hire vessel (guide, charter, party boat) that has a valid charter license,” so the boat’s licence covers everyone aboard and you buy nothing. Fishing off a charter, yes — residents and visitors alike.
Permits are not the licence, and this is where most guides are wrong. FWC lists the snook permit, spiny lobster permit and tarpon tag as required “in addition to a saltwater fishing license,” and nowhere says a charter licence covers them. On the tarpon tag it is blunt: “no exemptions.” If your trip involves lobster or snook, ask the captain who holds the permit.
How many people fit on a Keys charter boat?
The Keys is a six-pack fishery. Of the 119 boats publishing a capacity, 101 cap at six guests — the US Coast Guard limit for an uninspected charter vessel. A group of eight is two boats here, not one, and that is worth knowing before you price it.
Is Keys fishing suitable for children?
Mostly yes, and the fleet says so itself: 139 of the 180 verified boats market kids-and-family trips. The constraint is trip length rather than policy — 102 boats sell a half day, which is the right call with small children.
What fish are in season in the Florida Keys right now?
Something always is. Sailfish peaks in December, wahoo in February, tarpon and mahi from spring into summer, grouper in May. The calendar page breaks it down month by month from what the captains publish.
Where to Find Current Florida Keys Fishing Reports
We don’t publish a daily report and we won’t reprint one. What’s biting this week comes from the boats themselves — 178 Keys captains post their catch to Instagram, and a handful publish dated written reports on their own sites. The Keys fishing calendar lists where they post and what the fleet’s own calendars say about the month you are asking about.
Where Every Figure Came From
- Prices — 178 rate cards published by Keys charters on their own websites, by town and trip length. Read 1 October 2026.
- Boats, species and trip types — quoted from each captain’s own website, with the sentence that proves each one. A boat counts only where three or more facts verified.
- Months — months named by Florida charters on their own sites, counted only where three or more independent boats agree.
- Licence, permits, size and bag limits — myfwc.com, quoted verbatim and re-checked on every update.
- Named spots — editorial, carried forward from the previous version of this guide.
We publish no prices, photos, reviews or ratings belonging to anyone else. Last updated 2 October 2026.