Offshore & Backcountry Fishing
The Florida Keys are known World-Class Fishing. Fishing enthusiasts should not leave the Keys before experiencing an Off-shore or Backcountry charter. Options abound on every island as sportfishing charters are a major industry here. You can fish year-round for seasonal species that include Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Tarpon, Dolphin, Bonefish, Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Wahoo and more.
Key Largo
The tranquil Florida Bay, known as the “Backcountry”, is home to Bonefish, Redfish, Permit, Sea Trout, Snook, Redfish and giant Silver King Tarpon. This is great fishing on light tackle, but you’ll need a guide to find the hot-spots and navigate these shallow waters that range from a few inches to a few feet deep. The scenery is spectacular.. Here’s a directory of our recommendations for Florida keys backcountry fishing guides.
Excalibur Charters
607 Rose Place, Key Largo
305-394-0694
www.excalibur-charter.com
Florida Keys Reel Adventures
Key Largo FL
305-481-0589
floridakeysreeladventures.com
Hana Pa Charters
122 Mockingbird Rd Tavernier
305-240-4422
Skins & Fins Charters
Mile Marker 87.5, Islamorada
305-393-0363
skinsandfinscharters.com
Tails Up Fishing Charters
Key Largo
305-394-1383
tailsupfishing.com
Captain Larry Snyder
79 Jean La Fitte Drive, Key Largo
305-853-0404
yourfloridakeysfishingguide.com
Key Largo Fishing Adventures
99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo
305-942-9982
keylargofishingadventures.com
Tavernier/Islamorada
Islamorada is the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Why is the fishing so great? Basically, the Gulf Stream passes really close to the keys, and the Gulf Stream is where big game fish like sailfish, tuna and marlin, can be found. Closer to the islands, large schools of migratory fish like Dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) are plentiful. Just beyond the reefs, large sport fish like amber jack, permit and kingfish are abundant. On the reefs and numerous shipwrecks, several species of snapper and grouper flourish. On the Bayside of the keys, (known as the backcountry) anglers fish for enormous tarpon, snook and red snapper.
Bud N Mary’s Fishing
79851 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
800-742-7945
www.budnmarys.com
Gold Reserve Charters
Mile Marker 84.5 at Holiday Isle, Islamorada
305-394-0792
www.goldreservesportfishing.com
Caribseas Charters, Inc.
Islamorada
305-664-3121
www.caribseacharters.com
Cathalottafish Charters
81576 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
305-803-1321
catchalottafish.com
Dogfish Offshore Fishing
Mile Marker 83.5 Whale Harbor Marina, Islamorada
305-393-0436
www.doghouseoffshorefishing.com
Fearless Fishing Charters
Mile Marker 79.8 Bud N Mary’s Marina, Islamorada
786-295-2162
www.fearlessfishing.net
Robbies Offshore Fishing Charters
Mile Marker 77.5 Robbie’s Marina
877-664-8498
www.robbies.com
Redfish Sportfishing Charters
Mile Marker 79.8 Bud N Mary’s Marina, Islamorada
305-664-8497
www.redfishsportfishing.com
Wide Open Sportfishing
83413 Overseas Highway, Islamorada
305-978-3916
www.wideopensportfishing.com
Blu Sushi Fishing
Mile Marker 81.5 Worldwide Sportsman Marina, Islamorada
305-942-0832
www.blusushifishing.com
Blue Chip Too
Mile Marker 83.5, Whale Harbor Marina, Islamorada
305-852-8477
www.bluechiptoo.com
Blue Haven Fishing Charters
Mile Marker 77.5 Robbie’s Marina, Islamorada
305-481-0697
www.blueheavencharter.com
Marathon
Marathon is where the commercial fishing industry of the Florida Keys resides. You’ll find several local marina’s with captains offering private charters for both Offshore and Backcountry fishing.
Two Conchs Sportfishing Charters
11499 Overseas Highway, Marathon
305-481-0495
Cath Em All Sportfishing Charters
MM 53.5 Oceanside, Tarpon Creek MarinaBehind Holiday Inn ExpressMarathonFL 33050
305- 481-4568
Hawk’s Cay Marina Fishing Charters
61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL 33050
305-743-7000
Johnny Maddox Sportfishing Adventures
3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon, FL 33050
305-481-3259.
Key West
Key West’s many marinas have captains offering private charters for both Offshore and Backcountry fishing.
Eva Marie Key West Fishing Charter
Galleon Resort and Marina
619 Front Street, Key West
305-304-6283
www.evamariekeywest.com
Compass Rose Fishing
Historic Charter Boat Row
Roosevelt Blvd, Key West
305-395-3474
www.fishnkw.com
Key West Pro Guides
1-866-259-4205
www.keywestproguides.com
Linda D Sportfishing
Historic Charter Boat Row
Roosevelt Blvd, Key West
800-299-9798
www.charterboatlindad.com
Mean Green Charters
Key West
305-304-1922
www.meangreenfishing.com
Premium Time Sportfishing
700 Front Street, Key West
305-432-0046
www.fishmonstercharters.com
Salty Crews Sportfishing
Conch Harbor Marina
305-814-6420
www.saltycrews.com
Seaborn Charters
202 William Street, Key West
305-849-3384
www.seaborncharters.com
Southpaw fishing Charters
5950 Peninsular Avenue, Key West
305-393-2306
www.fishingsouthpaw.com
Tailchaser Charters
5130 US Highway 1, Key West
1877-290-4413
www.tailchasercharters.com
The Saltwater Angler
243 Front Street, Key West
305-296-0700
www.thesaltwaterangler.com