Damn Good Islamorada Fishing Charters

The best fishing charters in Islamorada are:

• liveactionfishingcharters guided by Thomas Z.
• Blackwater Charters guided by Eric S. with 30 years of experience
• Captain GW Guide Service guided by Gw D. with 30 years of experience
• Reef Runner Sportfishing Charter guided by Paul J. with 45 years of experience
• Edge Charters guided by Bruce P.

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 82 trips in Islamorada, and the most popular trips in the area are 10 Hour Trip – Swordfish guided by Cole, Everglades Backcountry Fishing guided by Juan, and Inshore Reefs guided by Juan.

Our guides in Islamorada are rated a 4.92 out of 5 based on 8237 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly charters / fishing lessons in Islamorada? Check out our beginner and family friendly charters in Islamorada.

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing in Islamorada as well as inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and flats fishing.

The most commonly sought after species in Islamorada are: 1. red snapper, 2. tarpon, 3. snook, 4. mangrove snapper, and 5. redfish.

The most common fishing techniques in Islamorada are light tackle fishing, live bait fishing, and artificial lure fishing but bottom fishing and heavy tackle fishing are popular as well.

Prices in Islamorada can range anywhere from about $750 to $3,000, but the average price for a half day trip in Islamorada is $1,243. The average price for a full day trip in Islamorada is $2,016.

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

The most popular season for fishing in Islamorada is summer, and most anglers book their trips 31 days in advance.

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Islamorada, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Islamorada. When in doubt, your guide will always know all the relevant rules and regulations in Islamorada.

Islamorada, known as the ""Sportfishing Capital of the World,"" offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. With access to gin-clear flats, untouched backcountry, and open ocean, the town boasts a variety of fish species, including Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Redfish, Snappers, Groupers, Hogfish, Amberjack, Barracuda, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, and Swordfish.

Inshore charters provide the chance to sight cast for Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit on the flats or cast baits and flies for Snook and Redfish in the backcountry. Bottom fishing for Snappers, Groupers, Hogfish, and more is also available on the reefs. Offshore charters offer the opportunity to troll over deep sea ledges and underwater humps for Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Billfish.

Fishing licenses are included on all saltwater charters in Florida, and it's important to note that certain species can only be caught at certain times of the year. Anglers should consult with their captain for the most up-to-date information on closed seasons and limits. Additionally, Islamorada hosts several tournaments throughout the year, including the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament and Cheeca Lodge Tarpon Tournament, providing both serious competition and family-friendly events.

As far as inshore fishing is concerned, you'd be hard pressed to find a find a better destination. The little slice of inshore heaven situated between the tip of Florida and the island has some of the best backcountry fishing on the planet. Islands, sandbars and flats divide countless basins and bays.

The backcountry bite is on year round. The weather here rarely gets below 60 degrees, which means plenty of inshore gamefish spend their winters feeding in the warm waters. In addition to your classic inshore denizens like Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Snook, these waters hold bucket list species like few places on earth. Sight fishing for Bonefish and Permit in the flats is the experience of a lifetime, especially on the fly.

Islamorada is a major stop on the Tarpon migration down the east coast and around the gulf. They pretty much hang out here year round. You would be hard pressed to find a better place to catch The Silver King. From late February through early November, schools of Tarpon make the backcountry bays and basins their feeding grounds. While not ideal, they can still be caught in the winter months - just imagine what it's like when the water's warm.

For the fly angler, it just doesn't get better than Islamorada. There's no question why fly anglers from all over the world flock here every year. With an army of world-class fly guides at the helm, catching that grand slam on the fly is within reach. While going after Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon, there's always the option to go after a hard fighting Redfish or Snook just around the corner.

The action doesn't stop when the water gets deeper. Nearshore, bountiful reefs hold Snapper and Grouper variants year round, with shots at exotics like African Pompano and Hogfish. Red snapper fishing season in Islamorada typically opens in early June and runs through mid-August. The exact dates of the season may vary from year to year and are subject to change based on federal regulations and fishing quotas. Stay up to date on the 2023 red snapper season here. Filling up the freezer with delicious fish fillets has never been easier.

Further offshore, flybridge sportfishers and center consoles troll, deep trop, and kite fish for everything under the sun. The deepwater swordfish fishing is excellent here, arguably the best in the world. Bluewater pelagics like Mahi-Mahi, Sailfish, Blue Marlin, and Wahoo are always biting on the longer offshore trips.

View All Islamorada Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Islamorada fishing charters offer a variety of options for anglers of all levels. The most common types of fishing charters in Islamorada include offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing.

Offshore fishing charters take you out to the deep waters of the Gulf Stream, where you can catch big game fish like sailfish, marlin, and tuna. Backcountry fishing charters take you to the shallow waters of the Florida Bay, where you can catch snook, redfish, and tarpon. Reef fishing charters take you to the coral reefs off the coast of Islamorada, where you can catch snapper, grouper, and hogfish.

Some of the most common fish to catch in Islamorada include mahi-mahi, wahoo, kingfish, and yellowtail snapper. Depending on the type of fishing charter you choose, you may also have the opportunity to catch bonefish, permit, and barracuda.

Islamorada fishing charters often depart from landmarks like Bud N' Mary's Marina and Robbie's Marina. These marinas are located in the heart of Islamorada and offer easy access to some of the best fishing spots in the area.

Islamorada, Florida is known as the ""Sportfishing Capital of the World"" and for good reason. With its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, it's no wonder that anglers from all over the world flock to this tropical paradise. Here are some of the best places to fish in Islamorada, Florida, whether you're going on a fishing charter or casting from shore:

1. The Islamorada Humps - These underwater mountains are a popular spot for fishing charters, as they attract a variety of game fish such as tuna, mahi-mahi, and sailfish.

2. The Florida Bay - This shallow bay is home to a variety of fish species, including bonefish, tarpon, and redfish. It's a great spot for both fly fishing and spin fishing.

3. The Backcountry - This area of the Florida Keys is a maze of mangrove islands, shallow flats, and winding channels. It's a prime spot for fishing charters, as it's home to a variety of game fish such as snook, redfish, and trout.

4. The Gulf of Mexico - This vast body of water is home to a variety of fish species, including grouper, snapper, and kingfish. It's a great spot for fishing charters, as the waters are calm and the fishing is excellent.

5. The Atlantic Ocean - The waters off the coast of Islamorada are teeming with game fish such as marlin, sailfish, and wahoo. It's a prime spot for fishing charters, as the deep waters are home to some of the biggest fish in the world.

While Islamorada fishing charters are a popular attraction, there are plenty of other things to do in this Florida city. Take a trip to Theater of the Sea, where you can swim with dolphins and sea lions, or visit the History of Diving Museum to learn about the evolution of underwater exploration. For a more active adventure, rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys. If you're looking for a relaxing day, head to Anne's Beach, a secluded spot with calm waters and soft sand. And don't forget to indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the many local restaurants.