Heavy Tackle Fishing Charters In Islamorada

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure in the Florida Keys? Key Largo, Islamorada, and the whole Florida Keys are the perfect backdrops for fishing charters with Captain Zach. Captain Zach offers guided fishing charters in the Florida Keys that are sure to leave an impression for a lifetime. No matter if you’re an experienced angler looking to hook a big fish or you’re a beginner and want some rod bending action and tasty table fare, Captain Zach can cater your trip to your goals! **Inshore, Flats, and Backcountry Fishing** Key Largo inshore fishing attracts anglers from all over the world who are looking for the “grand slam” of shallow water fishing as you can target numerous prized species in the Florida Keys! Backcountry fishing is done in the inland waters of the Florida Keys and Key West. Flats fishing and backcountry Fishing are done in the same place, as the backcountry holds all the flats. The shallow waters in the Keys are home to plenty of fish feed, such as shrimp and crab, making it a hotspot for larger fish to prey. You will come into contact with prized monster inshore fish that call these waters home or are just passing through. Water depth in the backcountry can range from 0 to 30 ft of water with massive cuts and channels between the shallow flats and also includes the Mangrove Islands. It's all part of the “backcountry”. **Everglades Fishing** An ecosystem unlike any other in the world, the Everglades comprises tropical wetlands across the southern part of Florida. The landscape is home to threatened or endangered species like the West Indian manatee, the wood stork, the green sea turtle, and the Cassius blue butterfly. The area is also known for legally protected plants like the Florida prairieclover and Everglades bully. The Florida Bay is the largest body of water in the park, with over 800 square miles of beautiful water that’s teaming with seagrass, fish, corals, and crustaceans. Back up in the Everglades you can expect to catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Blue Runners, and Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon as well! Book a trip above and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling through and fishing in this unique coastal environment. Captain Zach will make sure you have an experience you'll be talking about for the rest of your life. Read More

Join Captain Tony on this incredible offshore sportfishing trip here in Islamorada, Florida! Islamorada is known worldwide as a Mecca for sportfishing, and there's no better guide to the rich waters here than Captain Tony. On board his sleek and comfortable 32' SeaVee center console, you'll have a perfect opportunity to chase a variety of classic sportfish, including Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo towards the top of the water column, plus a bunch of Grouper and Snapper species that lurk down in the reefs and rocks. Whatever fish you want to go after or method you want to try, just let Captain Tony know, and he'll get you properly set up for success! He also has tons of expert pointers to improve your fish-fighting skills and put you in the best possible position to catch a new personal best. Captain Tony will also switch gears in order to give you a superior experience, whether that means switching to bottomfishing midway through, or letting out trolling lines, drift fishing, or otherwise. Captain Tony's 32' SeaVee is a beautiful boat, and sports twin 300-HP Yamaha engines and a Seakeeper system that prevents boat roll and seasickness! As a center console vessel, you'll be able to fish 360º around the boat, making it perfect for groups of up to six people. Plus, she features recently-updated electronics, side-scanning sonar, radar, multiple live wells, and an oversized box for your big fish. Captain Tony will provide all rods, reels and tackle. All you need to bring are good vibes and whatever you care to eat and drink. Enjoy your day out on the water! Read More

Launching from Whale Harbor with Captain Larry puts you a mere 30 minutes ride offshore to the Gulf Stream's premier hot spots. Captain Larry and crew won’t waste a moment taking you to the action either. On these trips, you will head out up to 30 miles offshore and to target Dolphin, Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack, Wahoo, Shark, Marlin, Sailfish, King Mackerel, and more! If your interest peaked at dolphin/mahi-mahi, you should book your trip from May to October when the population explodes! The charter boat trolls rigged baits and lures to locate schools of dolphin that range from 5 to 50 pounds. Once a school is found, their voracious appetites and abundant numbers result in a feeding frenzy you’ll never forget. And, since Mahi is excellent table fare, you’ll want to keep them for dinner. Your boat’s mate will gladly fillet them and you can arrange to have your catch prepared at any of the local restaurants. From November to April, Captain Larry primarily targets sailfish, using live bait on light tackle. Catching the baitfish (ballyhoo) on the way out to the deep water is a super fun way to start off your adventure (Especially given the prospect that those fish will turn into even bigger fish!) The ballyhoo are chummed up to the surface, where they are caught by cast net or by fishing for them using tiny hair hooks. Once the bait well is full, the boat runs to the outside edge of the reef and the action begins. If you’ve never hooked into a 7-foot-long tail-walking sailfish on light tackle, you’re in for a thrill of a lifetime! We practice catch and release for all bill fishing and ask about no-kill fish mounts. All you need to bring for your trip with Captain Larry are your favorite snacks, drinks, and lunch if you'd like. Captain Larry will provide everything else from a captain & crew that cares, all the licenses, rods, tackle & bait, a clean & spacious vessel, and a filleting and bagging service for your catch! Read More

4 Hour 1/2 day trip for up to 6 people departs at 0630. U will be going out on a spacious 44' Express Marlago Jefferson Yacht. Twin 450 HP 3208 Caterpillar engines. Vessel is equipped with all the electronics needed. GPS, Sonar, Radar, VHF and more. You will be using top of the line tackle, rods and reels, Vessel is equipped with fighting chair, 2 large live wells, Outriggers, Center rigger, Downrigger and many other specific tools that we use to target all the different species that roam these Florida Keys waters. Summertime we will generally fish on the reef for various Snappers such as Yellowtail, Mutton, Mangrove and some others. More than often we will take some time to troll and target Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi and a few others when they are close enough to go after in the allotted time. Wintertime we again stay close to the reef but target species such as Sailfish, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna King Mackerel, and again can target the many Snapper species that thrive here. All you need to bring is whatever you would like to eat and drink and we have everything else ready for you to come aboard and enjoy a great day and create some unforgettable memories Please remember to thank your mate with a 20% tip. Read More

Islamorada, located in the heart of the Florida Keys, is a year-round fishing hotspot that offers exceptional fishing experiences no matter the time of year. On this trip, you'll head out with Captain Tony to catch all kinds of nearshore reef species. This trip welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels, with a family-friendly atmosphere that's great for first-timers! Once you go aboard Captain Tony's 36' catamaran, you'll head to the reefs and wrecks to chase down some fish! Offshore pelagic spearfishing is the apex of hunting in the Florida Keys! Islamorada is blessed with a changing year-round fishery. Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna are only a few of the many species you can target. These charters are for experienced hunters looking for the fish of a lifetime! Bluewater spearfishing equipment and a professional in-water guide is included. Pelagic fish can be difficult to hunt, they are always on the move and it takes years of experience to find them. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, this is part of the thrill when hunting these fish. Bluewater spearfishing is our specialty, this is what we live for! Nothing beats the feeling of seeing you land your first Wahoo or your largest Mahi Mahi! Don't worry about a thing when you're out on the water—Captain Tony has got you covered. All you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and maybe a sandwich from the Trading Post! Captain Tony will take care of the rest. Read More

Ready to experience the fight and aerial acrobatics of a Tarpon or hunt down the elusive bonefish on the flats? Whether you are fishing with a rod and reel or a fly rod, Captain Billy B. will put you on the Fish! These majestic Tarpons have become the most sought-after game fish in the Florida Keys, April through July, being the prime season. This mammoth migrates up and down the coast filling up the bridge passes and backcountry waters. Tarpon are acrobats of the ocean and put on a spectacular show in the air! Whether you’re using rod and reel or fly fishing, these sometimes 100 plus pound fish love to fight hard. Tides, weather, and moon phases play an essential factor in a Tarpon’s behavior, but these kings are always hungry, biting on both live and artificial bait. Bring your camera because catching a tarpon is a stunning experience that you will want to capture. These fascinating sport fish are catch and release. It only takes one battle with these prehistoric creatures to become completely mesmerized, and you’ll be longing to catch more. Read More

If you're looking for that once in a lifetime Big Game Fishing experience consider booking our 10-hour Daytime Swordfish charter. Swordfish are typically nocturnal, solitary and aggressive... making them one of the most challenging fisheries in the Keys but also one of the most satisfying, exciting and rewarding. Hooking, battling, and landing one of these giant broadbills is a fishing trip you will remember for a lifetime. And also, yes... they are very tasty on the grill. On a Daytime Swordfish Charter, you will head far offshore, anywhere from 30-40 miles out of Whale Harbor Marina. Your destination is 1300-1900' of water along the continental shelf in the Gulf Stream. On your run to the Sworfishing grounds, Captain Frank will be looking for birds and debris... opportunities to stop and try for Mahi, Tripletail, Tuna or Wahoo. "Based on your preference, we'll decide on either electric or conventional reels. When we reach the Swordfishing grounds we will set up 1 or 2 rods, with 6-10 lbs. of lead. The boat will be under a controlled drift, dragging the bait along the bottom. We use a variety of bait depending on conditions including Squid, Eel, Bonita, Barracuda and Mahi bellies. When fishing with conventional reels we use a break-away weight at the leader. This enables the angler to hand crank the Swordfish the 1300-1900' without the weight attached. One of the biggest determiners of the success of your Swordfish trip is seeing the bite and reacting appropriately to it. When fishing at these depths it can be difficult to see the strike. Typically the rod tip only bounces an inch or so... and we do not want to miss it! This is where an experienced Captain and first mate are so valuable to the success of your Swordfishing Trip. We will coach you on whether to drop the bait back or we may put the boat in gear, enticing the fish or setting the hook. Most Swordfish when hooked will swim toward the surface. It is really the last 300' that the real fight begins! Landing these large broadbills can take anywhere from several minutes to several hours." - Captain Frank Some of the thrill and adrenal of this type of deep-sea fishing is that you won't know exactly what is fighting you at the end of that line. Most likely it is a Swordfish anywhere from 50-200 lbs ... but it could be 500 lbs. or more! or it could be a large Mako Shark or a Blue Fin Tuna! If you're up for the challenge you too can experience the ultimate thrill of victory when you land one of these deep sea giants. Read More

Head out with Captain Alex for an action-packed day of fly fishing in the Florida Keys! Islamorada is a world-famous fishing hot spot and for good reason. Its productive inshore flats provide excellent year round fishing for almost every fish species in the hemisphere. It's no wonder that backcountry fishing and saltwater fly fishing were both pioneered here. On this 4 to 8-hour trip, Captain Alex will take you into the beautiful Islamorada backcountry flats where you'll be fly fishing for sought-after fish including Bonefish, Permit, Redfish, Snook, and Tarpon. Part of what makes fly fishing for these species so exciting is the challenge of getting such elusive fish to bite. Accurate casts are almost always required, and the windy conditions of the Florida Keys only add to the challenge. While Captain Alex is happy to give you helpful instruction to accommodate your skill level, this trip is recommended for experienced fly fishers who go out on the water more than a few times a year. Captain Alex has a listing for this same trip with traditional rods and tackle that we recommend for those who aren't quite expert casters, and we guarantee it's just as much fun! For those experienced anglers who feel comfortable enough with their fly casting, Captain Alex outlines the skills you should have down with in his "About Your Guide" section. He also requests that anglers do some research on the aspects of fly fishing for Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit prior to this trip. Captain Alex is highly skilled and even the most experienced anglers will benefit from his instruction. It may take a bit of practice, but as Alex will tell you there's nothing more rewarding than landing one of these fish! You'll be aboard a 17' Maverick HPX-V with capacity for 2 anglers. Powered by a 115 HP Mercury engine, this maneuverable boat will have no problem letting you creep up and sight-cast on some fish even in hard-to-reach waters. It comes equipped with GPS, a Wireless Trolling Motor, and an Ice Box to store your catches. Captain Alex will even clean any keepers you catch to take home for a tasty meal. Captain Alex will provide all rods, reels, tackle and fishing licenses. All you need to bring is sunglasses, sunscreen, and any food or drinks you might need. Come aboard with Captain Alex and get ready to show off your skills! Read More

If you've been looking to do more than just sunbathe in Tavernier, FL, then this trip has your name on it! Get out on the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys and bag some absolutely delicious fish with Captain Chris, an experienced angler, great captain, and professional chef! Catch and cook trips available upon request . On this trip, you'll be going after pelagic species such as Mahi, black fin tuna , king fish , and wahoo, all delicious eating fish! You'll be fishing from Captain Chris' 26' TwinVee catamaran—a fast, comfortable, and extremely stable boat that's great for this area. She's packing twin Suzuki engines with a combined 300 horsepower, so you'll get off the dock in no time. The boat also features a 50-gallon livewell for bait, a hardtop to keep you out of the sun, and a freshwater rinse if you decide to take a swim! Captain Chris will bring everything else you need for a blue-ribbon day, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. All you need is sunscreen, a hat, and a pair of polarized sunglasses. Read More

On this 6 hr excursion, you'll be able to get out on to Islamorada Barrier Reef where you can target a wide variety of top-notch gamefish, including Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Snapper, Wahoo, Tuna , and more! These fish offer something for every angler–great eating, hard fighting, and tons of bites. Captain Sal runs a couple different boats under his operation down there in Islamorada, but these trips are usually run on his 25’ SeaHunter center console, equipped with a 350 Mercury outboard. It’s the perfect size boat to zip out to the reef comfortably, has plenty of space to spread your group out and fish, and has all the necessary fish boxes to keep your catch cold on your way back to the dock. Sal will provide everything for the trips, including fishing licenses, waters, ice, and cooler space if you’d like to bring your own snacks and drinks! Read More

Islamorada, located in the heart of the Florida Keys, is a year-round fishing hotspot that offers exceptional fishing experiences no matter the time of year. On this trip, you'll head out with Captain Tony to catch all kinds of nearshore reef species. This trip welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels, with a family-friendly atmosphere that's great for first-timers! Once you go aboard Captain Tony's 36' catamaran, you'll head to the reefs and wrecks to chase down some fish! You'll have the opportunity to catch a pile of Yellowtail Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Gag Grouper, and other delicious species that a blast to catch and taste great on the grill! If you're up for more of a challenge, there are also plenty of nearshore wrecks where you can catch Mangrove Snapper, larger Yellowtail, and other fun species. Don't worry about a thing when you're out on the water—Captain Tony has got you covered. All you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and maybe a sandwich from the Trading Post! Captain Tony will take care of the rest. Read More

4 Hour 1/2 day trip for up to 6 people departs at 1:00pm. U will be going out on a spacious 44' Express Marlago Jefferson Yacht. Twin 450 HP 3208 Caterpillar engines. Vessel is equipped with all the electronics needed. GPS, Sonar, Radar, VHF and more. You will be using top of the line tackle, rods and reels, Vessel is equipped with fighting chair, 2 large live wells, Outriggers, Center rigger, Downrigger and many other specific tools that we use to target all the different species that roam these Florida Keys waters. Summertime we will generally fish on the reef for various Snappers such as Yellowtail, Mutton, Mangrove and some others. More than often we will take some time to troll and target Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi and a few others when they are close enough to go after in the allotted time. Wintertime we again stay close to the reef but target species such as Sailfish, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna King Mackerel, and again can target the many Snapper species that thrive here. All you need to bring is whatever you would like to eat and drink and we have everything else ready for you to come aboard and enjoy a great day and create some unforgettable memories Please remember to thank your mate with a 20% tip. Read More