Road trippers, beware: driving from I-95 South to US 1 through South Miami will test your patience. All of it. But stay calm and drive on. Eventually the traffic congestion and looming condo and office towers give way to the epic expanses of the Everglades, and then finally… America’s fishiest archipelago.
Stretching more than 120 miles and comprised of 800 islands, the Florida Keys is singular in terms of its diversity of habitats and game fish. And no matter which of the five districts you’re visiting, there is a long and well-established infrastructure of marinas, boat ramps, charter operations and lay day entertainment.
It’s the entry to the Florida Keys, and the gateway to some of the world’s best-known fishing destinations, but Key Largo is far more than just the first stop.  
Inshore, Key Largo’s low profile makes for some of the least-pressured bonefishing in the Keys. The reduced competition means charter captains can put their customers on fish without making long runs or worrying about other anglers taking their favorite spots. No-motor zones also keep personal watercraft from disrupting productive flats. 
Just offshore, captains target grouper on patch reefs and shallow wrecks, as well as at freshwater springs in 6 to 30 feet of water. Wrecks farther out, in depths of 350 feet, attract 20- to 50-pound bruiser amberjack, dolphin and tuna. 
One reason some overlook Key Largo’s great fishing is the area’s reputation as a premier dive destination. From artificial reef sites such as the 510-foot U.S.S. Spiegel Grove to the natural reefs of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, underwater attractions abound.
The closest thing to Disney World in saltwater fishing is Bud N’ Mary’s, an 80-plus-year-old institution at Mile Marker 79 that offers quick access to some of the Keys’ most iconic fishing spots. It’s located where the Atlantic meets the Gulf, and is a short run to Alligator Reef, the 409 Hump and the Islamorada Hump. The Stanczyk family have been the proprietors since 1978, and today more than 35 charter boats call it home. 
Bud N’ Mary’s isn’t the only historic spot in town. Founded in 1946, Cheeca Lodge and Spa sits on a 27-acre oceafront stretch at Mile Marker 82. As part of its recent renovations, Cheeca added 43 oceanfront rooms. 
One of the best things about fishing Islamorada: you don’t have to go far. The offshore waters are generous, offering opportunities for dolphin, sailfish, grouper and snapper. We’ve fished with Capt. Sam Milazzo of Vice Versa Fishing Charters many times, and his desire to put clients on fish is unrelenting. 
Islamorada Beer Company is the only brewery and distillery in the Keys. Try a couple of their options on tap (like the Channel Marker session IPA or Sandy Fish Mexican lager) in the outdoor beach bar, then sample one of the Crooked Palm flavored vodkas. 
For accommodations, a local standout is Hawk’s Cay Resort , farther south on Duck Key. At 60 acres, it’s the largest resort in the Florida Keys and features 387 villas and guest rooms, six restaurants and a full-service marina.
A 10-mile-long community in the Middle Keys, Marathon features both prime amenities as well as an Old Florida feel. Marathon serves up offshore, inshore, reef, wreck and backcountry fishing. 
From March through June, schools of tarpon, which often weigh more than 100 pounds, congregate everywhere from the pilings of the Seven Mile Bridge to the banks in the Gulf of Mexico. For fishing guides, the spring season is sheer frenzy—with many running charters mornings, afternoons and nights.
Offshore anglers troll ballyhoo or drift live bait for sailfish, dolphin and wahoo year-round. Many captains take the 27-mile run to fish the Marathon Hump, an underwater mountain that attracts blackfin tuna and amberjack throughout the spring. Late spring through early fall, captains troll up blue and white marlin.
Closer to shore, reefs and wrecks hold kingfish, grouper and snapper, including yellowtail, mangrove and mutton. Those reefs, which also host a variety of tropical species, make for great diving and snorkeling. With their beautiful variety of coral formations, Sombrero Reef, Delta Shoals and Coffins Patch lure underwater explorers.
Lay day with the kiddos? Take a tour of the Turtle Hospital, which provides respite and medical care for injured sea turtles, or swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key.
Read Next: Target Monster Mutton Snapper in the Keys
As you head west on the Seven Mile Bridge, a panorama of aquamarine fills your field of vision. It’s quite the welcome to the Lower Keys, the low-key island chain that’s free of hustle and bustle but offers a full range of fishing. From spring through fall, wade across the flats to hunt bonefish and tarpon. For offshore enthusiasts, a 30-mile run puts you in 2,000 feet of water. Species include sailfish, swordfish,
blue marlin, wahoo and dolphin. 
Capt. Nate Wheeler of Waypoint Fishing on Summerland Key, a Florida Keys native and Iraq War veteran, has those options covered: a 34-foot Sea Vee for bluewater adventures, and a 16-foot Hewes Bonefisher for chasing tarpon on the flats. 
From February to April, Wheeler targets different shark species including blacktip, spinner, bull and hammerhead. The large channels running between Keys flats and islands, measuring anywhere from 5 to 25 feet deep, provide plenty of food and good habitat for sharks.
This 7-square-mile isle, located closer to Cuba than Miami, is blessed with a seascape that rivals any exotic locale around the world. 
Key West is pushing upwards of 1,000 International Game Fish Association world records. On the flats, it’s tarpon, bonefish and permit. Offshore, it’s pelagics including blue marlin, sailfish and mahi. And that’s just the start. 
Fishing the edge of the Bar off Key West, on the outside reef, Capt. R.T. Trosset of Spindrift Fishing Charters targets wahoo with live speedos, bullet bonito or blue runners. The best fishing conditions are during an east current or when the Gulf Stream edge moves in close to the reef, he says.
“The top fishing times are five days before the full moon and five days after in December and January,” says Trosset. 
Ocean’s Edge Resort and Marina is the most robust option for accommodations for both you and your boat. Located on Stock Island, the 20-acre resort has 173 guestrooms and a full-service marina with 111 wet slips. Ocean’s Edge’s main restaurant, the Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen, has a killer menu, and they will also cook your catch.
Looking to book a guide? The Lower Keys Guide Association is a great place to start. The non-profit is all about preserving sport fishing and sustainable fishing practices in the Keys. Check out their extensive list of guides at lkga.org/membership-directory.
Looking for intel on where to stay, travel itineraries, and only-in-the-Keys events and festivals? Check out visitflakeys.com/plan-your-trip.
Towing your boat through the Florida Keys? A special permit is required for boats with a beam greater than 8 feet, 6 inches, and specific route restrictions and potential daylight-only travel apply for a beam over 12 feet.
Got a lay day in Key West? Take the Yankee Freedom ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Visit drytortugas.com/key-west-ferry.
Mark your calendar for the REEF Lionfish Derby, April 23-26, in Key Largo. The annual competition’s aim is to remove the destructive invasive species. At the very first derby in 2010, 534 lionfish were removed. In the 14 years since, more than 14,000 lionfish have been eradicated, including 1,527 at the 2024 event, reef.org/derby.
Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Sport Fishing may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.
Copyright © 2026 Sport Fishing Firecrown. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

source