I fish the treasure coast out of Stuart FL. The Florida Keys are home to the best fly fishing in the world for large permit, incredible numbers of tarpon and some huge bonefish. Tarpon fun, snapper, yellow jacks (use shrimp or small pin fish), and other species will be after the mullets moving. After seeing that there were indeed tarpon within reach of shore, I perked right back up, and as the sun set, I prepared for my first night of Florida Keys fishing. This continued for a couple casts until soon, I was getting no interest from the fish at all. Shore-fishing is one of the great delights of the Florida Keys. Latest. Experience one of the most incredible fisheries in the Florida with Capt. If saltwater fly fishing were a football game, the Florida Keys and Key West would be the Superbowl. Key West, Florida arguably has the most diversity in salt water fishing than any other place on the planet. Anglers booking Florida Keys fishing charters will find that snook can be caught on a variety of live and artificial baits. The sky’s the limit when it comes to fishing here. Offshore: Another great week of fishing here in the Upper Florida Keys, with a great bite early on of blackfin tunas, king mackerel, and a good number of Wahoo. Epic does not even do justice to describing the fishing in Islamorada. Florida Keys Fishing For Permit Tests Patience, Endurance & Skill Permit fish, like so many of the other Florida Keys fish, are around all year. The best bait to use to avoid the bait stealer is squid and Berkley Gulp. I flipped the Stick Shadd into the shadows and began working it back to me. At spot one, you can park literally right next to the water. Tarpon! I had a take on my first cast and fought the tarpon as I worked my way back to shore, where I would land the fish. At this writing the annual license cost is just $9 (resident). I can’t wait to get back. Aside from rod n reel fishing, we also offer freediving and spearfishing the Islamorada blue water or reefs. Here are the best places for the best catches in the Florida Keys. Options in the Keys range from affordable budget motel chains to upscale resorts. Florida Keys Bridge Fishing is fun for the whole family! In the Florida Keys, it’s tough to find a time when you can’t catch fish. Captain Dan and his mate Steve took us out for 6 hours during which we caught 27 large fish including barracudas, black grouper, yellow fin snapper, red fin snapper and Amber Jack." Honestly, if you can find a bridge or a spot on the side of the road to fish, you are going to catch “something”! Fishing in the Florida Keys, with green and blue waters enveloping Islamorada, signaling sandbars, flats and channels. This sight-fishing continued through the tide, and I lost count of the number of tarpon I hooked, managing to land seven of them. Really not any beaches for walking in the Keys. By Sam Hudson. Why Marathon? When another, larger tarpon came blasting out of the water and the hook held, I was confident that as long as I didn’t break the line, the fish was mine. We can sell or rent your equipment so you can enjoy a day of fishing while not having to spend the money on a more expensive charter. Invincible 36 Open Fisherman Review. The front side of the island around the beaches and near the bridge, with the right wind, looked so promising for a fly rod. When I walked up to the 7-Mile Bridge Pier, I saw the shadow lines I was looking for and was excited about my chances. I am Captain Ryan Booth and I am a South Florida native that grew up fishing the southern part of Florida and the Florida Keys. But even if you show up on Islamorada in the dead of autumn, you’re unlikely to leave with an empty hook. Then throw out the smaller fish on circle hooks to catch something … Been there numerous times and I’m also a striper guy/Northeast. However, few places are as friendly and relaxing as Marathon. Anglers of all experience levels are welcome to spend the day exploring the mangrove shorelines or shallow flats stalking a variety of species: redfish, snook, tarpon, trout, sheepshead, permit, snapper, tripletail, bonefish, sharks and many others! Choose from Offshore Angling, Wreck, Tarpon, Nearshore, Reef, Back Country, or Shark Fishing. Starting at the Tea Table Bridge, Mile Marker 79, and heading southwest on Highway 1 towards Key West there is accessible, exciting fishing right near the road. My first thought was “shark,” but when a needlefish swam by with the current and the fish rolled on its side and ate the bait on the surface with a loud whoosh, I could clearly see it. This is a great stop to find motivation to fish the shallows of the Keys. Fishing stories that you will tell for a lifetime are born in the offshore waters of the Florida Keys. In today's video we take the things we have learned from the past videos and head out to see if we can catch some fish (bend a rod). When I walked to the water’s edge, I could hardly believe my eyes. Off Shore Fishing. If you already have the license for fishing from vessels, you’re covered. Mixing in with the snappers were various species of grouper, including a baby 6-pound Goliath grouper, houndfish and a jack crevalle. Throughout the Florida Keys there are resident and climate friendly fish that hang around, come and go with the weather. A quick look through a local nautical chart or GPS/Chartplotter will reveal wrecks, reefs and other fishing areas. A vast majority of … Some people might get caught up in the Key West nightlife and the happenings on Duval St. "BEST FISHING TRIP EVER!!! "Captain Dan is a great guide!! By the time I got back to the Northeast, the stripers were steadily making their way up the coast and the first reports of big blues had already trickled in. I inched the tarpon closer and closer until finally I got a grip on its lower lip. Pelican Cove Resort & Marina. What i do is back up my truck to the edge of the water and fish from my truck bed. You can purchase a license at most bait and tackle shops or online. Islamorada fishing charters & Key Largo fishing charters are highly productive because of the warm waters that surround the Florida Keys. Check what qualifies for Florida residency and if you are eligible for exemptions. Any shiny for barracuda! I could actually pick which tarpon I wanted to drift my jig to! Bait & chum usually runs around $10.00-$25.00 depending on the number of people. Springtime, which is March through May, is probably the best season for fishing all types of fish in the local waters. One set up with a small jig head and bait it with squid to catch smaller fish. Florida Keys Inshore and Offshore. Add to that the convenient location in the middle of the Keys, and you get a rich fishery with great access to a variety of fishing … Cal had even booked a charter for two days to do some reef and offshore fishing, which would serve as a nice contingency plan in case I was unable to find fish on dry land. Driving south down U.S. 1 in Florida, it’s easy to become hypnotized by the green and blue waters surrounding top fishing destinations such as Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West. If you can't get to shore before the storm hits, then get inside the boat so you're under cover. One set up with a small jig head and bait it with squid to catch smaller fish. After feeling some heavy headshakes, a 3-foot tarpon erupted from the water under the bridge, and before I could fully grasp that I’d hooked my first tarpon, the jig came sling-shotting back at me, whizzing just over my left shoulder. If you want to experience first-class snorkeling, fishing and/or boating? If you’re planning on catching and cooking your own meal in the Keys, snapper are going to be your best bet feeding yourself and others. Snapper / Reef Fishing. I’ll definitely be stoping by there. Any shiny for barracuda! Florida Keys fishing tips on best knots, fishing tackle, bait and Florida fishing regulations so you'll have the best Florida Keys fishing vacation. The species are endless. This is a pretty comfy spot. Giles, the owner of Stuart Angler, is a great guy and a great guide. The Keys are dripping with shore-fishing opportunity, from the miles of wade-able flats located a stone’s throw from the Overseas Highway to the 42 … Some favorites include tarpon, permit, bonefish, redfish, snook, shark, sailfish, mahi, wahoo, backfin tuna, hogfish and many species of snapper. The most memorable catch on the shrimp was a 3-foot bonnethead shark that my cousin Liam and I teamed up to catch from the bridge at Channel 5. The tarpon did its best big striped bass imitation and made a beeline for the bridge pilings. That combined with year-round warm weather and a relaxing tropical setting makes the Keys a great place to vacation. For this I would need a jig. Boats. What to Expect. Semper Fish! My favorite spot for night is numbered 1 on the map. Recommendations for shore fishing the Keys. This is where I ended my day and headed to the hotel as the sun was setting. If you’re fishing on your own, make sure to buy a Florida fishing license ahead of time. Recommendations for shore fishing the Keys and Key West. Not breaking the line was going to be an immense challenge on its own. During the days, I continued to fish jigs from and around the bridges. Winter fishing in the Florida Keys for snappers, grunts, groupers and other fish associated with coral is a blast, especially for kids. As I got back to the drive to Key West I made a few stops at various bridges and keys to check things out and see what the locals were catching. A 100-pounder, probably more, right there beneath my feet, and in a feeding mood. Maybe Sombrero Beach - he can fish off the pier while you guys stay in the sandy area. During the long days of summer, you can prowl the waters for dolphin. T he Florida Keys are one of the most desirable deep sea fishing charter destinations in the world. Can’t catch if your line isn’t in the water. With a winter’s worth of weekend sportsman’s shows behind me, by March I was ready to get serious about fishing once again. The fish missed the plug, so I quickly repeated the same cast as before, determined to get my first tarpon. Shore-fishing is one of the great delights of the Florida Keys. All of the Florida Keys are a playground for sport fish and anglers alike. Good article..Thanks for the motivation! I swept the rod down to the right three or four times hoping to drive the hook home. The waters are starting to … Florida Keys fishing is famous for tarpon, cobia and bonefish, but nothing gets the blood pumping like snook fishing season. Offshore fishing we primarily target Tuna, Dolphinfish (Mahi) and Sailfish depending on the time of year. Excellent. From either airport, it’s about a one-hour drive in a rental car to the start of the Overseas Highway. Great story it’s a good lesson in believing in your ability and not listening to the shops. An added bonus: Many Keys restaurants will cook your fresh catch. What i do is back up my truck to the edge of the water and fish from my truck bed. I didn’t have to wait long for that next hit – it came on the following cast. Recommendations for shore fishing the Keys. 5,498 Reviews . It seemed most people were having luck with various grouper, snapper, and barracuda near all the bridges. Main Fishing Seasons Descriptions. Islamorada, Florida Keys . Joe, The National Angler. But even if you show up on Islamorada … The top Florida Keys fishing guides understand that while there are many factors that influence inshore species–water temperature, moon phase, barometric pressure–the most important is … We can also help with your key largo shore fishing bait needs, or key largo bridge fishing tactics as well! Many of them trailer their boats all the way from North Carolina or Rhode Island. Boat Reviews. On the drive down the most notable bridges that seemed to be producing and popular with the locals; Indian Key @ Indian Key Channel, Lower Matecumbe Key @ Channel Two, the bridge between Long Key and Duck Key. Comments Off Dan hi I am from the state of Iowa my wife and I are going to the gulf april 20 -24 to fish we have gone a couple of times on head boats with no luck at all. With the wind taken out of my sails a bit, I made my way down to Islamorada and made the obligatory stop at Bud n’ Mary’s Marina, where I hoped to catch a glimpse of the famous “pet” tarpon that mill around the boat docks. My favorite spot for night is numbered 1 on the map. Any shiny baits or lures for barracuda! In Marathon, Florida our fishing vessels … Fishing Reports covering the entire Florida Keys, including Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys (including Big Pine Key, Little Torch Key, Ramrod Key, Cudjoe Key, Sugarloaf Key … In just a short, scenic drive from Fort Lauderdale or Miami International Airport, you can reach the world famous Robbies Marina in Islamorada. The reoccurring fishing theme for the various bridges was fresh bait, shrimp or squid. The Florida Keys is known to many anglers as The Sportfishing Capital of The World. Though striped bass and tarpon aren’t even remotely related – tarpon are actually more closely related to eels than bass – these estimated 30- to 60-pound fish were sure acting just like stripers do under a bridge. I have a wedding to attend Sat. License & permit information, season dates, size & creel limits and more. A different fish species in the Florida Keys is available each month of the year. One of the really great things about the Florida Keys is the ability to see a great looking fishing spot from the road and pull the car over and fish there. Sailfish and redfish take center stage this month in the Florida Keys. If you want to throw a fly a decent place I scoped out was at Bahia Honda State Park. I did try bait a few times, and in the keys, the top baits are either live shrimp or small, live blue crabs. Honestly, if you can find a bridge or a spot on the side of the road to fish, you are going to catch “something”! If you arrive in time for a cold front, you can expect the sailfish to bite. Brandon Henley. Thousands of avid anglers who come here each year can confirm it. Florida Keys Fishing Adventures and Captain Chuck Kitto provides a first class experience for all types of Atlantic and Florida Keys Off-Shore Fishing. Not sure exactly what I’d encounter under the bridge, I rigged up my 7-foot G. Loomis travel spinning rod and Shimano Saros with a 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader and a Sebile Stick Shadd. Key Largo. Florida Keys offshore fishing charters will take you to some of the most prestigious deep sea fishing grounds in the world. I high recommend two rods. The Florida Keys are home to the best fly fishing in the world for large permit, incredible numbers of tarpon and some huge bonefish. No other place in Florida boasts as many “silver kings.” The channel between the Old Bahia Honda bridge and the Overseas Highway is the deepest inshore fishery in the Keys. 4 years later It still holds true when needing to adjust to different water conditions or weather patterns. Fishing in the Florida Keys is a little like tropical sunbathing – there’s never a real off-season. Come down to the Florida Keys and experience some of the best deep sea fishing Key Largo and Islamorada have to offer. Bonefish root out crabs, shrimp and small fish in crystal clear water as shallow water often less than one foot deep and just as often within just yards of shore. While you can’t fish on the actual 7-Mile Bridge, portions of the old bridge have been left up and were converted into fishing piers. Many places that look really good are tide dependent. No one seemed interested in catching these baby tarpon. The best way to see the Florida Keys is on an Islamorada fishing charter. It’s Fish-Rich, Calm, and Friendly. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2020 On The Water, LLC. Small jigs with bait to catch more bait. I palmed the spool and the fish changed its course, peppering in a few breathtaking jumps. Find information about fish, gear and techniques here - Florida Shore Fishing I high recommend two rods. … ABOUT US | CONTACT. Florida Keys Outfitters: Snook Fishing . Though Vaca Cut held a good number of baby tarpon, I thought the larger channels between the Keys would hold even more and bigger tarpon. If it is Offshore Fishing you are interested in, then Florida Keys Fishing Adventures fishing guides can help you capture species such as marlin, sailfish, dolphin, tuna, wahoo, kingfish, swordfish. Tarpon this size were common around the Keys bridges after the sunset, yet hardly any fishermen were encountered after dark. You can hire a charter or take a “party boat.” The trip is inexpensive and sure to produce a fresh fish dinner. 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