Mahi-mahi fishing charters in Islamorada, FL

Islamorada, in the Upper Keys, calls itself the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” — and it has the fleet, the history and the variety to back it up. The village is a string of islands with Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry on one side and the Atlantic reef and Gulf Stream on the other, so you can fish skinny water at dawn and blue water by lunch.

Backcountry and Florida Bay

To the north lies the vast, shallow backcountry of Florida Bay and Everglades National Park — mangrove islands, channels and grass flats that hold snook, redfish, spotted seatrout and tarpon. It’s calm, sheltered fishing that suits light tackle and fly anglers, and it’s often fishable when the ocean side is too rough.

Flats: bonefish, permit and tarpon

Islamorada is one of the best-known places in the world to stalk bonefish on the flats, and permit cruise the same water. In spring, migrating tarpon arrive in huge numbers; anglers fish them on the flats by day and under the bridges at night, where the tide funnels baitfish through the channels — a classic Keys experience.

Reef and offshore

The Atlantic reef off Islamorada produces yellowtail and mutton snapper, grouper and hogfish. Beyond it, the Gulf Stream brings sailfish in winter — Islamorada has a long history of sailfish tournaments — and mahi-mahi from late spring through summer, along with blackfin tuna and wahoo.

Good to know

The backcountry lies partly inside Everglades National Park and the ocean side within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, each with its own rules and protected areas; local guides fish them every day and keep you legal. Bag limits and seasons for reef fish change regularly — check current Florida FWC regulations if you’re targeting a specific species.