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Port guide / Florida Keys / Florida
Islamorada fishing guide
Islamorada sits on Plantation, Windley and the Matecumbe keys, with Florida Bay and Everglades National Park backcountry on one side and the reef line, including Alligator Reef, on the other. The town is known for backcountry tarpon, bonefish and permit on the flats and for winter sailfish and summer mahi offshore, and it hosts more fishing tournaments than any other Keys town. Big charter marinas like Bud N' Mary's and Robbie's run everything from party boats to fly guides.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
NOAA tides, Upper Matecumbe Key, Florida Bay, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Vaca Key, Florida Bay, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Islamorada. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Bonefish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Permit | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Mahi mahi (dolphin) | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Blackfin tuna | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Yellowtail snapper | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Snook | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
Sailfish
Peak: January, April, May, November, December
Islamorada's big sailfish tournaments run December through February, and peak months on local charts are November to January plus April and May.
Tarpon
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Tarpon are the backcountry and flats headliner here, and the Gold Cup and Golden Fly tarpon tournaments run in May and June.
Bonefish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Bonefish are sight fished on the flats by local fly and light tackle guides and are catch and release only.
Permit
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Permit are one of the backcountry big three alongside tarpon and bonefish on the Islamorada flats.
Mahi mahi (dolphin)
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Mahi are the summer offshore fish, with dolphin tournaments in Islamorada from May through August.
Blackfin tuna
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Blackfin tuna are an offshore target, and local reports say they hold over humps in the fall.
Yellowtail snapper
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Yellowtail are a reef fish here, best in the early morning or evening during summer.
Snook
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Snook are a backcountry fish along the mangroves, but harvest is closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30.
Redfish
Peak: August, September, October, November
Redfish are a Florida Bay backcountry target for local flats guides, best late summer through fall.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Spiny lobster, regular season
Regular season runs August 6 to March 31, so the current season is open through March 31, 2027.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 to 2027 season Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spiny lobster, sport season (mini-season)
Sport season is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July; FWC lists the next one as July 28 to 29, 2027. Night diving for lobster is prohibited in Monroe County during sport season only.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2027 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Atlantic state and federal waters
The 2026 Atlantic season for private anglers and for-hire captains in FWC's program ran October 9 to 22; anglers outside the program could fish only the federal season, October 9 to 11. It is now closed for 2026.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf private recreational
Remaining 2026 Gulf dates announced by FWC: October 30 to November 1; November 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22; November 26 to 29; December 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20; December 25 to 27; and January 1 to 4, 2027. Private-boat anglers must be registered as a State Reef Fish Angler.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters, Atlantic and Gulf side)
Open May 1 to August 1 in state and federal waters; closed the rest of the year.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual, no year stated) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Black and red grouper, Atlantic (includes all Monroe County state waters)
Open May 1 to December 31 in state and federal waters. The Atlantic shallow-water grouper closure (red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby) runs January 1 to April 30.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual, no year stated) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Gulf gag was open September 1 to 30, 2026 and closed October 1 for the rest of the year. Monroe County state waters follow Atlantic rules, but you may run to open Gulf federal waters and return to a Monroe County port through closed state waters if you go directly to port without stopping to fish.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Hogfish, Atlantic including the Florida Keys
Open May 1 to October 31 in state and federal waters south of Cape Sable; closed November 1 to April 30.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Southwest region (includes Monroe County and Everglades National Park)
Closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30; open the rest of the year.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, current FWC rule (annual) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bonefish
Catch and release only, year round.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in effect since September 1, 2013 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Reef
Alligator Reef
A sanctuary preservation area where catch and release trolling is the only fishing allowed; fish the reef line outside the yellow buoys for bottom fishing.
- Bay
Florida Bay and the Everglades backcountry
Shallow flats, channels and mangrove keys a short run from Islamorada's bayside marinas; a Florida license is required and lobster may not be taken in the park.
- Bridge
Historic Long Key Bridge fishing platforms
The old Long Key Bridge on the Overseas Heritage Trail has fishing platforms for shore anglers.
- Offshore
Gulf Stream off Islamorada
Offshore boats from Bud N' Mary's and Robbie's run outside the reef for sailfish, mahi and tuna.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Key Fill Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | US-1, MM 79, Bayside, Islamorada |
| Plantation Key Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | End of E. Ridge Rd., Islamorada |
| Founder's Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 87000 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada |
| Harbor Lights at Holiday Isle (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 84001 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Tackle Center of Islamorada (opens in a new tab) | 82661 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036 | (305) 664-9800 |
| Express Bait (opens in a new tab) | 80460 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 | (305) 304-0053 |
| Bud N' Mary's Outfitters (opens in a new tab) | 79851 Overseas Highway (MM 79.8 Oceanside), Islamorada, FL | (305) 664-2461 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Robbie's of Islamorada (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Relentless Fishing (Capt. Paul Ross) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Florida Keys Flats Fishing (Capt. Barry Hoffman) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Islamorada SailFly Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early January
2026: January 6 to 8Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid May
2026: May 18 to 20Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid June
2026: June 15 to 19Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid November
2026: November 12 to 14Islamorada Sailfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early December
2026: December 4 to 6Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid December
2026: December 11 to 13
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Islamorada, asked and answered
When is tarpon season in Islamorada?
Local seasonal charts rate April through October as peak tarpon months, with March and November also fishable. The big tarpon tournaments, Golden Fly and the Gold Cup, run in May and June.
When do the sailfish tournaments run in Islamorada?
The 2026 calendar has the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament December 4 to 6 and the Junior Sailfish Tournament December 11 to 13, with more sailfish events through January and February.
Can I keep a snook in Islamorada right now?
Monroe County is in FWC's Southwest snook region, closed December 1 to the end of February and May 1 to September 30. It is open in October and November.
Can I fish Alligator Reef?
Alligator Reef is a sanctuary preservation area where catch and release trolling is the only fishing allowed. Bottom fishing has to be done outside the yellow buoys.
Where are the free ramps in Islamorada?
FWC lists Indian Key Fill at MM 79 bayside and the Plantation Key ramp at the end of East Ridge Road as no-fee ramps. Founder's Park and Harbor Lights charge a fee.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Islamorada
Sources for this guide (21), last checked 2026-10-26
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/islamorada/seasonality?sport=1 (opens in a new tab)
- fishanywhere.com/blog/best-time-to-fish-in-the-florida-keys-month-by-month (opens in a new tab)
- floridakeys.noaa.gov/regs/ (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/Florida_Keys/pages/boat_ramps.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/atlantic-red-snapper/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bonefish/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/hogfish/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- tacklecenterislamorada.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/express-bait (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/florida-keys-flats-fishing (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/business-directory/relentless-fishing (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing (opens in a new tab)
- visitfloridakeys.com/experiences/what-were-famous-for/fishing/tournaments (opens in a new tab)
- budnmarys.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/florida-keys-overseas-heritage-trail (opens in a new tab)
- nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/fishing.htm (opens in a new tab)
- robbies.com/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Islamorada
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.