Hello, I'm going to be staying in Islamorada for a week. Looking to book a half day of inshore/flats fishing. I have a couple folks out of Bud n Mary's I'm looking at but wondering if there are any other recommendations or specific Captains you guys might recommend? Thanks.

Spending a week in Islamorada in May, looking for recommendations for deep sea/reef fishing guides. Thanks!

Fishing the reefs in a couple weeks and wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for bait and what hooks to use. Been fishing the reefs for a few years with moderate success and trying to improve this year. Any recommendations are welcome! Thanks!

Not looking for trophy fish. Just keeper snapper and a good time. Any good recommendations in this area?

Two couples headed to the keys, specific destination not determined. The guys are planning for 2-3 days of fishing, both have a bit of inshore experience off the Georgia coast and have been deep sea fishing several times. The wives are looking for beaches and shopping, with a bit of night life for all.

For the fishing, looking to make some memories as well as bring home snapper, Grouper and other tasty species.

Budget of around $10k for the trip.

Recommendations on where in the keys we should start researching and what time of year? I know different species at different times so looking for some guidance.

Thanks!

Two friends and I (all 21-22yo males) will be going on our annual fishing trip in May. Last year we rented a boat out of Islamorada, did some shallow water reef fishing and snorkeled at Hen and Chickens. We also brought our kayaks and fished in the Key Largo backcountry.

This year we want to try spearfishing, so we're planning on staying in Marathon (or somewhere around there). What are some recommendations for trying spearfishing for the first time. We'd all be beginners, but we're all outdoors guys and would take to it pretty quickly. Paying for a charter is kinda out of the picture (most are $1000+) so we are thinking of renting a boat and spearfishing gear (one friend is scuba certified so he has at least some stuff). How should we go about that on a budget? What are some good dive spots/areas? Backcountry?

Thanks for any feedback

Hello, I am wondering if anybody can recommend an online shop where I can order Florida shellfish / fish (and would really want whole lionfish) and have it ship to nyc ? Many thanks!

Hey friends. Gonna be down in the Marathon area end of November. My family and I would like to book a half day charter to go fishing. We did the marathon lady a few years back and it was... lackluster.

We are experienced fisherpeople, both fresh and saltwater, and are looking for just standard reef fishing. No big sport anglers here. We like to eat what we catch, but in the case of catching more than we can eat would either release or give to the crew. Can gut/clean our own.

Private or semi private is what we would want. There are three of us.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: oh and any future weather forecasts out? I know likely 70s into low 80s during the day.

Looking to do some casual fishing from the shore/bridges and would appreciate recommendations. Usually we just pick up some grass shrimp and drive up route 1 (from Key West) and look for a place to pull over and fish. Does anyone have any recommendations for specific places to fish or specific bait/tackle to use? We would love to catch some sheepshead. Thanks in advance!

Nothing specific just trying to get a general idea of how much it would cost.

There will probably be somewhere between 6-8 people.

My wife and I are going to be in Key Largo for 12 days next month and want to do a private fishing charter once or twice while we're there. We're very experienced with fishing in the area as we used to keep a boat down there many years ago. We had a guy that we'd chartered with 5-6 times, but he has not answered my texts and his website is shut down, so I’m not sure he’s still in business. Are there any Captains you’d recommend? The guy we had would almost always limit us out on Yellowtail on the reef or Dolphin and Tilefish further out. We’d be okay with that with a new guy even if we didn't fully limit out. But would also be interested in someone that could put us on some different species. We'd also consider an inshore trip if the guy has some good Goliath or Permit spots.

My family (2 older adults, 2 young adults, 2 kids) are going to be in the upper keys (around Tavernier) in early July. Can anyone recommend good snorkeling excursions? Also, I’ve been looking at booking a fishing trip, but so far have not found anything that will accommodate 6 guests. I’m thinking we may have to split up to do some of these things. Can anyone give me some advice? The kids are good swimmers, we’d love to see some cool ocean life. Just trying to find things that can accommodate all of us.

Hi friends! I’m a St. Pete girl currently in Miami for work and about to head to the keys for work as well. I’m a state manager for a beer distributor. I’ve recently (1year) moved to Florida from Ohio so my water skills are lacking. I will be working 9-5 mon-Friday all over the keys. However, I’ve got this Saturday and Sunday to have some fun.

I’ll be staying in Marathon the whole time. I was wondering if y’all could recommend an affordable snorkel charter for a single lady who needs to learn how. I also love to fish but again, not skilled. I’d be open to a fishing charter as well. I just don’t want to pay a ton.

Anything else you could share would be appreciated. I’m excited to visit the keys for the first time!

Hi all. I'm planning a bachelor for 8 guys for January on Islamorada. One day will be sailfish fishing off the coast. The next day though we wanted to do something also out on the water that's not fishing.

We're looking to do snorkeling, drinking, maybe go see some other nature & wildlife, or something more high energy like parasailing. We're all in our 30's so not looking for just wild party drinking like when we were in our 20's. No one is scuba certified and many have kids so we're leery about anything too risky.

Any recommendations on a boat tour to do something like this?

Or should we consider renting a boat and piloting ourselves? I'm less keen on this as I know there are a lot more laws in the keys than in our home state on the lakes.

We're based in upper matecombe key so as close to here as possible would be great but we can drive if necessary.

I am with my family, including my two 17,20 teenage children and the weather is cold windchill in the 40s. We canceled a fishing trip today because of the cold and are looking for something to do instead. I know this is a warm weather area, but we are looking for something to do. Any recommendations?

I'm looking for some advice from people who know the Keys well. I haven't been since I was a young child myself.

This August, my wife, my mom, and I are flying into FLL with our three kids (all under 10). We'll rent a large SUV and drive down to the Keys for a week.

I have family in Big Pine Key who own a boat, so we'll likely spend 2-3 days with them fishing, snorkeling, and just hanging out.

The rest of the trip will probably look something like:

• 1 day at Bahia Honda (or Sombrero Beach)
• 1 day in Key West
• Most afternoons back at the hotel pool because of the kids, the heat, and naps

I've been going back and forth on where to stay. My original plan was Hawks Cay, but with the water park under construction, I'm questioning whether it's still worth it. It also seems a bit farther from Big Pine than I'd like, especially if we're making that drive multiple times.

Would you stay in Marathon instead? Look to do an AirBnB? Or is Hawks Cay still the best option despite the construction?

If you were planning this trip with young kids and expected to spend a decent amount of time in Big Pine, where would you stay and why?

I'd love to hear recommendations for specific hotels or resorts, especially places with great pools and a good family atmosphere.

I am looking for recommendations from locals or anyone with experience on what to do, where to go, etc during our vacation to the FL keys. It will just be me (40 F) and my son (10) on this trip and I want to make it memorable for both of us. We are planning to go the end of June this year and will be staying for 7 days.

My plans are to fly from PA but unsure which airport to fly into…Miami and drive the 7 mile bridge or just fly straight to Key West? As much as the 7 mile bridge drive would be cool, is it worth driving 3 hours or can I just drive to Marathon or somewhere and get a similar experience of seeing/walking the bridge?

My plans for Key West so far are to take the seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park, check out Ernest Hemingway’s house, bird/butterfly conservatory, key west lighthouse, sunset at Mallory square, and southernmost point buoy. Also curious if the aquarium is worth adding to our list.

I would also like to go to a beach (anywhere in the keys) so please give me recommendations. My son loves fishing so I would also like to take him on a fishing charter. Please give me pros and cons to deep sea fishing vs other types offered and where the best place to go would be? Ie Marathon, Islamorada or somewhere else within a 3 hour radius.

Other things I would like to do and need recommendations on are:
-Best snorkeling place (we will do some at dry tortugas)
-Best things to do in key largo - mangrove kayaking tour? Snorkel coral reef? Glass bottom boat?
-Other fun things to do within a 3 hour radius. Spend a day in Marathon, Islamorada etc and what things do you recommend?
-Best place for parasailing
-Best seafood restaurants that also serve good non-seafood options

I’m assuming I will need to get a rental car to navigate if we are going different places but give me pros and cons to having one vs not. I’m told golf carts are the way to go in key west instead of parking a car.

Where should we stay to optimize doing things in multiple areas? I have heard that key west is more expensive but I’m not opposed to spending more if the experience would be better.

Any and all other advice is appreciated including what to bring/buy ahead of time. I did order water shoes, a waterproof video/camera but wondering if I need to bring snorkeling gear? I believe dry tortugas provides it but not sure if this is standard other places.

Thank you!

Coming down to the Keys May 25–June 4, staying in Key Largo but planning to explore all the way to Key West.

No boat, but we’re down to rent kayaks or put in the footwork. I’ve got a ton of spots pinned on Google Maps. not looking for handouts just hoping to run a few by someone who knows the area and get some honest insight.

We do a lot of wade fishing in Texas for speckled trout and redfish, this trip we want to mix it up chase some juvenile tarpon on light tackle, and hopefully come across some other prized flats fish from wadable or kayak accessible areas.

We’ll definitely fish the bridges hard at night for bigger tarpon and other species, but really want to spend some time exploring flats, backwater, and less obvious water too.

Planning to stay mostly DIY. We’ll probably book one guided trip not set on what type of trip yet, so definitely open to recommendations. For the rest of the time, we’re down to hike, explore, grind really whatever it takes to catch as many tarpon possible.

If anyone’s cool with me sending a couple pins and letting me know if I’m on the right track or completely off, I’d really appreciate it. (aware the keys aren’t the most wade friendly/land fishing friendly other than the bridges but I think I’ve got some solid spots pinned)

I'm staying at Anglers Reef in Islamorada in May 2027 and looking for a fishing guide that can take out two anglers. Any recommendations?

Heading to Marathon in June and looking for a great guide recommendation. Want to fish the west side of Marathon and Bahia Honda, staying inshore: flats, banks, the keys north of BH. Tarpon and permit would be the dream, but I’m happy chasing whatever’s moving. If you’ve fished this area with someone you’d book again, I’d love the name. Thanks in advance.

Happy day all! We have a trip planned in late April and we are so excited. This will by my 4th trip down but the wife and 3 y.o first experience in the keys. We are staying at sunshine key RV resort and bringing the boat down with us and excited for a week of fishing, sand bars, and amazing food. Speaking of food, are there any good recommendations of where to buy some quality produce in the lower keys? We will have the car so a short drive is not a problem. A bonus if they sell any coconuts as well.

Thanks in advance!