Fishing

Due to an extremely healthy and diverse environment, visitors of Islamorada will find that there is something for every type of saltwater angler.  Fish species range from those that serve as delicious meals to the fierce fighters renowned for speed and strength.  The primary game species of Islamorada include blue marlin, cobia, dolphin, grouper, kingfish, sailfish, snapper, tarpon, blackfin tuna, bluefin tuna, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, barracuda, shark, redfish, bonefish, permits, snook and spanish mackerel.  This wide selection ensures that there are options for both in-shore, near-shore and off-shore fishermen and there are seasoned charter boats ready to get you on the water.  The distance from shore often dictates the fish you will catch.  However at certain times of the year anything is possible.  We advise to study up and talk to a charter boat captain about what biting and how far you will have to travel to catch your targeted species.

In-Shore & Near-Shore Strategies and Species

There is a large variety of fish in Islamorada waters that will appeal to the in-shore (flats) or near-shore (shallow waters just off shore) fishermen.  These species have the potential to offer a challenge that is just as rewarding as targeting popular offshore species.  When in-shore, fishermen can rely solely on casting strategies that are adjusted to a certain species’ preferences.

In-shore fishermen should target the famous “Islamorada flats” for bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish and snook using light tackle, fly fishing gear and live bait rigs.  The tarpon is an inshore species that can be found in salt marshes, shallow estuaries, mangrove forests, and near hard bottoms.  The average size for this game fish ranges from 40 to 150 pounds, but they can grow to very large sizes if they reach old age.  The Florida state record for Tarpon is about 243 pounds.  Tarpon is solely a game fish and is not targeted for food.  Fishermen should use heavy rigs and baits such as crabs and pinfish.  

Near-shore species of Islamorada include cobia, dolphin, grouper, snapper, kingfish, wahoo, barracuda, sharks and spanish mackerel.  These amazing fish are most often caught trolling a variety of baits but sight casting to individual fish is a thrill you will never forget.

Cobia and dolphin are most often caught in deeper waters but commonly travel the near-shore waters at specific times of the year, ask your guide and adjust your strategy to fit. The grouper is a favorite target across many tropical regions because of its high food quality and strong fighting ability.  During the winter, anglers should target near-shore areas.  A bottom rig with 5 to 8 ounce weights and a line with a strong test is the ideal outfit.  Baits such as squids and sardines are usually effective.  Once hooked, fishermen should be sure to keep the rod pointed upwards and begin to reel the rod in quickly and immediately.  If the angler does not do this quick enough, the grouper will dive deep into a rock den until the rod or the line snaps.   The snapper is a hard fighter, but it does not run and jump like some other species; it relies solely on thrashing its head in order to rip the hook out or break the fishing line.  This species is commonly captured at one to eight pounds, but heavy rigs and strong test should be used when fishing in strong currents.  Ideal baits include cigar minnows, pilchards, and squid. The wahoo is another Islamorada favorite.  When inshore, fishermen should target this species in the area where the ebbing tide flows over the bank to deeper waters.  Live baits such as small one-pound tunas should be used when targeting wahoo.    The barracuda resides in the inshore shallow flats as well as offshore reefs.  Barracudas rely on fast, long runs and aggressive jumping in order to fight, so anglers should be prepared for a lot of excitement.  Ideal tackle includes fly, spinning, and baitcasting gear.  While one of the smaller species of Islamorada, the Spanish mackerel still offers some fun opportunities to inshore fishermen.  This fish can fight back with some fast runs.  Spanish mackerel weighs in at 1 to 7 pounds.  Spinning, baitcasting, and fly outfits are ideal for targeting this species. Good baits include minnows and live shrimp.

Off-Shore Strategies and Species

The deep open waters near Islamorada are full of opportunities for noteworthy challenges.  When targeting the large fighters of Islamorada’s offshore waters, fishermen should rely on trolling and casting methods that are altered to suit the intended species.  The primary game targets that reside in Islamorada’s offshore waters include blue marlin, cobia, dolphin, grouper, snapper, kingfish, sailfish, snapper, shark, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and barracuda. 

The blue marlin of Islamorada is an aggressive fighter that is commonly targeted by fishermen in search of an exciting challenge.  Artificial lures of 7 to 8 inches or larger varieties of 14 inches can be used.  Rigged natural baits such as small Spanish mackerel are also deemed effective.  For cobia, heavy rigs with lines of 30 pound test and spoons or swimming plugs are ideal in terms of tackle options.  Dolphin should be targeted near the edges of reefs, floating debris and sargasso weed.  Chumming the waters with sardines from a boat is an effective practice for attracting this species. Once located a fishermen can rely on sight fishing and a fly rod for an exhilarating thrill.  During the summer, fishermen can target grouper at 20 to 25 miles offshore.  A bottom rig with 5 to 8 ounce weights and a line with a strong test is the ideal outfit.  Baits such as squids and sardines are usually effective.  Kingfish can be targeted between one and 30 miles offshore an hard bottoms which are ideal locations for targeting kingfish.  Because of their long runs, anglers should equip their rods with at least 200 yards of a line of 20 pound test.  The rig should include a bait hook trailed by a stinger hook.  Live baits such as sardines, shad, herring, and minnows are great choices.  Once hooked, the angler should be patient and slowly reel it in until it is close enough to be gaffed and pulled into the vessel. 

The sailfish is a species that can be captured offshore throughout most of the year.  This species is a very aggressive fighter, but it can tire quite easily.  Trolling while using baits such as blue runners, pinfish, mullet, shad, and ballyhoo is a proven method of capture.  For snapper, fishermen should target offshore reefs of 50 to 60 feet in depth and deep drops in areas of strong currents.  The snapper is a hard fighter, but it does not run and jump like some other species; it relies solely on thrashing its head in order to rip the hook out or break the fishing line.  This species is commonly captured at one to eight pounds, but heavy rigs and strong test should be used when fishing in strong currents.  Ideal baits include cigar minnows, pilchards, and squid.  The bluefin tuna is an offshore species of tuna that can grow to enormous sizes.  While rare, It’s not uncommon to capture a bluefin tuna that weights in between 500 and 800 pounds.  This species can be targeted within the top 100 yards of the water column by chumming the waters with herring and using live bait such as whiting and herring.   A heavy rig equipped onto a balloon or kite is effective. The more common blackfin  & yellowfin tuna are regarded as one of the most challenging species of tuna regardless of size.  This species commonly weighs in between 10 and 200 pounds and is more abundant then the larger bluefin tuna.  This species can targeted off-shore by chumming the waters near reefs of 200 to 400 feet in depth.  When targeting tuna, fishermen should rely on heavy rigs and strong tests while using baits such as mackerel and sardines.  When in search of wahoo, offshore fishermen should target floating debris or sargasso grass by trolling at speeds of six to 14 knots. Live baits such as small one-pound tunas should be used when targeting wahoo.  For barracuda, ideal tackle includes fly, spinning, and baitcasting gear.  When targeting barracuda over reefs and wrecks, casting tackle is especially useful. 

Facilities, Services, and Accommodations

Islamorada offers a variety of hotels and home rentals for visitors.  With numerous resorts, marinas and restaurants it’s not hard to find fun in Islamorada.

Islamorada is a true fisherman’s paradise and the perfect destination for people in search of an experience that has the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

	Advertise your Guide or Charter Service here: We are looking for accomplished guides to list their services on FishAssist.  Please contact us at advertise@fishassist.com
	Advertise your Local Business, Lodging or Marina on FishAssist.  To list please contact us at advertise@fishassist.com