Key West

Why go

Key West works for two kinds of trips. One is the angler who wants offshore and wreck fishing plus the long runs west to the Marquesas Keys and Dry Tortugas, which are easiest from here. The other is the group where only some people fish, and the rest want a lively town with history, restaurants and sunsets.

You can fly straight into Key West, which saves the long drive down the Overseas Highway. The tradeoff is that Islamorada has a larger fleet and quicker access to the Florida Bay backcountry, and Key West is busier and more of a party town.

The fishing

Offshore

Key West’s offshore fishing follows the Keys pattern. Winter is the season for sailfish, kingfish, wahoo and blackfin tuna. From May through September, mahi-mahi take over. Blue marlin show up on the calendar in June and July, and Key West holds a marlin tournament in July. Deep-sea boats troll, kite fish, drift and deep drop depending on conditions.

Reefs and wrecks

Reefs and wrecks run the length of the Keys, and Key West charters fish them for yellowtail, mutton and mangrove snapper, grouper, amberjack and sharks. Snapper are around all year, with summer the peak for yellowtail and mangroves. Reef trips are the easy choice for families and mixed-ability groups, and a good fallback when it is too rough to run far offshore.

Flats

The flats around Key West and the Lower Keys are known for permit. Several permit tournaments, many on fly, are held here and nearby from March into the fall, and the Keys fishing calendar rates permit peak from April through October. Tarpon peak from April through July, and bonefish are also on the menu. Key West guide Ralph Delph built a long record here, guiding clients to hundreds of IGFA world records.

Day trips west

Marquesas Keys

West of Key West, the Marquesas Keys and 13 other islands make up the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, spread over 375 square miles of open water and reachable only by boat. Fishing is allowed under state rules. The refuge bans personal watercraft, airboats and towing, and some islands have sanctuary zoning. Getting there means a long boat run across open water, so treat it as a weather-dependent trip, ask your guide whether they fish the Marquesas, and keep a backup day.

Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park is about 70 miles west of Key West, with no road access. Visitors arrive by ferry, seaplane, private boat or permitted charter. The park lists the fishing guides authorized to operate there.

Fishing at the Dry Tortugas comes with rules worth reading in advance. Fishing is allowed in a marked one-mile area around Garden Key and from some docks and beaches when the ferry and seaplane are not present, while other areas, including the Research Natural Area, are closed. Anglers 16 and older need a Florida saltwater license, private boaters file a permit at Garden Key, and the park sets its own gear rules. There are no tackle or supply shops, so bring everything.

Charters and guides

Key West has a large charter fleet, from light-tackle reef boats and flats guides to offshore sportfishers running reef, wreck and bluewater trips. The Keys visitor bureau’s fishing directory shows about 99 listings for Key West. When you book, ask where the boat leaves from, how far it plans to run, and whether the license, bait and fish cleaning are included. See choosing a fishing charter and charter etiquette and tipping.

A fishing town with history

Ernest Hemingway bought his 38-foot boat Pilar in 1934 and kept it at the Navy Yard in Key West, near his home on Whitehead Street, fishing offshore for marlin and tuna. In March 1947, President Harry Truman received a trophy for the largest fish in a tournament held for his party. The Hemingway Home and Museum is open to visitors today.

Where to stay

Key West lodging runs from Victorian bed-and-breakfasts to oceanfront resorts, most close to the action. If you are booking early charters, staying near your departure marina helps. If the group is mixed, staying within reach of Duval Street and Mallory Square keeps non-anglers near the sights. Our where-to-stay guide compares bases across the Keys.

Beyond fishing

The sunset at Mallory Square, with its street performers, the Hemingway Home and Museum, and live music on Duval Street are the classic Key West evening. Diving and snorkeling options include the Vandenberg wreck and coral reefs. Seafood festivals and Fantasy Fest are on the event calendar. For families, plan days around snorkeling trips and the shorter fishing charters. See fishing with kids.

Getting there and around

Key West International Airport has service from several major airlines, direct or with connections. Driving from Miami means following U.S. 1 all the way to Mile Marker 0. A passenger ferry runs from Southwest Florida to the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal. In town, local on-demand transit, taxis and rideshare cover most needs.

Licenses and rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets saltwater licenses and rules, and licensed charters generally cover their anglers. Waters around Key West also fall under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge and, farther west, Dry Tortugas National Park, each with its own rules. Rules change; check them before every trip.