Year Round Florida Fishing in Islamorada

Islamorada is known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. Although you might associate fishing as a strictly summertime activity, the Florida fishing season never ends. Our warm, pleasant weather year-round entices anglers of all experience levels to cast their lines even when the rest of the country is blanketed in snow. Whether in the reefs, backcountry, bay, or flats, you will always find something exciting to catch here in Islamorada.

Nestled midway between Miami and Key West, Islamorada, or “the purple island,” is ideally situated for exploring or catching fish, and the seasons have little or no effect on that. Islamorada is located at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and Florida Bay. The convergence has created a space through which virtually all species of fish will pass.

While not all species of fish live in our hemisphere, those that do will almost certainly pass through the Florida Keys. As winter temperatures dip, many fish species begin to travel to new habitats, making winter fishing an exciting option.

During Islamorada’s winter, you will have the opportunity to catch a wide range of incredible fish, including:

• Sheepshead
• Redfish
• Bonefish
• Striped bass
• Yellowtail Snapper
• Cobia
• Barracuda
• Grouper
• Jack Crevalle
• Mackerel
• Sailfish
• Wahoo
• Lionfish

 

The North American Coral Reef Tract extends along the entire length of the Florida Keys and is the continent’s only living coral reef. Here, you can fish for grunts, grouper, snapper, and other fish that tend to congregate around the reefs.

Backcountry fishing refers to fishing on the west or bayside of the Overseas Highway and in shallows near the shores. The backcountry offers vibrant fishing opportunities, and anglers have great luck catching Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, various small grouper, snook, redfish, and seatrout.

Florida Bay is one of the world’s largest estuarine systems. It encompasses more than half a million acres of shallow meadows of turtle grass, breathtaking mangrove islands, and little tributaries. Much of the bay is protected under the Everglades National Park, but Islamorada offers convenient access to the bay waters, which see schools of redfish, Spanish mackerel, and more.

The shallow saltwater flats add a new and exciting dimension to fishing. Anglers here fish on foot or while using kayaks, canoes, or small skiffs that allow them to get up close and personal with the fish. They are better able to spot hiding spots, such as turtle grass, oyster beds, or debris, that might conceal both baitfish and the larger predatory fish.

In the flats of Islamorada, you can catch some of the most prized fish in the region, including bonefish and redfish in the winter. You might even get lucky and catch a tarpon, although these tend to be more active in the warmer months between March and November.

Regardless of your preferred catch and fishing season, there is no better place to stay during your Florida Keys winter fishing adventure than Mangrove Marina. Our full-service marina has everything you need for boating, including a boat dock and numerous available services. We also have unique houseboat rentals with all the comforts of home and the necessary addition of Florida Keys’ whimsy. At Mangrove Marina, we will ensure your Florida fishing trip is a one-of-a-kind experience that you will remember forever.