The Upper Keys of of the Key West Region include Keys in Biscayne National Park (accessible only by boat) in Miami-Dade County. Transitional keys in this specific region include; Soldier Key, Ragged Keys, Boca Chita Key, and Sands Key. True Florida Keys, (i.e., exposed ancient reefs) in the Upper Keys area include; Eliot Key, Adams Key, Reid Key, Rubicon Keys, Tottered Key, and Old Rhodes Key. Keys in Monroe County include; Key largo, Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lignumvitae Key, and Lower Matecumbe Key. (Plantation Key through Lower Matecumbe Key are incorporated as Islamorada, Village of Islands. The "towns" of Key Largo, North Key Largo and Tavernier, all on the island of Key Largo, are not incorporated.)

 Key Largo is connected to the mainland in Miami-Dade County by two routes. The Overseas Highway, which is U.S. Highway 1, enters Key Largo at Jewfish Creek near the middle of the island and turns southwest. Card Sound Road connects to the northern part of Key Largo at Card Sound Bridge and runs eastward to connect with County Road 905, which runs southwest and joins U.S. 1 at about mile marker 106. These routes originate at Florida City on the mainland.

 Key Largo is a popular tourist destination  and calls itself the "Diving Capital of the World" because the living coral reef a few miles offshore attracts thousands of scuba divers  and sport fishing enthusiasts. Key Largo's proximity to the Everglades also makes it a premier destination for kayakers and eco tourists.

Islamorada, a "Village of Islands," is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is located on the islands of Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village was incorporated on November 4, 1997. Prior to this date, Islamorada was only considered to be on the island of Upper Matecumbe Key. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 6,846. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,386.The name Islamorada, meaning "purple island", came from early Spanish explorers in the area. Its pronunciation has been Anglicized to aisle-a-more-AH-dah.Islamorada was hit almost directly by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, causing 423 deaths. A memorial, including the ashes of over 300 victims, exists today at Overseas Highway mile marker 82.

Marathon is a city on Knight's Key, Boot Key, Key Vaca, Fat Deer Key, Long Point Key, Crawl Key and Grassy Key islands in the middle Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,255. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,626.

Big Pine Key is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Monroe County, Florida, on an island of the same name in the Florida Keys.

Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway) (east), Sigsbee Park (north, originally known as Dredgers Key), Fleming Key (north), and Sunset Key (west, originally known as Tank Island). Both Fleming Key and Sigsbee Park are part of Naval Air Station Key West and are inaccessible by civilians. Key West is the county seat of Monroe County. Key West is known as the southernmost city in the Continental United States. It is also the southern terminus of U.S. 1, State Road A1A, the East Coast Greenway and before 1935, the Florida East Coast Railway.

Key West is 129 miles (207 km) southwest (229.9 degrees) of Miami, Florida, (about 160 driving miles) and 106 miles (170 km) north-northeast (21.2 degrees) of Havana Cuba. Cuba, at its closest point, is 94 miles south.

Key West is a seaport destination for many passenger cruise ships. The Key West International Airport provides airline service. Hotels and guest houses are available for lodging. Naval Air Station Key West is an important year round training site for naval aviation due to the superb weather conditions. It is also a reason the city was chosen as the Winter White House of President Harry S. Truman. The central business district primarily comprises Duval Street, and includes much of the northwest corner of the island along Whitehead, Simonton, Front, Greene, Caroline, and Eaton Streets and Truman Avenue. The official city motto is "One Human Family."

When you think of a family vacation, what thoughts come to mind? Looking for family togetherness plus time to relax and leave the hassles of everyday life behind?

Offshore Species   

Blue Marlin

Description: color cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; dorsal fin and pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven like a net), difficult to see in large specimens; no dark spots on dorsal fin; body covered with imbedded scales ending in one or two sharp points.

Sailfish

Description: color dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in form of spear; first dorsal greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black spots, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with imbedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved over pectoral, then straight to base of tail.

Dolphin

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

Blackfin Tuna

Description: Blackfin tuna are the most abundant tuna species. They are equally shaped from the head and tail from their midsection, making look in shape like a football. Silver side, dark blue on the back and white on the stomach. Small gray finlets run from the second dorsal fin to the anal fin. Eyes are large size.

Cobia

Description: Strong fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail sometimes mistaken for a shark. When young, has a conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripe.

Shortfin Mako Shark

Description: lunate tail with similarly sized lobes; lateral keel at the base of the tail; deep blue back and white underside; underside of sharply pointed snout white; origin of first dorsal entirely behind base of pectoral fins; second dorsal fin slightly in front of anal fin; slender; recurved teeth with smooth edges.

Backcountry Slam – Snook-Redfish-Trout

Snook - The local backcountry offers some excellent Snook fishing. The average size is 5 to 9 pounds and 24-34 inches. You will find them around bridges, mangroves, pilings just about any structure. They eat Mullet, Shrimp, Pilchards, Pinfish and a multitude of artificial lures or combinations of live and dead bait.

 Redfish - Redfish love the warm waters of south Florida, the oyster beds, mangroves, and grassy flats are their regular haunts. They are prolific, and definitely not timid when it comes to eating - Which makes them a great sport fish for light tackle and fly-fishing. Redfish are often seen "tailing" (very similar to bonefish) on the shallow flats as they feed.

Seatrout - Seatrout are frequently targeted from December to April. When fishing for them you can use the old standby a popping cork rig with a shrimp or artificial hanging below the cork. Remember Pop the cork Sea Trout come to the gurgling sound the cork makes.Sea Trout are found over grassy bottom and in the"muds" that is muddy areas where the bait is routing in the bottom stirring up shrimp and small fishes.

Flats Slam – Bonefish-Tarpon-Permit

Bonefish (“Grey Ghost”) - Known for very fast and very long first runs, this is probably the species most synonymous with Florida flats fishing. There is a reason why they are called "gray ghost of the flats" and are a real light tackle challenge. Here in the Keys, bonefish generally average in the 6 to 8 pound range with fish of 10 to 12 or larger not uncommon. They are usually fished in water less than two feet deep, and sometimes are seen so shallow that their tails and dorsal fins show as they root out food from the bottom. This is called "tailing" and is the most demanding of angler skills. Bonefish prefer water temperatures over 72 degrees, but can sometimes be found in slightly cooler conditions.

Tarpon (“Silver King”) - These incredible fish offer the ultimate in a shallow water big game fish. During the spring migrations, fish can average from 80 to over 150 pounds. They can be found rolling and feeding in deep backcountry finger channels, in shallow grassy basins or along the edges of bars and flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. Tarpon tend to prefer water temps in the mid 70's for the channels and usually need 78-79 degrees for the flats. The big fish are here in good to excellent numbers from March through July and small tarpon 8-20 pounds are here year-round, disappearing during cold fronts in winter.

Permit - The permit is a very strong and hard fighting fish, averaging 8 to 16 pounds. Fish in the 20 to 35 pound range are common with fish to near 50 pounds showing fairly often. They seem to tolerate slightly cooler and slightly warmer conditions than the bones, and are also here all year with February thru November probably being most productive. Permit are usually found in waters less than 3 to 4 feet deep and will also float in channels or off flat edges in calm situations.

Charter Fishing Tips

Who's going? Is everyone fishing? Find out who in your party is ready for the trip and get a head count. Is everyone fishing or are some just tagging along to get some sun or to watch other bring in the big one. This will be an important question to ask prior to booking the Charter. Note: a Charter runs from 4 to 8 hours on the open Water so for those who have difficulty with the motion of the Boat remember there is no turning back because the others on the Boat paid to go fishing and time is money for the Captain. Get some motion sickness medicine before heading out.

 What's your Budget? Great everyone is coming! Now we need to prepare for what we are willing to spend. A lot will depend on the type of fishing you plan on doing. Fishing Guides (fish inland and coastal Waterways) can take out one to three people and prices can range from $120 to $550 per day per trip. Private Fishing Charter (fish on large inland Waterways, coastal bays and off-shore) will let you rent the Boat with a full-crew for a half day or full day with prices ranging from $250 to $1200 per day per trip for up to six people at a time. Now the least expense Charter Fishing adventure is in way of what they call a "Head Boat" or a Deep Sea Fishing Boat head off-shore due to their size; can take out 20 to 60 people at a time and charge $30 to $80 per person. Note: pricing depends on the seasonality of the location; for example: Florida and the Caribbean in the winter months will be at premium rates versus summer months. Also ask what the price includes such as gas, gratuities, any taxes or fees, bait, drinking water, etc... if there is nothing included in the price find out the extras.

Start Shopping!  What type of fishing are you looking for - inland and coastal Waterways or off-shore? A Fishing Guide will be the one to take you out on inland and coastal Waterways including backcountry fishing. The advantage a Guide has is there is only 2 or 3 people on the Boat, less rocking motion on the Water then off-shore or large bays and there is more to see and explore. Charter Fishing Captain would be the one to take you out off-shore in the deep blue ocean. The advantage a Charter Rental has is more people with bait in the Water the more opportunity to catch fish, catch larger fish including sharks, off-shore Boats are larger with typically a head (toilet), beverage bar/snacks and you’ll usually catch a quantity of fish not always quality. Which do you prefer? Go with the one that is right for you.

Once you find a Guide or Charter ask some questions... This is a sure way of not missing anything and choosing the right Charter or Guide prior to cutting the check and making the commitment.

Is there any cost for someone who isn't fishing but wants to ride along?

Are you kid friendly?

Is the boat in compliance with Coast Guard and state safety regulations?

In the event of bad weather, is the deposit (if any) refundable?

Is a fishing license required?

Is a head (bathroom) on-board?

Do you have or sell beverages on-board?

Are cooler allowed with your own food and drink?

Is it catch and release or can we keep a legal catch?

Can you fillet the catch and if so is there a fee?

Can I bring my own fishing tackle?

Quantity or Quality? Inform them of your preference.

Once you write down these responses it up to you on whether a Guide or Charter is right for you. If you don't feel comfortable with their responses, keep searching for another Guide or Charter.

Book it! Congratulations you found the right Charter, now let's guarantee the date and time. But before you cut the check and make the commitment find out about the deposit and cancellation policy. How much deposit is required to hold the Boat and if you need to cancel or change your date what is the latest you can do this without forfeiting your deposit? Note: most Charters don't accept credit cards; only cash and some will take a personal check. Ask before showing up at the dock with your plastic; this could be your shortest fishing trip ever!

What to Bring with you... Charter Boats and Guides will bring the basics such as fishing equipment, tackle, ice and bait and even some will provide food and beverages (check this out before packing for the day) so here are essentials you can be without:

Sunscreen is a must - even under shade the glare from the Water can burn you.

Camera - you must record the big one! And of course the great experience you have.

Weather appropriate outerwear - check the weather forecast before heading out.

Sunglasses & hat or visor - this will help with the glare; try polarized glasses this allows you too see just below the surface.

Food - plenty of snacks and a big lunch to keep the energy up.

Cooler - bring Water but really at the end of the day you need something to bring your catch home.

And just in case - motion sickness medication.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (sneakers or croc's are fine)

Catch & Release or can you bring Fish home? This is entirely up to you. Are you in it for the sport or are you looking for dinner? Whichever you decided the Charter Crew or Guide will provide instructions on how to release the fish properly for its safe return to the depths or to ensure you're catching the legal size and limit (amount) of the type of fish your hauling in.