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Key Largo fishing vacations:
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Key Largo fishing rewards you with the best of two styles of sportfishing - the backcountry and flats fishing of the Florida Bay, while the nearby Gulf stream on the Atlantic side offers quick access to Florida Key offshore fishing.
Key Largo is the first in the Florida Keys chain; only 5 miles off Key Largo the outer reef line begins - meaning that offshore fishing doesn't take a lengthy trip to find! The water depth at the outer reef goes from 30 - 100 ft and even deeper. And this is where the Gulf Stream waters begin.
The Key Largo offshore fishing is fantastic all year round because the Gulf Stream flows in a northerly direction, bringing along a warm current that is a game fish superhighway!
Key Largo fishing is found only an hour and a half drive from Miami International airport. For the Florida resident, it's a perfect day trip from the Miami area; for the non-resident, a Key Largo fishing vacation package is great for an extended get-away.
Now, we know that anglers sometimes prefer to pass over Key Largo in favor of Islamorada, Marathon, or Key West, in order to base their fishing adventures further off the mainland, and closer to Florida Key deep sea fishing. While Key Largo is better known for its fabulous underwater park at Pennekamp, and another 25 or so great dive sites frequented by scuba divers, the Key Largo fishing is the same heartpounding, nonstop action as the more celebrated sportfishing found in the rest of the Keys.
If you've set your sights on the Grand Slam of Florida Keys flats fishing - bonefish, permit, and tarpon - then look no further than Key Largo fishing for an exhilarating Florida fishing vacation!
Key Largo Fishing
What's the Catch?
What saltwater fish can you expect to land when fishing Key Largo? Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Shark, Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Seatrout are a few of the more sought-after species. Just a few miles out from the Florida Keys, the dolphin fishing action is explosive; sailfish, tuna, and wahoo are regularly landed, too.
If you're unfamiliar with the waters of the Florida Keys, we recommend hiring one of the many excellent Key Largo fishing charters. Why? Years of experience, familiarity with the best fishing spots, and lots of knowledge and fishing wisdom for the novice (and for the more advanced angler, too!). We'll review the benefits of hiring a charter in just a little while; for now, let's keep talking about the Key Largo fishing, ok?
Key Largo backcountry fishing takes you to the Florida Bay waters, and the Everglades National Park system. The backcountry slam of snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout are not
Wreck and Reef Fishing
Wreck fishing is found in the gulf waters north of the Florida Keys. Ranging from 15 to 35 miles out, and with wrecks resting at depths ranging from 20 to 300 feet, the gulf side wrecks action (besides attracting all those scuba divers!) is great for permit, cobia, snapper, sharks, and grouper. The wrecks on the Atlantic side of the keys usually are resting in deeper water and larger amberjack, grouper, cobia, bonita, cobia, and lots of others provide great sportfishing challenges! Key Largo fishing at the wrecks is always productive as different varieties will be hot at various times. Chumming and using live bait will turn the action red-hot and non-stop!
Deep Sea (Offshore) fishing
While Key Largo fishing focuses more on the nearby Everglades waters and the Florida Bay, deepsea fishing is always productive, too! Some of the fish you'll find in the deep waters offshore are: dolphin, black fin tuna, bonito, blue and white marlin, barracuda, wahoo, kingfish, marlin, sailfish, and monster-size shark, to name a few of the most prized species. The two most popular ways of fishing in the blue waters offshore are trolling, and using live bait while free lining; and drifting or using a kite.
Amberjack tuna, photo credit: NOAA
Key Largo Fishing
Charter Fishing
There are many top-notch sport-fishing charters available for your Key Largo fishing excursion. If you're already in the area, you can drop by a marina or bait and tackle shops to get a good reference.
Many of the motels and resorts have their own charter boats; if those are already booked up, they'll know where to send you for a good Key Largo fishing charter elsewhere.
A quality Key Largo fishing boat with captain and crew doesn't come cheap; average charter boat prices run around $600 for a half-day. One way to save on the cost is to share your charter with another group; these charter fishing boats will take up to 6 anglers; so you can buddy up and split the cost. The expense should include your license, tackle, and bait, but you will have to provide your own food, drink, sunscreen, etc, for the trip.
For the budget-minded, you can pay a bargain-price low fee for a larger party boat. The price runs around $30 a person for a full-day trip, tackle, bait and license included.
If you're the type for the spur-of-the-moment road trip, at least take the time to learn the basics of the different boats and fishing styles you'll find when fishing the Key Largo area. It can be a big hassle trying to find a good charter captain once you're there; we recommend that you pick your captain well in advance of your fishing vacation.
Which type of boat do you need?
There are 3 basic types of Key West fishing charter boats you may hire when planning your Florida Keys fishing vacation:
- Flats boats, which accomodate only 2 anglers, have a poling platform so your guide can get a better view to spot the fish. A flats boat can also be used for Key Largo backcountry fishing.
- Light tackle boats, which are the most versatile of boats used, are a little bigger than a flats boat, don't have a poling platform, and can accomodate up to 4 fishers. These powerful, center-consoles are the boats most commonly used for backcounty fishing but aren't the right choice for flats fishing. Light tackle boats are also used for some offshore fishing, and wreck/reef fishing, too.
- Offshore boats are a little bigger version of light tackle boats and are used to go further out, for longer periods of deep sea fishing. These boats can carry up to 6 anglers.
You can also rent a Key Largo sport fishing boat from one of the marinas, or even a canoe for exploring the flats and backcountry fishing on your own.
Canoe fishing, photo credit: NOAA
Key Largo Fishing
Accommodations
Where are you staying while visiting Key Largo?
There are many excellent hotels in Key Largo; there are some that you may want to avoid - but how can you sort out the hype from the reality? Nothing ruins a fishing trip like less-than-desirable accommodations!
To get started looking for a hotel in Key Largo, we'd like to invite you to visit our Key Largo Florida hotels review page.
Or, just take a minute and read what other travelers have to say about these popular Key Largo hotels:
| Azul Del Mar | Rock Reef Resort | Mariner's Club |
Key Largo Fishing
Camping
Key Largo fishing, for some, is even more enjoyable when roughing it outdoors in a tent, or enjoying a few more comforts in their RV. Here's a few campgrounds at or near Key Largo fishing for you to consider as you're planning your Florida fishing vacation.
Key Largo Kampground & Marina
1-800-KAMP-OUT (305)451-1431
101551 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
305-451-1431
At Key Largo Kampground there are plenty of places to camp and enjoy fabulous Key Largo fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Amenities include a 24-hour Security Gate, 2 Bath Houses, an Open Air Lounge, Computer-capable Pay Phones for e-mail retrieval, a General Store, Laundry Facilities and Ice.
All RV sites have full hookup and free cable TV. Shaded and sunny sites are available, as well as canal sites. Tent sites are available with or without electric.
Two large, heated fresh-water pools, a special pool for your kids, playground, volleyball court, shuffleboard court, horseshoes, and a basketball court are there for your relaxation and enjoyment. There is a covered picnic area with TV and large BBQ grill for tent campers. Other activities are offered at the clubhouse.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
P.O. Box 487
Key Largo, Florida 33037
Phone: 305-451-1202
Reservations: 1-800-326-3521
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located on US Highway 1 at mile marker 102.5, north of Key Largo in the Florida Keys.
Pennekamp is the United State's first underwater park! While the main focus of the park is on diving and snorkeling, there is still plenty of great Key Largo fishing available within the park.
The campgrounds offer 47 full-facility camping sites for both tents and RV campers. Restrooms, with hot showers, are available as well as laundry facilities.
While you're there, take advantage of one of the four different types of boat tours that are available, and explore the park's coral reef system. There's a 4-hour boat tour that's a combination of sailing and/or snorkeling and departs daily aboard a 38-foot catamaran.
The park also has a dive shop which is a PADI resort facility, with a full range of courses offered from Open Water through Instructor. The specialty courses introduce you to diving and the coral reef in one day with the Resort Course. Another option is the four-hour scuba diving tours that allow divers two dives at a different location.
If diving or snorkeling isn't your thing, the glass bottom boat tours last for about 2 ½-hours, and give you 1 ½ hours of water time to view the parks living coral reef and its many inhabitants up close and personal. The glass bottom boat will moor at Molasses Reef, which is about 6.5 miles further offshore; the average depth out there is about 10 to 30 feet. Bring your camera!
The park has a very good deep water boat ramp located at the marina. The ramp can handle most boats up to the 36 foot range.
You can register at the park entrance but we recommend that you reserve your campsite well in advance by calling 1-800-326-3521.
Long Key State Park
P.O. Box 776
Long Key, Florida 33001
Phone: 305-664-4815
Reservations: 1-800-326-3521
In the early 20th century, Long Key was the site of a luxurious fishing resort that was destroyed during the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Today, full-facility campsites overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the best bonefishing in the Keys is found here.
Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table, ground grill, water, and electricity. Three restrooms with hot showers, are centrally located. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance. The sites book quickly so make your plans well in advance. To make your reservation, call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 or visit them at www.reserveamerica.com
Long Key State Park is located at Mile Marker 67.5, 67400 Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys at Long Key.
Everglades National Park Camping
Everglades National Park
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034-6733
(305) 242-7700 (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST)
Website:http://nps.gov/ever
Camping reservations: by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the continental United States, and is the only subtropical preserve in North America. Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, it is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles are found together.
Key Largo fishing is located primarily in the waters of this amazing ecosystem.
Because of the hot, humid weather in the summer months, and a corresponding high level of mosquitos and other pests, the park is most frequently visited from December through April, with lower popularity from May through November. If you decide to go in the summer, bring lots of insect repellent and light, long-sleeved clothing for protection.
One third of Everglades National Park is covered by water, encompassing both fresh and saltwater; the boating and fishing opportunities are excellent! Freshwater species include largemouth bass and bluegill; saltwater fishing extends into most of Florida Bay, and the Ten Thousand Islands waters, and offers bonefish, tarpon, permit, sea trout, and snappers, and many other species already mentioned. With thousands of acres of flats, mangrove keys and backcountry, the park waters will provide plentiful fishing. Shore fishing is fairly limited but you may bring your own boat, rent one, or hire a charter guide to explore the waters.
There are several campgrounds available within the Everglades park system:
Flamingo Campground
Flamingo is where the fresh water of the Everglades meets the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the one and only place, worldwide, where both alligators and crocodiles inhabit the same waters. Located at the end of the Everglade's main road, Flamingo boasts 234 campsites that are automobile-friendly, with 55 of the drive-in sites located within sight of water; 3 group sites on the water's edge that are accessible by walking; and 40 additional walkup campsites, with 9 of them on the edge of the waters. Some things provided are: two dump stations; cold-water showers, picnic tables, and grills. Flamingo doesn't have RV hookups, but does have a few hiking and canoe trails. There are abundant chances for saltwater fishing. There is a small selection of groceries and other camping supplies found at the Flamingo Marina store.
Long Pine Key Campground
This smaller campground is located seven miles from the park's main entrance, just off the main road. Long Pine Key campground has 108 drive up sites for both RVs and tents; this does include a single site for groups. Restrooms, water, and a sewer dump station are available, but showers and hookups are not available. You can picnic close by; there are fire grates and rest rooms at the picnic area. A fishing pond is also close to the campsites.
Wilderness Camping (Backcountry Camping)
There are 47 designated wilderness campsites. The majority of the sites are accessible only by canoe, kayak, or motorboat. A few sites are accessible by foot. None are accessible by car.
Fishing Tip: If you can, try to make your stay longer than an overnighter; this is a big park and we cannot begin to adequately describe everything offered for anglers and campers! We highly recommend camping at this park!
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