Islamorada Deep Sea Fishing

Past the reef the bottom drops away to the Gulf Stream and the Islamorada humps. Sailfish in winter, mahi in summer, blackfin tuna in spring and fall, and swordfish further out.

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What do you catch deep sea fishing in Islamorada?

Sailfish from about November to March, mahi-mahi from April to September, blackfin tuna on the humps in spring and fall, plus wahoo, kingfish and swordfish further out. Islamorada offshore charters ran $700–$1,400 for four hours and $950–$2,000 for eight hours, per boat, on October 6, 2026.

Where offshore boats fish

The Islamorada Hump is a seamount about 15 miles offshore that rises to nearly 200 feet from 500 to 700-plus feet, often in the path of the Gulf Stream, George Poveromo writes. Keys Weekly’s March 2026 report had Robbie’s Capt. Kit Mobley deep-dropping the Hump for yellow-eye and vermilion snapper.

The Gulf Stream has no fixed distance: two Keys Weekly reports put clean blue water inside eight miles off Alligator Light on 16 March 2026 and 15 miles out on 27 March. Captains run to wherever the colour change and the weed lines are that week. Further out still, Bud N’ Mary’s says daytime swordfish trips fish 25 to 45 miles off Islamorada in 1,500 to 2,000 feet of water.

What runs when

Best time to go has the month-by-month table.

  • Sailfish: winter. Bud N’ Mary’s says consistent November through March, usually after the first cold front; A Fishing Guru peaks it December to February. Islamorada’s sailfish tournaments run December to February.
  • Mahi-mahi: April to September, summer most consistent (Bud N’ Mary’s); A Fishing Guru peaks it May to July.
  • Blackfin tuna: on the humps in spring and again in September and October, the larger fish in fall (George Poveromo; A Fishing Guru).
  • Wahoo and kingfish: fall and winter; A Fishing Guru says February cold fronts trigger excellent wahoo.

What it costs

Offshore trips are priced per boat. Read October 6, 2026: A Fishing Guru $1,100 to $1,300 for four hours depending on the boat; Snap ’Em Up $1,300 for six hours and $1,600 for eight (up to four); Hound Dawg, Shake N Bait and EarlyBird $1,700 for six and $2,000 for eight; Big Dave $1,600 and $1,800. Most crews say six to eight hours gives time to reach the fish. See half day vs full day and the price page.

Offshore boats you can book

On the operator list, read 6 October 2026. All take up to six unless stated.

Read for this page on 6 October 2026: George Poveromo: blackfin tuna on the Islamorada Hump ; Keys Weekly: Florida Keys fishing report, March 2026 ; Bud N’ Mary’s: sailfishing in Islamorada ; A Fishing Guru: a month-by-month guide .

Check it at the source

Deep-sea fishing: questions

How much is deep sea fishing in Islamorada?

Per boat, for up to six: about $1,100 to $1,400 for four hours, $1,300 to $1,700 for six and $1,600 to $2,000 for eight on Islamorada operators’ booking pages on October 6, 2026, before booking fee and tax. Swordfishing was $2,800.

How far is the Gulf Stream from Islamorada?

It moves. Keys Weekly reports put clean blue water inside eight miles off Alligator Light on 16 March 2026 and 15 miles out later that month. The Islamorada Hump, a seamount often in the stream’s path, is about 15 miles offshore.

When is sailfish season in Islamorada?

Winter: Bud N’ Mary’s says sailfish are consistent from November through March, A Fishing Guru peaks them December to February, and Islamorada’s sailfish tournaments are held December to February.

Next step

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