Fishing the Florida Keys: The Real Story
Twenty years on these waters taught me what actually matters
Look, when you're searching for Florida Keys fishing charters, you'll find a lot of websites that sound the same. Let me tell you what actually makes a difference out here. I'm Captain Kit Carson, and I've been running Key Largo fishing charters and Islamorada fishing charters long enough to know the difference between a good day and one you'll remember for years.
We fish out of Robbie's Marina in Islamorada for one simple reason: it's closer to the fish. While other Florida fishing charters are still running to the grounds, we're already fishing. That extra hour? That's when we hook the Sailfish that would've been just out of reach. That's deep sea fishing Florida done right.
Why Fish With Us? (No BS)
- 🎣 We Actually Compete: I fish tournaments like the Gold Cup and Cheeca Presidential to learn, not just for trophies. Every tournament teaches me something new about finding fish, and that knowledge goes into every charter.
- ⚓ Real Gear That Works: We fish with Shimano Talica for Sailfish and Mahi, and Lindgren-Pitman electric reels for Swordfish, like the LP SV-1200 that landed our 463lb monster. When you hook a big fish at 1,800 feet, you want equipment built for the fight.
- 📍 Location Matters: Islamorada isn't just a pretty name; it's where the Gulf Stream comes closest to shore. We're minutes from the Humps, the reef, and the blue water. Less running, more fishing.
- 👨👩👧👦 Everyone Catches Fish: I've taught kids to catch their first Mahi and helped seasoned anglers land personal bests. Fishing should be fun, not intimidating. We make sure everyone goes home with a story.
People ask about Marathon fishing charters. Here's the honest truth: Marathon is great for bridge fishing, but if you want offshore action, you need to be north of the Seven Mile Bridge. We launch from Islamorada because that's where the bluewater fishing starts. The drive up is worth it when you're hooked up while Marathon boats are still crossing the flats.
Here's how we run a Florida Keys Fishing charter: We talk before you book. What do you want to catch? Have you fished before? Are you celebrating something? Then we build the day around you. Maybe we're trolling for Sailfish along the edge. Maybe we're deep-dropping for Swordfish. Maybe we're wreck fishing for Snapper. The boat, the gear, the licenses, the cleaning: we handle it. You just show up ready to fish.
The 463lb Swordfish Story
"Last January, we were featured in Keys Weekly for landing a 463lb Swordfish, one of the biggest caught in the Florida Keys that season. What most people don't know is that fish ate at 1,800 feet on a Lindgren-Pitman LP SV-1200 Electric Reel. We hooked it at noon and fought for three hours before we even saw color. When it finally came up, it was longer than my mate Chad is tall. That's the kind of fishing we do here: not just catching fish, but catching the ones people talk about."
Featured in Keys Weekly, January 2023
This isn't a generic fishing trip. This is your day on the water with a captain who actually fishes these waters. Book your charter and let's go catch some fish.
