Islamorada fish charters

[gwl2oneida]

I'll be going to the Keys in july and I'm looking for a guide or party boat. Open to any advice as I've never been. Lil chance of being able to bring any fish home due to flying. Any recommendations?

[june181901]

May not be able to bring fish home but save some of your catch as many restaurants will cook your fish three different ways. Usually comes with two sides and runs around $12. Filets only in most places.

[gwl2oneida]

I did call a party boat. Itll be mangrove snapper season. Actually said theres shipping companies.

[Skolmann]

If the fish are filleted and in baggies, place them in a small cooler with dry ice and you can bring them back. Did that several times.

I usually fish out of Marathon. Bud & Mary’s Marina in Islamorada is where most of the characters/guides sail out of. Pretty sure there is at least one party boat out of Whale Harbor.

Don’t over look fishing form the bridges and any other road side spots-as I’ve caught many fish that way.

[Skolmann]

If you’re there just before, after or during the full moon then I’d definitely do a night time snapper trip as they spawn on the summer full moons and the fishing can be insane.

[captmark]

I highly recommend Silver Fox Charters he is in Key Colony beach Capt Wayne has been their for over 30 years, you can pack your catch either ship it or as the other guys said take it on board which I have done many times but look up Capt Wayne he is a local Capt that everyone in Marathon knows

[porgylber]

I'll be going to the Keys in july and I'm looking for a guide or party boat. Open to any advice as I've never been. Lil chance of being able to bring any fish home due to flying. Any recommendations?

Please note, you can not pack fish in dry ice for a plane. Dry ice can’t be brought on carry on or checked bags. Your only option is to freeze it, pack it in a cooler and include several frozen ice packs ( not dry ice). You will pay the airline 50-60 bucks to check. If you ship with FedEx or UPS, you will pay considerably more.

I fished on the headboat Miss Islamorada. Sails out of Bud and Mary’s Marina. The boat is ancient with few creature comforts. It was weird in that the regulars were at the rails in the stern. The mates would cast out, and they would target larger fish, like amberjack.

Everyone else on the sides was bottom fishing for small yellowtail snapper. Every now and then, a mate would come by and replace a regular in the stern with someone from the side.

Another odd thing. All fish are “community fish”. You don’t bring a cooler on board. You catch a fish and it gets tossed into the boat cooler. When the day ends, the fish are dumped on the dock. Scouts honor with anglers grabbing fish off the ground. I lost several fish.

All in all, my advice if you can swing it, is to charter a boat. I hope this helps.

[gwl2oneida]

Thanks guys, I did call n talk to a party boat. I've got time to think about it. I may just book a guide n go for a wall hanger as this trip is kind if a dream come true.

[Capt Sal]

Please note, you can not pack fish in dry ice for a plane. Dry ice can’t be brought on carry on or checked bags. Your only option is to freeze it, pack it in a cooler and include several frozen ice packs ( not dry ice). You will pay the airline 50-60 bucks to check. If you ship with FedEx or UPS, you will pay considerably more.

I fished on the headboat Miss Islamorada. Sails out of Bud and Mary’s Marina. The boat is ancient with few creature comforts. It was weird in that the regulars were at the rails in the stern. The mates would cast out, and they would target larger fish, like amberjack.

Everyone else on the sides was bottom fishing for small yellowtail snapper. Every now and then, a mate would come by and replace a regular in the stern with someone from the side.

Another odd thing. All fish are “community fish”. You don’t bring a cooler on board. You catch a fish and it gets tossed into the boat cooler. When the day ends, the fish are dumped on the dock. Scouts honor with anglers grabbing fish off the ground. I lost several fish.

All in all, my advice if you can swing it, is to charter a boat. I hope this helps.
There not all like that.Go over the bridge and fish Marathon.Have your fish cooked there.

[Skolmann]

Please note, you can not pack fish in dry ice for a plane. Dry ice can’t be brought on carry on or checked bags. Your only option is to freeze it, pack it in a cooler and include several frozen ice packs ( not dry ice).

Have to disagree, I’ve brought fish filets back as well as Key Lime pie in heavy styrofoam lap size coolers with dry ice numerous times. Granted the last time I was in the Keys was 2016-maybe the regulations have changed since then but I never had an issue-especially if I tell the gate crew/flight crew.

The party boats do have a community cooler but when you catch a legal sized and in season fish, the mate will mark your fish ie, 1 slash on the throat, X on the left side of the tail etc. Each fish you catch receives the same mark. At the end of the trip, the crew will call out the marks and you just raise your hand and they’ll toss the fish to your feet. Once they are done, “tossing” fish, they will clean them if you like.

[porgylber]

Have to disagree, I’ve brought fish filets back as well as Key Lime pie in heavy styrofoam lap size coolers with dry ice numerous times. Granted the last time I was in the Keys was 2016-maybe the regulations have changed since then but I never had an issue-especially if I tell the gate crew/flight crew.

The party boats do have a community cooler but when you catch a legal sized and in season fish, the mate will mark your fish ie, 1 slash on the throat, X on the left side of the tail etc. Each fish you catch receives the same mark. At the end of the trip, the crew will call out the marks and you just raise your hand and they’ll toss the fish to your feet. Once they are done, “tossing” fish, they will clean them if you like.

Skolmann, you are now correct. Apparently, it was allowed up until 2018, not allowed in 2018 (when I took my trip), then allowed again as of 2019. The ice has to be solid, with no melting. The cooler has to be ventilated.

As for the party boats, my experience was just with Miss Islamorada. I wish that the mates marked fish as you describe. Instead, they literally dumped the fish on the dock, leading to a free for all, with kids and women that didn’t even fish, grabbing fish. Some folks did take fish to the mates for cleaning.

[Skolmann]

As I said, I usually fish out of Marathon. The Marathon Lady is a party boat I would highly recommend. I’d also recommend that since the summer is the height of snapper season that you make a reservation as early as possible and try to secure a spot along the stern. Not uncommon for people to reserve a spot(s) months in advance. And yes most party boats in the Key take reservations. Oh and if you’re not taking your own gear, ask for a spinning rod (might be a $1 or too more to rent)-otherwise they’ll give you a conventional.

[gwl2oneida]

I called Robbies. They mentioned a shipping company n I see how they sell stern spots. I'll have to ask about fish distribution. I may book a better private charter once I see who's at rcc expo. I'm torn between budget and splurging on a once in a lifetime trip.

[wyldbillnj]

I haven't been there in a couple years but have been fishing there since I was 15. So yea...been a while. Where in Islamorada are you staying?? Lots of marinas up and down the Overseas Highway. I can recommend a couple boats....and depends on your budget of course.

[gwl2oneida]

I'm staying at the sunset inn.

[Capt Sal]

How many pounds of fish do you think you will catch? Go fishing have a good time have some cooked there and forget about shipping the rest home.First you have to catch them lol

[gwl2oneida]

Bringing fish home was lil concern. I'm really just looking to hear others experiences n tips.

[Capt Sal]

I have been fishing there for fifty years.The summer is the best because there is less wind.Some people go this time of year and never get out. Variety of fish in shore and close to shore. Gulf Stream as close as one mile at times. Party boats are not bad.Charters can can be expensive.Lite line snapper fishing is my favorite.Yellow tail are great fun and taste great. Have fun it is a beautiful place to vacation.

[gwl2oneida]

It's been a dream destination my whole life along with Costa Rica. I figured I better start seeing these places while I can.

[wyldbillnj]

In June you should have good offshore action as well vs earlier in the year when I typically go.