Islamorada backcountry offshore fishing

Islamorada is well known for being the Sport fishing Capital Of The World. One of the main reasons for this is the year round and abundant presence of numerous species of well sought after fish. 

Secondly, we have the ease of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades National Park and the Atlantic Ocean all from one location on one boat with the same captain or on your own. I have spent my life fishing and have fished all over the world throughout the years. From the British and US Virgin Islands, Mexico, Belize, Bahamas, and up and down the East Coast. But there’s no place like home. Certain destinations have excellent specific species of fish and catch them at high numbers.  However, I have yet to find a place where I can go that has the variety that Islamorada has to offer. When people ask, what is your favorite fish to catch? My answer is always the same, what’s biting and what will the weather be best for. I like to have fun and catch what’s biting depending on the season. I love to catch fish that bring angler action and jump and sit back and watch the bite! 

I’ve been fishing in the Florida Keys since the mid 80’s and was fortunate enough to grow up here and have the best mentors that were the pioneers of fishing along this great island chain we call the keys. Growing up here in the keys I watched Bob Lewis from Miami invent Kite Fishing that has changed the Sail Fishing world forever. Don Gurgiolo was my neighbor that lived just down the street and he started me out fishing as a mate on Charter Boats and was one of the first individuals to throw cast-nets for live bait Offshore Fishing. Don was a excellent mentor and teacher, and by the age of 13 he had me driving and docking his 47 ft Willis Craft, the Gonefishing V that is still in service today!  

I can remember when I was about 14 years old and Don dropped me off at Budnmarys marina to fish on a boat called the “Kalex” with Alex Adler as a second mate.  We caught yellowtail snapper and mutton snapper on a half day. When we got in he asked if I’d scrub the bottom of the boat for $20.  I didn’t hesitate and jumped in! The memories made with Islamorada legends are priceless! 

To say I’m blessed to have known and learned from all the great fishing captains and guides is a understatement. The fishing has changed, electronics has made it easier and the boats today are so versatile. You can use the same boat in the backcountry on rough days and catch tarpon, sharks, trout, snook, redfish, black drum and snappers just to name a few. Take that same boat offshore on nice days, weather permitting, targeting sailfish, snapper, grouper, tuna and mahi-mahi other wise known as dolphin. 

Everything is seasonal here in the keys, but one thing is for sure. If you have an open mind and just want to catch what’s biting, either backcountry or offshore, the Islamorada Florida Keys area is the place to be! With over 35 years of Backcountry and Offshore fishing experience in the Florida Keys, I can’t promise we’ll catch everything but I can promise there won’t be a single wave unturned to make it a successful and memorable Fishing trip! 

So, if you like to catch fish and have plenty of laughs along the way, from family fun trips to the most seasoned anglers, backcountry fishing, tarpon fishing and offshore  fishing we’d love to get you out on the water!