Deep Sea Fishing in Florida

You’ve probably heard Florida called the “Fishing Capital of the World” - and there’s good reason. The Sunshine State is a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Caribbean to the south, and Gulf of Mexico to the west; And all that water means a whole lot of opportunity for fishing. But the best kind of fishing in Florida? In our opinion: deep sea fishing.

Florida Deep Sea Fishing

"Deep sea fishing" is a broad term with no formally recognized criteria. Generally, it refers to fishing in open waters around 100 feet deep. But depending on which side of the Sunshine State you’re on will determine how far it will take to reach those depths. If you launch from Islamorada, Florida (also known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World”), you can experience some of the best deep sea fishing found in what’s known as “The Hump”. The underwater mountain range stretches from Marathon Key to Islamorada and attracts a variety of species to feed and live. Anglers will head to the West Hump for a guaranteed catch.

From the Florida Keys to Jacksonville, anglers will have just a short boat ride to deep sea fishing adventures. This is because the Gulf Stream is just a few miles off the Atlantic coast. Depending on where you launch, it could be as close as nine miles out, or it may take up to 20 miles. The Gulf Stream is a 40 to 50 mile wide current running through the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Iceland. It’s a river of fish swiftly moving north, each feeding on smaller fish or plankton along the way. This is a fantastic destination for your Florida deep sea fishing excursion.

Over on the west coast of the state, you have even more fishing to do! The Gulf of Mexico, however, is a different excursion entirely. The topography of the Gulf is very unique; it’s more shallow closer to the Florida coast, and you have to head much farther to reach depths over 100 feet. Again, it depends on where you’re launching your Gulf of Mexico deep sea adventure; but typically you’re cruising 40 miles to reach those 100 foot or more depths.

But that’s not to say you can’t do deep sea fishing within nine miles of the coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the largest groupers and snappers are found relatively close to the shore on deep sea fishing excursions. That’s what makes deep sea fishing so exciting in the Gulf of Mexico, you can stay in state waters and still experience some incredible fishing.

Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Florida's best deep sea fishing charters can be found right here on FishAnywhere.com. These captains have the experience, and know where to take your group to get fish in the boat. Whether you’re looking for a bottom species like snapper or grouper, or a fast running pelagic like tuna, wahoo, or dolphin, these locations have you covered.

If you want to fish in the Sportfishing Capital of the World, head to Islamorada. There’s a reason this place wears the crown, the fishing is always phenomenal. And there are several seasoned captains in the area, so you really can’t go wrong in who you book with. 

For that Gulf Stream fishing experience, launch your charter anywhere along Florida’s East Coast. If you happen to be in South Florida, consider Fort Lauderdale fishing charters.

In SW Florida there are a ton of options to get out to your deep sea fishing excursion. Whether you stay close to the shore or head out a bit farther, you’re sure to see activity. Deep sea fishing hubs on the Gulf coast include Fort Myers and Sarasota.

Those in the Florida Panhandle looking to head out into the Gulf have several cities to choose from. Destin, Panama City, and Pensacola are all world-renowned destinations for deep sea fishing adventures.

Booking a Deep Sea Fishing Trip in Florida

If you’re ready for an adrenaline-fueled adventure, book your deep sea fishing trip today. Search the closest coastal city on FishAnywhere.com, compare charters for price and amenities, and book with an experienced and professional captain. Remember to bring your camera and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!