Table of Contents
Florida Keys RV fishing itinerary
A 7-Day Florida Keys RV Fishing Itinerary does not need to involve moving your rig every day.
In fact, it is usually better if you do not.
The Keys stretch for more than 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West.
Trying to fish every island while breaking camp each morning turns a vacation into a moving project.
A better plan is to choose two or three RV bases.
Fish several different ways from each one.
Then move south only when it gives you access to a noticeably different type of fishing.
This seven-day Florida Keys RV fishing itinerary gives you a mix of:
- Shore fishing
- Bridge fishing
- Reef fishing
- Offshore fishing
- Kayak fishing
- Backcountry fishing
- Charter fishing
- Time to actually enjoy the Keys
You can follow the entire route or use it as a starting point for a longer trip.
The Basic 7-Day Route
A simple route looks like this:
Days 1 and 2: Key Largo
Days 3 through 5: Marathon and the Middle Keys
Days 6 and 7: Big Pine Key, Lower Keys, or Key West area
That gives you three very different fishing regions without moving camp every night.
Before You Leave Home
Do a little planning before the RV starts rolling.
Confirm:
- RV reservations
- Fishing charter reservations
- Fishing licenses
- Boat ramp or marina arrangements
- Boat slip if bringing a boat
- Trailer storage
- RV site length
- RV height
- Boat length
- Fishing tackle
- Cooler space
- Weather forecast
If you are bringing your own boat, also confirm where the trailer goes after launch.
Do not assume your RV campsite automatically has enough room for:
- RV
- Tow vehicle
- Boat
- Boat trailer
Our Florida Keys RV Parks With Boat Ramps guide can help if you are towing a fishing boat.
Day 1: Arrive in Key Largo
Do not schedule a full offshore charter the same day you arrive.
Travel days rarely go exactly as planned.
Traffic can slow.
Setup can take longer than expected.
You may need groceries, fuel, propane, or supplies.
Use your first afternoon to settle into the Upper Keys.
Set Up the RV First
Get everything handled before you think about fishing.
That includes:
- Power
- Water
- Sewer
- Awning
- Chairs
- Boat trailer
- Fishing gear
- Cooler
- Tow vehicle
Once the campsite is ready, the rest of the afternoon can be simple.
Make Your First Stop a Bait Shop
A local bait and tackle shop can tell you more about current conditions than weeks of planning from home.
Ask:
- What has been biting?
- What bait is working?
- Which bridges have been productive?
- Is the current strong today?
- Are there any access problems?
- What fish are around this week?
Buy bait, leader, hooks, ice, or anything else you forgot.
Use our Florida Keys Bait Shops guide if you want to plan your stop before arriving.
Fish From Shore the First Evening
Keep the first session easy.
You do not need to catch your biggest fish of the trip during the first two hours.
Try a legal shore, pier, or bridge location near your campground.
Possible catches can include:
- Mangrove snapper
- Jacks
- Grunts
- Barracuda
- Mackerel
- Other inshore species
The goal is to get a line in the water without turning arrival day into work.
Where to Stay in Key Largo
For RV travelers who want water access, one option is Key Largo Kampground & Marina.
The campground combines RV camping with marina facilities and can work well for travelers who want fishing access close to camp.
Another Upper Keys option is Kings Kamp RV Park, Marina, Hotel Rooms, which combines RV sites with marina and boat-ramp access.
If you prefer a state-park setting, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Campgrounds gives you a very different experience.
Day 2: Fish Key Largo
Now make Day 2 your first serious fishing day.
You have several choices.
Option 1: Book a Reef Charter
A reef charter can be a good first Florida Keys boat trip.
Possible targets may include:
- Yellowtail snapper
- Mangrove snapper
- Mutton snapper
- Grouper when legal
- Other reef species
Reef fishing is often a good choice for:
- Beginners
- Families
- People who want action
- Anglers hoping to keep legal fish for dinner
It can also involve less travel time than some offshore trips.
Option 2: Go Offshore
If offshore fishing is your priority, book a captain.
Depending on the season, possible targets include:
- Mahi-mahi
- Sailfish
- Blackfin tuna
- Wahoo
- Kingfish
Your travel month should influence this decision.
The current Florida Keys fishing calendar lists mahi as strongest during the warmer portion of the year, sailfish during cooler months, blackfin tuna especially from fall through spring, and wahoo strongest in winter. (visitfloridakeys.com)
Use our Florida Keys Fishing Calendar before choosing your vacation dates.
Option 3: Fish Florida Bay
If Atlantic conditions are rough, talk with a guide about backcountry fishing.
Protected water may give you a completely different experience.
Possible targets can include:
- Tarpon
- Snook
- Redfish
- Snapper
- Sharks
- Other inshore species
Do not assume rough Atlantic conditions automatically mean your entire fishing day is canceled.
A local guide may have other options.
Evening of Day 2
Keep the evening flexible.
If you caught legal fish, this may be your chance to:
- Cook at the RV
- Find a restaurant offering cook-your-catch
- Relax at the campground
If you did not get enough fishing, grab a spinning rod and try shore fishing around sunset.
That is one of the advantages of RV travel.
Your gear is already there.
Day 3: Drive From Key Largo to Marathon
Break camp after breakfast.
Do not rush.
The drive itself is part of the trip.
You will travel through Islamorada and the Upper Keys before reaching Marathon.
Should You Stop in Islamorada?
Yes, if you have time.
Islamorada is one of the best-known fishing destinations in the Keys.
You could stop for:
- Lunch
- Bait
- Marina visit
- Short shore-fishing session
- Fishing-related sightseeing
If fishing is your main priority, use our Islamorada Fishing Guide to see whether you want to spend an extra night there on a longer RV trip.
Set Up in Marathon
Marathon makes an excellent central base.
You have access to:
- Atlantic reefs
- Offshore water
- Wrecks
- Florida Bay
- Bridges
- Backcountry
That variety is why I would give Marathon more nights than Key Largo on a seven-day trip.
RV Camping Around Marathon
Jolly Roger RV Resort is a waterfront Middle Keys option with boat access.
If you prefer a smaller state-park campground, Curry Hammock State Park Campground has 28 RV sites with electric and water hookups.
Current park rules allow RVs up to 70 feet, but motorized boats cannot be launched inside the park. (floridastateparks.org)
That makes Curry Hammock particularly attractive for:
- Kayak anglers
- Shore anglers
- People booking charters
- RV travelers without a powerboat
Fish a Bridge on Day 3
After a moving day, avoid booking a major charter.
Try bridge fishing instead.
The Middle Keys are well suited to this style.
Depending on location and season, bridge anglers may encounter:
- Snapper
- Jacks
- Barracuda
- Tarpon
- Sharks
- Mackerel
- Grunts
Use our Florida Keys Bridge Fishing guide before choosing a location.
Day 4: Full Fishing Day in Marathon
Make Day 4 one of your main fishing days.
This is where you can choose between reef, wreck, offshore, or backcountry fishing.
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing can produce steady action.
The current official Florida Keys fishing guide rates yellowtail snapper especially well during spring and summer, while still listing them as a good opportunity during the rest of the year. Mangrove and mutton snapper also have long productive windows. (visitfloridakeys.com)
Wreck Fishing
Wrecks can attract larger fish.
Possible catches may include:
- Amberjack
- Snapper
- Grouper
- Sharks
- Other structure-oriented species
The exact species will depend on season, depth, and current regulations.
Offshore Fishing
A full-day offshore trip gives the captain more time to search.
Depending on season, you may pursue:
- Mahi
- Tuna
- Sailfish
- Wahoo
- Kingfish
If you only plan to spend money on one private charter during your RV vacation, Day 4 is a good place to put it.
Day 5: Cheap Fishing Day
After paying for a charter, give the budget a break.
Day 5 can be built around fishing without hiring a boat.
Option 1: Bridge Fishing
Buy bait.
Bring a cooler.
Fish a few hours around moving water.
Then leave when you feel like it.
Option 2: Kayak Fishing
A kayak can give you access to:
- Mangroves
- Shallow flats
- Protected bays
- Channels
Curry Hammock State Park is one option for paddling and fishing in the Middle Keys.
The park permits fishing under Florida regulations and has shallow flats and channels that can hold various species.
Watch the Wind
Do not treat kayak fishing as the easy backup plan without checking conditions.
Wind can turn a comfortable paddle into a difficult trip back.
Pay attention to:
- Wind direction
- Wind speed
- Current
- Thunderstorms
- Boat traffic
- Distance
If you are unfamiliar with Keys water, stay conservative.
Option 3: Party Boat
A party boat gives you another budget-friendly option.
You pay for a spot rather than chartering the entire boat.
That can put you on reef or bottom-fishing grounds for much less than a private charter.
Read our Party Boat vs. Private Fishing Charter in the Florida Keys guide if you are trying to compare the two.
Day 6: Move to the Lower Keys
Now break camp and continue south.
You do not have to go all the way into Key West.
The Lower Keys can give anglers a quieter base while still leaving Key West within driving distance.
Stay Around Big Pine Key
One fishing-friendly RV option is Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina.
Its Lower Keys location puts you close to:
- Big Pine Key
- Bahia Honda
- Backcountry water
- Bridges
- Flats
- Lower Keys fishing
This area makes a good contrast with your first five days.
What Is Different About Lower Keys Fishing?
The Lower Keys give you lots of shallow-water possibilities.
Possible targets include:
- Bonefish
- Permit
- Tarpon
- Barracuda
- Snapper
- Sharks
- Other backcountry species
If you have spent several days fishing reefs and offshore water, this can feel like an entirely different vacation.
Try a Flats or Backcountry Charter
If your budget allows a second guided trip, make it different from the first one.
Instead of another offshore charter, book:
- Flats fishing
- Backcountry fishing
- Tarpon trip
- Bonefish trip
- Permit trip
You will get far more variety than repeating the same style of fishing twice.
Day 7: Choose Your Final Fishing Day
Your final day should depend on what you have enjoyed most.
Choice 1: Go Back for Your Favorite Fish
If bridge fishing was great, do it again.
If you loved the reef, book another trip.
If you saw permit but failed to hook one, give it another shot.
There is nothing wrong with changing the itinerary.
Choice 2: Fish Around Key West
Drive into Key West and book a trip or fish accessible public water where legal.
Possible Key West fishing styles include:
- Offshore
- Reef
- Wreck
- Flats
- Backcountry
Use our Key West Fishing Guide before heading down.
Choice 3: Take a Non-Fishing Day
Seven straight days of fishing may sound perfect now.
Your family may disagree by Day 7.
Use the final day for:
- Key West
- Bahia Honda
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Restaurants
- Sightseeing
You are still on vacation.
What If You Have 10 Days Instead of 7?
Even better.
Do not add three more campground moves.
Add more nights to the same bases.
A 10-day plan could look like:
Days 1 to 3: Key Largo
Days 4 to 7: Marathon
Days 8 to 10: Lower Keys
That gives you more flexibility for:
- Weather
- Wind
- Charter cancellations
- Rest days
- Multiple fishing styles
What If You Have 14 Days?
With two weeks, adding Islamorada as its own stop makes more sense.
A possible plan:
Days 1 to 3: Key Largo
Days 4 to 6: Islamorada
Days 7 to 10: Marathon
Days 11 to 14: Lower Keys
Now you have enough time to move without spending half the vacation packing.
Should You Bring a Boat for This Itinerary?
You can.
But you do not need one.
If you bring a boat, choose campgrounds with:
- Ramp access
- Slips
- Trailer storage
- Fish-cleaning station
Read our Florida Keys RV Parks With Boat Ramps guide before making reservations.
If you leave the boat home, use a combination of:
- Charters
- Shore fishing
- Bridge fishing
- Party boats
- Kayaks
That can actually make the trip easier.
How Much Fishing Gear Should You Bring?
Less than you think.
For basic land-based fishing, two spinning setups can cover a lot.
Consider:
- Medium spinning rod
- Medium-heavy spinning rod
- Saltwater reels
- Braided line
- Leader
- Hooks
- Sinkers
- Jigs
- Pliers
- Line cutter
- Small tackle box
Buy bait locally.
You do not need to turn the RV into a tackle shop.
Bring a Fishing Cooler
A dedicated cooler is useful for:
- Bait
- Fish
- Ice
Do not use the same cooler for sandwiches unless you are very confident in your cleaning skills.
A separate fishing cooler makes life easier.
Bring Outdoor Storage Totes
Plastic storage bins are excellent for:
- Wet tackle
- Cast nets
- Boots
- Gloves
- Bait buckets
- Fishing towels
Keep saltwater gear outside the main RV living space when possible.
Plan Around the Fishing Season
The right seven-day itinerary depends partly on your month.
The official Florida Keys fishing guide currently shows strong seasonal differences.
Winter
Good choices can include:
- Sailfish
- Wahoo
- Blackfin tuna
- Kingfish
- Snapper
Spring
Possible targets include:
- Tarpon
- Permit
- Bonefish
- Snapper
- Offshore species
Summer
Possible targets include:
- Mahi
- Tarpon
- Bonefish
- Permit
- Snapper
Fall
Possible fishing includes:
- Blackfin tuna
- Permit
- Bonefish
- Mahi early in the season
- Wahoo as conditions cool
- Reef fishing
Use the calendar as a planning guide, not a harvest guide.
Fishing availability and legal harvest seasons are not the same thing.
Check current FWC rules before keeping fish.
Reserve RV Sites Early
Florida Keys camping is popular.
State-park reservations can be especially competitive.
Florida State Parks currently allows non-Florida residents to reserve campsites up to 10 months ahead, while Florida residents may reserve up to 11 months ahead.
Private campgrounds have their own booking policies.
If you want:
- Winter dates
- Waterfront site
- Marina slip
- Holiday week
book early.
Build Weather Flexibility Into the Itinerary
Do not make every day dependent on offshore conditions.
The strongest RV fishing plan has alternatives.
If the Atlantic is rough:
- Fish a bridge
- Try protected backcountry
- Fish from shore
- Rent a kayak in safe conditions
- Move the charter to another day
That is one reason staying three or four nights in one place works so well.
You have room to adjust.
A Florida Keys RV Fishing Trip Should Not Feel Rushed
You could drive from Key Largo to Key West in one day.
That does not mean you should build your fishing vacation that way.
The point of taking the RV is having your own base.
Set up.
Fish.
Cook dinner.
Watch the sunset.
Wake up and do it again.
Move south only when you are ready for a different part of the Keys.
That gives you more fishing and less packing.
Plan Your Florida Keys RV Fishing Itinerary
Start with our Florida Keys RV Fishing guide for the overall trip-planning basics.
If you are bringing your own boat, read Florida Keys RV Parks With Boat Ramps.
Then use the Florida Keys Fishing Calendar to choose travel dates.
For local fishing plans, use:
And if you plan to fish without your own boat, read our Florida Keys Shore Fishing guide.
