Family Fishing Charters in Islamorada
Islamorada is one of the best places in the country to take your family fishing — and a private charter makes the day straightforward, safe, and genuinely fun for every age. At A Fishing Guru, our trips are private, paced to your group, and fully equipped. You show up; we handle the rest. Rods, bait, tackle, fishing licenses, bottled water, and ice are all included. Your catch gets cleaned and bagged at the dock after the trip.
Two Ways to Fish — Pick What Works for Your Family
We run two charter types out of Islamorada, and both work well for families depending on the ages and experience levels in your group.
Backcountry and inshore charters depart aboard the Little Guru, our 24' Shallow Sport. The boat draws just 12 inches of water, which means we can reach quiet flats, mangrove shorelines, and protected channels that larger boats can't access. Conditions are calm, the action is steady, and it's the right setting for families with younger children or anyone new to fishing. Trips run 4 or 8 hours, starting at $600.
Offshore charters run on the Big Guru, our 39' Contender out of Three Waters Marina. This is the trip for older kids and teens who want a bigger challenge — mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, and sailfish in open Atlantic water. Offshore trips start at $900 for a half day and $1,750 for a full day, up to 6 guests.
See the full breakdown of both charter types on our Islamorada fishing charters page.
What to Expect on a Family Charter
Before you leave the dock, your captain walks the group through the plan for the day — where you're going, what you're targeting, and how the fishing will work. Kids get shown how to hold a rod, set the hook, and reel. The captain handles baiting hooks for younger anglers and keeps everyone engaged between bites.
Our captains — Ryan Kroonenburg, Dylan McClaugherty, and Travis Camacho — know these waters well and adjust the trip to what's actually happening on the water that day. If the tarpon are moving, you'll know about it. If the snapper are thick on a particular reef, that's where you'll be.
Species Families Catch Most on Islamorada Charters
- Yellowtail Snapper — fast, willing biters that keep kids' attention
- WMangrove Snapper — reliable inshore target year-roundM
- Tarpon — Islamorada's signature species, peak spring through early summer
- SRedfish — tailing fish in shallow water, great for sight fishing
- Spotted Seatrout — steady action on the grassbeds of Florida Bay
- Mahi-Mahi — colorful offshore pelagic, excellent for families with older kids
Use our Islamorada fishing calendar to see what species are most active during your travel dates.
How to Choose the Right Fishing Charter for Your Family
For families with children under 10, the inshore backcountry trip on Little Guru is almost always the better call. The water is protected, the runs are short, and species like snapper, redfish, and seatrout bite consistently throughout the day. It's a relaxed, hands-on experience with plenty of time on the rod for every angler in the group.
For families with older kids who want more action or have some fishing experience, the offshore trip on Big Guru opens up a completely different fishery. Mahi-mahi are the most popular family offshore target — they fight hard, school up, and are excellent table fare. Trips run out of Three Waters Marina at Mile Marker 84.
FAQs
How old do kids need to be to join a charter?
We welcome all ages. For young children, the backcountry trip on Little Guru is the better fit — calm water, shorter runs, and steady action close to shore. Older kids and teens can handle the offshore trip on Big Guru. If you're unsure which makes more sense for your group, call us at 305-916-9130, and we'll help you decide.
Do my kids need fishing licenses?
No. Fishing licenses for all guests are included in every charter. Your entire family is covered under our vessel's license from the moment you step aboard.
What's included in the trip?
All bait, tackle, and fishing licenses are included. We provide bottled water and ice. Fish are cleaned and bagged at the dock after the trip at no additional charge. Gratuity for the captain is appreciated but not included in the price.
What should we bring?
Reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hats, light layers, non-slip shoes, snacks, and any additional drinks. For offshore trips, bring motion sickness medication if anyone in your group is sensitive to boat motion. A camera or GoPro is a good idea.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Yes. Your captain will clean and bag your fillets at the end of the trip. All harvesting follows Florida size limits and bag limits, which your captain will explain on the water.
What is your cancellation policy?
Full refund with 7 or more days' notice (minus a 4% booking fee). 50% refund with 48 hours to 7 days' notice. No refund within 48 hours. Weather cancellations are fully refunded or rescheduled.
