Robbie's Partyboats & Charters, U.S. 1 at MM 84.5, Islamorada (tel. 305/664-8070 or 305/664-4196), located at the south end of the Holiday Isle Resort's docks, offers day and night deep-sea and reef-fishing trips aboard a 65-foot party boat. Big-game fishing charters are also available, and "splits" are arranged for solo fishers. Party-boat fishing costs $33 for a half-day morning tour ($3 for rod and reel rental); it's $15 extra if you want to go back out on an afternoon tour. Charters run about $400 for a half-day, $600 for a full day; splits begin at $65 per person. Phone for information and reservations.
Bud n' Mary's Fishing Marina, U.S. 1 at MM 79.8, Islamorada (tel. 800/742-7945 or 305/664-2461; www.budnmarys.com), one of the largest marinas between Miami and Key West, is packed with sailors offering guided backcountry fishing charters. This is the place to go if you want to stalk tarpon, bonefish, and snapper. If the seas are not too rough, deep-sea and coral fishing trips can also be arranged. Charters cost $500 to $550 for a half-day, $750 to $800 for a full day; splits begin at $125 per person.
The Bounty Hunter, 15th Street at Burdine's Marina, Marathon (tel. 305/743-2446), offers full- and half-day outings. For 28 years, Capt. Brock Hook's huge sign has boasted, NO FISH, NO PAY: You're guaranteed to catch something, or your money back! Choose your prey from shark, barracuda, sailfish, or whatever else is running. Prices are $400 for a half-day, $500 for three-quarters of a day, and $600 for a full day. Rates are for groups of no more than six people.
Acquaint Yourself -- Fans of stone crabs can get further acquainted with those seasonal crustaceans thanks to 3-hour tours offered by Keys Fisheries, aboard 40- to 50-foot vessels that leave from Marathon. The tour includes views of fishermen as they collect crabs from traps and process their claws. The $450 cost includes up to six passengers and up to 6 pounds of fresh claws iced for travel or prepared at a dockside restaurant. Stone-crab season is from October 15 to May 15. Call tel. 305/743-4353 or check www.keysfisheries.com for more information.
