Captain Mike Torres
Full-time SUP fishing guide based in Southwest Florida with 8 years of paddleboard angling experience.
The Florida Keys are a SUP fishing paradise. Miles of shallow flats, clear water, and an incredible diversity of species make this one of the best destinations in the world for paddleboard anglers. Here are five spots that consistently produce and are accessible from public launch points.
1. Bahia Honda Flats
Launch from Bahia Honda State Park and paddle north to the expansive grass flats. Permit, bonefish, and barracuda patrol these shallows year-round. The flat is protected from east winds by the old bridge, making it fishable even on breezy days. Best on incoming tide when fish push onto the flat to feed.
2. Sugarloaf Key Backcountry
The mangrove-lined channels behind Sugarloaf Key hold tarpon, snook, and big jacks. Launch from the public ramp on Sugarloaf Boulevard and paddle into the backcountry creeks. The narrow channels are perfect for SUP — too shallow for most boats but deep enough to hold quality fish.
3. Islamorada Oceanside Flats
The oceanside flats between Islamorada and Lower Matecumbe Key offer some of the best sight-fishing for bonefish in the Keys. Launch from public beach access points and paddle to the white sand flats. Early morning low tides concentrate fish on the edges where you can spot them from your elevated SUP position.
4. Key West Salt Ponds
The salt ponds on the north side of Key West hold resident tarpon, snook, and redfish. These enclosed bodies of water are calm and protected, making them ideal for SUP fishing beginners visiting the Keys. Access from several public points along North Roosevelt Boulevard.
5. Big Pine Key Flats
The flats surrounding Big Pine Key are legendary for permit fishing. Launch from the public ramp and paddle to the oceanside flats where permit tail on falling tides. This is advanced SUP fishing — the fish are spooky and the casts need to be precise — but the reward of a permit on a paddleboard is unforgettable.
