Long before Key West became a world-famous destination for bars, beaches, and nightlife, it was a fishing town at its core. The warm waters surrounding the island have always teemed with fish, attracting generations of commercial fishermen, sportfishing pioneers, and avid anglers seeking the ultimate catch.
Historic Charter Boat Row, established in the 1930s, is the oldest dedicated charter dock in Key West. From the early days of wooden-hulled fishing boats to today’s modern sportfishers, this legendary dock has launched countless fishing adventures, connecting anglers with some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world.
For nearly a century, Charter Boat Row has been the heartbeat of Key West’s sportfishing industry, where generations of Captains have shared their knowledge, tested their skills, and helped visitors land trophy fish.
In the 1930s, Key West saw the rise of the first sportfishing charters, offering adventurous visitors a chance to battle sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and giant grouper. These early charters set the stage for big-game fishing in the Florida Keys, drawing both wealthy travelers and working-class fishing enthusiasts to the island.
By the 1950s, Key West was thriving as a fishing destination. Charter Captains became local legends, and the docks were lined with tourists eager to book a day offshore. Photos from this era show anglers posing beside enormous catches—massive marlin, Goliath grouper, and rows of snapper strung up at the docks.
During this time, fishing clubs and tournaments gained popularity, fueling a competitive spirit and cementing Key West’s reputation as a top-tier fishing destination. Many of the techniques still used today—kite fishing for sailfish, deep dropping for grouper, and trolling for pelagics—began to take shape during this golden era.
The 1960s and 1970s saw huge advancements in offshore fishing techniques. Captains refined their approach to targeting big-game species like sailfish, kingfish, and mahi-mahi, while deep-sea fishing excursions became a must-do for Key West visitors. The fleet grew in both size and skill, solidifying Charter Boat Row as the go-to place for world-class sportfishing.
However, one of the most dramatic chapters in Key West’s maritime history unfolded in 1980 with the Mariel Boatlift. As political tensions in Cuba escalated, over 125,000 Cuban refugees fled the country in search of safety. Some of the same captains who had spent years chasing fish offshore set aside their rods and reels to help bring men, women, and children to freedom.
Many boats from Charter Boat Row joined the humanitarian effort, making the 90-mile journey to Mariel, Cuba, under dangerous conditions. While this period briefly disrupted the industry, the captains who returned helped rebuild Key West’s fishing scene—ensuring that charter fishing remained a cornerstone of the island’s economy.
By the 1990s, charter fishing was bigger than ever. As Key West tourism exploded, so did demand for deep-sea and reef fishing trips. More visitors were booking full-day and half-day charters, leading to the expansion of the fleet at Charter Boat Row.
This era also saw the rise of light-tackle sportfishing, with Captains refining techniques to target tarpon, permit, and bonefish in the shallows while still running offshore trips for tuna, mahi-mahi, and sailfish. Multi-day swordfishing trips became a new trend, as anglers sought the thrill of landing massive broadbill swordfish in deep waters.
Sportfishing tournaments gained national attention, with Key West hosting some of the most prestigious events, attracting anglers from around the world. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was also established in 1990, protecting key fishing habitats while still allowing responsible recreational and charter fishing to thrive.
The 2000s brought cutting-edge fishing technology—from GPS navigation and advanced fish finders to high-performance reels and braided fishing lines. These innovations allowed captains to locate fish faster, fish deeper, and increase catch rates, keeping Key West on the map as a world-class fishing destination.
The past two decades have also produced some of the biggest catches in modern history. Charter boats out of Key West have landed:
700+ pound marlin
200+ pound swordfish
Massive goliath groupers
Trophy wahoo, tuna, and permit
Shark fishing has also gained popularity, with anglers battling bull sharks, hammerheads, and even tiger sharks in the waters off Key West. At the same time, catch-and-release practices have helped keep fish populations strong, allowing anglers to enjoy the thrill of the fight while ensuring future generations can do the same.
With more visitors booking trips each year, Key West remains one of the top charter fishing destinations in the world. Every morning, Captains prepare their boats, anglers load their gear, and the docks come alive with the same energy and excitement that have defined these waters for nearly a century.
For those seeking an authentic Key West fishing experience, there’s no better place to start than Historic Charter Boat Row—where legends are made, and big fish are caught.
