Bull shark
Carcharhinus leucas
- Best
- May to October
- Size
- The big ones run 8 to 10 ft
- Spot one
- Heavy body, short blunt snout
Released at the boat
Shark Fishing in Islamorada Sharks at sunset
4.6 on Google, 11 reviews
Shark fishing in Islamorada means three hours on stand-up tackle with bulls, blacktips and hammerheads. You leave the dock at 5 pm, fight sharks into the evening, and every one is photographed at the boat and released.
- Captain and mate
- Rods, tackle and bait
- Fishing licenses
- Ice and fish cleaning
- Private boat, your group only
- No fuel surcharge
- Trip3 hours
- Leaves5 pm
- GuestsUp to 6
What's on your line
Five sharks make up most of what you will hook.
Blacktip shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
- Best
- Practically year-round
- Size
- About 5 ft, up to 8
- Spot one
- Black tips on the fins; leaps and spins when it feeds
Released at the boat
Nurse shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
- Best
- Year-round; they feed at night
- Size
- 7.5 to 8 ft, 200 lb and up
- Spot one
- Whisker-like barbels, a very long tail
Released at the boat
Lemon shark
Negaprion brevirostris
- Best
- The summer months
- Size
- 8 to 10 ft, up to about 550 lb
- Spot one
- Yellow-brown, two dorsal fins nearly the same size
Protected: stays in the water
Great hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
- Best
- Spring and fall windows
- Size
- 12 ft and better in season
- Spot one
- Straight hammer head, very tall dorsal fin
Protected: stays in the water
Florida law on every shark trip: circle hooks with natural bait, a line cutter aboard, and 29 protected species kept in the water. Sources: FWC shark regulations, Florida Museum species profiles.
How your evening goes
- 5 pm at the dock
You step aboard at Three Waters Resort and Marina. Rods, heavy tackle, bait and licenses are already aboard.
- On the fishing grounds
Your captain sets the baits, and your group takes turns on the rods as the sharks come in.
- Back about 8 pm
You fight each shark on stand-up tackle, get your photo at the boat, and release it. Then you ride back to the dock.
Ready to book?
$1,000 3 hours, leaves 5 pm, either Hatteras
Before you go
Every shark goes back
Every shark is fought on stand-up tackle, photographed at the boat and released. Protected species stay in the water the whole time.
The fight
A small shark can be over in minutes. A big bull can take a lot longer. Your captain and mate coach you through every fight, and with a full boat you take turns.
Summer or winter
The trip leaves at 5 pm all year. In summer you fish in daylight and head in around sunset. In winter the sun sets earlier, so more of your trip is after dark.
What to bring
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Closed-toe shoes with grip
- A light layer for the ride home
- Your phone in a waterproof case
Shark fishing, in photos
Questions first? Call or text (954) 326-7360
Quick answers
What sharks will we see?
Blacktips and nurse sharks most of the year, big bulls strongest May to October, lemons in summer, and hammerheads in the spring and fall windows. Every trip is different, and you meet whatever is biting.
Do you keep the sharks?
No. Everything is fought boatside, photographed, and released. Protected species like hammerheads and lemons stay in the water the whole time, as Florida law requires.
Can we take photos with a hammerhead?
Yes, in the water. Hammerheads, lemons and the other protected species stay in the water with their gills submerged, so the photo happens boatside and the shark goes straight back.
Do we need fishing licenses?
No. Licenses are included on every Poppa trip, along with the rods, heavy tackle and bait.
What time do we get back?
About 8 pm. The trip leaves at 5 and runs three hours, so you are back at the dock about 8 pm.
Do I need fishing experience?
No. Your captain and mate set everything up and coach you through each fight.
