7 Best Key West Fishing Charters
Surrounded by waters of both the Gulf and the Atlantic and home to the only living coral reef in North America, teeming with fish, Key West is an angler’s dream come true. One of the best ways to experience the great fishing in Key West is by booking a charter.
Whether you’re a first timer wanting to try your hand at flats fishing or a seasoned angler ready to tackle the deep sea, you’ll find a Key West fishing charter to suit your needs. And don’t worry, at the end of the day, there are plenty of ways to cook up your catch through local restaurants, or our personal favorite, throwing it on the grill in your own private Key West vacation home.
Ready to reel in your next big catch in Key West? Here’s a look at the seven best Key West fishing charters to help you plan your next fishing adventure!
1. Fish Monster Charters
- Departs from A&B Marina: 700 Front Street, Key West, FL
- fishmonster.com
- Offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing
- 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing charters
Fish Monster Charters offers one of the largest selections of fishing charters in Key West, including private fishing charters, split charters, and party boat fishing charters.
Having trouble choosing? Rated #1 on Tripadvisor, the Fish Monster Max party boat half-day fishing charter offers ample opportunities for fishing and fun.
Perfect for beginners, families, and big groups, the Fish Monster Max is a comfy, spacious catamaran equipped with on-board restrooms and a shaded, air-conditioned galley. It’ll be smooth sailing as you head out to the reef to catch a wide variety of fish — with as much or as little help from the crew as you’d like.
2. Key West Fishing Charters
- Departs from Garrison Bight Marina: 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL
- fishingkeywest.com
- Offshore, backcountry, reef, and deep-sea fishing
- 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour fishing charters
Led by Captain Steven Lamp, an expert angler with over 30 years of experience guiding fishing trips in The Florida Keys, Key West Fishing Charters offers a variety of private fishing charters, including backcountry, reef, and deep-sea fishing.
Key West Fishing Charters boasts an impressive fleet of charter boats to accommodate many different groups and fishing interests, including bay boats, flats, center consoles, deep-sea boats, and even sport-fishing yachts.
This charter is perfect for more experienced anglers, those looking for target species trips, like tarpon fishing, or those just seeking a fishing experience that’s a bit more challenging. But don’t worry if you’re a beginner either, Capt. Lamp has your back!
3. Shadowcaster Flats Fishing
- Departs from A&B Marina: 700 Front Street, Key West, FL
- keysflatsfishing.com
- Backcountry/flats fishing
- 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing charters
Specializing in backcountry or “flats” fishing, Shadowcaster Flats Fishing is perfect for those wanting a more relaxing fishing trip.
Shadowcaster’s fleet of cozy flat boats can glide effortlessly through the intricate waterways of Key West’s backcountry (the calm flats). You’ll be able to fish in the shallows, mangroves, and narrow channels that aren’t accessible on some of the larger fishing charters.
Shadowcaster Flats Fishing offers a great way to explore the beauty of the backcountry and enjoy some light tackle fishing, reeling in tarpon, bonefish, permit, and much more.
4. Captain Magnus Key West Fishing
- Departs from Garrison Bight Marina: 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL
- captainmagnus.com
- Offshore and deep-sea fishing
- 4, 6, or 8-hour fishing charters
If you’re hoping to reel in a monster Mahi Mahi or battle with a billfish, Captain Magnus at Key West Fishing has you covered.
You can choose from several different charters that will take you to some of the best offshore and deep-sea fishing spots that, depending on the season, can serve up some impressive catches.
You’ll hop aboard the Ultra Grand Slam, a spacious, 48’ sport fishing boat with an air-conditioned galley and onboard restroom. While at sea, Captain Magnus and his First Mate will ensure you have a comfortable, safe, and, of course — fun fishing trip!
5. Cora Beth Fishing
- Departs from 230 Margaret Street: C Dock Slip #5, Key West, FL
- corabethfishing.com
- Offshore, backcountry, and reef fishing
- 4, 6, 8, or 10-hour fishing charters
Offering a wide range of both private and shared charters, Cora Beth Fishing has something for everyone and is a favorite among beginners and families.
You can head out to the reef to hunt for yellowtail, mutton, and more on Cora Beth’s popular 4-hour Daily Reef Fishing trips, or extend the fun with the Full Day Fishing Safari to look for snapper and grouper.
If fishing at sunset sounds like your kind of fun, Cora Beth’s Sunset Snapper trip is a can’t miss. You’ll catch breathtaking sunset views and hopefully, lots of snapper to bring back for dinner.
6. Gulfstream Fishing
- Departs from Garrison Bight Marina: 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL
- gulfstreamkeywest.com
- Offshore fishing
- 4, 5, or 6-hour fishing charters
A favorite among locals and visitors alike, Gulfstream Fishing offers private fishing charters, party boat fishing, holiday fishing trips, and special summer nighttime fishing trips.
Your fishing adventure will take place on the Gulfstream IV, a comfy, spacious catamaran with an air-conditioned galley and onboard restrooms. A friendly, knowledgeable Captain and crew will guide you as you fish for yellowtail, hogfish, grouper, mackerel, and more.
If you’ll be in town for a while and plan to fish more than once, Gulfstream Fishing also offers multi-trip passes so you can snag a great deal, and lots of fish!
7. Cowboy Cowgirl Sportfishing Charters
- Departs from Garrison Bight Marina: 1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL
- cowboycowgirlsportfishing.com
- Inshore, offshore, deep-sea, and reef fishing
- 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12-hour fishing charters
With a large fleet of comfortable boats and one of the widest selections of fishing charters to choose from, including budget-friendly options, Cowboy Cowgirl Sportfishing Charters has something for everyone.
You can set your sights on and cast your reel for a wide variety of species, including Mahi Mahi, tuna, wahoo, sailfish, barracuda, and even sharks (shark fishing excursions are strictly catch and release).
Cowboy Cowgirl Sportfishing Charters also offers fishing trips up to 12 hours, one of the longest available, so if you’re looking for more time on the water, they have you covered.
Key West Fishing Charters: What to Know Before You Go
Whether it’s your first time on a fishing charter or you’re just wondering what to expect in the waters off Key West, here are some answers to common questions about Key West fishing charters.
What’s included in a Key West fishing Charter?
Each fishing charter in Key West is independently operated, so what’s included may vary based on which charter company you book with, as well as which charter package you choose.
Overall, most fishing charters typically include all necessary fishing equipment (rod, reel, bait, and tackle), fishing licenses, and the support of the Captain and crew members who will assist you while fishing. They often also clean and package your fish for you afterwards.
Be sure to inquire with your chosen charter for full details on what’s included.
What kind of fish will I catch on a Key West fishing charter?
The type of fish you’ll catch on your Key West fishing charter will largely depend on what type of charter you book (offshore, backcountry, reef, deep-sea, etc.) and the time of year.
While some fish species can be found in Key West waters year-round, others are only found at certain times of the year or in certain areas. Your charter Captain will always take you to the best fishing spot based on the season, water conditions, and current fishing reports.
If you’re hoping to target a certain species, like tarpon or marlin, you can often find specific charters for that.
What should I bring on a Key West fishing charter?
What you can and should bring on a fishing charter can vary slightly based on the operator, but overall, you’ll want comfortable, non-slip shoes for the boat and some protection from the sun like long-sleeved shirts, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Some charters also allow you to bring coolers with drinks and snacks on board, but may have rules concerning alcohol and glass containers.
A waterproof phone case or a dry bag with a floatie is also always a good idea for storing electronics on a boat.
Ready to Book Your Key West Fishing Charter?
With sunny skies above and an abundance of fish swimming below, there’s nothing quite like a day on the water aboard a Key West fishing charter.
Ready for an epic fishing adventure in Key West? Book your stay with VHKW – Vacation Homes of Key West. When you stay with us our concierge is more than happy to help you plan and book your activities, including fishing trips.
You’ll be just minutes away from all the marinas, as well as all the best things to do in Key West, and best of all, you’ll have your own private kitchen and, in some cases, a BBQ grill to cook up your catch in.
