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Key
West Fishing Information
Party
Boats
Light Tackle Fishing
Flats Fishing
Deep Sea Charters
Key West is
famous for its world-class fishing! The surrounding waters,
warmed by the Gulf stream currents just a few miles offshore, support
an abundance of species, including; Marlin, Swordfish, Sailfish, Dolphin
(mahi mahi), Wahoo, Tuna, Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Cobia,
Kingfish, Tarpon, Shark, etc.
It's no wonder Key West anglers hold more than 300 International Game Fish Association
world records
If you're interested
in Key West fishing, there are almost as many types of charters as fish
to catch!
Party
Boat Fishing
(AKA Party Boats)
Do
you love fishing, but don't have the big bucks for a private
charter? A Key West Party Boat is just the answer!
| Advantages:
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economical, eatin'
fish. |
| Disadvantages: |
lots of people. |
A Key West Party Boat is usually a 40 to 70
foot boat that can take large groups of people.
Everyone's fishing over the side for bottom fish including:
Grouper, Snapper, Grunts, etc. in shallow water. You get
to hold the rod, bait the hook, tie the rigs, and remove
the fish. There are usually mates available if you
are a first timer. This is the most affordable
charter boat.
Key West sports a number of great party
boats. These boats use chum to bring the fish under the
boat and you can expect to catch yellowtail snapper, grouper,
and occasionally a dolphin for your dinner! Providing the
fish are legal and edible, most Key West restaurants will
cook your catch. Bait and license are provided, rod rental
and fish cleaning for an added fee.
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Light Tackle/Backcountry Boats
21-35 foot center console boats
Max. 4 people.
| Advantages:
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Fast, live bait capable. |
| Disadvantages: |
no
shade, toilet, or AC. |
Lighter
tackle means more fun! When you fish for snapper
and other offshore species with light tackle, you're fishing
with weaker line, and you are in for a fight!
These boats
are faster, more maneuverable and usually employ live bait
techniques.
The term, light tackle
fishing, refers more to using non-trolling techniques.
This differentiates them from the offshore trolling boats.
Most captains use a
spinning rod and reel combination and a lighter
line to make fishing more of a challenge.
Light tackle fishing
is considered by many to be unique to Key West … and
while our Captains developed it, it’s become a popular
form of sport fishing all over the world!
Expect to target: sailfish, tarpon, permit,
king mackerel, snapper, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, grouper
and sharks.
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Key
West Flats Fishing
Flats boats:
14-21 foot boats with shallow draft.
Max. 2 people
| Advantages:
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shallow
water, sight fishing. |
| Disadvantages: |
small
with no amenities. |
Shallow
water, sight fishing. These small boats are capable
of fishing in extremely shallow water and sneak up on species
such as; Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Barracuda and Shark.
The
guide is there to help you spot the fish and then
it is up to you to cast to them. This type of fishing
is challenging and may take practice and experience. While
the boat is small with no amenities, there is little chance
of seasickness!
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Key
West Sportfishing Charters|
34-50'
Fishing Yachts
Max. 6 people.
| Advantages:
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Trolling
or live bait, all manner of tackle. Toilet, shade, AC,
and lots of room for extended and overnight excursions.
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| Disadvantages: |
The
most expensive. |
In the past, Sport-fishing
boats were strictly deep-water trollers. Modern day charter
boats offer trolling, live baiting, kite fishing, wreck,
reef, Shark, Sword fishing, extreme deep dropping, Marlin
tournaments, night fishing trips, and are capable of over-night
excursions to the Dry Tortugas, Bahamas, and Cuba.
Ernest
Hemingway put Key West on the map when it comes
to deep sea sportfishing. And the legends live
on today aboard Key West's offshore fishing charters. No
matter where you fish in Key West waters … on the flats,
in the backcountry, on the reef and in the deep blue of
the Gulfstream … you are guaranteed
a good time!
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Featured Captains, Guides and Charters
Key West Deep Sea Fishing Aboard the
Mr. Z, a 46'
Bertram luxury sportfishing yacht.
We also recommend the
Triple
Time for offshore fishing:
The
Florida
Fish Finder
headed for the Dry Tortugas:
Interested in light
tackle fishing? Check out
this monster wreck Permit (it topped the scales
at over 32 lbs) caught on board Tailchaser:
Key
West Pro Guides can hook you up with more than 16 fishing
guides and charters for flats fishing, light tackle, offshore
and wreck and reef fishing.
Flats fishing with Captain Dan Dempsey.
Sailfish caught on an
offshore sport
fishing charter.
Which boat is
the one for you? It's like comparing apples
and oranges. Many visitors will fish a combination of
these boats during their visit. Each type of fishing
has its own unique appeal and advantages. The true advantage
of Key West is that all of these options exist so everyone
can catch a fish on any given day. No matter
where you fish, on the flats, in the backcountry, on
the reef, or the deep blue of the Gulfstream … you
are guaranteed a good time when you fish
in Key West!
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