Inshore Fishing Key Largo, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore fishing adventure in Key Largo watersTarget redfish, snook, and tarpon with expert crew guidanceSmall group experience accommodates just 2 guests maximum
Looking for a solid fishing adventure that won't eat up your whole day? This 5-hour inshore trip with A2 Fishing Charters is exactly what you need. You'll be working the backcountry waters around Key Largo, targeting some of Florida's most sought-after gamefish. With space for just two anglers, you get personalized attention from our crew who know these flats and channels like the back of their hand. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or you're a regular looking for that trophy snook, we'll put you on fish and show you why Key Largo's inshore waters are legendary.
We launch early to beat the crowds and hit the prime feeding times when fish are most active. You'll spend your morning working the shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels that make Key Largo's backcountry so productive. The boat stays in 1-10 feet of water most of the trip, giving you that authentic Florida Keys flats fishing experience. Our captains read the tides, wind, and conditions to position you where the fish are feeding. One minute you might be sight-fishing to tailing redfish on a grass flat, the next you could be working a mangrove pocket where snook are ambushing baitfish. The variety keeps things exciting, and with only two people on board, everyone gets plenty of rod time. Expect to move between 3-5 different spots during the trip, each offering different opportunities based on what's biting that day.
We fish light tackle exclusively - mostly spinning gear in the 2500-4000 size range spooled with 15-20 pound braid. This setup gives you the sensitivity to feel every nibble while still having enough backbone to turn a big fish away from structure. Depending on conditions, we'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at first light to live shrimp under popping corks when the bite gets tough. Artificial lures dominate most trips - soft plastics like DOA shrimp, paddle tails, and jerk baits are go-to options for working the grass flats and mangrove edges. When fish are spooky, we'll switch to live bait - pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp that we catch or pick up fresh from local bait shops. The shallow water means you'll be making precise casts to specific targets: that patch of deeper water, the shadow line under a mangrove overhang, or the nervous water where fish are pushing bait. Our guides handle the boat positioning and provide coaching on technique, but you'll be doing the fishing.
Snook are the crown jewel of Key Largo inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure - you'll find them lurking under docks, along mangrove shorelines, and around bridge pilings waiting to crush whatever swims by. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their gill plates and razor-sharp edges to cut lines. Fall and winter months are prime time when water temperatures drop and snook move shallow to feed aggressively. A 28-inch snook is a keeper, but most anglers get more excited about the 30+ inch fish that really show their strength. The thrill comes from the precision required - snook fishing is all about perfect presentations to tight spots where one bad cast spooks everything.
Tarpon turn every angler into a believer after that first jump. These silver kings range from 20-pound juveniles in the backcountry to 100+ pound adults that patrol the deeper channels. Key Largo's tarpon fishing peaks from April through July when migrating fish stack up in huge numbers. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's their aerial acrobatics. A hooked tarpon will jump repeatedly, throwing spray and gill rattling in attempts to throw the hook. The fight can last 20 minutes or more, testing both your stamina and drag settings. Even smaller tarpon pack serious power, and landing one is always a team effort between angler and guide.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Key Largo flats fishing - reliable, aggressive, and always ready to eat. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow grass flats in small schools, tailing and pushing water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Reds between 18-27 inches are slot-legal keepers and make excellent table fare, while oversized fish over 27 inches are protected breeding stock that fight like freight trains. The best redfish action happens on moving tides when fish position themselves along drop-offs and current breaks to ambush prey. Sight-fishing to redfish is addictive - watching a fish track your lure through clear water before crushing it never gets old.
Tripletail are the wildcards of this fishery - when you find them, you remember it forever. These odd-looking fish float on their sides near crab trap buoys, channel markers, and debris, perfectly mimicking a piece of floating seaweed. They're notoriously spooky and require stealthy approaches with precise casts. Tripletail have excellent eyesight and will spook from boat noise or sudden movements, making them a true test of angling skill. When hooked, they fight with surprising power for their size, using their broad sides to leverage against the current. Finding tripletail is part hunting, part fishing - you'll spend time scanning structure and markers for that telltale dark shape that doesn't belong.
This top-rated inshore experience delivers exactly what serious anglers want - quality fishing without the crowds, expert local knowledge, and shots at multiple trophy species. A2 Fishing Charters has built their reputation on consistently putting clients on fish while providing the personalized service that only comes with small groups. The 5-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without the marathon
Step aboard our 2020 Pathfinder bay boat and get ready to explore the prime fishing waters around Key Largo. This sleek 250HP Yamaha-powered vessel cuts through the shallows at 65 knots, getting you to those hidden redfish and snook spots faster than the competition. Our wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when stalking tarpon in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate schools of baitfish where the action happens. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight that fish of a lifetime, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold under the Florida sun. With GPS navigation, we'll hit multiple productive flats and mangrove edges throughout your trip. The onboard facilities ensure comfort during those longer battles with trophy fish, so you can focus on what matters - landing that perfect Key Largo catch.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers wanting consistent action in skinny water. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tail typically run 20-35 inches around Key Largo. We find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, around mangrove shorelines, and near oyster bars. Fall and spring offer the most reliable fishing, though they bite year-round here. What guests love is how aggressive they are - redfish will crush topwater plugs, jigs, and live shrimp with authority. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The fight is solid too, with strong runs and head shakes. My go-to tip is looking for "tailing" fish - when you see their tails sticking up as they root for crabs, cast 3-4 feet ahead of them. They spook easily in shallow water, so approach quietly and make accurate casts.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets here in Key Largo. These sleek fish with that signature black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet, though we occasionally hook into 4-footers. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They love structure and ambush prey from cover. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll dart for the nearest snag the second they feel the hook. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local tip: when you see one lurking in the shadows, cast past it and work your bait back through their strike zone. They're temperature sensitive, so cooler winter days can slow the bite considerably.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what fishing dreams are made of here in the Keys. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, but we see 200-pounders fairly regularly. They cruise our flats, channels, and harbor areas from spring through summer, with May to July being prime time. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - once hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, often 6-8 feet out of the water. It's pure adrenaline. Most folks practice catch and release since the meat is bony and not great eating. We fish them in 5-20 feet around structure and current breaks. The key trick I share is keeping steady pressure but not over-fighting them. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook. These fish have been around 125 million years, so treat them with respect.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our more unique catches - they look like floating debris until you get close. These chunky fish average 2-5 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds. They're masters of disguise, lying on their sides near weed lines, crab trap floats, or any floating structure. We spot them year-round, but summer months from May to September are best. What makes them fun is the sight fishing aspect - you actually see the fish before casting. They're surprisingly acrobatic for their bulky build and put up a scrappy fight. The meat rivals grouper or snapper, firm and white. Tripletail are found from the surface down to about 30 feet around here. The trick is being stealthy - cast well past them and slowly work your bait back. They spook easily, so one bad cast usually ends your shot. Live shrimp or small jigs work best.
Everglades City, FL, United States