Ultimate Key Largo Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and tarpon.All equipment, tackle, bait, and fishing licenses included.Maximum two guests with professional guide instruction provided.
You're looking at one of the most comprehensive inshore fishing experiences in the Florida Keys. This 8-hour charter with A2 Fishing Charters gives you serious time on the water to target some of South Florida's most sought-after gamefish. We're talking redfish, snook, tarpon, and tripletail in the pristine flats and backcountry waters around Key Largo. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime positioning for every cast. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing these species for years, this trip delivers the kind of variety and action that keeps people coming back to the Keys.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Eight hours gives us the luxury of time - time to work different spots, adjust techniques, and really dial in on what's working. We'll start early to beat the heat and catch the prime feeding windows when these fish are most active. The beauty of Key Largo's inshore waters is the diversity - one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, the next you're working structure for snook or watching for rolling tarpon. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, from the grass flats of Florida Bay to the mangrove shorelines and creek mouths where these fish love to hang out. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are covered, so you just need to bring your appetite for fishing, some snacks and drinks, and good sun protection. The relaxed pace means there's time for instruction if you want to learn new techniques or perfect your presentation.
Inshore fishing in Key Largo is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Sight-fishing is huge here - polarized glasses are your best friend when you're stalking reds on the flats or looking for snook along the mangroves. For tarpon, we might be throwing live pilchards or crabs, while redfish often can't resist a well-presented shrimp or crab. The tackle is matched to the situation - lighter spinning gear for finesse work on the flats, and beefier setups when we're targeting tarpon that can easily hit triple digits. Your guide will have everything dialed in, from the drag settings to leader selection. The key is staying versatile because these fish can be picky, and having multiple techniques in your arsenal makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Key Largo inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and will absolutely smoke a well-placed bait. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. Reds typically run 20-35 inches in these waters, with some real bulls pushing the slot limit. What makes them so fun is their power - they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way. Plus, they're not overly spooky, making them perfect for newer anglers to cut their teeth on.
Snook are the attitude fish of the bunch. These ambush predators love structure - docks, mangroves, bridge pilings, anywhere they can hide and wait for an easy meal. They're most active during warmer months and around dawn and dusk feeding periods. A typical Key Largo snook runs 24-32 inches, and they fight with serious aggression. They'll jump, they'll run for cover, and they'll test every knot in your setup. The strike is often explosive, which gets your heart pumping every time. They're also excellent eating if you're within the slot limit.
Tarpon are the showstoppers - the silver kings that bring people from around the world to these waters. Peak season runs late spring through summer, but we see them year-round in Key Largo. These fish are pure adrenaline, jumping repeatedly and peeling line like you wouldn't believe. Even a smaller tarpon in the 50-80 pound range will give you a fight you'll talk about for years. The bigger fish, which can easily top 100 pounds, are absolutely life-changing catches. Most tarpon fishing is catch-and-release, focused on the experience rather than the cooler.
Tripletail are the wildcard species - they're not always around, but when they are, they're a blast to catch. These weird-looking fish like to hang around structure, often floating on their sides near crab trap buoys or debris. They're excellent table fare and fight surprisingly hard for their size. Finding them is half the challenge, making them a real trophy when everything comes together.
This top-rated 8-hour charter represents serious value for anglers who want to maximize their time on some of Florida's best inshore waters. You're getting world-class fishing with personalized attention, all gear included, and the flexibility to target multiple species based on conditions and your preferences. Key Largo's inshore scene is trending hot right now, and dates fill up quickly, especially during prime fishing months. Whether you're planning a special fishing trip or just want to experience what makes the Florida Keys famous among anglers, this charter delivers the complete package. The memories from a day like this - whether it's your first redfish, a jumping tarpon, or just watching the sunrise over Florida Bay with a rod in your hands - are what keep people coming back to these waters year after year.
Jump aboard A2 Fishing Charters' 2020 Pathfinder bay boat and get ready to chase redfish, snook, and tarpon through Key Largo's shallow waters. This beast runs on a 250HP Yamaha SHO that'll have you cruising at 65 knots to hit the hottest fishing spots before anyone else gets there. The boat's built for serious fishing with a fish finder to locate your targets, GPS to navigate the flats, and a wireless trolling motor that keeps things quiet when you're stalking spooky fish in skinny water. There's an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those long fights, plus a head onboard for comfort during your 8-hour adventure. Whether you're a rookie learning to sight-cast or a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique, this rig handles it all. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work, and with just 2 guests max, you'll have personalized attention from your guide. Perfect for exploring the backcountry and getting after some of Florida's most challenging inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 20-35 inches with that copper-bronze back and distinctive black spots near the tail. They thrive in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, oyster bars, and around mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up, but they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love is their powerful, bulldogging fight and willingness to eat topwater lures, creating explosive surface strikes. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. Local trick: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of where they're moving and work your bait slowly back to them - they're easily spooked in skinny water.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most rewarding inshore targets, typically running 18-30 inches with that classic golden color and bold black lateral line. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water where they ambush baitfish. May through September is prime time when they spawn around new and full moons, making them more aggressive. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll use that wide tail to make blistering bursts toward cover. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: when you see one, don't cast right at it. Drop your bait or lure a few feet upcurrent and let it drift naturally past - snook spook easily but will hammer a presentation that looks natural.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver kings that average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though giants over 200 exist. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and harbor areas from surface down to about 60 feet. Peak season runs April through August when they migrate through our waters, with late spring and early summer being magic. What draws anglers is the aerial show - these fish can jump 10 feet and put up fights that last hours. They're built for acrobatics with that massive mouth and forked tail. Most guests practice catch-and-release since the meat isn't great. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This gives slack and prevents the hook from tearing out during their crazy head-shaking routine.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our quirkiest targets - chunky fish averaging 18 inches and 2-8 pounds with a unique triple-fin appearance. They're masters of disguise, floating on their sides near weed lines, debris, or channel markers to mimic floating leaves. Find them from surface down to 30 feet, especially around structure and current breaks. Summer through early fall is best when water temps stay above 70 degrees. Anglers love them because they're surprisingly acrobatic for such a stocky fish and they're absolutely delicious - taste rivals grouper or snapper. The challenge is their spooky nature and finicky bite. Here's the key: once you spot one, don't cast directly at it. Cast 10 feet past and slowly work your bait back - they prefer to ambush rather than chase.
Everglades City, FL, United States