4-Hour Afternoon Key West Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon charter with Captain Bryce StreetInshore and backcountry fishing for multiple local speciesPerfect for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Looking for the perfect way to spend your afternoon in paradise? Captain Bryce Street knows these Key West waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why locals and visitors alike keep coming back for more. This 4-hour fishing charter hits the sweet spot – long enough to get into some serious action, but short enough to leave your evening free for that famous Key West sunset you came here to see. We're talking about real fishing here, folks. The kind where you feel that rod bend and your heart starts pumping as you battle fish that call these crystal-clear flats and backcountry waters home.
Captain Bryce runs a tight ship that accommodates up to 4 anglers, making this a perfect small-group adventure where everyone gets plenty of attention and coaching. These afternoon trips capitalize on some of the best fishing windows Key West has to offer. The midday heat starts to ease up, baitfish become more active, and predators start moving into feeding mode. You'll be targeting the shallow flats and backcountry channels where the big boys like to hunt. Don't worry about experience level – Captain Bryce has guided everyone from first-timers who've never held a rod to seasoned anglers looking to add new species to their life list. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle, and you'll learn techniques that work specifically in these waters. Pack some sunscreen, bring a hat, and get ready to see Key West from the best vantage point possible – right on the water where the fish live.
Inshore and backcountry fishing around Key West is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Bryce uses a mix of live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling us that day. You might find yourself sight-fishing on the flats, where you'll actually see your target before making the cast – it's like hunting with a fishing rod. Other times, we'll work structure around mangrove edges or channels where fish ambush prey. The tackle is matched to the species we're after, from lighter spinning gear for bonefish to heavier setups when we're hunting cobia or goliath grouper. Captain Bryce will teach you how to read the signs – nervous baitfish, birds working, color changes in the water – all the little details that separate a good day from an epic one. The beauty of these Key West flats is the variety. One minute you might be working a barracuda that's cruising the surface, the next you could be battling a jack that came out of nowhere to crush your bait.
Great Barracuda are the wolves of these flats, and they're absolutely electric when they hit. These silver bullets can stretch over four feet long and they attack with a ferocity that'll make your knees shake. Best part? They're visual feeders, so you often see them coming before they strike. They're most active during moving tides when they patrol the edges looking for an easy meal. Captain Bryce knows exactly where to find them based on time of year and tide conditions.
Crevalle Jack are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in these waters. They travel in schools and when you find them, you've hit the jackpot – no pun intended. These bruisers will test your drag system and your endurance. They're year-round residents here, but summer and fall bring the bigger schools. When they're feeding, it's pure chaos on the surface with bait flying everywhere.
Cobia are the true prizes of Key West fishing. These brown sharks (that's what some locals call them) can push 50 pounds and they're curious fish that will actually come investigate the boat. Spring and early summer are prime time, and Captain Bryce has developed techniques specifically for targeting these intelligent predators. They're excellent table fare and always make for great photos.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – spooky, challenging, and absolutely addictive to pursue. Key West has some of the best bonefishing in the world, and these silver submarines will humble even experienced anglers. They're catch-and-release fish that require stealth, patience, and precise casting. When you hook one, they'll take off on runs that seem impossible for a fish their size.
Goliath Grouper are the giants that every angler dreams about. These protected species have made an amazing comeback in Key West waters, and while we practice strict catch-and-release, the experience of hooking one is something you'll talk about for years. They can exceed 400 pounds and live around structure where they use their massive mouths to inhale anything that looks like dinner. Summer brings the best opportunities to encounter these prehistoric-looking fish.
This 4-hour afternoon charter strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and Key West lifestyle. You'll experience world-class angling without sacrificing your evening plans, and Captain Bryce's local knowledge ensures you're fishing the most productive spots at the right times. Whether you're looking to check some new species off your list, introduce someone to the sport, or just spend a quality afternoon on some of the most beautiful water in the world, this trip delivers. The fish are here year-round, the weather's almost always cooperative, and the memories you'll make are the kind that bring people back to Key West again and again. Don't spend your afternoon wondering what's happening out on the water – book your spot and find out firsthand why Key West fishing has such a legendary reputation.
Get ready to fish the pristine waters around Key West aboard our smooth-riding 24' Edgewater center console! This bay boat cuts through the shallows with ease, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots fast. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Our wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when sneaking up on spooky tarpon and snook in the backcountry. The fish finder helps locate schools of snapper and grouper, while GPS ensures we hit all the productive spots Captain Bryce knows like the back of his hand. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox along with cold drinks for the crew. Perfect for working the grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deeper channels where Key West's best gamefish hang out.
Albula VulpesThe "silver ghost" of the flats is what flats fishing is all about. These 6-8 pound speedsters feed in water so shallow you can see their tails breaking the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. They're found year-round on our grass flats and sandy shores, but cooler months bring the bigger fish closer to shore. What makes them special isn't the fight - it's the hunt. Spotting them in skinny water and making that perfect cast is pure skill. When hooked, they'll rip 100 yards of line before you know it. They spook easily, so stealth is key. Best tip: look for "tailing" fish with their tails sticking up as they feed. Cast small jigs or flies well ahead of them and strip slowly.
Rachycentron CanadumThese dark brown fighters average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them one of our biggest inshore targets. They're loners that cruise around structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall is peak season when they move through our waters. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and some of the best eating you'll find - firm white meat that beats grouper. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you sight-casting opportunities. Best technique is working a bucktail jig around structure or sight-casting when you spot one cruising. My go-to trick: look for rays on the flats - cobia often follow them looking for stirred-up crabs and small fish.
Caranx HipposThese brass-colored bruisers are the bullies of the backcountry, averaging 3-5 pounds but growing up to 60. Look for them in seagrass beds, around mangroves, and over sandy flats in 2-20 feet of water. They're year-round residents that love to chase fast-moving baits. The real excitement comes from their raw power - they'll test your drag and your arms with that classic jack fight. Birds diving on baitfish usually means jacks are pushing prey to the surface underneath. Cast silver spoons or swimbaits past the school and reel fast - these fish love the chase. Here's the trick: when you see them feeding, don't cast right into the school or you'll spook them. Work the edges first.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese gentle giants can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, making them the ultimate catch-and-release challenge. You'll find them around ledges, wrecks, and bridges in 20-100 feet of water. They're year-round residents that become more active in warmer months. What draws anglers is the sheer power - that first pull can drag you to the rail if you're not ready. They're protected, so it's all about the experience and photos. These fish are curious and will often approach divers and baits without fear. Use heavy tackle with 50-80 class gear and circle hooks. My advice: anchor close enough to structure that they'll come out, but far enough away that you can pull them off the bottom before they break you off in the rocks.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese silver torpedoes are some of the fastest predators in our waters, hitting speeds up to 35 mph. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and grass flats in 10-50 feet of water. Most run 2-4 feet long, but the big ones can stretch over 6 feet. They're curious fish that'll often follow the boat - that's your cue to drop a line. The fight is pure speed and power, though they tire quickly. We catch them year-round here, but spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy. Pro tip: use a wire leader and bounce a silver spoon near structure. They hunt by sight and love that flash. Just watch those razor teeth when landing one - they can still bite hard even when tired.
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