4-Hour Morning Key West Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning charter with Captain Bryce StreetInshore and backcountry fishing for local speciesBeginnerfriendly trip accommodating up to four guests
Captain Bryce Street knows these Key West waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why this 4-hour morning charter has become such a hit with families and seasoned anglers alike. You'll be targeting some of the most exciting inshore species in Florida while soaking up those famous Key West views that make every photo look like a postcard. Whether you're introducing the kids to fishing or looking to add some new species to your logbook, this trip delivers the perfect mix of action and relaxation that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Your morning kicks off bright and early when you meet Captain Bryce at the marina. The beauty of a 4-hour trip is that you beat the heat and the afternoon wind, giving you the best possible conditions for sight fishing and casting into those crystal-clear flats. Above the Cut Charters runs a clean, well-maintained boat that's perfectly rigged for inshore work, with plenty of room for up to 4 anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Captain Bryce has been guiding these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to find fish based on the tides, weather, and time of year. You'll be working the backcountry flats, mangrove shorelines, and channel edges where the big predators like to patrol. The pace is relaxed but productive – expect plenty of casting opportunities mixed with moments to just enjoy being out on some of the most beautiful water in the world. Don't worry if you're new to saltwater fishing; Captain Bryce is patient with beginners and knows how to get everyone on the boat involved, regardless of skill level.
This charter focuses on light tackle inshore fishing, which means you'll be using spinning reels and baitcasters loaded with 15-30 pound test line depending on what you're targeting. Captain Bryce provides all the gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you have favorites you like to fish with. The techniques vary based on conditions and what's biting, but you can expect to do a mix of live bait fishing with pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp, along with plenty of artificial lure work. Topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons are go-to choices in these waters, especially when working the grass flats and mangrove edges. If conditions are right for sight fishing, you'll spend time stalking fish in shallow water – there's nothing quite like watching a big cobia or barracuda cruise up to your bait in gin-clear water. The boat is equipped with a shallow draft hull that lets Captain Bryce get into skinny water where the big fish feel safe, and the elevated casting platform gives you a better angle for accurate presentations. All tackle, bait, and ice are included, so you just need to bring yourself, some snacks if you want them, and plenty of sunscreen.
Great Barracuda are the ultimate sight fishing target around Key West, and these waters hold some true giants. These aggressive predators can stretch over 4 feet and put on an absolute show when hooked, with blistering runs and spectacular jumps. Barracuda hunt the flats year-round but are most active during the warmer months when baitfish are thick. They're ambush predators that love to hide along mangrove edges and grass lines, then explode on topwater lures or live baits. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're watching a 'cuda lazily cruising in 3 feet of water, the next second it's screaming line off your reel after crushing a surface plug.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your tackle and your endurance. These bruisers travel in schools and can show up anywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels. When you hook into a good jack, expect a long, hard fight with multiple runs that'll leave your arms burning. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, but residents stick around year-round. Jacks are perfect for kids and beginners because they bite aggressively and fight hard enough to make anyone feel like they've caught something special.
Cobia are the holy grail of inshore fishing in Key West, and spotting one cruising the flats gets every angler's heart racing. These brown sharks, as locals call them, can push 40-50 pounds and are incredibly curious fish that will often swim right up to the boat to investigate. Spring brings the best cobia action as they move through on their annual migration, but you can find them year-round around structure and in deeper channels. They're sight fishing at its finest – watching a big cobia slowly swim up to your crab or eel is pure adrenaline, especially knowing they can peel off 100 yards of line in seconds.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats, and landing one in Key West puts you in an elite club of anglers. These silvery speedsters are incredibly spooky and require perfect presentations in shallow water. They're most active during moving tides when they're rooting around in the sand and grass looking for crabs and shrimp. Bones aren't big fish – most run 3-8 pounds – but they're lightning fast and will test your drag system with runs that seem impossible for their size. The real thrill is in the hunt: spotting their tails in skinny water, making the perfect cast, and watching them eat your fly or lure before they rocket toward the horizon.
Goliath Grouper encounters are always memorable, even though these giants are catch-and-release only. These massive fish can weigh several hundred pounds and are surprisingly common around Key West's deeper channels and structure. While you won't be bringing one home for dinner, hooking into a goliath is like being attached to a submarine – they use their size and the bottom structure to their advantage
Captain Bryce's 24-foot Edgewater bay boat is your ticket to Key West's best inshore fishing spots. This center console runs smooth through backcountry waters thanks to its reliable 300HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the fish fast and comfortable. The boat handles beautifully in shallow flats and around mangrove edges where tarpon, snook, and redfish love to hang out. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 4-hour morning trip. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines. GPS keeps you on course to Captain Bryce's productive honey holes around the island. This boat's built for Key West's unique fishing conditions – shallow draft for backcountry access but stable enough for comfortable fishing when the breeze picks up.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the ghosts of the flats - silvery, spooky, and lightning fast. Most range 16-30 inches and 6-8 pounds, but their speed hits 30 mph when spooked. They hunt crabs and shrimp in skinny water from 6 inches to 10 feet deep over grass and sand. Low tide periods are best when they're tailing and feeding actively. It's all about the challenge and that blazing first run - they're not kept for eating due to all the bones. The key is staying quiet and casting ahead of cruising or tailing fish. Use small shrimp flies or jigs, and remember - if you can see them clearly, they can probably see you too.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our favorite targets - they're curious, aggressive, and excellent on the table. These brown sharks look-alikes average around 30-50 pounds but can reach 100+ pounds and 6 feet. They hang around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 20-100 feet of water, often cruising alone near the surface. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they move through our waters. The fight is strong but manageable, and the firm white meat is top-shelf eating. Since they're naturally curious, they'll often approach the boat. My go-to trick is a bucktail jig in 4-8 ounces worked slowly around structure - color doesn't matter much with these fish.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - stocky, aggressive, and built for battle. Most run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but big ones push 60 pounds. You'll find schools cruising grass beds, sandy bays, and around structure from shallow water to about 100 feet deep. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and summer offer the hottest action. These brassy-green fighters pull like freight trains and never give up easy. They're not great table fare, but the fight makes up for it. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of feeding jacks pushing baitfish up. Cast silver spoons or swim baits past the school and retrieve fast.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - true monsters that can hit 8 feet and 800 pounds. These protected fish live around ledges, wrecks, and coral in 20-150 feet of water. Summer months bring the best encounters when they gather near spawning areas. It's strictly catch and release, but that first pull will test your gear and your grip on the boat. Heavy tackle is a must - think 50-80 class reels with 400+ pound test line. The thrill is just hooking something this massive. Anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough to pull them away. Bounce big baits like crabs or chunks on the bottom to get their attention.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are apex predators that'll give you a real fight. These silver torpedoes average 2-4 feet but can hit 6 feet and 100+ pounds. They cruise near the surface around reefs, grass beds, and structures in 10-50 feet of water. Their razor teeth and 35 mph speed make them serious hunters. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active. Guests love the explosive strikes and blistering runs - just be ready for that trademark jump at the end. We always use wire leaders since those teeth will slice through mono like butter. When you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give it slack or you'll lose it fast.
Key West