6-Hour Fishing Charter in Key West
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targets productive offshore fishing spotsExtended time allows access to less pressured watersFourguest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
When you want to get serious about fishing the waters around Key West, six hours gives you the time to really work the good spots. This extended charter with Above the Cut Charters takes you beyond the crowded inshore flats to where the fish haven't seen a lure every ten minutes. We're talking about productive waters where barracuda cruise the edges, cobia patrol the deeper channels, and you might just hook into something that'll make your arms burn. With room for up to four anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough time to find the fish and keeping the group small enough that everyone gets plenty of action.
Six hours means we can cover some serious ground and hit multiple spots depending on what's biting. We'll start by checking the flats for bonefish and lemon sharks, then work our way to deeper structure where cobia like to hang out. The beauty of this extended trip is flexibility – if the barracuda are going crazy on one reef, we can stay and work it. If the tide's pushing fish into a particular channel, we've got time to set up and wait for them. You'll be fishing with quality tackle that can handle everything from finicky bonefish to heavyweight goliath grouper. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and will put you on fish while sharing stories about Key West fishing that you won't find in any guidebook. Expect to see some spectacular scenery too – the clear waters and distant mangrove islands make for one hell of a backdrop while you're waiting for that next strike.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what we're targeting and where we're fishing. For bonefish, it's all about sight fishing with small jigs or live shrimp on light spinning gear – these fish are spooky, so stealth is key. When we're working deeper water for cobia, we'll switch to heavier tackle and use live crabs or pinfish. Barracuda love fast-moving lures, so we'll troll with spoons and plugs or cast poppers around structure. The boat's rigged with everything from ultralight spinning rods for bonefish to heavy conventional gear for when we encounter a goliath grouper. We'll anchor up on productive spots, drift with the current, or run and gun depending on conditions. The captain will teach you how to read the water – where to look for nervous baitfish, how tidal movement affects fish behavior, and why certain structures hold more fish than others. It's hands-on learning that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Great barracuda are the wolves of these waters, and they'll test your reflexes when they explode on a lure. These silver bullets can reach 40-plus inches and are most active during moving tides. They love structure like wrecks and reefs where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll often follow your lure right to the boat before deciding to strike. The fight is spectacular, with long runs and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping.
Cobia are the gentle giants that'll surprise you with their size and power. These brown sharks of the fishing world can push 30-40 pounds around Key West and are curious fish that often approach the boat. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're cruising the flats and channels. They're excellent table fare and put up a strong, bulldogging fight that tests your tackle and technique. Spotting one cruising near the surface and getting a perfect cast in front of it is pure fishing magic.
Lemon sharks bring the excitement level up a notch with their prehistoric power and impressive size. These bronze beauties patrol the shallow flats and can reach 6-8 feet around Key West. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed. Fighting a lemon shark on appropriate tackle is an arm-burning experience that showcases just how powerful these ancient predators really are. They're also incredibly photogenic for those hero shots before a quick release.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – silvery, spooky, and absolutely addictive once you hook one. These 3-8 pound speedsters are what fly fishing dreams are made of, but they'll eat small jigs and live bait too. They're year-round residents but most cooperative during warmer months. What makes them special is the sight fishing aspect – spotting their tails or shadows on the flats, making the perfect cast, and watching them take the bait. Their initial run will strip line off your reel faster than you thought possible.
Goliath grouper are the heavyweight champions of Key West waters, and encountering one is something you'll talk about for years. These massive fish can exceed 200 pounds and are found around structure like bridges, wrecks, and deep ledges. Summer months are peak season when they're most active. While they're protected and must be released, the experience of hooking into one of these submarine-sized fish is pure adrenaline. They don't run like other fish – they just pull straight down with incredible power, testing both your tackle and your stamina.
This six-hour charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Key West fishing has to offer. You'll have time to target multiple species, learn new techniques, and fish productive spots that shorter trips simply can't reach. The combination of quality fishing, expert guidance, and spectacular scenery makes this trip a standout choice for serious anglers. Whether you're looking to check new species off your list, improve your fishing skills, or just spend a full day doing what you love, this charter delivers. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, and you don't want to miss your chance to experience world-class fishing in one of Florida's most renowned fishing destinations.
Our 24-foot Edgewater bay boat cuts through Key West waters with authority, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that gets you to the fish fast and smooth. This center console is built for serious anglers who want to make the most of their 6-hour charter, with plenty of deck space for up to 4 guests to work their lines without getting tangled up. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip into shallow backcountry spots without spooking the fish, while our GPS and fish finder combo helps locate structure and schools that hold snook, redfish, and tarpon. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long battles with big fish. Whether we're sight-fishing the flats or working deeper channels, this boat handles Key West's varied waters like a dream, giving you more time with lines in the water instead of fighting choppy rides.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats, averaging 3-8 pounds but fighting like fish twice their size. These silvery speedsters cruise turtle grass flats and sandy areas in just inches to 4 feet of water, tailing as they root for crabs and shrimp. Best fishing happens on incoming tides when they move shallow to feed, especially early morning and late afternoon. What hooks anglers is that lightning-fast initial run - they'll peel 100+ yards of line before you blink. Plus, the sight-fishing challenge of spotting and casting to specific fish makes every catch special. They're all catch-and-release due to their bony meat. Key tip: approach tailing fish from downwind and cast beyond them, then strip the fly or jig slowly into their path. Spook one and the whole school vanishes.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are solitary brown bruisers that average 30-50 pounds but can hit 100+ pounds and 6 feet long. They cruise around wrecks, reefs, and channel markers in 30-70 feet of water, often mistaken for sharks with their dark color and single dorsal fin. Spring migration from March to June brings the best fishing as they move through our waters to spawn. Guests love them for two reasons - they're strong fighters that make long runs, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat. You'll typically spot them near the surface around structure. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't horse them. They'll make several powerful runs, but patience pays off with these table-fare champions.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the giants of our reefs - true monsters that can reach 400-800 pounds and 8 feet long. These massive groupers live around wrecks, ledges, and coral heads in 40-150 feet, where they ambush anything that swims by. Summer months bring the best action when they gather near spawning sites. The thrill is hooking into something that feels like a submarine - that first pull will test every piece of your tackle and nearly yank you overboard. Remember, these are strictly catch-and-release fish due to protection laws, but the bragging rights last forever. Bring heavy tackle: 80-pound class gear minimum with circle hooks and fresh bait like jacks or rays. Pro tip: anchor uptide of the structure so you can pull them away from the rocks before they break you off.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are apex predators that average 3-4 feet but can reach 6 feet and 100+ pounds. These silver torpedoes cruise near coral reefs, grass flats, and mangroves in 10-50 feet of water, using their incredible 35 mph speed to ambush prey. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active in our warmer waters. What makes them special is that explosive initial run - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish out here. The fight is intense but short-lived, so be ready for jumps and those razor-sharp teeth at boatside. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your bait moving - these visual hunters love fast-trolled lures or quickly retrieved jigs that trigger their predatory instincts.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon Sharks are yellowish-brown coastal predators that typically run 6-8 feet and 150-200 pounds around Key West. They love shallow flats, mangrove creeks, and sandy areas in 5-30 feet of water where their coloring blends perfectly with the bottom. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and summer bring the most action when they're actively feeding in warmer water. Guests get hooked on their powerful, steady runs - no crazy jumps, just pure muscle pulling drag for what feels like forever. We catch and release all sharks, focusing on the fight and photos. My advice: use heavy tackle with circle hooks and fresh bait like bonito or jack. Once hooked, let them run and tire themselves out - trying to muscle them in early just makes for a longer fight.
Key West