Premium Key West Inshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing charters targeting redfish and black drumHalfday to fullday trips with flexible 9AM departuresSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests maximum
Looking for a serious fishing adventure in Key West? Captain Dan Cramer runs some of the most productive inshore charters around, and his track record speaks for itself. With options ranging from half-day quickies to full 8-hour missions, you'll be targeting the flats and backcountry waters where the real action happens. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – we're talking about getting after genuine Key West gamefish with a captain who knows every grass flat, channel edge, and honey hole from here to the Marquesas.
Your day kicks off at 9:00 AM sharp, though Captain Dan's pretty flexible if you need to adjust that departure time. The beauty of these private charters is that it's just you and one other angler, so there's no fighting for rod space or dealing with inexperienced fishermen tangling lines. You'll be running a well-equipped inshore boat that can handle the skinny water where the big fish live. The flats around Key West are legendary for good reason – crystal clear water, abundant bait, and some of the most aggressive feeding fish you'll find anywhere in Florida. Whether you're sight-fishing the turtle grass beds or working structure in deeper water, Captain Dan adjusts the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately.
Captain Dan's got you covered with multiple approaches depending on what's working best. Light tackle spinning is the bread and butter here – perfect for working the flats and getting that authentic Key West experience. When the fish are holding tight to bottom structure, you'll switch to bottom fishing tactics with just enough weight to keep your bait in the strike zone. Popping cork setups are deadly when trout and redfish are feeding aggressively in the shallows, and the visual excitement of watching that cork disappear never gets old. All gear is top-quality and perfectly matched to the species you're targeting. Live bait, artificials, and everything in between – Captain Dan reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day to keep you connected to fish.
African Pompano are the crown jewel of Key West inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver rockets can push 20+ pounds and will test every bit of your drag system when they make their signature long runs. They're most active during the warmer months when they move into the flats to feed on crabs and small baitfish. The fight is absolutely electric – multiple long runs followed by dogging battles near the boat. What makes them special is their unpredictability; you might be targeting redfish and suddenly have a big pompano crush your crab bait.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the backcountry, and Key West holds some genuine monsters. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 40 pounds and provide a completely different fight than any other inshore species. They're year-round residents but really turn on during the cooler months when they stage up in deeper holes and channel edges. The key is fresh bait – blue crabs are candy to big drum, and once you hook one, prepare for a sustained battle. They don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll pull drag steadily and test your patience.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge every angler needs to experience. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and can steal bait faster than you can set the hook. They love structure – docks, bridges, and rocky areas – and require pinpoint presentations with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. The bite detection is everything with sheepshead; you need to feel that subtle tick and react instantly. When you finally connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters that will dart straight back to their structure.
Spotted Seatrout are the most reliable producers in these waters, and Key West holds some true giants. The "gator trout" here can push 6-7 pounds, which is trophy territory anywhere in Florida. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods but can be caught throughout the day around grass flats and sandy potholes. Live shrimp under popping corks is the classic presentation, but they'll also smash topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively. The subtle mouth makes hook-setting critical – too hard and you'll pull the hook, too soft and they'll spit it.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Key West inshore fishing, and these copper-sided fighters never disappoint. The fish here average 6-10 pounds with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Sight-fishing for reds on the flats is pure adrenaline – watching a 15-pound fish cruise toward your bait in two feet of clear water. They're also perfectly happy to eat bottom baits around structure when the flats fishing is tough.
Captain Dan's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season, and there's good reason why repeat customers book their next trip before they even get back to the dock. These private charters offer something you can't get on the party boats – personalized attention, flexible tactics, and access to spots that only hold two anglers effectively. Whether you choose the half-day option to get a taste of Key West inshore fishing or commit to the full 8-hour adventure, you're setting yourself up for the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. The combination of Captain Dan's local knowledge, quality equipment, and some of the best inshore fishing in Florida makes this a no-brainer for serious anglers.
Captain Dan Cramer's 23-foot center console is built for serious Key West fishing adventures. This nimble boat handles inshore waters like a dream, equipped with everything needed to target Black Drum, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, and Pompano in the shallows around the Keys. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into fishing spots without spooking the catch, while the GPS and fish finder help locate prime feeding areas. Top-quality rods, reels, tackle, and live bait come standard – perfect for bottom fishing, light tackle work, or casting poppers. With space for two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and land those impressive catches. Safety gear including child-sized life vests ensures everyone stays secure while chasing fish in these productive waters. Whether you're after that trophy Redfish or filling the cooler with dinner, this well-equipped center console delivers the goods on Key West's legendary fishing grounds.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican Pompano are part of the jack family and put on quite a show when hooked. These silvery, fast-swimming fish typically run 10-20 pounds, though the world record hit 50 pounds right here in Florida waters. You'll find them in 30-250 feet of water over sandy bottoms and structure. They're attracted to shiny, moving objects, so jigs work great along with live bait like pilchards or goggle-eyes. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at landing one when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics - they'll test your drag system for sure. The meat is excellent table fare too, firm and white. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them run initially. Try to turn their head toward the boat once they tire out, and watch for those last-second bursts near the surface.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, and they'll give you a workout. Most fish run 5-15 pounds, but we regularly see 30+ pounders, and they can hit 90 pounds. They love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and anywhere there's structure to crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when your best chances come. What guests love is the stubborn fight these fish put up, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab, shrimp, or cut bait works best. Here's the key: use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom, and when you feel that telltale drumming vibration through your rod, set the hook hard. These fish have tough mouths, so don't be shy about it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. School fish run 18-27 inches, while the big "bulls" can push 40+ inches and really test your tackle. They cruise super shallow flats, often with their backs out of water, plus oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding and schooling up. What gets guests fired up is the aggressive strikes and powerful runs these fish make - plus that telltale "red" glow when you bring them boatside. They're excellent eating in the slot size range too. Live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials like gold spoons or soft plastics all produce well. The secret is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spooking them in skinny water. When you see their backs or wakes, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let them find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a bread-and-butter inshore species that'll keep your rod bent. Most fish run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with bigger ones pushing 5+ pounds during good years. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around moving water and structure transitions. Spring through fall fishing is excellent, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up tight. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their fantastic eating quality - soft, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're sight feeders, so topwater plugs at dawn and dusk can be explosive, plus soft plastics and live shrimp work great. Here's my go-to trick: fish the grass edges during moving water, especially around potholes and channels. Use light tackle and make long casts to avoid spooking them in shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, and they're famous for those human-like teeth. Most run 1-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but 8-pounders show up regularly around good structure. They live around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings where they scrape off their favorite meals. Year-round fishing is good, but spring spawning season brings the biggest concentrations. Guests love them because they're tricky to catch - real bait thieves - and they make some of the best eating fish in these waters. Sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is getting close to structure without spooking them, then using small hooks with fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or barnacles. Keep your bait tight to the pilings and watch your rod tip like a hawk. When you feel them nibbling, don't wait - set that hook immediately before they steal your bait and disappear.
Montgomery