6 Hour Fishing Trip - Key West, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour guided fishing adventure in productive Florida Keys watersCaptain Damon targets inshore and nearshore spots based on conditionsAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses included for groups
Six hours on the water around Key West gives you real time to get into the fish and explore what makes these waters so special. Captain Damon Santelli knows these flats, reefs, and nearshore drops like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on whatever's biting based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are doing that day. Departing from 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, you'll have everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and licenses are all covered. With space for up to six anglers, this trip works great for families wanting to get everyone involved or groups of friends looking to spend a proper day fishing the Keys.
This isn't a rushed trip where you're watching the clock - six hours lets you really fish. Captain Damon adjusts the game plan based on what's happening that day. Maybe you'll start working the flats for tarpon in the morning when they're rolling, then move to structure for snapper and grouper as the sun gets higher. Could be reef fishing for mahi and kings, or maybe the conditions are perfect to work some wrecks. The beauty of having this much time is you can try different techniques and spots without feeling rushed. The boat heads to productive areas where fish actually live year-round, not just tourist spots. You'll learn why certain baits work better in different situations and how reading the water makes all the difference. Captain Damon keeps it relaxed but focused - he wants you catching fish and understanding what you're doing out there.
All your gear is provided, from light tackle for working the shallows to heavier setups when you need to get down deep or handle bigger fish. Depending on where you're fishing, you might be live baiting around structure, trolling the edges for pelagics, or sight fishing in clear water. The captain carries a variety of rods so you can match your tackle to what you're targeting - lighter spinning gear for snapper and smaller reef fish, conventional tackle for kings and wahoo. Bait selection changes throughout the day too. Fresh ballyhoo, pilchards, and pinfish are staples, plus whatever live bait is available. You'll see how different presentations work in different situations - sometimes a free-lined bait is perfect, other times you need weight to get down to where the fish are holding. The key is being adaptable and letting the fish tell you what they want.
Northern Kingfish are year-round residents around Key West and one of the most reliable targets on longer trips. These silvery speedsters cruise the reef edges and wrecks, typically running 5-20 pounds with occasional fish pushing 30-plus. They hit fast and fight hard, making screaming runs when hooked. Kings are perfect for newer anglers because they're aggressive feeders but not too overwhelming on tackle. Best action usually happens around structure in 30-80 feet of water, and they love fresh ballyhoo or live pilchards. What makes them so popular is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Tarpon fishing around Key West is legendary for good reason. These silver giants range from juvenile fish in the 10-30 pound class up to massive adults over 100 pounds. Peak season runs April through August, but you'll find fish year-round in the right spots. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's their aerial displays when hooked. They'll launch themselves completely out of the water, gill plates flared, trying to throw the hook. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly strong fighters that will test your tackle and stamina. They're catch-and-release fish, so it's all about the experience of hooking into one of the ocean's most powerful gamefish.
Mahi Mahi are the colorful speedsters that make every angler smile. These brilliant gold and green fish love floating debris, weedlines, and temperature breaks offshore. They typically range 5-25 pounds around Key West, though bigger bulls show up regularly. Mahi are fast growers - a 20-pound fish might only be a year old. They're incredibly acrobatic when hooked, jumping and tail-walking across the surface. What really gets people excited about mahi is how they school up. Find one and there are usually more around. They're also fantastic eating, making them a favorite target for families who want great action plus dinner.
Wahoo are the rockets of the reef, capable of speeds over 60 mph. These torpedo-shaped fish with razor-sharp teeth are built for speed and power. Around Key West, wahoo typically run 15-40 pounds, though 50-60 pounders show up during peak season from October through March. They're ambush predators that hit trolled baits with explosive force, often at the boat. Their initial run is blistering fast and can strip line off a reel in seconds. Wahoo have some of the best-tasting meat in the ocean - firm, white, and mild. They're challenging to hook because they're line-shy and spook easily, making each one a real prize.
Red Snapper are the bread-and-butter fish of Key West's deeper reefs and wrecks. These crimson beauties typically run 2-15 pounds around the Keys, with occasional larger fish. They're structure-oriented, holding tight to ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs in 40-120 feet of water. Red snapper are smart fish that require finesse - light leaders, sharp hooks, and fresh bait. When the bite is on, you can catch them steadily, but they're also capable of shutting down completely if something spooks them. They're prized for their excellent table fare and fighting ability. A big red snapper will use every bit of structure to try breaking you off, making the fight as much about tactics as strength.
Six
Meet your fishing machine for the day – a 2014 Sea Vee 33' center console that's built to handle whatever Key West waters throw at it. Twin Yamaha 300HP engines give this boat serious power to get you to the fish fast, whether you're working the flats, hitting the reefs, or chasing pelagics offshore. The wide beam keeps everyone stable while fighting fish, and there's plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to spread out without tangling lines. Captain Damon has this rig dialed in with top-shelf electronics including GPS and fish finder to locate the action, plus VHF radio to stay connected. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. With a head on board, you can focus on fishing instead of heading back to shore. This Sea Vee cuts through chop like butter and gets you back to the dock with a cooler full of Key West fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter out here, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that light up when they're hooked. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds and about 3 feet long, though bigger ones are always possible. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in our offshore waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when water temps climb. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes, strong runs, and those amazing color changes when brought to the boat. Plus, they're fantastic on the table - firm, white meat with a mild flavor. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo or small lures at 8-10 knots along weed lines and debris patches.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern Kingfish are small but scrappy members of the drum family that hang out in shallow sandy areas around Key West. Most run 10-14 inches and weigh under two pounds, but don't let their size fool you - they fight hard when hooked. You'll find them working the bottom with that single barbel under their chin, feeling around for crabs, shrimp, and worms. They've got greenish-bronze backs with dark V-shaped markings and silver sides. Late summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. The meat is white and sweet, making them great table fare. Here's a local tip: use small pieces of fresh shrimp on a light tackle setup with just enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom. They're cautious biters, so patience pays off.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are classic bottom dwellers that live around our deeper reefs and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. These crimson beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though 20+ pounders show up regularly. They're available year-round, but late spring through early fall typically produces the best action. What anglers love is their strong, determined fight - they'll head straight for structure to try cutting your line. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in our waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. They're bottom huggers, so you need enough weight to get down and stay down. Local secret: use live pinfish or fresh squid on circle hooks, and when you feel that tap-tap bite, just start reeling steadily - no need to set the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of Key West waters, and once you hook one, you'll understand why. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though they can push 8 feet and 200+ pounds. They cruise our flats, channels, and harbor areas from spring through fall, with peak action in May through July. What makes them special isn't just their acrobatic jumps - it's the sheer power and endurance they bring to every fight. Most folks practice catch and release since the meat is bony and not great eating. You'll spot them rolling on the surface or in schools around structure. Pro tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This gives them slack and prevents the hook from pulling out during their aerial show.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our offshore waters, capable of hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet with razor-sharp teeth and distinctive blue stripes along their silver sides. Around Key West, we find them in 60+ feet of water near reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs, especially from fall through spring when they're most active. What makes them exciting is that explosive strike and blistering first run that can empty your reel in seconds. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - often called "ono" in Hawaii, meaning good to eat. Key tip: always use wire leaders since their teeth will slice through mono instantly. High-speed trolling with diving plugs or rigged ballyhoo at 12-15 knots is your best bet for connecting.
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