6 Hour Fishing Trip - Key West, FL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour guided fishing experience with Captain Damon SantelliTargets inshore and nearshore waters around Florida KeysAll equipment, bait, and licenses included for groups
When you're serious about fishing in Key West, you need time to really work the waters. This 6-hour charter with Captain Damon Santelli gives you exactly that - a full day to explore everything from shallow flats to productive reefs and wrecks around the Florida Keys. We're talking about real fishing here, not a quick tourist spin. You'll launch from 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd with all your gear, bait, and licenses covered, plus room for up to six anglers who want to experience what makes these waters legendary among fishing enthusiasts.
Captain Damon knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not the type to stick to one spot if the fish aren't biting. Depending on what's happening that day - tides, weather, water temperature, bait movement - you might find yourself working the shallow grass flats one hour and dropping lines on a productive wreck the next. That's the beauty of having six hours to work with. The boat's rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for everything from sight-fishing tarpon in skinny water to trolling for mahi and wahoo in deeper blue water. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been fishing these waters for years, Captain Damon adjusts techniques and locations based on your experience level and what's biting that day.
This isn't a one-trick charter. You'll likely experience several different fishing methods during your six hours, which is what separates a quality Key West fishing trip from the cookie-cutter operations. Live bait fishing around structure is a go-to technique - we're talking pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp worked around coral heads, ledges, and artificial reefs where snapper and kingfish love to ambush prey. When conditions are right, you might find yourself sight-casting to tarpon rolling in shallow water or working the grass flats for whatever's feeding. If the offshore bite is hot, trolling with ballyhoo, lures, or rigged baits can produce solid mahi and wahoo action. The key is having a captain who reads the water and adjusts throughout the day, not someone locked into fishing the same three spots regardless of conditions.
Northern Kingfish are the bread and butter of Key West fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators patrol reefs, wrecks, and ledges year-round, typically running 15-40 pounds with occasional monsters pushing 50-plus. They hit live bait hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest kings of the year. What makes them special is their willingness to eat - when you find a school of kings, you can often boat several fish before they wise up.
Tarpon fishing in Key West is something every angler should experience at least once. These silver giants, often called the "silver king," can reach 100-200 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic fights - jumping, tail-walking, and generally putting on a show that'll get your heart pumping. Peak season runs May through September when large schools move through the area, but resident fish provide action year-round. The challenge isn't just hooking them - it's the 30-45 minute fight that follows, testing both angler skill and endurance.
Mahi Mahi bring color and excitement to any fishing trip. These brilliant green, blue, and gold fish are fast-growing, aggressive feeders that love structure, floating debris, and weedlines. In Key West waters, schoolie mahi typically run 5-15 pounds, but bull mahi can push 30-40 pounds. They're most active spring through fall, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Plus, they're excellent table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to eat their catch.
Wahoo are the speed demons of Key West waters - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and are known for screaming runs that'll empty your reel in seconds. Typically running 20-50 pounds in local waters, wahoo are most active during cooler months from November through March. They're often caught while trolling for other species, and their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make every hookup memorable. As a bonus, wahoo are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Red Snapper represent the classic reef fishing experience. These bottom-dwellers are found around structure in 60-200 feet of water, and while regulations can be strict, when seasons are open, they're among the most sought-after fish in the Gulf. Reds are smart, structure-oriented fish that require finesse and patience. They typically run 5-15 pounds in Key West waters, with occasional larger fish pushing 20-plus pounds. Their excellent table quality makes them worth the effort, and experienced anglers know that patience and proper technique are key to consistent snapper success.
Six hours on the water with an experienced local captain gives you the best shot at experiencing what Key West fishing is really about. You're not rushing back to the dock just when the bite gets good, and you're not limited to one fishing style or location. Captain Damon's approach focuses on putting you on fish while teaching techniques that'll make you a better angler. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus space for up to six people, this trip works whether you're planning a family outing, bringing a group of fishing buddies, or just want enough time to really work the waters properly. The productive waters around Key West are waiting - now it's time to get out there and see what's biting.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard this solid 33-foot Sea Vee center console, built to handle everything Key West waters can throw at you. Twin Yamaha 300s give you the power to reach those productive fishing spots fast, whether you're working the shallow flats or heading out to the reefs. The wide deck gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Damon knows these waters inside and out, and with the onboard fish finder, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the full 6-hour trip. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots efficiently, while the VHF radio keeps you connected. The head onboard means no rushed trips back to shore. This boat's built for serious fishing in Key West's diverse waters, from backcountry tarpon spots to offshore action.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most beautiful fish you'll ever see, with brilliant gold sides and electric blues that light up underwater like a neon sign. They typically run 15-30 pounds around Key West, though we catch them up to 50+ pounds. These fast-growing fish love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in open water. Best fishing runs March through November when they're migrating through our area. What guests love most is the combination - they fight hard with blazing runs, they're stunning to look at, and the white, flaky meat is absolutely delicious. The key is trolling along weedlines or floating sargassum patches at 8-12 knots with ballyhoo or colorful lures that skip on the surface.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern Kingfish are scrappy little fighters that pack a punch despite their small size. These drum family members typically run 10-14 inches and rarely exceed 2 pounds, but they'll give you a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising sandy and rocky bottoms in shallow coastal waters, using that distinctive chin barbel to hunt for crabs, worms, and small fish. They're most abundant around Key West during late summer when they move closer to shore. What makes them special is their excellent white meat - some say it's the best eating of any small inshore fish. The trick to catching them consistently is using small hooks with fresh clams or bloodworms, and keeping your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the classic bottom fish that every angler wants to catch. These deep-water warriors typically run 2-8 pounds around our reefs and wrecks, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds on the deeper spots. They live on structure - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Best action is during their season, typically summer months, though regulations change yearly. What makes them special is that stubborn fight - they'll try to cut you off on the structure, plus the white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. The trick is getting down to them quickly with enough weight to stay on bottom, and using circle hooks with fresh squid or pinfish. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to cover.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what tarpon fishing dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds around Key West, though we've seen monsters pushing 200+ pounds. They cruise our flats, harbors, and channel edges from April through October, but peak action happens May through July. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - when hooked, they'll launch themselves 10 feet out of the water in jaw-dropping jumps. Most folks don't eat them due to the bony meat, so it's all about the fight and bragging rights. They're found in everything from 3 feet of water on the flats to deeper channels. My go-to tip: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish to keep tension without breaking off.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are pure speed demons - hitting 60 mph makes them one of the fastest fish in the ocean. These torpedo-shaped predators typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, with their distinctive blue stripes and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them in open water around drop-offs and current edges, usually within a few miles of the reef. Prime time is July through November when they're most abundant around Key West. What makes wahoo special is that brutal initial run when hooked - they'll peel line like nothing else. Plus, the meat is outstanding - white, firm, and perfect for the grill. The secret is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since those teeth will slice through anything else. Fresh ballyhoo behind a diving lure is deadly.
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