Full Day Florida Keys Fishing Trip - Cudjoe Key
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing expedition in Cudjoe Key watersExtended trips allow access to distant fishing areasSmall group capacity of four guests maximum
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a charter boat in the heart of the Florida Keys, watching the sun paint the flats gold while tarpon roll just beyond casting distance. That's what you get with Held Fast Charters' full-day fishing adventure out of Cudjoe Key. This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you're barely getting your sea legs before heading back to the dock. We're talking about a legitimate day on the water where you can really dial in on the fish and work multiple spots as conditions change.
The beauty of booking a full-day trip is simple – we've got time to work. While the four-hour crowd is watching the clock, you'll be following the fish wherever they take us. Maybe that means running out to deeper water for some barracuda action, or maybe the tide's just right and we'll spend the morning working the grass flats for trout and reds. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with a full day to play with, we can chase whatever's biting hardest. The boat holds up to four anglers, so you're not dealing with a cattle boat situation. Everyone gets plenty of room to fish and plenty of individual attention from the crew. Pack whatever you want for the day – coolers with lunch, games for the kids between bites, cold drinks – because we're out there for the long haul. This is your floating base camp for exploring some of the best inshore fishing the Keys have to offer.
Cudjoe Key sits right in the sweet spot where the backcountry flats meet deeper channels, which means we can fish a bunch of different ways depending on what's working. Live bait fishing with pilchards and pinfish is always a go-to – nothing beats a frisky pilchard under a popping cork when the trout are schooled up. We'll also throw plenty of artificials: soft plastics bounced along the bottom, topwater plugs at first light, and spoons worked through bait schools. The tackle varies based on what we're targeting, but expect medium spinning gear for most of the day with some heavier stuff if we get into tarpon. Your guide will have everything rigged and ready, but if you've got favorite lures or want to throw your own gear, bring it along. The key to success out here is reading the water and adjusting your approach. Sometimes that means sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water, other times it's anchoring up in a channel and working the current with live bait. With a full day, we can try it all.
Let's talk about what's swimming around out there. Tarpon are the headliners – these silver kings can reach over 100 pounds and will absolutely test your drag system. Best shots are typically spring through fall, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. They're not called the silver king for nothing; watching one of these giants cartwheel out of the water is something you'll remember forever. Sea trout are your bread and butter fish, running anywhere from keeper size up to gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds. They love grass flats and are suckers for a well-presented shrimp or soft plastic. Great barracuda bring the attitude – these toothy predators can hit 20-30 pounds and will smoke any topwater lure you throw at them. They're fast, aggressive, and put up a hell of a fight on light tackle. Crevalle jacks might not win beauty contests, but they'll definitely test your equipment. These bulldogs pull hard and never give up, making them a favorite for kids and anyone who just wants to feel their rod bend. Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats – spooky, selective, and absolutely beautiful fighters. Spotting a school of bones tailing in shallow water and making the perfect cast is what flats fishing is all about.
Here's the bottom line: if you're serious about fishing the Florida Keys, this full-day trip gives you the best shot at success. You're not rushing through spots or cutting the day short just when the bite turns on. You've got time to learn the water, dial in your technique, and really experience what makes Keys fishing so special. The tides, weather, and fish don't run on half-day schedules, but with a full day, we can work around whatever Mother Nature throws at us. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, fill the cooler with dinner, or just spend a day doing what you love with friends and family, this trip delivers. Held Fast Charters has the local knowledge and experience to put you on fish, and with a maximum of four anglers, you're getting personalized attention that makes all the difference. Don't wait around – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season. Get your trip locked in and start counting down the days until you're casting lines in some of the most productive waters Florida has to offer.
Your fishing machine for the day is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious angling in the Florida Keys waters. This rig comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish - a reliable GPS to navigate the flats and channels, plus a fish finder to locate those holding spots where the big ones hang out. The wireless trolling motor lets you move silently through shallow water without spooking tarpon, permit, or bonefish. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long hours on the water. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and enjoy the full-day adventure. The boat handles multiple tide changes perfectly, letting you hit different spots as conditions shift throughout the day. Bring your gear, snacks, and get ready to work the productive waters around Cudjoe Key.
Albula VulpesThe "gray ghost" is every flats angler's dream - a spooky, silvery fish averaging 6-8 pounds that feeds in water so shallow you can see their backs. They cruise the grass flats and sand bars on incoming tides, rooting around for crabs and shrimp with their pointed snouts. When you see their tails sticking up while feeding, that's called "tailing" and it's pure magic. They're catch-and-release only due to all the bones, but that initial run when hooked is legendary - they can peel off 100 yards before you blink. Best fishing is on calm, sunny days when you can spot them clearly. Local secret: lead them by about three feet with your cast and let your bait sit still - any movement spooks them instantly.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bullies of the flats - powerful, aggressive fish that average 3-5 pounds but can reach 60. They're brassy-colored with that distinctive blunt head and love to school up and terrorize baitfish. Look for diving birds; that's your best indicator of feeding jacks pushing bait to the surface. They hit hard and make long, strong runs that'll test your drag. You'll find them everywhere from shallow flats to deeper channels. Spring and summer are prime when they're most active. They're decent eating but most folks target them for the fight. Here's the key: cast away from the school and retrieve fast - these guys love the chase and anything moving quickly will trigger that predatory instinct.
Sphyraena BarracudaCuda are aggressive predators that average 2-4 feet but can hit 6 feet and over 100 pounds. They're built for speed with that torpedo body and can hit 35 mph when they want to. You'll spot them around coral reefs, grass flats, and nearshore waters where they ambush baitfish. They're year-round residents here but more active in warmer months. Anglers love them for the initial strike and their bulldog fight, though they tire quickly. They're curious fish that often follow the boat. Most folks release them due to ciguatera concerns. Local trick: use wire leader and anything shiny - spoons, tube lures, even a bare hook works. Cast past them and reel fast; they can't resist chasing something flashy.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout run 14-24 inches and usually weigh 1-5 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They're beautiful fish with silver sides covered in dark spots. You'll find them over grass flats and around structure in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. These fish are popular because they fight well for their size and make excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're often found in small schools cruising the flats. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that natural presentation seals the deal.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket list fish - we're talking 4-8 foot giants that can weigh up to 280 pounds. When hooked, they'll rocket out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart pumping. Around Cudjoe Key, we find them in the deeper channels and grass flats, especially during spring and summer migrations. They feed on the tide changes, so our full-day trips let us hit multiple tidal swings for better chances. Most folks fish them for the fight since they're bony and not great eating. Here's a local tip: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the king - drop your rod tip toward the fish to keep tension without breaking your line on those wild aerial shows.
Cudjoe Key