5.0(4 Reviews)Key West Lobster Diving & Fishing Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Private 46 hour lobster diving expedition in Key West watersProfessional guides provide gear and comprehensive safety instructionHunt prized lobsters with snorkeling equipment for up to 6 guests
Captain Hunter and his crew know the waters around Key West like the back of their hands, and this 4-6 hour combo trip gives you the best of both worlds. You'll start by diving for spiny lobsters in the morning when they're most active, then switch gears to target fish on the reefs and wrecks. It's a unique day on the water that most charters don't offer - combining underwater hunting with traditional angling in some of the clearest, most productive waters in Florida.
Your day kicks off with a complete safety briefing and gear check. Captain Hunter provides all the diving equipment - masks, snorkels, fins, and specialized lobster gear including tickle sticks and nets. The first half focuses on lobster diving at prime spots where these crustaceans hide in ledges and coral crevices. You'll learn proper techniques for measuring legal-sized bugs and how to approach them without spooking. After working up an appetite underwater, you'll transition to fishing the same reef systems and nearby wrecks. The captain rotates between productive spots based on current conditions, tides, and what's biting. With only 6 anglers max, everyone gets personal attention and plenty of chances to get their lines wet.
For the diving portion, you'll use basic snorkeling gear plus lobster-specific tools. Tickle sticks help coax bugs from their holes while measuring gauges ensure you're only keeping legal lobsters over 3 inches carapace length. The captain provides dive flags and stays close to all divers for safety. When it's time to fish, you'll switch to medium-heavy spinning rods and conventional reels loaded with 20-30 pound test. Bottom fishing with circle hooks targets grouper, snapper, and triggerfish around structure. Live bait like pilchards and ballyhoo work best, though cut bait produces steady action too. The boat carries a full selection of weights, leaders, and terminal tackle to match whatever conditions you encounter.
"Amazing day of fishing with this charter company! The full-day offshore trip exceeded all expectations. The captain's expertise and the crew's hospitality made for a memorable experience. Caught some great fish and had a fantastic time out on the water. Highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a fun-filled fishing excursion" - Keziah
"We had a great time! Capt. Hunter was awesome. We got to fish some wrecks and the reefs and reeled in some nice fish. Thanks for a great day, Captain Hunter!" - John
"Absolutely phenomenal experience with this fishing charter! The full-day offshore trip exceeded all expectations. Captain and crew were incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, taking us to the best spots where the fish were biting. Caught some impressive catches and had a blast doing it. Highly recommend!" - Ephraim
Caribbean Spiny Lobster is the star of the diving portion - these prehistoric-looking crustaceans can reach 15 pounds and live in coral ledges, sponge gardens, and rock piles. Lobster season runs August through March, with the best diving happening September through November when bugs are most active and haven't been heavily pressured. They're nocturnal by nature but during daylight hours hide in crevices where patient divers can coax them out. The thrill comes from the hunt itself - spotting those long antennae poking out, then carefully maneuvering to secure your prize without losing it to the reef.
Yellowtail Snapper are the bread and butter fish around Key West reefs. These beautiful silver and yellow fish school in massive numbers and provide non-stop action on light tackle. They average 1-3 pounds but fight hard and taste even better. Peak season runs May through August when water temperatures climb and baitfish concentrate around structure. What makes yellowtail special is their willingness to bite - even novice anglers can catch a dozen or more in a good spot. They respond well to small hooks, light leaders, and a steady chum line that brings them up from the bottom.
Mutton Snapper are the heavyweight champions of the reef, reaching 20+ pounds and providing serious fights on medium tackle. These bronze-colored bruisers have larger mouths than yellowtail and aren't as finicky about bait presentation. Summer months produce the best mutton fishing when they move shallow to spawn. They're ambush predators that cruise reef edges looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish. When a big mutton grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately - they make powerful runs toward structure and test your drag system to the limit.
Grouper species like Black, Red, and Gag frequent the wrecks and deeper reefs around Key West. These bottom-dwellers can exceed 50 pounds and provide the muscle to test heavy tackle. Grouper fishing requires different tactics than snapper - you need heavier weights to reach bottom quickly and strong enough gear to turn fish away from structure. They're notorious for grabbing bait and diving straight into holes, so setting the hook hard and applying immediate pressure is crucial. Winter months often produce the largest grouper as they move to deeper reefs to spawn.
This combination lobster diving and fishing charter offers something totally different from the standard half-day trips most operators run. You'll experience two distinct types of marine hunting in waters that consistently produce both bugs and fish. Captain Hunter's local knowledge and smaller group size mean more personal instruction and better chances at success. Whether you're new to diving or a seasoned angler, this trip delivers variety and action that keeps everyone engaged. Book early during lobster season since these combo trips fill up fast with both locals and visitors who want maximum time on the water.
Your ride for this lobster diving adventure is a rock-solid 28' SeaHunter center console that's built to handle Key West's waters with ease. This boat strikes the perfect balance between comfort and performance, giving you a stable platform whether you're cruising to the dive spots or floating above the reefs while you hunt for bugs below. The SeaHunter comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS to navigate to the best lobster holes, radar for those afternoon squalls that pop up, and a fish finder that doubles as your underwater eyes. There's a solid icebox to keep your drinks cold and any lobsters you catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over the reefs without spooking marine life or disturbing other divers. With space for up to 6 people, there's plenty of room for your crew to gear up, relax between dives, and enjoy the ride. The center console design gives everyone easy access to move around safely while keeping all the electronics and controls within reach of your captain.
5.0 out of 5.0Amazing day of fishing with this charter company! The full-day offshore trip exceeded all expectations. The captain's expertise an...
We had a great time! Capt. Hunter was awesome. We got to fish some wrecks and the reefs and reeled in some nice fish. Thanks for a...
Absolutely phenomenal experience with this fishing charter! The full-day offshore trip exceeded all expectations. Captain and crew...
Incredible full-day offshore fishing excursion! The captain's expertise really shone through as we navigated to different spots, m...
Key West