5.0(3 Reviews)Key West Inshore Fishing Charter for Tarpon, Permit, and More
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target tarpon, permit, and inshore species on 4hour charterAll equipment, tackle, and fishing licenses provided by captainCatch cleaned and filleted for takehome convenience
Looking for a top-rated fishing adventure that gets you on the water early and puts you over fish all morning? This 4-hour inshore charter with Live Action Sportfishing is exactly what you're after. Captain Ryan knows these Key West flats like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting anglers on tarpon, permit, and whatever else is biting that day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip delivers the kind of fishing action that keeps people coming back to the Keys year after year.
You'll meet Captain Ryan bright and early – anywhere from 6 to 8 AM depending on tides and conditions. This timing isn't just for show; it's when the fish are most active and the flats are prime for sight fishing. Your group of up to 4 anglers will spend the morning working the shallow waters around Key West, where crystal-clear visibility lets you spot fish before you cast to them. The boat comes fully rigged with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need, plus your fishing license is covered. Captain Ryan handles the technical stuff while you focus on what matters – making good casts and fighting fish. At the end of your trip, he'll clean and fillet your catch so you can take home a cooler full of fresh fillets. Just bring yourself, some snacks if you want them, and maybe a few extra drinks to complement the cold water provided onboard.
Inshore fishing in Key West is all about sight fishing and precision casting. Captain Ryan positions the boat strategically, using his push pole to move quietly through shallow areas where fish cruise and feed. You'll be working with light tackle setups – typically spinning reels loaded with braid and fluorocarbon leaders that won't spook wary fish in clear water. Depending on what's moving that day, you might be throwing live bait like pilchards or shrimp, or working artificial lures like jigs and soft plastics. The key is staying ready and making accurate casts when fish appear. Don't worry if your casting needs work – Captain Ryan will coach you through it and position the boat to give you the best shots. The shallow water means you'll see a lot of the action happen, from the initial cast to watching fish chase your bait.
"Our family went on a half day trip with Captain Justin. This is our first time visiting the keys so we had little expectations going into this experience. Justin was kind, helpful, and welcoming. He was able to put us over a lot of fish, educate us on the water ecosystems in the area, and manage the whole boat at the same time. We caught sharks and snapper! Next time we visit we will definitely use Live Action Sportfishing and Captain Justin for all things fishing!" - Elizabeth "I cannot say enough good things about Captain Ryan. Tarpon, permit, bonefish, many jacks, and a barracuda to end the day. He went above and beyond when I asked for the Barracuda. I am bringing my kids back with me." - Chad "We had such a great day! 6 hour morning trip and we caught tarpon, snapper, yellow jack and something else I can't remember. We saw dolphins and manatees and just being out on the boat was great. Captain Ryan knows his stuff and was a lot of fun. He cleaned our fish and the marina restaurant cooked it up perfectly. We will return!" - Jodie
Grey snapper are one of the most reliable catches on these flats, and they're fantastic table fare. These fish hang around structure and grass beds in 3 to 15 feet of water, feeding on small baitfish and crustaceans. They're smart and can be picky about presentations, but once you hook one, they fight hard with powerful runs toward cover. Grey snapper are available year-round in Key West, though they tend to be more aggressive during warmer months. What makes them special is their combination of fight and flavor – they'll test your drag system then end up as some of the best fish tacos you've ever had.
Redfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and Key West's population is world-class. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats and mangrove shorelines, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and small fish. A typical Key West red runs 20 to 30 inches and will give you a memorable fight with long, steady runs. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. Redfish are exciting because you can often see them coming – their distinctive copper sides and black spot near the tail make them easy to identify, and watching one eat your bait in clear water never gets old.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and Key West offers some of the best permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fish are notorious for being spooky and selective, often following a bait for long distances before either eating or disappearing. They average 10 to 20 pounds in these waters and are incredibly strong fighters that will test every knot and connection. Permit feed year-round but are most active during spring and fall migrations. Landing a permit is a big deal in the fishing community – they're considered one of the most challenging inshore species to catch consistently, and many anglers travel specifically to Key West hoping for their first permit.
Crevalle jacks are the workhorses of the flats – aggressive, powerful, and always ready to eat. These silver bullets travel in schools and attack bait with reckless abandon, often creating explosive surface action. They range from 5 to 25 pounds in Key West waters and fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and stubborn determination. Jacks are most active during warmer months but can be found year
Get ready to chase tarpon and permit aboard this fast 24' Pathfinder bay boat, powered by a reliable 250 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the prime fishing spots in no time. This shallow-water specialist is built for Key West's backcountry flats and nearshore waters, with a wireless trolling motor that lets Captain Ryan position the boat silently when stalking wary permit or cruising tarpon. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS navigation ensures you'll hit all the productive spots during your 4-hour morning trip. An icebox keeps your drinks cold under the Florida sun, and there's plenty of deck space for up to 4 anglers to work their magic. Whether you're sight-casting to rolling tarpon or working the edges of channels for snook and redfish, this well-equipped bay boat handles it all with the speed and shallow draft needed for serious inshore fishing in the Keys.
Rachycentron CanadumThese brown, shark-looking fish are loners that cruise structures like channel markers and buoys. They average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+, making them serious tackle-testers. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they move through the Keys heading north. You'll spot them just under the surface near any vertical structure or even following rays on the flats. What guests love is the sight-fishing aspect and how they eat almost anything you throw at them. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and perfect for the grill. Look for them around crab buoys and channel markers in 15-40 feet of water. Bucktail jigs work great, but here's my secret: if you see one following a ray, cast a live eel or eel imitation right in front of the ray's nose.
Caranx HipposPure muscle with attitude - these brassy, golden fish are the bullies of the flats. They school up and hunt aggressively, averaging 3-8 pounds with some reaching 20+. You'll often find them by watching for diving birds since they push baitfish to the surface. They hit hard and fight harder, making long runs that'll test your drag. Not the best eating, but the action is non-stop once you find a school. They're around year-round, but spring and fall migrations bring the biggest numbers. The smell of watermelon in the air often means jacks are feeding nearby. Cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and retrieve fast - they love the chase. Quick tip: if they miss your lure, don't slow down. Speed it up and they'll usually come back for another shot.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these guys are some of the smartest fish we target. They run 1-4 pounds inshore, with that beautiful greyish-red color and dark stripe across the eye. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and any structure where they can ambush prey - they're opportunistic hunters that get really active at night. The meat is fantastic - white, flaky, and mild. Best fishing is during warmer months when they're more active. Here's the key: once your bait hits bottom, reel up just a foot or two and let it sit still. These fish are spooky, so too much movement will send them packing. Live shrimp on the tail works best, and patience always pays off with snapper.
Trachinotus FalcatusThe holy grail of flats fishing. These silver, disc-shaped fish are incredibly challenging - they've got golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees, so they see everything. Most run 15-30 pounds and cruise shallow flats looking for crabs. You'll find them on sandy bottoms near grass edges, especially during spring and summer spawning season. What draws people to permit is the difficulty - they're way harder to fool than bonefish or tarpon, making them a true trophy. The fight is strong but it's really about the accomplishment. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard for bait. Here's what I tell everyone: when you see one, get your crab 10 feet ahead of where it's going, not where it is. Let it sink and don't move it until the fish is right on top.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are built for the shallow flats - you'll spot them in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing. They average 28-33 inches and have those distinctive black spots near the tail that fool predators. Look for them around grass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, especially on moving tides. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but they bite year-round here in the Keys. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and the way they peel drag on long runs. The meat is excellent too - firm and sweet. My go-to trick is throwing topwater plugs early morning over the flats. Work it slow with long pauses, and when they blow up on it, wait a beat before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Our family went on a half day trip with Captain Justin. This is our first time visiting the keys so we had little expectations goi...
I cannot say enough good things about Captain Ryan. Tarpon, permit, bonefish, many jacks, and a barracuda to end the day. He went ...
We had such a great day! 6 hour morning trip and we caught tarpon, snapper, yellow jack and something else I can’t remember. We sa...
Key West