5.0(3 Reviews)Key West Inshore Fishing Charter for Tarpon, Permit, and More
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target tarpon and permit on 4-hour inshore charterAll equipment and fishing licenses included with captainCatch cleaning and filleting service provided after trip
Captain Ryan and the Live Action Sportfishing crew know exactly where to find the big ones in Key West's legendary inshore waters. This 4-hour morning charter kicks off between 6-8 AM, giving you prime time to target some of the most sought-after species in the Florida Keys. Whether you're chasing the legendary "silver king" tarpon or trying to fool a spooky permit, these flats and backcountry waters hold some serious fish. With everything provided - from top-shelf tackle to your fishing license - all you need to bring is your game face and maybe some snacks for the cooler.
You'll be fishing the shallow flats, mangrove edges, and channels that make Key West famous among serious anglers. Captain Ryan runs a well-equipped boat that handles up to 4 guests comfortably, making it perfect for families or small groups who want personalized attention. The early morning departure isn't just for show - that's when the fish are most active and the water is typically calmer. You'll be sight fishing in skinny water one minute, then working structure for snapper the next. The variety keeps everyone engaged, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. Cold water stays stocked on board, and there's plenty of room in the cooler if you want to pack some drinks or breakfast. At trip's end, your catch gets the full treatment - cleaned, filleted, and bagged so you can head straight to one of the local restaurants to have it cooked up fresh.
This is real Florida Keys fishing - light tackle, clear water, and fish you can actually see before you cast to them. Captain Ryan sets you up with spinning rods and conventional reels matched perfectly to the species you're targeting. When you're stalking permit on the flats, you might be throwing live crabs or small jigs in water so clear you can count the fish's fins. For tarpon, it's all about the presentation - whether you're using live pilchards, pinfish, or working artificial lures around the bridges and channels. The backcountry mangrove fishing is different altogether, with topwater plugs and spoons working the edges where snapper and jacks ambush baitfish. You'll learn to read the water, spot rolling tarpon, and pick out the dark shapes of permit cruising the turtle grass. It's technical fishing that rewards patience and precision, but Captain Ryan has the knowledge to put you on fish regardless of your skill level.
"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 the bread and butter of Key West inshore fishing, and for good reason. These scrappy fighters hang around structure, mangroves, and patch reefs where they ambush anything that looks like an easy meal. They're most active during moving water, whether that's incoming or outgoing tide, and they'll hit live bait, cut bait, or well-presented artificials. What makes them special is their combination of fighting ability and table fare - they pull hard for their size and make some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. Peak action typically happens during the cooler months from November through March, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Redfish, or red drum as some call them, are the ultimate sight fishing target in the skinny water around Key West. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, often with their backs out of the water in water less than two feet deep. When you hook a slot-sized red on light tackle, you're in for a drag-screaming battle that might take you into your backing. They're most cooperative during the fall and spring months, though Key West's year-round warm water means you can find them any time. What gets anglers hooked is watching them inhale your bait in crystal clear water - it's visual fishing at its finest.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and Key West offers some of the most consistent permit fishing in the world. These disc-shaped fighters are notoriously picky eaters, often following a bait for several minutes before deciding whether to eat or swim away. When one does commit, the fight is spectacular - long runs, powerful surges, and aerial displays that'll have you shaking with adrenaline. Live crabs are the preferred bait, though skilled anglers can fool them with jigs and flies. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities, with the warmer months bringing larger schools onto the flats. Landing a permit is considered a major accomplishment among serious anglers, and many travel specifically to Key West for a shot at these magnificent fish.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a sleek 24-foot Pathfinder bay boat, perfectly designed for chasing tarpon and permit in Key West's shallow waters. The 250 HP Yamaha engine gets you to the hotspots quickly, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when you need to cover ground fast. Once you're on the fish, the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet so you won't spook those finicky permit. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – a fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation to hit those productive spots, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold during the action. Captain Ryan has this bay boat dialed in for inshore fishing, with advanced electronics and full safety gear so you can focus on what matters most: getting tight to some serious Florida Keys gamefish. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising tarpon or working the flats for permit, this setup puts you in prime position for success.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the best eating fish in our waters and put up a serious fight to match. These dark brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds around Key West and can reach 6 feet long. They're loners, not schooling fish, so each one is a special catch. You'll find them around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May gives us our best shot at them. What makes cobia great targets is their curious nature - they'll actually approach the boat - plus their excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They fight hard with long runs and stubborn pulls. Here's my best cobia tip: when you spot one near the surface, pitch a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of where they're swimming. Let it sink naturally and be ready - they'll usually circle back to investigate.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and aggression that'll test your tackle. These brassy-green fighters typically run 3-15 pounds around Key West, with some bigger ones mixed in. They school up over grass flats, around structure, and anywhere baitfish gather. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and summer bring the best action when they're most active. What guests love about jacks is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight - they just don't quit. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're not picky about lures. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of feeding jacks pushing bait to the surface. My go-to technique: cast a silver spoon or white jig past the school and retrieve it fast. The more aggressive your retrieve, the better - these fish love the chase and rarely refuse a moving meal.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snappers, also called mangrove snappers, are some of the smartest fish you'll target on these flats. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and grass flats where they ambush prey. These nocturnal feeders are most active during dawn and dusk trips, making our early morning departure perfect timing. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also incredibly wary, so success feels earned. My best tip: once your live shrimp hits bottom, reel up just a foot and stay still. Grey snappers are opportunistic but spook easily, so patience wins over aggressive jigging every time.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - hands down the most challenging fish we target. These silver, disc-shaped beauties average 10-20 pounds and have incredible eyesight that can rotate nearly 360 degrees. You'll find them cruising sand flats, grass beds, and around wrecks in 2-15 feet of water. Peak season runs April through October when they're spawning, but we see them year-round in our warm Keys waters. What makes permit special is their reputation - they're notoriously picky and smart, so landing one is a true achievement. The fight is strong and sustained. Fresh blue crab is the gold standard for bait. Pro tip: when you see a permit, get your crab in front of them and let it sink naturally. Don't move it - they'll either eat it or they won't, but jerking the bait guarantees they'll spook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here in Key West. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically range 18-28 inches in our waters, though bigger bulls show up occasionally. They love super shallow flats, sometimes in just 2 feet of water where you can see their backs. Look for them around oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass beds. Spring through fall gives us the most consistent action, especially on incoming tides. Guests love redfish because they fight hard, eat well, and you can often sight-cast to them in clear water. Here's a local trick: when you spot one tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead and let your bait settle before they get there. They spook easily but can't resist a well-placed offering.
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