5.0(5 Reviews)Key West Sunrise Tarpon Fishing Charter
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target trophy Tarpon during peak season from April through JuneEarly 6 AM departure maximizes prime morning fishing conditionsCaptain provides equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services
There's nothing quite like watching the sun come up over Key West waters while you're rigged up and ready for the silver king. Captain Ryan's 4-hour morning tarpon charter puts you right in the thick of the action during peak season, from April through late June when these giants are rolling and feeding in our shallow flats and backcountry. This isn't some tourist-trap fishing trip—we're talking serious tarpon fishing with a captain who knows exactly where these fish hang out and how to get them to eat. With room for up to four anglers, this trip gives everyone plenty of shots at hooking into fish that'll have your drag screaming and your arms burning.
We're pushing off the dock at 6 AM sharp, which puts us on the prime tarpon spots right as the light starts hitting the water. That early morning bite window is pure gold for tarpon fishing—the fish are active, the water's calm, and you've got the flats mostly to yourself before the crowds show up. Captain Ryan's been working these waters for years and knows every tarpon highway, rolling spot, and laid-up school from the Marquesas to the backcountry channels. Whether you're a seasoned angler who's battled tarpon before or this is your first time throwing flies or bait at the silver king, Ryan adjusts his approach to match your skill level. All your gear is sorted—rods, reels, tackle, and fishing licenses are covered, plus he'll clean and fillet anything you decide to keep. Cold water's on the boat, but feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to keep your energy up during those long fights.
Tarpon fishing in Key West is all about reading the conditions and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Early in the season, we're often working with live crabs, pilchards, and mullet, drifting the flats and channels where tarpon cruise looking for an easy meal. Captain Ryan's got the hooksets dialed in—he'll coach you through that crucial moment when a hundred-pound fish eats your bait and you need to come tight without pulling the hook. For fly anglers, we're throwing big streamers and tarpon flies on 12-weight rods, making long casts to rolling fish and cruising schools. The key is getting that fly in the strike zone without spooking the fish, then being ready for the chaos that follows when one decides to eat. We're fishing primarily in 3-10 feet of water over grass flats, sand holes, and along channel edges where tarpon move between deeper water and their feeding areas.
"We had an awesome day fishing in the Florida Keys. Captain Justin was super knowledgeable and really made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. We started the morning catching some solid mutton snapper, then things got wild when we hooked into a couple of big lemon sharks. To top it all off, we ended the day with a beautiful tarpon that gave us an unforgettable battle. Just an epic way to finish the trip. Couldn't have asked for a better day on the water. Highly recommend this guide if you're looking to get on the fish and have a great time doing it. We'll definitely be booking again next time we're down here." - Justin
"I've walked away from every fishing charter thinking I got robbed… EXCEPT this one. This was without a doubt the best charter I've ever had. I told him what I wanted and he delivered. My wife and I doubled up on tarpon. Mine broke off about 20 min in but an hour later my wife finally got hers to the boat. Best fishing experience to date ❤️" - Daniel
"Ryan is the best! Very kind. He even stayed out a longer to make sure I got a tarpon! Highly recommend!" - Kelsey
Tarpon are the ultimate gamefish, and Key West is ground zero for some of the best tarpon fishing on the planet. These prehistoric beasts average 80-150 pounds in our waters, though fish pushing 200 pounds show up regularly during peak season. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size—it's the way they fight. When you hook a tarpon, you're in for a rodeo. They'll launch themselves completely out of the water, sometimes six or seven times in a row, trying to throw your hook while putting on a show that'll have everyone on the boat yelling. The April through June window is prime time because that's when tarpon are migrating through our waters in massive numbers, following baitfish and looking to feed heavily before spawning. Early morning is hands-down the best time to target them—the water's calm for sight-fishing, the fish are more aggressive, and you can actually see them rolling and cruising on the flats. What gets anglers hooked on tarpon fishing is that combination of the hunt and the fight. Finding fish requires skill, making the right presentation takes practice, and once you're hooked up, it's a pure test of endurance and technique. Even after decades of guiding, Captain Ryan still gets fired up every time a tarpon eats, because no two fights are ever the same.
Peak tarpon season books up fast in Key West, especially for these prime early-morning trips when the fishing is at its best. Captain Ryan's got the local knowledge and experience to put you on fish, plus the patience to coach you through every step of the process whether you're new to tarpon fishing or looking to up your game. This 4-hour charter gives you serious fishing time without wearing you out, and the 6 AM start puts you right in that sweet spot when tarpon are most active. With all gear included and fish cleaning at the end of the trip, all you need to do is show up ready to fish. Don't wait—April through June fills up months in
Your sunrise tarpon adventure starts aboard a nimble 24-foot Pathfinder bay boat, the perfect platform for Key West's legendary inshore fishing. Powered by a reliable 250 HP Yamaha outboard, this shallow-draft vessel cuts through the water at speeds up to 40 knots, getting you to prime tarpon grounds while the morning bite is hot. The boat's fish finder helps locate schools of silver kings lurking in the flats, while GPS navigation ensures precise positioning over productive spots. A wireless trolling motor lets Captain Ryan position the boat silently when you're sight-fishing these magnificent gamefish. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 4-hour morning session, and all safety equipment meets Coast Guard standards. Built for Florida Keys fishing conditions, this Pathfinder handles both open water runs and skinny-water stalking with equal confidence, giving you the best shot at hooking into tarpon during their peak season.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an incredible day fishing with Live Action Sportfishing in Key West! Captain Ryan was phenomenal—his expertise and enthusia...
We had an awesome day fishing in the Florida Keys. Captain Justin was super knowledgeable and really made the whole experience smo...
I’ve walked away from every fishing charter thinking I got robbed… EXCEPT this one. This was without a doubt the best charter I’ve...
These guys are top notch! Had a great day and they put us on as much Tarpon as we could handle! You’re missing out if you don’t bo...
Ryan is the best! Very kind. He even stayed out a longer to make sure I got a tarpon! Highly recommend!
Key West