Your Captain
John Hoover
Identity Verified
Purple Heron Charters invites you to embark on a remarkable angling journey departing from scenic Key West, promising an immersive experience in the local fishery like no other.
Captain John, at the helm of this adventure, is committed to ensuring that your day is not only filled with fishing but also brimming with fun and excitement. His expertise spans various fishing techniques, including fly fishing, drift fishing, popping, and spinning, all meticulously designed to enhance your chances of a memorable catch. These thrilling expeditions typically span a range of 4 to 10 hours, during which you'll have the opportunity to target a variety of prized species, including Barracuda, Tarpon, Snapper, Permit, Jack Crevalle, and Grouper. The specific species targeted will depend on the season and the prevailing conditions of the day, ensuring a dynamic and diverse angling experience.
Your adventure commences as you step aboard a 17’ Flats and Bay boat, a vessel designed to accommodate a maximum of 2 anglers. Despite its compact size, this boat is equipped with all the essentials needed for an enjoyable and productive fishing outing, including an icebox to keep your refreshments cool and refreshing.
To further enhance your fishing experience, all the necessary equipment, from rods and reels to terminal tackle, is included in the price of your trip. This allows you to focus your energy and enthusiasm where it truly matters—on fishing. Captain John also takes care of the logistical aspects, providing the required fishing licenses for your excursion, ensuring a seamless and worry-free journey into the world of angling.
The boat is stocked with drinks for your enjoyment. However, any questions or wish to bring your own beverages, don't hesitate to communicate your needs and desires.
Perhaps the best part of this adventure is the family-friendly atmosphere. We welcome families, encouraging you to bring your loved ones along to share in the joy of creating lasting memories on the water. This ensures that everyone, from seasoned anglers to beginners and children, can partake in the thrill of the catch and the beauty of the Key West surroundings.
Purple Heron Charters offers not just a fishing trip but an unforgettable Key West fishing trip filled with excitement and camaraderie. With Captain John's expertise, equipment, and dedication to making your day memorable, it will give you an unforgettable experience on the sea. Don't miss up, book your Key West Charter trip with us.
What's Included
This guide offers trips that you are able to take home your catch.
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Read about the licensing details that is / is not covered in the below trips.
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When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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What's Included
This guide offers trips that you are able to take home your catch.
Show More
Read about the licensing details that is / is not covered in the below trips.
Show More
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
Show More
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Purple Heron Charters
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
2
Boat Length:
17 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Flats and Bay Boat
Model Year:
2000
Engine Manufacturer Name:
Suzuki
# of Engines:
1
Horsepower Per Engine:
90
Maximum Cruising Speed:
35
Features: Bait Tank Ice-Box Fish Finder GPS
The Flats & Bay boat (Flat Boat), with its original construction dating back to the year 2000 and a restoration completed in 2022, features a powerful 90HP Suzuki engine. With a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots. It is ready to provide you with the speed and reliability for your fishing adventures!
Purple Heron Charters
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
2
Boat Length:
17 ft
Vehicle Details
Ratings & Reviews Summary
July 13, 2025
Captain John provided an unforgettable fishing experience marked by his extensive knowledge of the sea and its inhabitants. His commitment to educating passengers, expert navigation, and warm demeanor left a lasting impression. He goes beyond being a fishing boat captain, embodying the roles of an educator and conservation advocate. Highly recommended for an exceptional fishing adventure.
July 13, 2025
Booking a full-day trip with Captain John exceeded all expectations. He not only offers a fantastic fishing adventure but also imparts extensive knowledge about the area, from fish and tides to local surroundings and wildlife. Captain John's genuine care for passengers and the local fisheries shines through. His ability to deliver on the request for big fish, rather than focusing on catching for consumption, made the experience exceptional. The day included shark fishing in the morning and tarpon in the afternoon, with Captain John expertly guiding the way. The trip was filled with consistent fishing action, a stark contrast to longer deep-sea journeys with extended travel times. Highly recommended, and future bookings are already in the plans!
July 13, 2025
Captain John's expertise shone on our first flats and backcountry fishing trip in Key West. His knowledge of the area and willingness to explain his decisions and fishing techniques made the experience educational and enjoyable. While we had hoped to catch Tarpon, an even better opportunity arose when we spotted a school of Bonefish. Captain John's excitement matched our own, especially when my son successfully hooked one. He not only guided us through the catch but also emphasized the importance of handling and releasing Bonefish delicately. Captain John's passion for teaching and fishing knowledge make him a highly recommended choice for those who want both an experienced guide and a learning experience.
July 13, 2025
A fun and educational day with the captain, offering an intimate and informative fishing experience rather than a crowded, freezer-filling trip. It's all about sport fishing, and the day included catching four different species of fish, providing a blast of excitement. Captain John's expertise and willingness to share knowledge made the experience truly amazing. This charter offers a genuine inshore flats fishing adventure, and a return trip is highly recommended.
July 13, 2025
While the first half of the trip was dedicated to trying to catch a bonefish without success, Captain John's guidance made it a great experience, with the opportunity to observe sharks and rays on the flats. In the second half, Captain John led the way to catch lunch, and his knowledge and expertise resulted in a successful catch of Mangrove Snapper, providing a tasty meal for two.
July 13, 2025
A fantastic first-time saltwater fishing experience with Captain John for a fiancé and their partner. Captain John's excellent teaching skills and extensive knowledge of the ecosystem made the trip enjoyable and educational. He put in great effort to ensure they had a blast catching their first saltwater fish. A perfect 10/10 rating, and they are eager to do this trip again in the future.