Key West Fishing with Reel Easy Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Halfday to fullday fishing charters targeting multiple speciesInshore and reef fishing for Snapper, Grouper, and PermitProfessional charter accommodates up to 5 guests comfortably
When you're looking for a solid day of fishing in Key West, you want a charter that knows these waters inside and out. That's exactly what you'll get with Reel Easy Charters aboard their 24-foot Yellowfin. Whether you're planning to hit the water at sunrise or prefer a more relaxed afternoon departure, Captain and crew have you covered with flexible scheduling that works around your vacation plans. This isn't just another tourist fishing trip – it's a genuine Keys fishing experience targeting the species that make these waters famous among serious anglers.
Your day starts with a thorough briefing on tackle, techniques, and what we're likely to encounter based on current conditions. The 24-foot Yellowfin is perfectly sized for up to 5 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to fish without getting tangled up in each other's lines. You'll be fishing both inshore flats and offshore reef structures, depending on what's biting and weather conditions. Half-day trips typically focus on one productive area, while the longer 6 to 8-hour charters let us cover more ground and target multiple species. The boat comes rigged with quality tackle and all the gear you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own favorite rods if you prefer. Live bait, cut bait, and a selection of proven lures are all part of the package, and the crew knows exactly how to rig for the target species we're after.
Key West fishing is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. On the inshore side, we're sight-fishing the flats for permit, working live crabs and small jigs around coral heads and channel edges where these spooky fish like to cruise. It's technical fishing that requires patience and precise presentations. When we head to the reef, it's a different game entirely – we're bottom fishing with heavier tackle, dropping chunks of ballyhoo and pilchards down to the grouper holes and ledges. Circle hooks are standard for the reef work, both for better hooksets and fish conservation. The crew will teach you how to feel the difference between a grouper taking the bait and just rocky bottom, plus the proper technique for working fish up from 60 to 80 feet of water without losing them to the structure.
Permit fishing in Key West is something special – these silvery ghosts of the flats are considered one of the ultimate challenges in inshore angling. They're incredibly spooky, with eyesight sharp enough to spot a poorly presented bait from 30 feet away. When you do hook one, get ready for blistering runs and aerial displays that'll test both your drag and your nerve. Most permit in these waters run 15 to 25 pounds, though bigger fish over 30 pounds show up regularly. The best permit fishing typically happens during the warmer months from April through October, when they're more active and feeding heavily on crabs along the reef edges and turtle grass flats. What makes permit so special isn't just their fighting ability – it's their intelligence and the fact that many experienced anglers have fished for years before landing their first one.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of Key West reef fishing, and for good reason. These bottom-dwelling fighters are both excellent table fare and put up a serious fight when hooked. Gags typically range from 5 to 20 pounds in these waters, with the occasional trophy fish pushing 30 pounds or more. They're ambush predators that hang around rocky ledges, wrecks, and coral heads, waiting to grab an easy meal. The trick is getting your bait down to them quickly before the smaller fish strip it clean, then being ready for that distinctive grouper thump when they take it. Once hooked, gag grouper make powerful runs straight back toward their rocky homes, so you need to turn them fast and keep steady pressure to avoid getting broken off. Fall and winter months tend to produce the best gag fishing, when cooler water temperatures make them more aggressive and they school up in bigger numbers.
Key West fishing with Reel Easy Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – knowledgeable guides, quality equipment, and access to some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to check permit off your bucket list or a family wanting to experience authentic Keys fishing, these trips offer the perfect combination of challenge and success. The flexible scheduling means you can fit a fishing adventure into any vacation itinerary, and the variety of target species keeps things interesting all day long. With only 5 spots available per trip, these charters book up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your dates. Ready to experience why Key West has earned its reputation as one of America's top fishing destinations? Book your trip today and get ready for a day on the water you'll be talking about for years to come.
The 24' Yellowfin bay boat cuts through Key West waters with serious fishing power. This sleek vessel runs on a 300HP Mercury Verado that gets you to the best fishing spots fast, then settles into quiet trolling mode when you're working the shallows for permit or sneaking up on schooling snapper. The GPS keeps you on target while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. VHF radio keeps you connected when you're miles offshore chasing grouper on the reefs. Built for up to 5 anglers, there's room to fight fish without bumping elbows. The shallow draft design lets you slip into backcountry flats one minute and handle offshore swells the next. Whether you're casting to tarpon in the mangroves or dropping lines on patch reefs, this Yellowfin delivers the speed and stealth serious Key West fishing demands.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the workhorses of our reef fishing here in Key West. These greyish, marbled fish average 20 inches but the big boys can push 4-5 feet and 80 pounds. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms where they can duck into holes when hooked. That's their signature move and what makes them such tough fighters. Once they grab your bait, they immediately try to drag it back to their hidey-hole. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and perfect for the dinner table. Live mullet and pinfish work great, but cut squid and crab do the job too. Circle hooks are required in Florida waters. My advice: keep that reel locked tight and your rod tip low when you hook up. The second you give them slack, they're gone into the rocks and you're broke off.
Trachinotus FalcatusThe permit is hands down one of the most challenging fish we target here in Key West. These silvery, disc-shaped fish average around 3 feet but can hit 4 feet and 60 pounds. What makes them tough? Those golf ball-sized eyes rotate almost 360 degrees, so they spot you before you spot them. You'll find them cruising shallow flats in just 2-3 feet of water, which seems impossible for such a tall fish. They love sandy grass flats and hang around wrecks and reefs as adults. April through October is prime time when they're spawning. Blue crab is the magic bait - they can't resist it. Here's my tip: when you see one, don't get excited and rush the cast. Wait for the perfect angle and drop that crab right in their path. The fight is worth every minute you spend waiting for the shot.
Key West