Private 8 Hour Split Tarpon Key West Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour split charter targeting tarpon during prime feeding times30foot center console accommodates up to 4 guests comfortablyAll fishing gear provided by experienced Captain John
Picture this: you're battling a 150-pound silver king as the sun rises over the flats, then doing it all over again during the golden hour before sunset. That's exactly what you get with this split-day tarpon charter aboard Captain John's 30-foot Conch center console. This isn't your typical all-day grind—we've designed this trip around tarpon behavior, hitting the water during their prime feeding windows while giving you a mid-day break to recharge. It's become a customer favorite for good reason: you get double the action without the fatigue that comes with eight straight hours under the Florida sun.
Your day starts early—we're talking first light departure to catch the tarpon as they feed aggressively in the cooler morning temperatures. The 30-foot Conch gives us the stability and range to hit multiple spots, from the shallow backcountry flats to the deeper channels where these fish cruise. Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's constantly adjusting based on tides, wind, and recent fish activity. After four solid hours of fishing, we head back to the dock so you can grab lunch, use real bathrooms, and get out of the sun for a bit. Then it's back out for round two, timing our return perfectly for the evening bite when tarpon come alive again. The boat's equipped with everything you need—quality rods, fresh bait, and all the terminal tackle. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and camera because you're going to want proof of what happens out there.
Tarpon fishing is all about presentation and timing, and Captain John's got both dialed in. We primarily fish with live bait—pilchards, crabs, and sometimes mullet depending on what's available and what the fish are eating. The tackle is heavy enough to handle these monsters but balanced so you can actually fight them without your arms falling off. We're talking 50-80 pound class gear with circle hooks and just enough weight to get the bait down. The technique varies based on conditions: sometimes we're sight-fishing to rolling tarpon in shallow water, other times we're anchored up in a channel letting the current work our baits. The split schedule lets us adapt—morning might be perfect for working the flats while evening could call for deeper water fishing as the tarpon move with the changing light. Captain John reads the water constantly, looking for bait schools, bird activity, and those telltale tarpon rolls that get every angler's heart pumping.
The tarpon fishing in Key West has been world-class this year, with fish ranging from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 40 pounds all the way up to giants pushing 200 pounds. Most anglers are hooking multiple fish during the split-day format, with the morning session often producing more consistent action and the evening providing those magical sunset battles you'll never forget. The beauty of this fishery is its year-round nature, though peak season runs from April through October when the big migratory fish are moving through. Recent trips have seen fish in the 80-150 pound range, with several monsters over 180 pounds brought to the boat for photos before release. The split format gives tired arms a chance to recover between sessions, which often means the difference between landing that fish of a lifetime or watching it throw the hook because you couldn't keep pressure on it.
Tarpon are nicknamed the Silver King for good reason—they're absolutely magnificent fish that can grow over 250 pounds and live for decades. These prehistoric giants are known for their spectacular jumps, often clearing the water completely multiple times during a fight. What makes Key West tarpon fishing special is the diversity: you might hook a 50-pound fish in three feet of water or battle a 180-pounder in the deep channels. Tarpon are incredibly strong fighters that use their size and gill-rattling jumps to throw hooks, making every hookup a test of angler skill and equipment. They feed aggressively during low-light periods, which is exactly why this split-day format works so well. The morning bite typically happens as baitfish become active, while the evening session coincides with tarpon moving into feeding areas as light fades. These fish are catch-and-release only, but getting one to the boat for photos is a bucket-list achievement that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The Key West population includes both resident fish and massive migrants, so you never know when you might tie into a true giant that's been roaming the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic for decades.
This split-day tarpon trip fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's cooperating. With only four anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. The format works perfectly for families or groups with different energy levels—everyone gets prime fishing time without the exhaustion that comes with eight straight hours on the water. Captain John's local knowledge and the Conch's capabilities give you the best shot at hooking into Key West's legendary tarpon population. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to check tarpon off your bucket list or an experienced tarpon hunter wanting to maximize your hook-up opportunities, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait too long to secure your dates—prime tarpon season books months in advance, and you don't want to miss your chance to battle the Silver King during the best bite windows of the day.
This brand-new 2023 30' Conch center console is built for serious tarpon hunting in Key West waters. Twin 225HP Mercury engines push her to 40 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots fast and back to dock for your mid-day break without burning daylight. The center console layout gives you plenty of room to battle Silver Kings, with space for up to 4 anglers to work the boat comfortably. Captain John's got the fish finder dialed in to locate those tarpon schools, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long Key West summer days. Whether you're sight-casting to rolling fish in the backcountry or working the deep channels, this Conch handles both parts of your split day perfectly - morning action and sunset bite included.
Key West