Private Key West Fishing on II Easy Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
48 hour fishing trips aboard 26foot Barker center consoleTarget Barracuda, Grouper, Snapper, Permit in Key West watersAll fishing gear provided for up to 4 guests
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter that puts you right in the action? This private 4-8 hour trip aboard II Easy Charters' 26-foot Barker center console is your ticket to some of the best fishing Key West has to offer. Captain and crew know exactly where to find the fish, whether you're chasing barracuda on the flats or dropping baits for grouper around the wrecks. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without crowding each other - and trust me, when the fish start biting, you'll appreciate having that elbow room.
The 26-foot Barker is built for these waters - stable enough to handle the Gulf side swells but shallow enough to slip into those skinny water honey holes where the bonefish and permit hang out. Your captain will read the conditions and adjust the game plan accordingly. Maybe we start the morning working the backcountry flats for bones and permit, then move offshore as the day heats up to target cobia and grouper around structure. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility - if the bite is hot in one spot, we can stay put and capitalize. If it's slow, we move until we find them. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are included, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, sunscreen, and maybe a rain jacket just in case. The Florida Keys weather can change quick, but that's part of the adventure.
Your captain comes equipped with everything from light spinning gear for sight fishing bonefish to heavy conventional tackle for bottom fishing grouper. On the flats, we're talking about stealthy approaches and accurate casts - polarized sunglasses are a must because you'll be sight fishing to fish you can actually see cruising the shallows. For the deeper water fishing, we'll use everything from live bait to jigs depending on what's working. The Barker's got a solid electronics package, so finding structure and marking fish isn't guesswork. When we're targeting permit around wrecks, we might use live crabs or shrimp. For barracuda, wire leaders are essential - these toothy critters will slice through mono in a heartbeat. The captain will coach you through the techniques, whether you're learning to strip a fly for bones or trying to feel the subtle bite of a grouper on the bottom.
Barracuda are the speed demons of these waters, and they're aggressive year-round. These silver bullets can hit 40+ mph and will absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run. They're ambush predators that lurk around coral heads and grass flats, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting baitfish. What makes them exciting isn't just the speed - it's their acrobatic jumps and the fact that they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to shiny spoons. Most cuda around Key West run 10-30 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 40+.
Permit are the holy grail for many anglers - they're notoriously picky eaters and will test your patience and skill. These disc-shaped fighters prefer sandy flats and wreck sites, often traveling in small schools. Spring through fall offers the best shot at them, especially around the full moon phases. They're strong fighters that use their body shape to their advantage, turning sideways in the current. Landing a permit is something many anglers chase for years, making them one of the most rewarding catches in these waters.
Cobia are the gentle giants that cruise the flats and nearshore waters, especially during their spring migration. These brown sharks (as they're sometimes mistaken for) are curious fish that will often approach the boat. They're excellent table fare and put up a solid fight, using their broad tail to bulldoze toward structure. Peak season runs March through June, when they're moving through in good numbers. They'll eat everything from live crabs to jigs, and sight fishing for them is a blast.
Bonefish are the ghosts of the flats - spooky, fast, and absolutely addictive to target. These silver torpedoes can clear a flat in seconds if they sense danger, making stealth and accuracy crucial. They're primarily sight-fished on shallow flats where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. The initial run when you hook a bone is legendary - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else in shallow water. They're catch-and-release fish that provide pure adrenaline.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter bottom fish around Key West's wrecks and hard bottom areas. These stocky fighters will head straight for the rocks when hooked, testing your drag and technique. They're ambush predators that use their large mouths to inhale prey, and they're excellent eating. Most gags in these waters run 3-10 pounds, though larger fish are definitely possible. They're year-round residents but bite best during cooler months when they're more active.
This isn't your typical cattle-boat charter where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. With just 4 spots available, you're getting a personalized experience that can adapt to your skill level and interests. Whether you're a first-timer who needs the basics or an experienced angler looking to target specific species, the captain will tailor the trip accordingly. The 4-8 hour flexibility means you can book a half-day sampler or go all-out for a full day of fishing multiple spots and techniques. Key West's year-round fishing season means there's never a bad time to go, though spring and fall typically offer the most variety. Don't wait too long to secure your dates - the best charters in Key West book up fast, especially during peak season.
This 2018 26' Barker center console cuts through Key West waters at up to 40 knots, powered by a reliable 300HP Mercury engine. Built for serious fishing, she's equipped with GPS navigation and fish finder to locate your targets, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access while comfortably accommodating up to 4 anglers. Perfect for chasing everything from shallow water bonefish and permit to deeper grouper and snapper runs. Her speed gets you to the fish faster, and her stability keeps you fishing longer in the diverse waters around the Florida Keys.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are aggressive predators that cruise our shallow waters looking for an easy meal. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 2-4 feet long and can hit 35 mph when they strike. You'll find them stalking baitfish around grass beds, reefs, and drop-offs in 10-30 feet of water. They hunt by sight, so shiny lures work great - just watch your fingers when unhooking them! Year-round fishing is good here, but spring and fall bring the best action when bait schools are thick. Guests love the explosive strikes and strong runs these fish make on light tackle. The meat's decent eating too, though many folks release them to fight another day. Pro tip: cast past a cruising cuda and retrieve your lure right in front of its nose - they rarely refuse that presentation.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats - silver torpedoes that'll make your drag scream on their first run. These 3-8 pound fish feed in water so shallow their tails stick out, rooting around for crabs and shrimp in the turtle grass. Prime time is during moving tides when they push onto the flats to feed, especially early morning and late afternoon. What hooks people is the challenge - they're incredibly spooky with amazing eyesight, so every cast counts. The fight starts with a blistering 100-yard run that'll leave you breathless. Most folks release them since they're pretty bony to eat. We practice catch and release to keep the fishery healthy. The secret is a quiet approach and precise casting - drop a small shrimp or crab fly about 10 feet ahead of a feeding fish and strip it slowly past their nose.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown sharks that aren't sharks - these curious fish will actually swim up to the boat to check you out. They average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds, making for a serious tussle on medium tackle. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 15-60 feet, especially during their spring migration from March through June. They're loners mostly, so when you see one, get a bait in the water fast. Guests go crazy for their powerful runs and stubborn fights, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. These fish respond well to sight fishing - pitch a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them. Local trick: if you hook a ray or shark, don't reel it in too quick - cobia often follow them looking for scraps, so have a second rod ready.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - once they grab your bait, they'll try to drag you straight into the rocks. These mottled gray bruisers average 5-15 pounds but can hit 30+ pounds around deeper wrecks and ledges. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around hard bottom, coral heads, and structure where they ambush passing baitfish. Fall through spring gives you the best bite when they're more active in cooler water. People love them because they fight hard and taste even better - firm, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. The challenge is keeping them out of the rocks once hooked. Use live pinfish or cut bait on a stout rod with 40-pound line, and when you get a bite, lock down that drag and horse them up immediately - give them an inch and they'll find a hole to hide in.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - smart, spooky, and built like silver dinner plates. These disc-shaped beauties average 10-15 pounds but can hit 30+ pounds in deeper water. You'll spot them tailing on sandy flats during incoming tides or cruising coral heads and wrecks in 15-50 feet of water. April through October gives you the best shot when they're spawning and more aggressive. What makes them special is their incredible eyesight and finicky nature - they'll inspect your bait like a jeweler examining diamonds. The fight is pure power with long runs that'll test your drag. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're too valuable as sport fish. Here's the key: use a live crab on a light jig head and let it settle naturally on the bottom ahead of cruising fish.
Key West