5.0(5 Reviews)Half Day Keys Permit & Tarpon Charter
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday afternoon charter targeting permit, tarpon, and snapperAll gear, bait, fishing license, and catch filleting includedExpert captain guides inshore and nearshore fishing adventures
The Florida Keys offer some of the most productive and diverse fishing waters in the world, and this afternoon charter with Captain Alex Harmon puts you right in the heart of the action. Starting at 2:00 PM, you'll have four solid hours to work both the skinny inshore flats and the deeper nearshore structure where the big fish hang out. Whether you're after the holy grail permit on the flats or looking to tangle with a tarpon that'll test your drag, this trip covers all the bases that make Keys fishing legendary.
Captain Alex runs a top-rated operation from his 28-foot Blue Wave, a boat that's perfectly dialed in for the Keys fishery. The afternoon timing is no accident – as the sun starts to drop and the flats cool down, the fish get more active and willing to eat. You'll start by working the turtle grass beds and sandy potholes where permit cruise looking for crabs, then transition to channels and wrecks where tarpon stage up before their evening feeding spree. The beauty of this charter is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to cruising bonefish in two feet of water, the next you're dropping baits near structure for hefty mutton snapper or aggressive barracuda. All gear is provided, from Penn spinning setups rigged for the flats to fly rods if that's your style, plus your Florida license and professional cleaning of whatever makes it to the cooler.
The Keys are all about reading water and adapting your approach. On the flats, it's sight fishing at its finest – polarized glasses are essential as you scan for tailing permit or laid-up tarpon. Captain Alex will position the boat to give you clean shots with both wind and sun at your back when possible. Bait presentation is critical here; permit are notoriously spooky, so accurate casts with live crabs or shrimp are key. When working the nearshore wrecks and ledges, the game changes to structure fishing with heavier tackle. You'll drift or anchor over productive bottom, dropping cut bait or live pilchards down to where cobia patrol and big snappers hold. The 4 PM to 8 PM window is prime time for tarpon as they move shallow to feed, and having an experienced captain who knows exactly where they'll be staging makes all the difference in hooking up with these silver kings.
"We had an excellent day on the water with Captain Alex Harmon. He put us on a variety of quality fish and kept the action steady throughout the trip. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a solid fishing experience." - Benji "A great guy who truly knows where to find fish and how to catch them." - Jason "My mom, sister, and I enjoyed an outstanding day on the water with Captain Alex and Salt Creek Fishing. We launched early to target big tarpon, and the plan paid off with two landed before sunrise. The action continued with several different species, including a yellow jack that we brought to a nearby restaurant for a fantastic lunch. To top it off, we finished the trip fighting two lemon sharks. Captain Alex was personable, experienced, and great to fish with. An all-around excellent experience." - Jennifer
Permit are the crown jewel of flats fishing, and the Keys hold some of the world's best opportunities to tangle with these disc-shaped fighters. These fish are smart, spooky, and incredibly strong – they'll test every aspect of your angling skills. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish ranging from 15 to 40 pounds cruising the flats in small groups. What makes permit special isn't just their difficulty to catch, but their bulldogging fight that combines long runs with stubborn resistance. Many anglers consider landing their first permit a career milestone, and Captain Alex's knowledge of their feeding patterns and preferred structure gives you a real shot at checking this bucket-list fish off your list.
Great barracuda bring pure aggression to the mix, attacking baits and lures with ferocious strikes that'll get your heart pumping. These toothy predators patrol both the flats and deeper water, often following hooked fish right to the boat. Keys 'cudas range from schoolie-sized fish to monsters pushing 40 inches and 15 pounds. They're most active during warmer months and respond well to fast-moving lures or live bait fished near structure. The fight is explosive but relatively short, with spectacular jumps and blistering runs that showcase their speed. They're also excellent table fare when prepared properly, making them a favorite target for anglers who appreciate both sport and sustenance.
Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they make up for it with raw power and determination. These golden-sided bruisers school up around structure and feed aggressively, often creating surface disturbances that give away their location. In the Keys, jacks range from 5 to 25 pounds and are available year-round, though summer months see the biggest schools. They hit hard and fight harder, using their broad sides to leverage against your drag in long, punishing battles. Many veteran anglers specifically target big jacks for their fighting ability, and they're perfect for testing your tackle and technique.
Bonefish are the gray ghosts of the flats, combining stealth with blazing speed in a package that's made them legendary among sight fishermen. Keys bones average 3 to 8 pounds but fish much larger than their size suggests, thanks to their incredible stamina and ability to find every piece of structure on the flat. They're most active on incoming tides when they move shallow to feed on crabs and shrimp in the turtle grass. The thrill comes from the hunt – spotting these silver shadows in skinny water, making the perfect cast, and hanging on when they peel line off your reel in their famous bonefish run.
Your fishing platform for this Keys adventure is a sleek 28' Blue Wave bay boat that's built specifically for the shallow, crystal-clear waters around the islands. This boat gives you serious advantages when you're stalking permit in skinny water or positioning for tarpon runs. The wireless trolling motor lets you ghost into fishing spots without spooking wary fish, while the wide casting deck gives all four anglers plenty of room to work without tangling lines. Captain Alex has rigged this boat with top-shelf electronics including GPS navigation and fish finders to locate structure and baitfish. When you're targeting snapper around nearshore wrecks or hunting for bonefish on the flats, having the right equipment makes all the difference. The Blue Wave's shallow draft design means you can access backcountry spots where bigger boats can't go, opening up prime fishing territory that many anglers never see. Premium Penn tackle is ready to go, whether you prefer spinning gear or want to try your hand at fly fishing for these legendary Keys species.
Albula VulpesBonefish are the "gray ghosts" of the flats—silvery shadows that'll test your casting skills and patience. Most run 4-8 pounds and 16-30 inches, but they're built for speed, hitting 30 mph when spooked. You'll find them on shallow grass and sand flats, sometimes in just inches of water, especially on incoming tides. They're year-round targets here, but fall through spring offers the most consistent fishing. What makes them special? That initial run—100 yards of screaming drag that never gets old. Plus, there's something pure about sight-casting to a tailing fish. They're catch-and-release only since they're too bony to eat well. Look for them "tailing" when feeding, with their tails sticking out of the water. My advice: when approaching tailers, cast to the edges of the school first, not the middle, and lead them by about 3 feet. Spook one, you spook them all.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the flats—brassy, aggressive fish that fight way above their weight class. Most run 3-8 pounds, but the big ones can hit 20-30 pounds and will test your drag system. Look for them in schools around grass beds, channels, and nearshore structure. They're year-round residents here, but spring and summer bring the best action when they're really active. What makes them fun? Pure power—they hit hard and pull harder, plus they're not shy about taking lures. Watch for diving birds; that's usually jacks pushing bait to the surface. They smell like watermelon when feeding, weird but true. The meat's decent when bled properly. Here's the trick: when you find a school, cast past them and retrieve fast. They love the chase, and that aggressive retrieve triggers their predatory instincts every time.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the ocean's speed demons—silver bullets that can hit 35 mph when they want your lure. Most run 2-4 feet long, but the big ones push 6 feet and over 50 pounds. You'll find them around coral reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs, often near the surface but they'll go deeper chasing baitfish. They're active year-round in our warm Keys waters, with peak action during spring and summer. Guests love the explosive strikes and those wild jumps—these fish fight dirty and aren't afraid to show it. They're curious too, often following the boat before deciding to hit. The meat's decent if you bleed them right away. My tip: use a wire leader and something shiny that moves fast. When you see one following your lure, don't slow down—speed up. That usually triggers the strike you're looking for.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing—a tall, silvery disc that'll test your skills like no other fish. These guys average around 20-30 pounds but can hit 60, and they're notorious for being harder to fool than tarpon or bonefish. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around channels and drop-offs. They love blue crabs, so that's your best bet for bait. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, particularly during their spawn from April to October. What makes them special? That first screaming run and the bragging rights—most anglers go years without landing one. Here's the key: when you spot one, lead it by about 6 feet and let that crab sink naturally. No sudden movements or you'll watch 60 pounds of silver lightning disappear into the blue.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our best eating fish and put up a solid fight around structure. They average 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 4 feet and 30+ pounds. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They love water in the 70-80 degree range, so spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they spawn. What guests love most? Great table fare and their habit of blowing up topwater lures in skinny water. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line. During spawn season, their fins turn bright yellow. Here's my go-to technique: work soft plastics or live shrimp tight to the mangroves on moving water. Don't horse them—that big mouth is bony and hooks pull out easily. Keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an excellent day on the water with Captain Alex Harmon. He put us on a variety of quality fish and kept the action steady t...
A great guy who truly knows where to find fish and how to catch them.
Plenty of action and a great time on the water. Strongly recommended.
My mom, sister, and I enjoyed an outstanding day on the water with Captain Alex and Salt Creek Fishing. We launched early to targe...
Captain Alex was an excellent guide for our first tarpon outing. Even with challenging conditions, he stayed focused on giving us ...
Florida Keys