5.0(1 Reviews)Baitfish Boat Ride Trip In Key West
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Perfect 2hour intro charter for fishing beginners in Key WestTarget inshore species like snapper and trout with expert guidesAll gear and instruction provided for relaxed familyfriendly experience
Looking for a quick fishing fix in Key West? This 2-hour intro charter is exactly what you need. Captain Todd and the crew at Talking Dog Fishing know that not everyone has all day to spend on the water, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on the action. This trip is built for beginners who want to learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed, plus anyone who's short on time but still craves that saltwater fishing rush. You'll head out into Key West's productive inshore waters where the fishing is consistent year-round and the scenery is hard to beat.
This isn't your typical full-day grind – it's a focused, fun-filled couple of hours that gets straight to the good stuff. You'll be targeting the flats and channels where Key West's inshore fish love to hang out, spots that Captain Todd has been working for years. The boat stays close to shore, so you're never more than a few miles from land, which keeps things comfortable for first-timers or anyone who gets a little nervous in big water. Expect to learn basic techniques like bottom fishing and light tackle work, perfect skills to build on if you catch the bug. The pace is relaxed but productive – no rushing around or pressure to perform. Just good fishing with someone who knows exactly where to put you on fish, even when conditions get tough.
All your tackle is provided, so don't worry about bringing anything beyond sunscreen and a hat. You'll be using light spinning gear that's easy to handle, typically 15-20 pound test line that gives you enough backbone for the bigger fish but still lets you feel every bite. Most of the fishing happens on or near the bottom using circle hooks with fresh bait – shrimp, pilchards, and whatever else is working that day. Captain Todd will show you how to read your rod tip, when to set the hook, and how to fight fish without wearing yourself out. The techniques you'll learn here work anywhere in Florida, so you're getting skills that transfer to other waters. If you've never held a fishing rod before, no problem. If you have some experience but want to pick up local knowledge, even better.
"Under the extreme weather conditions, Captain Todd went out of his way to put me on fish. He was very knowledgeable and taught me stuff about the Keys and the fish in the area. I'll be coming back during different seasons and booking with him." - Robert Biddle
White Grunt are one of the most reliable catches in Key West waters, and they're perfect for beginners. These silvery fish with their distinctive grunting sound typically run 8-12 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. They school up around structure and grass flats, making them fairly predictable to find. What makes them special is how they respond to fresh shrimp on a small circle hook – the bite is usually obvious, and they rarely drop the bait once they grab it. White grunt are active year-round in the Keys, but the cooler months from November through March often produce the biggest fish. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that's perfect for a fish fry back home.
Blacktip Shark add serious excitement to any inshore trip. These sleek predators cruise the flats and channels looking for easy meals, and when one picks up your bait, you'll know it immediately. Most blacktips you'll encounter run 2-4 feet long and put up an honest fight with multiple jumps and strong runs. They're particularly active during warmer months when baitfish are thick in the shallows. What makes blacktip encounters special is their unpredictability – you might be targeting grunt and suddenly find yourself connected to a shark that's heading for deep water. Captain Todd practices catch and release with all sharks, so you'll get photos and bragging rights while the fish swims away healthy.
Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of Key West's inshore waters. These broad-shouldered fighters typically weigh 3-8 pounds and pull like fish twice their size. They travel in schools and feed aggressively on baitfish, making them exciting targets when you find them fired up. Jacks are most active during spring and summer months when the water warms up and baitfish are everywhere. What anglers love about crevalle jack is their tenacity – they don't give up easy and will test your drag and your arm strength. They're not great eating, but they're pure fun on light tackle. When a school of jacks moves through your fishing area, you can often catch several in quick succession before they move on.
This 2-hour intro trip delivers everything you need to get hooked on Key West fishing without the commitment of a full day. Captain Todd's local knowledge and teaching ability make it perfect for beginners, while the consistent action keeps experienced anglers entertained. At just one angler per trip, you get personalized attention that's hard to find on bigger boats. The combination of reliable fish, beautiful scenery, and expert instruction creates exactly the kind of experience that turns vacation fishing into a lifelong passion. Don't let another Key West visit go by without getting on the water – book your spot and see why Robert and other anglers keep coming back season after season.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our nimble 22' Pathfinder 2200 Tournament Edition, a serious angler's dream built for Key West's shallow waters. This sleek center console cuts through the flats with ease, getting you to the hotspots where snapper and trout are biting. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the integrated livewell keeps your catch fresh. Rod holders are positioned all around the boat so your gear stays organized and ready. Our Simrad fish finder and GPS take the guesswork out of locating schools, and the quiet trolling motor lets us sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. The washdown system means you'll head back to shore clean and comfortable. Perfect for learning the ropes or testing your skills against Key West's feisty inshore species.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the perfect starter sharks for our waters, usually running 4-5 feet but capable of hitting 9 feet. These guys patrol our shallows from 30-100 feet, especially around reefs and drop-offs. They're known for their black-tipped fins and their crazy jumping ability - they'll leap clear out of the water when hooked. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes them special is their mix of power and acrobatics without being too intimidating for newer anglers. They put up a solid fight but won't drag you around the boat. Here's the key: use oily baits like mackerel or sardines and keep that chum flowing - their sense of smell will bring them right to you.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our inshore waters, typically 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though some bruisers hit 60 pounds. These brassy-green fighters hang around grass flats, shallow reefs, and any structure they can use to ambush baitfish. Year-round fishing here in the Keys, but warmer months bring the best action. What guests love most is the raw power - pound for pound, nothing fights harder. They're not great eating, but the battle more than makes up for it. Watch for diving birds - that's your jackpot sign that jacks are pushing bait to the surface. Cast past the school and rip your lure back fast. They love the chase, so keep it moving aggressively.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite Grunts are one of our most reliable inshore catches, running 6-12 inches on average with some hitting 20 inches. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, and shallow reefs from the surface down to about 100 feet. They've got that distinctive red snout and make actual grunting sounds when you bring them up - kids love that part. These silvery-blue fish with yellow stripes are great table fare with flaky white meat, perfect for beginners since they're not picky eaters. They bite on just about any bait you throw at them. Pro tip: look for them in slightly deeper water during the day since they're night feeders - around structure like our local docks works best.
5.0 out of 5.0Under the extreme weather conditions, Captain Todd went out of his way to put me on fish. He was very knowledgeable and taught me ...
Thanks Robert - it was a pleasure fishing with you, and hope we get to do it again. Safe travels, a...
Key West