4-Hour Fishing Trip in Key West, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in Key West watersSmall group experience with maximum six guests aboardProfessional guidance from experienced ZFG Fishing crew
Key West's inshore waters are legendary among anglers, and for good reason. ZFG Fishing's 4-hour charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. You'll cruise the flats, channels, and nearshore structure where trophy fish feed year-round. With a maximum of 6 anglers on board, you get the personal attention every serious angler wants without feeling crowded. The crystal-clear waters around the Keys offer sight fishing opportunities you won't find anywhere else, plus the chance to hook into species that most anglers only dream about.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll adjust the game plan based on conditions, season, and what's biting. Some days you'll be poling the flats looking for tailing bonefish and permit, other times you'll be working the deeper channels for snapper and grouper. The beauty of Key West inshore fishing is the variety – you never know what's going to hit your line next. The boat is equipped with everything you need, from light tackle for the flats to heavier gear for the bigger fish lurking around structure. Plan to get your hands dirty and your adrenaline pumping as you work lures through some of the most fish-rich waters in the country.
ZFG Fishing runs top-quality spinning and conventional tackle suited for the diverse fishing Key West offers. You'll use everything from 15-pound test for bonefish to heavier setups when targeting grouper and amberjack around the wrecks. Live bait is king down here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp account for most of the action, though artificial lures shine when fish are feeding aggressively. Your captain will have you throwing bucktails, soft plastics, and topwater plugs depending on what the fish want. The shallow flats require a stealthy approach with the trolling motor, while deeper structure calls for precise presentations around coral heads and ledges. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques – your guide will have you fishing like a local in no time.
Barracuda are the perfect warm-up fish for Key West newcomers. These silver missiles hit hard and fast, often launching themselves clear out of the water when hooked. You'll find them around the flats edges and channels, typically in 3-10 feet of water. They're not picky eaters, smashing everything from live pilchards to flashy spoons. Spring through fall offers the best action, though you can catch them year-round.
Bonefish are the holy grail of flats fishing, and Key West has some of the best bonefish flats in the world. These ghost-like fish cruise the skinny water looking for crabs and shrimp, often with their tails breaking the surface. Sight casting to a tailing bonefish is pure magic – they're spooky, smart, and will test your patience. When you do hook up, get ready for a blistering run that'll have your drag screaming. Winter and spring offer prime conditions when the fish are hungry and the water's gin-clear.
Mutton Snapper are Key West classics, with their distinctive black spot and yellow fins making them easy to identify. These reef dwellers fight hard and taste even better. You'll target them around patch reefs and channel edges in 15-40 feet of water using live bait or heavy jigs. Summer months produce the biggest fish, with 10-pounders not uncommon around the right structure.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are abundant around Key West's endless mangrove shorelines and nearshore structure. They're scrappy fighters that punch well above their weight class. These opportunistic feeders will eat just about anything, making them great targets for kids and beginners. Look for them around docks, bridges, and mangrove cuts year-round.
Red Grouper are the kings of the deeper structure, hanging around wrecks and rocky bottom in 40-100 feet of water. These bruisers fight dirty, trying to get back to their holes the second they feel the hook. You need heavy tackle and a strong drag to keep them honest. Fall and winter months typically produce the best grouper fishing when they're feeding heavily before the cooler water arrives.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Key West, and hooking one is a bucket-list experience every angler needs. These prehistoric giants can exceed 100 pounds and fight like nothing else in the ocean. They roll, jump, and bulldoze their way around the boat, testing every piece of tackle you own. Peak season runs from April through August when massive schools move through the area.
Greater Amberjack are powerful predators that live around wrecks and deep structure. They're one of the strongest fish pound-for-pound you'll encounter, making long runs and using their broad sides to fight the angler. These fish are active year-round but peak in late fall and winter when they school up for spawning. You'll need heavy tackle and plenty of patience to boat a big AJ.
Permit are the most challenging fish on this list, known for making even experienced anglers question their skills. These disc-shaped flats dwellers are incredibly spooky and selective, often following baits for long distances before deciding whether to eat. When you do fool one, they fight like a freight train, using their body shape to maximum advantage in the shallow water. Spring offers the best permit fishing when they're spawning around the full moons.
Cobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks, cruising the flats and nearshore waters looking for an easy meal. These curious fish often swim right up to the boat, making for some exciting sight fishing opportunities. They hit hard, fight strong, and make excellent table fare. Spring migration brings the best cobia
Megalops AtlanticusThe "silver king" is the ultimate bucket list fish - watching a 100-pound tarpon launch 10 feet out of the water never gets old. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds in our waters and can live over 50 years. They migrate through Key West from late spring through summer, feeding in channels, harbor areas, and along the flats edges. The shallow water sight fishing is what draws anglers worldwide - it's pure adrenaline. They're almost always released due to the bony meat. The acrobatic jumps and long runs make every hookup memorable. Best fishing is during moving tides around dawn and dusk. Here's my tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the line from snapping on those violent head shakes.
SphyraenidaeThese torpedo-shaped predators are among the fastest fish you'll encounter, hitting speeds up to 35 mph when they strike. Most run 2-4 feet long around Key West, though we occasionally see giants pushing 6 feet. They're attracted to shiny objects and hunt by sight, making them aggressive fighters on light tackle. You'll find them stalking baitfish in shallow grass flats and around mangroves, especially during moving tides. They hit hard and make blazing runs that'll test your drag. The meat's decent eating if you want to keep a few smaller ones. Pro tip: use a wire leader - those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Cast ahead of cruising fish and retrieve fast to trigger that predatory response.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called mangrove snapper, these copper-colored fighters are abundant around docks, mangroves, and structure throughout Key West waters. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, though bigger ones lurk in deeper holes. These opportunistic feeders are most active at night but will bite during the day around cover. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're found year-round but fishing picks up in warmer months. The key is keeping your presentation natural since they're pretty smart. My advice: use a 4J hook with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then reel up just enough to stay off the structure. Patience pays off with these guys.
Albula VulpesThe "silver ghost" of the flats, these spooky fish average 6-8 pounds but pack serious speed once hooked. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes just inches deep - rooting through sand and grass for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively tailing on incoming tides. What makes them special is the challenge - they spook easily but reward patient anglers with blistering 100-yard runs. Anglers love the sight fishing aspect and the technical skill required. They're mostly catch-and-release due to all the bones. My tip: when you spot tailing fish, cast to the edges of the group, not the middle. Lead them by a few feet and let your crab or shrimp pattern sink naturally.
Lutjanus AnalisThese chunky snappers are some of the best eating fish we target, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They typically run 2-5 pounds inshore, but we occasionally hook real bruisers up to 15 pounds around deeper structure. Look for them near mangroves, channels with good tidal flow, and sandy spots adjacent to reefs. They feed day and night but seem most active around dawn and dusk. The pinkish color gives them away as you bring them up from the bottom. Summer months are prime time when they're feeding heavily. What guests love is the solid fight and excellent table fare. Here's the key: use the freshest bait possible and keep it moving naturally in the current. A knocker rig with live shrimp works magic.
Rachycentron CanadumThese brown, shark-looking fish are excellent table fare and strong fighters that average 20-50 pounds in our waters. They're usually solitary, cruising near structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet. Spring migration brings the best action as they move through our area to spawn. What guests love is the sight fishing - you can often see them swimming just under the surface - and the firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They're aggressive predators that hit jigs, live bait, and plugs with authority. Summer months around structure produce consistent action. Here's my tip: when you spot a cobia, approach quietly and cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of the fish. They're curious and will often follow the boat, so be ready with a second rod.
Trachinotus FalcatusThe holy grail of flats fishing, permit are notoriously difficult to catch but incredibly rewarding. These disc-shaped fish average 10-25 pounds and have eyesight that'll humble any angler. They cruise shallow sand and grass flats, often in just 2-3 feet of water, searching for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities, especially during spawning season. What makes them special is the challenge - they're spooky, selective, and will test every skill you have. The fight is powerful and sustained once hooked. Live blue crabs are the gold standard bait, though crab flies work for fly fishing. My secret: when you see permit, approach from the side, never head-on. Cast well ahead and let your crab sink naturally - any splash or sudden movement will send them running.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruising pelagic fighters average 20-40 pounds and will test your tackle to the limit. They hang around deeper structure like wrecks, reefs, and ledges, usually in 60+ feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before spawning. What makes them popular is the sheer power - they pull like a freight train and won't quit. The meat is excellent when prepared right, firm and flavorful. They're not picky eaters, hitting live bait, jigs, and plugs with equal enthusiasm. You'll need stout tackle - these fish will pull you into the structure if you let them. My tip: use heavy jigs and keep constant pressure. The moment you give them slack, they'll wrap you around the nearest obstruction. Circle hooks help with the hookup ratio too.
Epinephelus MorioThese rusty-red bottom dwellers are some of the hardest fighting fish pound-for-pound that we target. Most run 5-15 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly around structure. They love rocky bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and flaky with a slightly sweet taste. Spring through fall offers the best action, though they bite year-round in our waters. What guests enjoy is the surprise factor - they often hit when you're targeting other species - and that bulldog fight as they try to get back to structure. Once hooked, they'll make a beeline for the nearest rock pile. Use heavy enough tackle to turn them, and get them up quick. Fresh shrimp or cut bait works great on a knocker rig.
Key West