There’s no shortage of accomplished charter captains to take you fishing in Key West, but the very best captains will provide you with a good, entertaining and informative trip into their waters no matter the fishing success that day. That’s an important truth about the sport that we all need to keep in mind. We’ve categorized charter operations into categories by the class of their vessel: sportfishing charters, the big yachts of the fishing universe, can accommodate up to 6 people, center console charters can comfortably ride 4 to 6 people, and flats charters, which ride one or two anglers.

Of course, the kind of fishing you’ll pursue on each of these types of boats differs, too. Flats charters primarily operate in the shallows of the backcountry keys and channels. They might run down to the Marquesas or up the Keys some distance to a particular destination, but their purpose is for the stealth pursuit of gamefish in shallower waters and the nimble maneuvering in tight quarters which that sport might require. Center console boats can be comfortable, fast fishing machines, built to pursue a wide variety of those backcountry and Gulf species but also able to travel long distances offshore, up and down the Keys, looking for pelagics. Commonly, they fish with a variety of light tackle gear-spinning, casting and trolling gear. Sportfishing boats are most commonly used for fishing at the reef and beyond, or in the Gulf, especially when a few people want to fish and the fish pursued might require bigger tackle.

There are a few important precepts to keep in mind when chartering for a trip. Talk to your captain in advance about the trip you want to make—what you hope to accomplish, what species you’d like to catch, and what he expects the fishing might be like at that time of the year. It’s fair for both parties to understand the others’ expectations. Good charter captains will do everything that they can to give you the best day of fishing possible, because for them, a happy customer often turns into a repeat customer—and that’s the very best kind for them. In truth, well-established charter captains build their entire careers on repeat clients.

It’s very important to talk in advance with your captain about what you’ll do with the fish that you catch on the trip. Will you keep it all? Give some to the captain and crew? Release it all? For all parties involved, a common understanding of this important matter should be known upfront. If there is any disagreement, it should be handled before the financial transaction for the charter fee; otherwise it’s hard to amend the misunderstanding.

Similarly, cancellation policies and deposit refunds should be clearly understood in advance. Generally, cancellation of trips due to rough weather is at the captain’s call, and that should be made clearly known in advance.

Finally, on that note, charter crews work on tips. Standard tip for a captain, or for a captain’s mate, is 15 to 20 percent of the charter fee. That may seem expensive, but running boats is expensive and it’s a seasonal business for the operators and mates. They work hard when the visitors are in town, and after the season, there’s often not much work to be had.

Sportfishing Charters

Premium Picks:
Capt. Brice Barr • Double Down Sportfishing • (305) 304-2314 • Charterboat Row

Capt. Rob Harris • Got Ta Go Charters • (305) 587-6718 • Oceanside Marina

Capt. Mike Weinhofer • Compass Rose • (877) FISH-N-KW

Capt. Billy Wickers • Linda D • (305) 745 4736 • Charterboat Row

Other Sportfishing Charter Options:

Center Console Charters

Premium Picks:

Capt. Pepe Gonzalez • Pepe’s Charters • (305) 304-0983 • Garrison Bight Marina

Other Center Console Charter Options:

Flats Charters

Partyboat Fishing

Dive Shops & Lobster Trips

Ramps and Marinas

Tackle and Gear Shops

Dry Tortugas Information

The No-Fishing Zone

The Dry Tortugas Research and Natural Area, implemented by the State of Florida and the National Park Service on January 19, 2007, effectively prohibits fishing in 46 square miles of the roughly 100-square-mile park. On the north side this is contiguous with the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve, established in 2001. Excepted from this no-fishing zone is the one-mile radius area around Garden Key. Recreational vessels will be allowed to beach at Loggerhead Key so people can visit the light house and view wildlife, including birds, but no fishing is allowed at or near Loggerhead Key.

The National Park authorities are in the process of setting up mooring and boundary buoys for the R.N.A., but in the meantime, recreational vessels will be allowed to anchor in the R.N.A. on sand bottom only, for diving and snorkeling. For more information on the closure, visit www.nps.gov/drto, and follow the link to the Research and Natural Area site. Questions about trips and fishing in The Dry Tortugas National Park can be directed to Chief Ranger Bonnie Foist’s office (located in the Everglades National Park’s offices) at (305) 242-7730.

There’s a visitor fee of five dollars for the park, payable on the honor system at drop boxes at Garden Key. Put your boat registration number on the form with your payment, and the fee covers your entire stay. There is also a three dollar per night fee for each camper.

Kayaking

Rock stars pay thousands of dollars a night to stay on secluded island retreats a lot like the Dry Tortugas, and as long as you like camping, you can make it your own (nearly) private island retreat for little more than a song. Within the one-mile-radius fishing zone around Garden Key lie plenty of fishable wrecks, ledges and bottom structures that hold sizeable yellowtail, mangroves, amberjack and grouper, among other species. Spearing and lobstering within park bounds are prohibited.

The extensive travel and gear this trip requires makes it much more worthwhile for a two night stay. First, bring plenty of fresh water for your time there. Three important “dry” items go on my list of gear: dry chum, dry ice and dry bags. The dehydrated chum, available at tackle stores, lightens the load, as did the dry ice in a cooler, and dry bags protect gear like cameras, GPSs, and a very important hand-held VHF radio, kept on the kayak at all times. It’s not necessarily a survivalist’s trip, but it may feel like one.

Two ferry companies in Key West transport visitors, including campers and their kayaks, to the Tortugas, by reservation only.

Sunny Days Catamarans: (305) 292-6100/(800) 236-7937. www.drytortugasferry.com. $150 per person, plus camping and entrance fees, plus $35 for kayak transport.

Yankee Freedom II: (305) 294-7009. www.yankeefreedom.com. $164 per person, includes park fees, plus $45 for transport of kayak no longer than fifteen and a half feet.

Related Articles:

1. Key West – Professional Help – Charters, Guides and Tackle
2. FSTV Guides and Charters
3. Down West Web Bonus
4. Andros Lodges, Marinas, & Guides
5. Boat Rentals for the Keys