Tarpon fishing charters in Key West, FL

Key West is the end of the road — the southernmost city in the continental US, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. That position puts an unusual range of fishing within a short boat ride: shallow flats, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, Gulf wrecks, and the deep blue water of the Florida Straits, where the Gulf Stream runs close to shore.

Flats and backcountry

The flats around Key West and the Lower Keys are famous for the “big three” of light-tackle fishing: tarpon, permit and bonefish. Guides pole shallow skiffs for sight-casting with fly or spinning gear; trips further west toward the Marquesas Keys are a full-day adventure. Barracuda, sharks and jacks keep the action going when the glamour fish are fussy.

Reef and wrecks

The reef line south of the island holds yellowtail and mutton snapper, grouper, hogfish and porgies — great eating and steady action for families. The wrecks in the Gulf and Atlantic add amberjack, cobia and permit, and in winter, schools of king mackerel.

Offshore

Because deep water is so close, offshore trips spend little time running. Winter is sailfish season, spring and early summer bring mahi-mahi, and blackfin tuna, wahoo and the occasional marlin round out the offshore menu. Longer trips run to the Dry Tortugas, about 70 miles west, for remote reef and wreck fishing.

Good to know

Much of the water around Key West lies inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which has protected zones where fishing is restricted — your captain will know where you can fish. Seasons and size limits for snapper, grouper and other reef fish change from year to year; check current Florida FWC rules if you’re planning around a particular species.