The right fishing charter depends on how much of your day you can give the water. This guide compares our departure times, what each is good for, and the seasonal patterns our captains work with.
Looking for a boat today or tomorrow? Use our last minute fishing charters page, and text or call us to check availability before you book.
Which Departure Fits Your Day?
Pick by the time you actually have, not by the trip that sounds biggest.
| Time of Day | Trip | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning | Full day or three-quarter day offshore | Best conditions, longest run, most species |
| Mid-morning | Half day reef and nearshore | Families, first-timers, steady action |
| Afternoon | Half day or shared charter | Late deciders and cruise passengers |
| Evening | Sunset and shark trips | Cooler temperatures, big-fish chances |
| Night | Night snapper and tarpon (May–August) | Something different, calm water |
Seasonal Fishing Patterns Off Key West
This is general seasonal information, not a live report. What you may encounter depends on the season and where the captain fishes that day, and no species is guaranteed.
- Reef trips — yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, and grouper in season
- Offshore trips — mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo, and sailfish depending on the month
- Shark trips — blacktip, bull, hammerhead, and lemon sharks on catch-and-release gear
- Inshore and backcountry — tarpon, permit, jacks, and barracuda
Related Pages
How to Pick Your Departure
- 1Decide how many hours you can give the water
- 2Match that to a trip length: 4, 6, or 8 hours
- 3Choose shared or private. A shared trip needs at least four booked guests to run
- 4Arrive 15 minutes early with sunscreen, a hat, and your food and drinks
Fishing Today or Tomorrow?
Starting Prices at a Glance
| Trip | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Shared charter, per person | From $200 |
| Private half day, 4 hours | From $850 |
| Private three-quarter day | From $950 |
| Private full day | From $1,050 |
How Weather Affects Your Trip
Key West weather moves fast. A windy morning can turn into a glassy afternoon, and a summer squall can pass in twenty minutes.
- Captains decide on conditions the morning of the trip, not the day before
- Weather cancellations receive a full refund or a reschedule
- On breezy days, reef and backcountry trips often still fish well when offshore is rough
- Afternoon summer storms usually pass — the captain will work around them
Where We Leave From
Most of our boats depart from 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, with free parking at the dock. The Sanctuary leaves from Stock Island. We answer booking questions from 6 AM to 11 PM daily.