0
where the mile markers start
US 1 mile markers count up from zero in Key West: the Overseas Highway article states “Numbering commences at ‘0’ in Key West.”
Fishing charters out of Key West. The day starts here.
Half and full days, gear included.
The trips
Shallow, nearshore or all day.
Three of the eight, with no prices on the page. Every trip begins at the dock with a briefing.
Trip 014 hrs
Request this tripBackcountry Flats Half Day
Shallow water, light tackle, quiet.
Trip 024 hrs
Request this tripNearshore Reef and Wreck Half Day
Closer to the reef line.
Trip 038 hrs
Request this tripOffshore Full Day
The longest day on the water.
Fishing is not catching
That is why it is called fishing.
Name a fish by all means. The request has a line for it, and the captain reads it, but it is a wish and never a promise. What we can promise is a good boat, a patient crew and an honest forecast.
First time? Say so. Most of our favorite guests did.
How a request works
It counts up from zero, like the highway.
Send a request
Use the chat or the form: the trip, a day and two backups, who is fishing and how experienced, and anything the crew should know.
A person reads it
It arrives as one email at the dock. The captain's office reads every line.
They write back
A person confirms the trip, date and details by email or a call. Nothing is booked or held until they do.
Dock day
The briefing comes first, then the lines go in. The weather has the last word.
A day on the water, in order
What a trip is actually like.
The briefing
Before the lines come off, the captain shows you where the safety gear is, how the boat works, what the crew does and what we ask of guests.
The run out
The moment a boat leaves the harbor it is inside the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The crew briefs you on being a good guest there.
Lines in
Rods, tackle, bait and instruction are provided, and the captain explains the rules for any fish you catch.
Heading in
The weather has the last word, and the captain makes the call on the day. If a trip cannot go, the crew contacts you.
The crew
A captain with the forecast open.
Captain Ray Alvarez reads the overnight requests before sunrise, with the forecast open, and gives the briefing at the dock. Mate Tessa is patient with teenagers.
Log entries
What guests wrote after a trip.
The briefing was short, clear and not at all patronizing. The mate was patient with my teenagers.
Captain Ray talked us through the day like we were guests, not cargo. First-time anglers, and nobody felt rushed.
We asked for a gentle trip with two kids and a nervous grandmother. The reply was honest about what to expect and suggested the right trip.
I sent the request after midnight and had a courteous email from a real person the next morning, with sensible questions about our group.
The weather turned the morning of our trip and they called early. No fuss, and they explained the options.
Local knowledge and straight talk. They did not promise a thing, which made me trust them more.
Mile zero
Three facts about where you would be fishing.
90
miles to Cuba, says the buoy
The Southernmost Point buoy, at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street, was dedicated on September 10, 1983 and reads “90 Miles to Cuba”; Cuba's closest point is 94 statute miles due south.
6,000+
marine species protected
“As soon as you step into the waters of the Florida Keys, you have entered Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary”, which protects the coral reef, seagrass beds, mangrove-fringed islands and more than 6,000 marine species.
Before you ask
The questions people send first.
The rest are on the FAQ page, and a person answers anything else.
Do we need a fishing licence?
It depends on the trip and who is aboard. The crew tells you exactly what applies when they confirm, and the rules are posted at check-in. Ask the crew if you are unsure.
Will we catch fish?
We cannot promise it. Fishing is not catching, which is why it is called fishing. The captain will put you in good water, explain what is happening, and help you make the most of it.
What is included?
Rods, tackle, bait and instruction are provided and the captain explains the rules for any fish you catch.
What should we bring and wear?
Sunscreen, a hat with a strap, polarized sunglasses, non-marking shoes, a layer for early starts, water and snacks. Ask the crew about coolers.
We are nervous about the water. What do you suggest?
Tell us in the request. A person will describe the gentler options, such as the inshore trips, and be honest about what a day aboard is like.
Send a request. A person writes back.
The fish are not involved yet. Nothing is booked or held until a person at the dock confirms by email or a call, and no payment is taken here.