About Your Guide

Justin Valakis

Outfitter
Get ready for a world-class fishing experience with Captain Justin and his elite crew of seasoned pros.

With multiple tournament wins and a lifetime on the water, Captain Justin blends expert-level skill with laid-back charisma on every trip. From tailing bonefish to big tarpon blowups, his passion for fishing is infectious—and it shows. Raised fishing, surfing, and sailing from Charleston to the Florida Keys, Justin now calls Key West home and has built a loyal following of anglers who come back year after year.

Fishing with Justin feels less like a charter and more like a day on the water with an old friend. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler, he strikes the perfect balance of fun, focus, and action.

Joining Justin are Captain Travis and Captain John, each bringing their own flavor of experience to the team.

Captain Travis is a South Florida native with a sharp instinct for fish and a serious work ethic. He’s been on the water since childhood and is currently studying marine engineering—bringing both brain and brawn to the boat. Travis is...

About Your Guide

Justin Valakis

Outfitter
Get ready for a world-class fishing experience with Captain Justin and his elite crew of seasoned pros.

With multiple tournament wins and a lifetime on the water, Captain Justin blends expert-level skill with laid-back charisma on every trip. From tailing bonefish to big tarpon blowups, his passion for fishing is infectious—and it shows. Raised fishing, surfing, and sailing from Charleston to the Florida Keys, Justin now calls Key West home and has built a loyal following of anglers who come back year after year.

Fishing with Justin feels less like a charter and more like a day on the water with an old friend. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned angler, he strikes the perfect balance of fun, focus, and action.

Joining Justin are Captain Travis and Captain John, each bringing their own flavor of experience to the team.

Captain Travis is a South Florida native with a sharp instinct for fish and a serious work ethic. He’s been on the water since childhood and is currently studying marine engineering—bringing both brain and brawn to the boat. Travis is
all about maximizing your time and dialing in every detail to get you hooked up.

Captain John has been guiding in Key West since the late ’90s. With 20+ years of experience, he’s a master of the backcountry and always comes prepared with a game plan (or three). Known for keeping anglers in the action, John makes sure you do the casting, the hooking, and the fighting—while he lines up the perfect shot.
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Key West Backcountry Fishing

NEW 1 - 8 People 4 - 8 Hours From $700
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip
4-8 Hours Fishing Trip

About Your Trip

Water Type

Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Step aboard for an unforgettable shallow-water adventure with Captain Justin and his team—your go-to guides for flats fishing in Key West! These trips dive into the pristine Backcountry north of the island, where white sand flats, calm mangrove channels, and untouched wildlife refuges come together to create one of the most scenic and productive fisheries in the world.

This isn’t just fishing—it’s a front-row seat to wild, unspoiled Florida Keys beauty. The area you’ll explore...

About Your Trip

Step aboard for an unforgettable shallow-water adventure with Captain Justin and his team—your go-to guides for flats fishing in Key West! These trips dive into the pristine Backcountry north of the island, where white sand flats, calm mangrove channels, and untouched wildlife refuges come together to create one of the most scenic and productive fisheries in the world.

This isn’t just fishing—it’s a front-row seat to wild, unspoiled Florida Keys beauty. The area you’ll explore
includes the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuges, where the waters still look like they did hundreds of years ago.

Your main targets? The legendary "Big Three" of flats fishing:

🎯 Tarpon – explosive power and acrobatics

🎯 Permit – elusive, strong, and built for the chase

🎯 Bonefish – fast, ghost-like fighters that demand finesse

You’ll also encounter sharks, barracuda, snapper, and jacks along the way—there’s always something ready to put your skills to the test.

Captain Justin and his crew specialize in both light tackle and fly fishing, and they’re pros at customizing the trip to match your experience level. Whether you're chasing a personal best or just looking for fun in the sun, the team delivers expert instruction, local insight, and good vibes all day long.

You’ll fish aboard a sleek 22’ Pathfinder—a top-tier flats boat built for comfort, stealth, and performance. Outfitted with:

- T-Top sunshade for relief from the heat
- MinnKota trolling motor for quiet, shallow-water approaches
- Garmin electronics, Power Pole anchor, and a Fusion Bluetooth stereo
- 65qt cooler to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh

All rods, reels, bait, tackle, and licenses are included, and your catch will be cleaned at the end of the trip. Just bring sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, and a sense of adventure.

From glassy sandbars to mangrove-lined creeks, every cast out here is a shot at something unforgettable. Book now and experience Key West flats fishing with one of the best teams in the Keys!
Amenities

Water Type

Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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About Your Boat

Boat photo for Key West Backcountry Fishing
Boat Type
Center Console
Boat Manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat Length
22'
Boat Restroom
No

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Center Console
Boat Manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat Length
22'
Boat Restroom
No
Additional Amenities
T-Top, Sunshade, Fusion Bluetooth Stereo, MinnKota Trolling Motor, Garmin Electronics, Power Pole, 65qt cooler
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Technique

Light Tackle Fishing

Type of Fishing

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Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 26th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
Key West Backcountry Fishing
December 17th, 2025
Key West, Florida
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