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Recently Booked False Albacore Fishing Charters Near Key West, Fl
Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Full Day Private Fishing Charter
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Deep Sea, Inshore, Jetty, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
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Everything to Know About Booking a Key West false albacore fishing charter
What are the best false albacore fishing charters in Key West?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 1 false albacore trip in Key West: Full Day private fishing charter guided by John.
All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.
Looking for kid friendly false albacore guides / fishing lessons in Key West? Check out our beginner and family friendly false albacore guides in Key West.
What types of false albacore fishing charters are common in Key West?
Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for false albacore in Key West as well as nearshore fishing and inshore fishing.
The most common fishing techniques in Key West are heavy tackle fishing, artificial lure fishing, and bottom fishing but cut bait fishing and deep dropping are popular as well.
How much do Key West false albacore fishing charters cost?
for false albacore in Key West prices can range anywhere from about $1,200 to $1,200, but the average price for a full day trip for false albacore in Key West is $1,200.
What month is best for false albacore fishing in Key West?
The most popular season for false albacore fishing in Key West is spring, and most anglers book their trips 19 days in advance.
Do I need a Key West fishing license for false albacore and what are the bag limits for false albacore in Key West?
You’re in luck! Our fishing tours in Key West don’t require you to purchase a fishing license – your group is covered by your boat’s captain. See here for more information on bag limits and fishing season regulations in Key West.
What is false albacore fishing in Key West all about?
False albacore, also known as little tunny or bonito, offer exciting fishing opportunities in the waters surrounding Key West. These fast and powerful fish are prized for their speed and acrobatic leaps when hooked, making them a favorite target for anglers seeking thrilling battles. False albacore are most commonly found in the waters off Key West during the fall and winter months, although they can be caught year-round depending on water temperatures and bait availability.
Anglers often target false albacore using light spinning or fly fishing tackle, as these fish are known for their aggressive strikes and blistering runs. Surface lures, such as poppers or small metal spoons, are effective in enticing false albacore to strike when they are feeding aggressively near the surface. Fly anglers can also have success with small baitfish or shrimp imitation flies, stripped quickly through the water to mimic the fast-moving prey that false albacore typically feed on.
One popular method for targeting false albacore in Key West is to look for diving birds or surface disturbances, which indicate schools of feeding fish below. Once located, anglers can cast their lures or flies into the feeding frenzy, often resulting in multiple hookups in quick succession. False albacore are known for their ferocious feeding behavior, so anglers must be prepared for fast-paced action and strong fights when targeting these high-energy fish. Whether casting lures from a boat or wading the flats with a fly rod, false albacore fishing in Key West offers anglers an exhilarating and memorable experience on the water.
What are the most popular months to fish for false albacore fishing in Key West?
False albacore, also known as little tunny or bonito, can be found in the waters around Key West throughout much of the year, but their presence is particularly notable during the fall and winter seasons. These periods coincide with their migratory patterns, as false albacore move into the area in search of baitfish and warmer waters. From late September through April, anglers visiting Key West have a good chance of encountering schools of false albacore patrolling the flats and offshore reefs.
During the fall and winter months, false albacore can be found in a variety of habitats around Key West, including shallow flats, channels, and offshore structures. They are often found in association with schools of baitfish, such as pilchards, herring, and mullet, which they prey upon voraciously. Anglers targeting false albacore during this time can expect fast-paced action and frequent hookups, as these fish feed aggressively to fatten up for the winter.
In addition to fall and winter, false albacore can also be caught in Key West during the spring and summer months, although their numbers may be lower compared to the cooler seasons. During these warmer months, false albacore may move into deeper waters offshore, making them less accessible to shore-based anglers. However, they can still be targeted by anglers fishing from boats, particularly around reefs, wrecks, and other offshore structures where baitfish congregate. Overall, while false albacore can be found in the waters around Key West year-round, fall and winter are typically the most productive seasons for targeting these high-energy gamefish.
What techniques are popular for catching false albacore in Key West?
Fishing for false albacore in Key West requires a versatile approach due to the fish's fast-moving and aggressive feeding behavior. One popular technique is to use light spinning tackle with small metal jigs or spoons, which mimic the size and coloration of the baitfish that false albacore commonly prey upon. These lures can be cast and retrieved quickly to imitate the erratic movements of fleeing baitfish, enticing strikes from hungry albacore.
Another effective method for targeting false albacore in Key West is fly fishing. Anglers can use a variety of baitfish patterns tied on sinking or intermediate sinking fly lines to mimic the movements of the prey species favored by albacore. False albacore are known for their willingness to chase down fast-moving flies, making fly fishing an exciting and rewarding way to target these fish. Anglers should be prepared for blistering runs and acrobatic leaps once a false albacore is hooked on the fly.
Trolling is also a popular technique for targeting false albacore in Key West, particularly when fishing offshore or along the edges of reefs and drop-offs. Anglers can troll a variety of lures, including small plugs, spoons, and feathered jigs, at varying depths to locate schools of feeding albacore. High-speed trolling can be particularly effective for covering a large area of water and enticing strikes from actively feeding fish. Regardless of the technique used, anglers targeting false albacore in Key West should be prepared for fast-paced action and the possibility of hooking into multiple fish during a single outing.
What other species are popular in Key West?
Apart from false albacore, Key West offers a diverse range of fish species for anglers to target. One popular species is the tarpon, known for its impressive size, strength, and acrobatic leaps. Tarpon fishing in Key West is especially thrilling during the annual tarpon migration, typically occurring in the spring and early summer months. Anglers can target tarpon using live bait, such as mullet or crabs, as well as artificial lures like swimbaits and topwater plugs.
Another prized species found in Key West waters is the permit. Known for their challenging fight and wary nature, permit are often targeted by fly fishermen looking for a thrilling angling experience. Permit can be found on shallow flats, where they feed on crabs and shrimp. Anglers can sight-fish for permit using crab or shrimp fly patterns, presenting the fly with precision and finesse to entice strikes from these elusive fish.
For those looking to target larger predatory species, Key West offers opportunities to catch species such as mahi-mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. Mahi-mahi, also known as dolphin fish, are often found around floating debris and weed lines offshore. Anglers can troll a variety of lures or cast live bait to entice strikes from mahi-mahi. Wahoo, known for their speed and aggressive strikes, can be targeted using high-speed trolling techniques with lures such as plugs and spoons. Sailfish are prized for their aerial displays and are often targeted by anglers using live bait or artificial lures while trolling offshore waters. Overall, Key West provides anglers with a wide range of fishing opportunities, from inshore flats fishing to offshore big game fishing adventures.
Other Fishing Species in Key West
- African Pompano
- Amberjack
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Barracuda
- Black Grouper
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blacktip Shark
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Bonefish
- Bonito
- Bonnethead Shark
- Bull Shark
- Cero Mackerel
- Cobia
- Cubera Snapper
- Florida Pompano
- Gag Grouper
- Goliath Grouper
- Grunt
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hogfish
- Horse-eye Jack
- Jack Crevalle
- Kingfish
- Lane Snapper
- Lemon Shark
- Lionfish
- Lobster
- Mahi Mahi
- Mako Shark
- Mangrove Snapper
- Mutton Snapper
- Nurse Shark
- Permit
- Queen Snapper
- Rainbow Runner
- Red Grouper
- Red Snapper
- Redfish
- Sailfish
- Scamp Grouper
- Skipjack Tuna
- Snook
- Snowy Grouper
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
- Striped Marlin
- Swordfish
- Tarpon
- Tiger Shark
- Tilefish
- Triggerfish
- Tripletail
- Vermillion Snapper
- Wahoo
- Warsaw Grouper
- White Marlin
- Yellowtail Amberjack
- Yellowtail Snapper
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What's biting in Key West?
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