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Recently Booked Permit Fishing Charters Near Key West, Fl
Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Key West "Flex" Sportfishing
Flats, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Backcountry Classic - 28’ Blue Wave
Flats, Inshore, Jetty, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Key West Silver Kings And More
Inshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Inshore Trip - 18’ Xplor Flats Boat
Flats, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Edge Of The Map Trip
Flats, Inshore Fishing Charter in Key West
Key West On Light Tackle & Flies
Most Popular Types of Permit Trips in Key West
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Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
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Deep Sea, Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in Key West
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Everything to Know About Booking a Key West permit fishing charter
What are the best permit fishing charters in Key West?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 23 permit trips in Key West, and the most popular trips in the area are Key West "Flex" Sportfishing guided by John, Backcountry Classic - 28’ Blue Wave guided by Alex, and Key West Silver Kings and More guided by Spencer.
Our guides in Key West are rated a 4.86 out of 5 based on 2406 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.
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.
Other popular cities nearby for booking a Permit charter include Cudjoe Key and Summerland Key.
Looking for kid friendly permit guides in Key West? Check out our beginner and family friendly permit guides in Key West.
What types of permit fishing charters are common in Key West?
Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for permit in Key West as well as inshore fishing, flats fishing, and nearshore fishing.
The most common fishing techniques in Key West are light tackle fishing, live bait fishing, and artificial lure fishing but bottom fishing and sight casting are popular as well.
How much do Key West permit fishing charters cost?
for permit in Key West prices can range anywhere from an affordable $400 to $1,700, but the average price for a half day trip for permit in Key West is $665. The average price for a full day trip for permit in Key West is $953.
What month is best for permit fishing in Key West?
The most popular season for permit fishing in Key West is spring, and most anglers book their trips 26 days in advance.
Do I need a Key West fishing license for permit and what are the bag limits for permit 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 permit fishing in Key West all about?
Permit fishing in Key West is an exhilarating experience for anglers seeking a challenge. These prized gamefish are known for their strength, speed, and finicky behavior, making them a coveted catch among sport fishermen. Key West's shallow flats and nearshore waters provide prime habitat for permit, where they can be found tailing and feeding on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. Anglers often sight fish for permit, scanning the flats for signs of their distinctive tails breaking the water's surface.
Successful permit fishing in Key West requires patience, stealth, and precise presentation. Light tackle or fly fishing gear is typically used to target these wary fish, allowing anglers to make delicate casts to feeding or cruising permit without spooking them. Effective flies and lures mimic the natural prey of permit, such as crab or shrimp patterns tied with realistic movements and colors. Anglers must also be prepared for long battles once hooked, as permit are notorious for their powerful runs and tendency to seek refuge in nearby structure.
While permit can be caught year-round in Key West, certain times of the year offer better fishing opportunities. Spring and early summer are prime seasons for permit fishing in the area, as warming water temperatures trigger increased feeding activity and migration patterns. During these months, permit can be found in shallower waters, making them more accessible to fly fishermen and sight anglers. However, permit fishing can be productive throughout the year, with opportunities for anglers to target these challenging gamefish in a variety of habitats and conditions.
What are the most popular months to fish for permit fishing in Key West?
In Key West, permit fishing can be pursued year-round, offering anglers ample opportunities to target these prized gamefish. However, certain seasons present more favorable conditions for permit fishing, aligning with their natural behavior and migration patterns. Spring and early summer are considered prime seasons for permit fishing in Key West, typically spanning from March to June. During these months, warming water temperatures trigger increased feeding activity among permit, making them more responsive to anglers' presentations. Additionally, springtime sees the arrival of migrating permit schools, providing anglers with more opportunities to encounter these elusive fish.
Fall is another productive season for permit fishing in Key West, particularly from September to November. As the summer heat begins to wane, permit become more active and move into shallower waters to feed. During this time, anglers can find permit cruising the flats and nearshore areas, making them accessible to sight fishermen and fly anglers. The cooler temperatures and calmer winds of fall create ideal conditions for stalking permit on the flats, where their tails and dorsal fins often give away their presence. Anglers can capitalize on this season to target permit using a variety of techniques, including sight fishing with flies or light tackle.
While spring and fall are considered peak seasons for permit fishing in Key West, permit can be caught throughout the year, with varying degrees of success depending on weather conditions and water temperatures. Winter months may see fewer permit on the flats, but they can still be found in deeper channels and around wrecks and reefs. Similarly, summer months offer opportunities to target permit in deeper waters and along offshore structures. Overall, Key West's diverse ecosystem and favorable climate make it a premier destination for permit fishing, providing anglers with year-round excitement and challenges.
What techniques are popular for catching permit in Key West?
Permit fishing in Key West demands skillful techniques and a keen understanding of the fish's behavior. One of the most popular methods for targeting permit is sight fishing on the flats, where anglers meticulously scan the shallow waters for signs of feeding permit. This technique requires patience, keen observation, and precise casting to present flies or lures accurately to the fish. Anglers often use lightweight spinning or fly fishing tackle to make delicate presentations and entice permit to strike.
When sight fishing isn't feasible, anglers can target permit around structure such as wrecks, reefs, and channels. Permit are known to frequent these areas in search of crustaceans and other prey, presenting anglers with opportunities to target them using bottom fishing techniques. Fishing with live bait such as crabs or shrimp, either on the bottom or suspended beneath a float, can be effective for enticing permit to bite. Anglers may also use artificial lures like jigs or soft plastics to mimic the movement of natural prey and attract strikes from permit.
Another effective technique for permit fishing in Key West is chumming. Anglers use a mixture of crushed crabs, shrimp, and other baitfish to create a scent trail that attracts permit to the area. Once the fish are drawn in, anglers can present baits or lures to entice them to strike. Chumming can be particularly effective when targeting permit around wrecks and reefs, where the fish congregate in search of food. Regardless of the technique employed, permit fishing in Key West requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to experiment with different approaches to find success.
What other species are popular in Key West?
Key West offers anglers a diverse range of species to target aside from permit. One popular target species is the tarpon, known for its acrobatic jumps and powerful runs. Tarpon can be found in the waters around Key West year-round, with peak seasons typically occurring in the spring and summer months. Anglers often target tarpon in channels, flats, and around bridges using live bait such as mullet or crabs, as well as artificial lures like plugs and soft plastics.
Another sought-after species in Key West is the bonefish, prized for its speed and challenging nature. Bonefish are commonly found on the flats and shallow waters of the Lower Florida Keys, where they feed on crustaceans and small baitfish. Sight fishing is a popular technique for targeting bonefish, with anglers using lightweight spinning or fly fishing tackle to present small flies or lures to the fish. Patience, stealth, and accurate casting are essential for success when pursuing these elusive fish.
Key West also offers excellent opportunities for anglers to target a variety of reef fish species, including snapper and grouper. Yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, and red grouper are just a few of the species that can be found on the reefs and wrecks surrounding Key West. Bottom fishing with live or cut bait is a common technique for targeting these species, although anglers may also use jigging and trolling techniques to entice strikes. Whether targeting permit, tarpon, bonefish, or reef fish, Key West provides anglers with an abundance of opportunities to test their skills and reel in trophy catches.
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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
- False Albacore
- 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
- 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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