Damn Good Redfish Fishing Charters In Key West

The best redfish fishing charters in Key West are:

• Hunter SportFishing Key West guided by Hunter L. with 23 years of experience
• Ken Diaz Charters guided by Ken D. with 23 years of experience
• Keys Time Charters, Inc. guided by Tyler M.
• Capt. Mike Patterson, Fintastic Fishing Charters guided by Mike P. with 45 years of experience
• Just the Tip Fishing Charters Florida Keys guided by Wesley J.

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 31 redfish trips in Key West, and the most popular trips in the area are Marquesas Atoll Light Tackle guided by Chandler, Dusk Till Dawn - 18’ Xplor guided by Chandler, and Key West Flats & Inshore guided by Grif.

Our guides in Key West are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 8855 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are 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 redfish guides / fishing lessons in Key West? Check out our beginner and family friendly redfish guides in Key West.

Inshore fishing is the most popular type of fishing for redfish in Key West as well as nearshore fishing and flats fishing.

The most common fishing techniques in Key West are light tackle fishing, artificial lure fishing, and sight casting but bottom fishing and cut bait fishing are popular as well.

Prices for redfish in Key West can range anywhere from about $698 to $1,800, but the average price for a half day trip for redfish in Key West is $938. The average price for a full day trip for redfish in Key West is $1,254.

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

The most popular season for redfish fishing in Key West is spring, and most anglers book their trips 21 days in advance.

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Key West, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Key West. When in doubt, your guide will always know all the relevant rules and regulations in Key West.

While redfish are not as prevalent in Key West as in some other areas of Florida, they are still a sought-after species among anglers visiting the region. Redfish, also known as red drum, can be found in various habitats around Key West, including flats, mangrove shorelines, and channels. These resilient fish are known for their bronze-colored scales and distinctive black spot near the base of their tails, making them easily recognizable to anglers seeking their prized catch.

Fishing for redfish in Key West typically involves targeting shallow waters, where these fish forage for crabs, shrimp, and small fish among the mangroves and grass flats. Anglers often use a variety of techniques to entice strikes from redfish, including casting artificial lures such as soft plastic baits, spoons, or topwater plugs. Live bait such as shrimp, mullet, or pinfish can also be effective for attracting redfish in Key West's diverse coastal habitats.

While redfish may not be as abundant in Key West as in other parts of the state, they still offer anglers a thrilling challenge and a chance to experience the excitement of hooking into these hard-fighting fish. Whether fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shoreline, anglers in Key West can enjoy the thrill of pursuing redfish against the backdrop of the city's stunning coastal scenery. With its diverse marine ecosystem and abundance of fishing opportunities, Key West provides anglers with endless possibilities for memorable fishing outings and unforgettable catches.

In Key West, the seasons for targeting redfish can vary throughout the year, influenced by factors such as water temperature, weather patterns, and spawning behavior. Generally, redfish can be found in the waters around Key West year-round, with certain times of the year offering more favorable conditions for successful fishing.

Spring and fall are considered prime seasons for redfish fishing in Key West. During these transitional periods, warming or cooling water temperatures stimulate increased activity among redfish, prompting them to move into shallower waters to feed and spawn. Anglers can expect to encounter larger concentrations of redfish during these seasons, making it an excellent time to target these prized game fish.

While redfish can be caught in Key West's waters throughout the year, anglers may find that their activity levels vary depending on the season. During the warmer summer months, redfish may retreat to deeper waters or seek refuge in cooler, shaded areas. In contrast, during the cooler winter months, redfish may become more sluggish and less active. However, with its diverse marine ecosystem and abundance of fishing opportunities, Key West provides anglers with ample chances to pursue redfish and enjoy the thrill of hooking into these hard-fighting and highly prized game fish.

Fishing for redfish in Key West involves employing a variety of techniques to entice strikes from these prized game fish. One effective method is sight fishing in shallow waters, particularly on the flats and around mangrove shorelines. Anglers often use polarized sunglasses to spot cruising redfish, then carefully cast lures or bait in their path. Soft plastic baits, such as paddle tails or jerk shads, rigged weedless on a weighted hook, can be effective for enticing strikes from wary redfish in shallow water environments.

Another popular technique for targeting redfish in Key West is fishing around structure-rich areas such as docks, bridges, or mangrove edges. Redfish often seek shelter and forage for prey near these structures, making them prime spots for anglers to target. Using live bait such as shrimp, mullet, or pinfish, rigged on a jighead or hook, can be effective for enticing strikes from redfish in these areas. Anglers may also opt to fish with artificial lures such as spoons, jigs, or crankbaits, casting them near structure and retrieving them with erratic movements to mimic fleeing prey.

Trolling is another effective technique for targeting redfish in Key West, particularly in deeper channels or along the edges of flats. Anglers troll with a variety of lures or rigged baits behind a moving boat, covering a large area of water to locate schools of redfish. Flashy lures, such as spoons or diving plugs, can be effective for enticing strikes from redfish while trolling. Whether sight fishing, fishing around structure, or trolling, anglers in Key West can enjoy the thrill of pursuing redfish against the backdrop of the city's stunning coastal scenery.

In addition to redfish, Key West offers anglers a diverse array of species to target, ensuring an exciting fishing experience for all enthusiasts. One popular catch is the tarpon, known for its acrobatic jumps and powerful runs. Tarpon can be found in both nearshore and offshore waters, where they inhabit channels, flats, and around bridges. Anglers targeting tarpon often use live bait such as mullet, crabs, or pinfish, as well as artificial lures such as swimbaits or topwater plugs, to entice strikes from these impressive game fish.

Another sought-after species in Key West's waters is the bonefish, prized for its speed and challenging fights. Bonefish are commonly found in shallow flats, channels, and sandy bottoms, where they feed on small crustaceans and baitfish. Anglers targeting bonefish often use fly fishing techniques, presenting specialized flies to these wary fish with precision casts. Light tackle spinning gear can also be effective when fishing for bonefish, allowing anglers to cast small lures or live bait to entice strikes from these elusive and highly prized game fish.

In addition to tarpon and bonefish, Key West offers opportunities to target a variety of other species, including permit, snapper, and grouper. Whether fishing from a private boat, charter vessel, or the shoreline, anglers can enjoy thrilling angling experiences while exploring the city's scenic coastal landscapes. With its diverse marine ecosystem and abundance of fishing opportunities, Key West provides anglers with endless possibilities for memorable fishing outings and unforgettable catches.