About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

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

About Your Trip

Get ready to experience the pristine beauty and incredible fishing opportunities of the lower Florida Keys with Captain Jim! From the unspoiled waters of Big Pine Key to the iconic fishing grounds near Key West, this stretch of paradise offers some of the best fishing in the world. Captain Jim, a lifelong angler with unmatched expertise, will guide you through these diverse waters to ensure a personalized and unforgettable adventure.

Your trip begins aboard Captain Jim’s 22’ Panga LX center console, a vessel perfectly designed for navigating the unique fishing environments of the Florida Keys. This sleek and versatile boat is known for its stability and shallow-draft design, making it ideal for exploring everything from the serene backcountry flats to the vibrant reefs and wrecks offshore. Powered by a reliable 115 HP Evinrude engine and equipped with state-of-the-art GPS, radar, and fishfinder technology, the Panga LX ensures a smooth ride and quick access to prime fishing spots. With room for up to two anglers, this setup provides an intimate, comfortable, and highly customized experience.

Fishing with Captain Jim gives you access to a wide variety of techniques and environments, making it easy to tailor the trip to your goals. If you’re up for a challenge, the backcountry flats are teeming with legendary species like Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon. These prized game fish are sure to put your skills to the test. For anglers looking to stock the cooler with fresh fillets, the reefs and wrecks nearshore are brimming with delicious species such as Yellowtail Snapper, Grouper, and Cobia. With Captain Jim’s guidance, you can decide whether to stalk the shallows, drift along the flats, or drop bait near structure to target these exciting species.

Captain Jim welcomes all skill levels, from seasoned anglers to first-timers, and his trips are tailored to fit your preferred style of fishing. Whether you enjoy light tackle, heavy tackle, spinning, popping, drift fishing, or bottom fishing, you’re in for an action-packed day. Fly fishermen are also welcome to bring their own gear and sharpen their casting skills in these world-renowned waters, you will just need to bring your own equipment.

All the essentials for your trip are provided, including high-quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh live or cut bait. Your fishing license is included, and at the end of the day, Captain Jim will expertly clean and fillet your catch so you can enjoy a fresh meal. Bottled water is available on board to keep you hydrated, and snacks or lunch can be arranged upon request—just let Captain Jim know when booking.

Whether you’re chasing trophy fish, enjoying the scenery, or simply spending quality time on the water, Captain Jim’s backcountry and nearshore fishing trips offer something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to explore the unique fishing grounds of the Florida Keys and create memories that will last a lifetime. Book your trip with Captain Jim today and get ready for an incredible day on the water!

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, 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.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

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

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 5 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

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

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 Hours	8 Hours
1 Person	$500.00	$750.00
2 People	$500.00	$750.00

Pay $100 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Jim L.

Independent Guide

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Comfortable

Quality

About Your Guide

Jim L.

Independent Guide

I'm Captain Jim and I'm located in Ramrod Key, Florida which is in the lower Florida Keys just outside of Key West, Florida. I've been fishing the island chain for the past 40 years and started guiding full time in 2016. I've been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain for 20 years and I'm also a member of the Lower Keys Guides Association as well as a Blue Star Operator for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
I currently operate a 22' center console Panga powered by a 115hp Suzuki 4 stroke engine. My passion is inshore light tackle fishing in the lower Florida Keys backcountry where you'll fish for a variety of species such as Tarpon, Snapper, Sea-Trout, Sharks, Barracuda and a host of other inshore species.
Fishing techniques vary depending on tide phase, time of year and the species being targeted on a specific trip.

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

My biggest fish to date would be a 180lb. Tarpon that was caught back in 2020

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

When cooking for friends my favorite thing to do is some type of meat on the grill or some local catch blackened.

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

My biggest fish to date would be a 180lb. Tarpon that was caught back in 2020

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

When cooking for friends my favorite thing to do is some type of meat on the grill or some local catch blackened.

What’s your favorite band?

I'm into all types of music.

What’s your favorite movie?

I've really never been a movie guy so that's one thing we probably won't be conversing about.

What’s your favorite sports team?

College football is where it's at!

What’s your drink of choice?

On the boat it's strictly water for me, off the boat I'm a beer guy.

What was your last halloween costume?

It was so long ago, I couldn't tell you.

What do you want for Christmas this year?

I way past that.

How did you get started guiding?

I started fishing with a guide in Islamorada, Florida back in the 80's and he taught me a lot and I got addicted to saltwater fishing from that point forward.

What makes you different from other guides?

I will work hard for you on the trip. I'm not the type of guide that brings you out there, puts you at anchor and hope's for the best. If the fish are not there, we'll go and find them.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Ramrod Key, Florida

Areas Fished

Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

About Your Boat

Boat photo for FL Keys Inshore/Backcountry Fishing

Boat Type: Panga
Boat Manufacturer: Panga 22 LX
Year Built: 2008
Boat Length: 22'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Panga
Boat Manufacturer: Panga 22 LX
Year Built: 2008
Boat Length: 22'
Engine Manufacturer: Suzuki
Total Horsepower: 115
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, Ice Box

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Nearshore, 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.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

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

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 5 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

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

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Bottom Fishing
Cut Bait Fishing
Drift Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Live Bait Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All you need to bring is your sense of adventure, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses to help you spot fish, and any favorite snacks or drinks you’d like to enjoy during the day.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 5 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 5 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.