How Much Key West Fishing Charters Cost (Complete Guide)
Key West offers some of the best fishing on earth. It’s necessary to find out the average costs of Key West fishing and set a budget for a trip in advance.
The average cost of Key West fishing charter trips that last 4 hours is $787, 6 hours is $1061, 8 hours is $1328, 10 hours is $1687 and 12 hours is $2005.
Key West is well-known for its mangroves, flats, and deep-sea holes that attract plenty of fish. Anglers can get the most out of their Key West fishing trip when they visit the destination at the right time.
Fishing Charter Cost: Key West
4 hours
The so-called 1/2 day trips are short and they last 4 hours only. Based on 17 charters surveyed, the cost of 4-hour fishing trips in Key West ranges between $600 and $1300. So, the average cost of a 4-hour trip is $787.
Such trips make it possible for anglers to fish in nearshore waters only. Also, it makes a lot of sense to book 1/2 day trips if you want to fish inshore bays. You can go fishing either during the morning, afternoon or evening hours.
Keep in mind that it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to get to the fishing spots. So, anglers can spend only 3 hours fishing. Short trips are a good option for families and people, who don’t have too much time for fishing. However, it would be great to book longer trips if you want to catch a trophy-sized fish.
6 hours
Such trips are also known as 3/4 day trips. Based on 12 charters surveyed, the cost of 6-hour fishing trips in Key West range between $800 and $1300. The average price of a 6-hour trip is $1061.
If you book such a trip, you will manage to fish in nearshore and offshore waters. It would be great to prepare meals as well as drinks for 6-hour fishing trips.
Trips that last 6 hours are the perfect choice for those anglers, who are interested in deep-sea fishing and trolling. It’s not a good idea to book 6-hour trips if you want to fish with families.
During 6-hour trips, anglers spend 1 – 2 hours traveling and 4 – 5 hours on fishing. Trips that last 6 hours allow anglers to explore more fishing spots and give them enough time to catch such species as barracuda, grouper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and wahoo.
8 hours
Anglers, who want to spend more time fishing, can also book 8-hour trips. Such trips are also known as full-day fishing trips. Based on 12 charters surveyed, the cost of 8-hour fishing trips in Key West range between $850 and $1700. The average cost of an 8-hour trip is $1328.
Trips of this type allow anglers to experience fishing in nearshore and offshore waters. Such trips are longer, so anglers should bring meals as well as drinks.
Trips that last 8 hours are a good choice for anglers who want to target mahi-mahi, makos, marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo during Key West fishing trips. Approximately, 1.5 hours are spent on traveling and 6.5 hours are spent on fishing.
Keep in mind that 8-hour trips wouldn’t be the perfect choice for families. The so-called full-day fishing trips are suitable for experienced anglers, who want to land a trophy fish during their Key West trips.
10 hours
Trips that last 10 hours are a good fishing option for avid anglers, who need more than 10-hour trips. Based on 6 charters surveyed, the cost of 10-hour fishing trips in Key West range between $1500 and $2200. The average cost of a 10-hour trip is $1687.
These trips give anglers better fishing opportunities. And of course, such trips require meals as well as drinks. Such trips are recommended to professional anglers and not recommended to families and anglers who want to fish for leisure.
During 10-hour trips, anglers spend 2 hours traveling and 8 hours on fishing. With such trips, anglers can go far offshore and explore more fishing spots. Anglers shouldn’t book trips of this type if they want to fish with families.
It’s important to note that 10-hour fishing trips are possible only if the weather is good. Bad weather can be a big problem for anglers, who choose to fish in offshore waters. So, you should always study weather forecasts before booking a 10-hour trip.
Trips are long and captains may decide to cancel them for safety reasons. If this happens, captains will either provide you with a refund or re-schedule your fishing trip.
12 hours
These types of trips give anglers even more time. Based on 9 charters surveyed, the cost of 12-hour fishing trips in Key West range between $1800 and $3100. The average cost of a 12-hour trip is $2005.
Traditionally, anglers book 12-hour trips if they want to experience offshore fishing. During 12-hour trips, anglers spend at least 2 hours traveling. The rest of the time is spent fishing. Fishing trips are long. So, anglers need to prepare plenty of meals and water for such trips.
Like 10-hour trips, 12-hour fishing trips depend a lot on weather conditions. Trips are long, so it takes fishermen more time to get back after a trip. Also, bad weather can cause damage to ships. That’s why such trips are often canceled for safety reasons.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Key West
These Key West-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Easy Does It Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Jolly Roger II Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fish Key West – The Coolcast | Key West, FL |
| Hooked Up Charters | Key West, FL |
| Reel Easy Charters | Key West, FL |
| Hillbilly Hookers Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fishizzle Sportfishing Charters 30′ | Key West, FL |
| Reel A Salt Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Corsair 2 Sportfishing Key West | Key West, FL |
| Southpaw Fishing Charters | Key West, FL |
| Fish Key West – The Coolwater II | Key West, FL |
| My Ohana Sport Fishing | Key West, FL |
Seasonal Trip Cost Breakdowns (Private Trips)
Spring
Spring is a good time of the year to go fishing in Key West. It’s a period of time between a peak tourist season and hurricane season. The weather is warm and sunny in Key West in spring. So, comfortable conditions for fishing are created in the region. A lot of tourists prefer to visit the destination during the spring months. That’s the reason why the prices on flights and fishing may go up in spring.
However, the number of tourists in Key West usually decreases in April. The period of time between April and May is the perfect choice for those anglers, who want to avoid crowds. The prices for fishing are reasonable during this time of the year.
Cooler weather makes it possible for anglers to enjoy longer fishing trips in Key West. So, anglers can avoid the summer heat and spend more time fishing.
Spring fishing in Key West is very productive. Fishermen can target such species as amberjack, barracuda, blue marlin, cobia, grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, permit, sailfish, snapper, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, blackfin tuna, tarpon, and others.
Summer
It’s the rainy season in the region in summer. The weather is usually hot and humid during the summer months. Summer also means the beginning of a hurricane season in Key West. That’s why fewer tourists choose to visit the destination in summer.
The demand for fishing is lower, so hotel rates, as well as prices on charters, go down. Fishing in Key West is cheaper during the summer months.
If the weather allows anglers can enjoy fishing in summer. Among fish species that anglers can catch during the summer months are blue marlin, bonefish, grouper, mahi-mahi, permit, sharks, snappers, swordfish, tarpon, and wahoo.
Fall
Fall fishing in Key West is excellent. Fall is a transition period. The weather is hot in fall and high water temperatures may negatively affect the activity of fish. Fish stay inactive during hot days. So, it would be better to go fishing early in the morning to avoid heat.
The demand for fishing is lower from September to October due to the hurricane season. A peak travel season in Key West begins in November. That’s why the demand for charters increases and fishing is becoming more productive.
It’s possible to catch a great variety of fish during the fall months. These include blue marlin, bonefish, grouper, jack crevalle, permit, sharks, snappers, swordfish, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, tuna, and others.
Winter
Winter is the busiest time of the year in Key West. It’s a high tourist season. The demand for fishing is high during the winter months. That means that fishing charters can be busy. Make sure that you’ll manage to book a charter during your Key West fishing trip. It would be great to book a fishing trip in advance.
Water is getting colder in Key West during the cold months. Days are warm and sunny, but nights are cooler. Nevertheless, many fish species are still active despite cooler weather during the winter months. Such species as barracuda, bluefish, cobia, groupers, jack crevalle, king mackerel, sailfish, snapper, spotted seatrout, sailfish, and pompano are active in winter.
Better Value if Fish with Group in Key West
You can save on fishing if you choose to fish with friends. Let’s say that a fishing charter costs $1000. However, you can split this amount with 2 or 3 friends. In this case, anglers pay on a per person basis and fishing is more affordable. The more friends – the cheaper fishing is.
The so-called group trips are a good option for people, who are interested in fishing for leisure. However, a solo trip is worth considering if you are a professional angler, who would like to land a trophy fish during your Key West fishing trips.
It’s important to note that fishing with friends is more productive. The more friends – the more fish anglers can catch. Therefore, fishing trips with a group of people provide better value. On top of that, fishing with friends gives better memories.
Key West Charters: Factors that Impact Charter Costs
Charter costs depend on many factors such as season, demand and supply, gas prices, weekdays or weekends, popular events that take place in the region and attract tourists, etc.
The costs depend a lot on the time of the year when anglers fish Key West. It’s worth noting that prices on fishing go up when the season is high. A lot of anglers choose to visit the region during the winter and spring months.
So, the peak fishing season in Key West is high between January and May. That means that fishing is more expensive during these months. On the other hand, the prices go down when the season is low. Fewer anglers visit the region in summer due to bad weather conditions and hurricane season. That’s why fishing is cheaper during the summer and fall months.
As the saying goes “supply creates its own demand”. The same can be said about charter costs. For example, the demand for fishing charters increases between late April and early May. It’s the time of the year when so many anglers prefer to target sailfish in the Key West area.
Gas prices have an impact on charter costs as well. Charters burn gas as fuel. So, fishing will be more expensive if global gas prices increase.
The demand for fishing is higher on weekends and lower on weekdays. So, you should aim to go fishing on weekdays if you would like to save some money on fishing.
Cost of Shared Fishing Charter
Different factors affect charter costs in Key West. The costs depend a lot on the length and type of a fishing trip.
There is a great way to save on fishing charters. The so-called shared fishing charter is much cheaper. In this case, costs are split among the group. As a result, each person has to pay a much lower rate.
Additional Costs with Charter Fishing
Anglers should plan a budget for a Key West fishing trip with additional costs in mind. In addition to booking a charter, anglers need to buy food, drinks, sunscreens as well as licenses. Some anglers also prefer to book fish cleaning services. And of course, anglers should take into consideration these additional costs. Fishermen should add about 15 – 25% of extra costs to their budgets.
Anglers have to buy a fishing license to fish in Key West. It’s possible to buy a license either online or from a fishing shop. The cost of a fishing license depends on its length. Anglers can purchase a fishing license for a day, week, or year.
Anglers shouldn’t worry about fishing equipment. Captains usually provide anglers with everything that’s required for a fishing trip.
Some charters provide anglers with food and drinks. The price of meals and beverages is included in charter costs. So, it would be better to clarify this question with captains in advance.
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