Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest

If you want to experience the true magnificence of Key West’s incredible fishing grounds, come aboard Blind Squirrel Charters and get ready for an unforgettable angling adventure! Captain Mike Weinhofer has used his years of fishing knowledge to develop a special technique that means each guest gets a fully “hands-on” experience. As well as this, he also offers a huge range of trips that target some seriously desirable fisheries.

Capt. Mike is a lifelong angler who always knew that he’d grow up to become a Key West fisherman – in fact, at the age of 7, he told his dad it was his biggest dream! Over 38 years ago, he made this dream come true, and began chartering his own boat. This turned into a successful business, and he now runs year-round angling trips. Whether you’re looking for a quick morning adventure, or want to spend days at sea, there’s something for you!

Capt. Mike’s 63’ custom built boat, “The Blind Squirrel,” is a vessel to be proud of. She was purpose-built to tackle a variety of waters, and to provide a smooth and safe journey for up to 41 guests, with room to fish all around the deck. She’s fully air-conditioned with 12 bunks, and has a large salon for shade and relaxation. You’ll also find top-notch navigational and safety gear on board. Your captain says it best: “She is set up to fish, and does it well!”

“The Blind Squirrel” is the only boat in Key West that’s licensed to head offshore with 6+ guests. If you’ve always wanted to battle world-famous big game fish alongside your family and friends, she’s the one for you! You’ll have the chance to hook Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin, and more, as well as deep dropping around reefs for Grouper and Snapper. Your captain will have you hooking your own fish, casting your own bait, and learning to tie knots.

Your trip includes top-notch rods and reels, and a fishing license. Grab your favorite snacks and a cooler for all the fish you catch – with Blind Squirrel Charters’ huge success rates, you’ll need it!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Join your captain for this 4-hour morning adventure cruising the waters of Key West. When it comes to the fishing on offer, it's up to you! Whether you want to head offshore and bottom fish, or fish waters closer to shore, just let him know where you want to go and what you want to target. Depending on the season and waters, you'll have the chance to hook Amberjack, Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Wahoo, and plenty of other saltwater favorites. Your trip includes rods, reels, and a fishing license.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $1,600
    Your captain says it best: "It's your day, so pick the type of fishing you want to do!" Whether you want to head offshore to bottom fish for a variety of Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack, battle hard-fighters like Mahi Mahi and Blue Marlin, or stay closer to land and hook Barracuda, Cobia, and King Mackerel, just let him know. You'll be provided with top-notch rods and reels, bait, tackle, and a valid fishing license. Anglers of all ages and abilities are welcome on this afternoon trip.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,950
    Whether you want to go trolling, or wreck fishing, or hit the local reefs, this morning trip is flexible and allows you the chance to pick exactly where you want to go and what you want to target! Joining your captain for 6 hours means that you have time to mix it up and do a little bit of everything – you can target the reef for Snapper and Grouper, then head out offshore for some seriously big game species, including Blue Marlin and Mahi Mahi. Your trip includes rods, reels, and a valid fishing license.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 19 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $1,950
    Not sure whether you want to go trolling, bottom fish around the wrecks and reefs, or head further offshore to battle huge big game species? Join your captain on this 6 hour trip and do a little bit of everything! Depending on where you go, you can expect to target a variety of Snapper and Grouper, Amberjack, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and even the mighty Blue Marlin. Your captain will provide you with rods, reels, bait, tackle, and a valid fishing license. Anglers of all ages and abilities are welcome!
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $2,500
    The awesome thing about this 8-hour trip is you have plenty of time to explore different fishing grounds! You can go offshore hunting for Marlin and Mahi Mahi, and also have time to fish the wrecks or deep drop. You can even bottom fish in the morning, and then go offshore for a big game battle in the afternoon. Your captain provides a full galley to heat to up lunch for you, and you can even have your day catered or have a chef onboard. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, and a fishing license are included.
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FAQs about Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest

Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 8 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 8 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,950 per group, additional US $125 per person after 8 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,950 per group, additional US $125 per person after 8 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $2,500 per group, additional US $150 per person after 8 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet three
  • Air Conditioning
  • Fighting Chair 4 of them
  • GPS Garmin
  • Fishfinder Garmin 2
  • Bed 13
  • Flybridge Enclosed and air conditioned
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna Tubes
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (Atlantic and Dry Tortugas)
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift Fishing
  • Kite Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Tuna (Blackfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Mike Weinhofer
Stock Island, Florida, United States
93 Customer reviews
Response time 3 hours
Member since November 2018
Capt. Mike comes from a family of anglers – he started fishing the waters around New Jersey at the age of 5, on board his dad's charter boat. They competed in tournaments together, and shared a true passion for angling. At the age of 7, he caught his very own Sailfish out of Islamorada, and told his dad that someday he would fish the Florida Keys for a living. How right he was! Over 28 years ago, Capt. Mike moved to Key West and started chartering his own light tackle boat. Soon after, he purchased a 52' custom-built vessel and began running offshore adventures. He decided that he preferred having a more personal relationship with his customers than this offered, so he returned to light tackle and sight fishing, his true love. He's developed his own style of angling that offers guests a truly hands-on experience – they hook their own fish, cast their own baits, and learn to tie knots on their own. The look on a customer's face when they reel in a fish is the best part!

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Boat specs

Custom Built (Sportfishing) originally built in 2004, and restored in 2018. Powered by 2 980HP Mtu engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 23.7 knots.

Length
63 ft
Capacity
41 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Atlantic and Dry Tortugas
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Kite Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
three
Air Conditioning
Fighting Chair
4 of them
GPS
Garmin
Fishfinder
Garmin 2
Bed
13

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Disabled Accessible

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 93 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (90)
Awesome fishing \ud83c\udfa3
Awesome fishing \ud83c\udfa3
Awesome fishing \ud83c\udfa3
+87
Angler rating
75
7
4
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
85%
Friendly captain
90%
Recommend this charter
86%
Appropriate for children
90%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
77%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 93 reviews
Lisa C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in June

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 9, 2023
Lisa C. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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Lisa C. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Connor S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Mike

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on April 29, 2023
Connor S. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Connor S. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Billy C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First Fishing Charter

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on November 23, 2023
Blind Squirrel Charters was the only option for our family of eight for a private trip. We did the 4 hour evening trip and...
Billy C. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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  Mike Weinhofer Captain replied

Collin G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

February fishing trip

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip (AM) on February 24, 2024
Capt Mike and his mate Bailey were awesome. They delivered an amazing experience, showed us a great time and put us on some...
Collin G. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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  Mike Weinhofer Captain replied

Jennifer G.
Franklin, Massachusetts
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day fishing fun

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on April 24, 2023
Boat is amazing and equipped with all fishing gear you could ever need. Captain for the day Phil knows his stuff!! Deck hands...
Jennifer G. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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Jennifer G. recommends Blind Squirrel Charters Key Wests largest
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