Purple Heron Charters

4.9/5 (184 reviews)

1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040, United States–

Purple Heron Charters

4.9/5 (184)

•

Angler's Choice

Meet the Captain

1801 North Roosevelt Boulevard

Key West, FL, United States

Trips & prices Targeted species Boat info What's biting What's included Contact captain

Trips & prices What's included Targeted species Boat info Reviews Contact captain

18 years experience fishing the Lower Keys and Key West. If you have any questions about what to target, length of trip recommendations for a specific species/style of fishing, or just in general, please message me first. I will be gladly be able to recommend an appropriate trip to best suit your goals. With 18 years of fishing experience in the Lower Keys and Key West I can help point you in the right direction. My number one priority is a safe and enjoyable day on the water for you when you visit. I strive to do the best I can to provide that opportunity for you.

Purple Heron Charters runs fishing trips year-round and full time out of Key West and offers to show you what the local fishery and ecosystem is all about.

Capt. John will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in spin fishing, fly fishing, and sight fishing. All to get you on that bite. This involves 4 to 10-hour trips, mainly fishing for Bonefish, Seatrout, Sharks, Pompano, Barracuda, Tarpon, Snapper, Permit, Jacks, and Goliath Grouper, depending on the season and conditions of the day.

Your adventure begins on board a 18ft Dolphin skiff powered by a Mercury 115 Pro XS that can fit a maximum of 2 anglers. The boat is fitted with an ice box.

All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are included in the price so you can focus on what really matters, fishing. The captain will supply all the needed fishing licenses for your trip. You can keep anything you catch, as long as it's legal to do so.

The boat will be supplied with drinking waters in recyclable aluminum cans for your pleasure, be sure to let the captain know if you have any questions or want to bring your own.

Up for a family trip? This is a children-friendly business, so bring your loved ones to share these memories with.

Book your trip now and hit the water with Purple Heron Charters.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5

out of 5 stars from 184 reviews

See details

Boat

4.9/5

Crew

5.0/5

Experience

4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (109)

+106

Anglers claimed

Good experience

99%

Appropriate for children

78%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

92%

Showing 1 - 5 of 184 reviews

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Showing: 5 of 184 reviews

Dana Hoblitzell

5.0

Verified

Addicted To Bonefish Now

3/4 Day Trip on July 2, 2025 • 1 adult

Went out with John for a 3/4 day trip targeting Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish. Weather was beautiful but not the best conditions for sight-fighting and targeting these species. Regardless of the conditions, John was able to get me on the Tarpon and Bonefish; he has an incredible acumen for reading the tides, and finding the best areas for fishing success. In addition, John was a great instructor as well, constantly giving tips and instruction on when/where to cast to get the best chance at a strike. Even when the fishing slowed down the wildlife was filling in the blanks, saw plenty of sharks, dolphins, rays, and Tarpon spitting hooks back at me. Highly recommend John, and will seek him out again in the future for fishing in Key West again.

Reported Catch:

Response from Captain

July 14, 2025

Dana thank you so much for fishing with me and for the positive review. I had a great time fishing with you and glad we were able to get on the bonefish and tarpon so well. Can’t wait to fish with you again next time 👍🏻

Michael Hartmann

5.0

Verified

First tarpon and bonefish!

Full Day Trip on May 18, 2025 • 1 adult

Had a great trip on Sunday, May 18th. My goal was to catch a tarpon and a bonefish, and thanks to John, I accomplished both. Also, I caught the tarpon on a fly! John did a great job of putting me in position for success. He is not only a wealth of flats fishing knowledge, but educated me on the incredible ecosystem of the Keys. John is also very conservation oriented, which I highly respect. I recommend John and will definitely be fishing with him on our next Key West trip!

Reported Catch:

Response from Captain

June 18, 2025

Michael thank you so much again for fishing with me, and for leaving such a positive review. Had a great time spending the day with ya and look forward to doing it again in the future 👍🏻

Danny Lebert

5.0

Verified

Incredible day on the water

3/4 Day Trip on March 3, 2025 • 2 adults

We've done six or so charters out of key west over the past few years. This was far and away the best experience yet. The fishing was spectacular, which obviously helps. But, John was working hard from the moment the trip started to the very final minute. He was easy to chat with, gave us loads of information, took us from spot to spot targeting different species, and even took photos throughout the day which he later shared with us. If you are on the fence about fishing with John or doing a slightly cheaper reef/wreck charter with a different guy, choose John every day of the week.

Reported Catch:

Response from Captain

April 4, 2025

Danny thank you again so much for fishing with me. I’m glad we could experience such a truly amazing afternoon on the water and really check off every box it seems. Thank you as well very much for the glowing review. I really appreciate it. Hope to see you again next time you come down. Thank you.

Landon Vaughan

5.0

Verified

Caught 25lb Barracuda and hooked a shark all within a 2 hour trip

Quick Rod Bender on August 25, 2025 • 2 adults

Can’t say enough positive things about captain John. We caught a dozen snapper and were able to reel in a 25lb barracuda all within 2 hours. We even hooked a shark in that time but it got away because we aren’t expert fisherman. Captain John was able to give good instruction that helped us reel in the barracuda. He is very knowledgeable and friendly and it made the experience great for me and my wife. Highly recommend.

Response from Captain

August 29, 2025

Landon thank you so much for the positive reciew and kind words. I really appreciate it. I had a great time fishing with y’all and grateful it all worked out quickly for us. Looking forward to fishing with you again when you come back. Thank you.

Blake Webb

5.0

Verified

New

Great time on the water

Half Day Morning Fishing Trip on October 31, 2025 • 2 adults

John is extremely knowledgable is the fishing in this area. my wife and i learned so much from him and had an amazing time on his boat.

Trip availability and prices

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November 2025

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2 adults • 0 children

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