Purple Heron Charters

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 can gladly recommend an appropriate trip to best suit your goals.

Purple Heron Charters runs angling trips out of Key West and offers to show you what the local fishery is all about.

Capt. John will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in fly fishing, drift fishing, popping, and spinning, all to get you on that bite. This involves 4 to 10-hour trips, mainly fishing for Barracuda, Tarpon, Snapper, Permit, Jack Crevalle, and Grouper, depending on the season and conditions of the day.

Your adventure begins on board a 17’ Flats and Bay boat 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 drinks 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.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Fishing Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 19 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $500
    Spinning gear or Fly gear, your choice. Best option for getting out on the water affordably and convenient for the schedule to still allow you the other half of a day to enjoy other parts of Key West. Recommended for general fishing and sightseeing. Not recommended for technical fisheries.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Jigging
    Popping
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
  • Private trip
    Half Day Fishing Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $500
    Spinning gear or Fly gear, your choice. Best option for getting out on the water affordably and convenient for the schedule to still allow you the other half of a day to enjoy other parts of Key West. Recommended for general fishing and sightseeing. Not recommended for technical fisheries.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Jigging
    Popping
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
  • Private trip
    Half Day Fly Fishing AM Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $500
    Fly fishing focus. Good for learning the basics of fly fishing or to try and catch whatever will be most cooperative. Not recommended for technical fisheries.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Fly Fishing
  • Private trip
    Half Day Fly Fishing PM Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $500
    Focused specifically on Fly Fishing
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Fly Fishing
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $650
    The extra time over a half day trip allows us to try some different techniques and areas. If we have a species focus it would allow us to cover more ground and try different parts of the tide as well. More time is always the most helpful factor.
  • Private trip
    Afternoon 3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $650
    The extra time over a half day trip allows us to try some different techniques and areas. If we have a species focus it would allow us to cover more ground and try different parts of the tide as well. More time is always the most helpful factor.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Jigging
    Popping
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Bonefish
    Bonefish
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Permit
    Permit
    Tarpon
    Tarpon
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Pompano
    Pompano
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
    Shark (Lemon)
    Lemon Shark
    Grunt
    Grunt
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $800
    The best option and always what I recommend if your schedule allows. Allows us to try a multitude of techniques and cover a lot of ground. The recommended option for technical fisheries(bonefish/permit/tarpon) and more dedicted fly fishing opportunities.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Backcountry Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Jigging
    Popping
    Spinning
    Drift Fishing
  • Private trip
    Extended Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,000
There are 11 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Purple Heron Charters

Purple Heron Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Fishing Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Fishing Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Fly Fishing AM Trip (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Fly Fishing PM Trip (4 hours)
  • US $650 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $650 per group - Afternoon 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $800 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - Extended Full Day Trip (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Purple Heron Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well If requested we can use live bait
  • Ice Box A 45qt. Rtic Cooler is onboard with ice and waters

Trips booked with Purple Heron Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (If you’d like to fish with live bait, it’s included .Tarpon we usually check pinfish traps on the ride out to have extra and freshest bait possible. In the Winter time and pilchards are around I may throw the cast net for them. )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (We only keep enough for a meal or two, but it I will be more than happy to filet and bag your catch for you to take to a local restaurant or prepare yourself. )
  • Drinks (I’ll have canned waters and ice onboard in a cooler. Please feel free to bring whatever else you’d like to eat or drink.)
  • Fishing License (All licenses needed are provided in the cost. )
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Purple Heron Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Purple Heron Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Purple Heron Charters include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bonefish
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Grunt
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Permit
  • Pompano
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Lemon)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

John Hoover
Key West, Florida, United States
3 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
106 Customer reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since November 2022
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Lifelong Floridian raised in central Florida started fishing full-time in the Lower Keys and Key West in 2007.
Our Team
John H.
Captain

About this listing

Targeted species

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bonefish Bonefish
Grouper (Goliath) Goliath Grouper
Grunt Grunt

Boat specs

Flats and Bay (Flats boat) originally built in 2000, and restored in 2022. Powered by a 90HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
17 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
If requested we can use live bait
Ice Box
A 45qt. Rtic Cooler is onboard with ice and waters

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
If you’d like to fish with live bait, it’s included .Tarpon we usually check pinfish traps on the ride out to have extra and freshest bait possible. In the Winter time and pilchards are around I may throw the cast net for them.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
We only keep enough for a meal or two, but it I will be more than happy to filet and bag your catch for you to take to a local restaurant or prepare yourself.
Drinks
I’ll have canned waters and ice onboard in a cooler. Please feel free to bring whatever else you’d like to eat or drink.
Fishing License
All licenses needed are provided in the cost.
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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
I would recommend at least 6 years old at the youngest.
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Key West Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 106 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (65)
Fish at every spot
Fish at every spot
Fish at every spot
+62
Angler rating
101
4
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
75%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 106 reviews
Andrew B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip!!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on October 16, 2023
Had a windy day, John had a game plan from the start. He had places to keep us out of the waves all day. Caught monster snapper,...
Andrew B. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied

Kristy O.
Big Rapids, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Fishing Trip (AM) on August 26, 2023
I had the pleasure of going fishing with Captain John, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. Captain John not...
Kristy O. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied

Jason J.
Howard City, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day With Captain John

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on July 31, 2023
What a GREAT experience. I booked the full day trip, and got more than I ever could have hoped for. Like other reviews say,...
Jason J. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied

Chris M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain knows his stuff!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on June 24, 2023
It was our first time fishing the flats and backcountry of Key West.  Captain John knew where to and explained why he was...
Chris M. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied

Freddie B.
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   3/4 Day Trip on June 7, 2023
Freddie B. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Freddie B. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful