Purple Heron Charters
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
Photos & videos by reviewers (112)
+109Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
78%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
92%
Nov 27, 2025
Afternoon Half Day Trip
Shark Attack!!
Our backcountry fishing trip in Key West was absolutely unforgettable. We were on the fish nonstop—catching them until our arms were genuinely tired. The highlight of the day was watching my daughter battle and land a huge blacktip shark, and the captain was incredibly patient and encouraging the whole time. On top of the great fishing, we also got an awesome history lesson about the area that made the trip even more memorable. Beautiful scenery, nonstop action, and a captain who truly knows his stuff. Highly recommend!
Our backcountry fishing trip in Key West was absolutely unforgettable. We were on the fish nonstop—catching them until our arms...
Jul 2, 2025
3/4 Day Trip
Addicted To Bonefish Now
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.
Went out with John for a 3/4 day trip targeting Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish. Weather was beautiful but not the best conditions...
Captain replied
Nov 21, 2025
Afternoon Half Day Trip
Endless Knowledge and Appreciation of the Ecosystem!
It was a great trip, worth spending the money so it was just the Captain, my husband and myself. No fighting for poles, or over crowding. John has endless knowledge of the island and absolutely cares genuinely about the ecosystem. He also has endless knowledge about fishing of course! 10/10!!
It was a great trip, worth spending the money so it was just the Captain, my husband and myself. No fighting for poles, or over...
Mar 3, 2025
3/4 Day Trip
Incredible day on the water
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.
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...
Captain replied
Aug 25, 2025
Quick Rod Bender
Caught 25lb Barracuda and hooked a shark all within a 2 hour trip
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.
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...
Captain repliedTrip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (112)
+109Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
78%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
92%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Shark Attack!!
Afternoon Half Day Trip on November 27, 2025
Our backcountry fishing trip in Key West was absolutely unforgettable. We were on the fish nonstop—catching them until our arms were genuinely tired. The highlight of the day was watching my daughter battle and land a huge blacktip shark, and the captain was incredibly patient and encouraging the whole time. On top of the great fishing, we also got an awesome history lesson about the area that made the trip even more memorable. Beautiful scenery, nonstop action, and a captain who truly knows his stuff. Highly recommend!
Our backcountry fishing trip in Key West was absolutely unforgettable. We were on the fish nonstop—catching them until our arms were genuinely tired. The highlight of the day was watching my daughter battle and land a huge blacktip shark, and the captain was incredibly patient and encouraging the whole time. On top of the great fishing, we also got an awesome history lesson about the area that made the trip even more memorable. Beautiful scenery, nonstop action, and a captain who truly knows...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Addicted To Bonefish Now
3/4 Day Trip on July 2, 2025
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.
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....
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Endless Knowledge and Appreciation of the Ecosystem!
Afternoon Half Day Trip on November 21, 2025
It was a great trip, worth spending the money so it was just the Captain, my husband and myself. No fighting for poles, or over crowding. John has endless knowledge of the island and absolutely cares genuinely about the ecosystem. He also has endless knowledge about fishing of course! 10/10!!
It was a great trip, worth spending the money so it was just the Captain, my husband and myself. No fighting for poles, or over crowding. John has endless knowledge of the island and absolutely cares genuinely about the ecosystem. He also has endless knowledge about fishing of course! 10/10!!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Incredible day on the water
3/4 Day Trip on March 3, 2025
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.
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...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Caught 25lb Barracuda and hooked a shark all within a 2 hour trip
Quick Rod Bender on August 25, 2025
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.
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.
FAQs about Purple Heron Charters
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