Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters provides personalized fishing charters in the lower Florida Keys from Big Pine Key to Key West. These unspoiled waters hold a huge variety of fish, thanks to the numerous islands and reefs dotted around. Captain Jim Loftus has been fishing for his whole life and has the necessary experience for a memorable fishing trip.

You’ll be fishing aboard a popular and versatile 22’ Panga LX center console that offers a comfortable ride and excellent visibility for fishing for up to 2 guests. Powered by a 115 HP Evinrude engine and equipped with a radar, GPS, and fishfinder, the boat can reach the fishing spots quickly. She also features an icebox to keep your drinks cool throughout the trip.

Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of fishing grounds, from backcountry shallows and flats to reefs and wrecks nearshore. Whether you want to test your skills against Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon, or spend a few enjoyable hours fishing the reefs and wrecks for Groupers and Snappers, there’s a trip for you.

Captain Jim will provide all the bait, gear, and licenses needed for an enjoyable trip. You will mainly be fishing with live bait, although cut and artificial baits can also be used. Fly fishermen are very welcome to hone their skills aboard this boat, provided they bring their own gear.

There really is something for everyone aboard with Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters. So book a trip today and join Captain Jim on the water!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Backcountry
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $500
    Decide how you'd like to spend your morning: gently drift along the flats, being careful not to disturb the spooky fish beneath you, or head out to the reefs and wrecks for some nearshore fishing. You'll get to target a range of species from Yellow Snapper to Cobia, to Groupers, to the prestigious Tarpon.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Backcountry
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $750
    Drift along the lower Florida Keys from Big Pine Key to Key West, fishing the backcountry shallows, flats, and inshore waters. Target a range of excellent game fish such as Tarpon and Snook, as well as delicious table-fare, like Snappers and Trout.
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FAQs about Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters

Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Trip – Backcountry (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Full Day Trip – Backcountry (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Live and dead bait provided)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Fish cleaning is part of the trip and free of charge. The fish are filleted after the trip at the dock.)
  • Snacks (Can be arranged, please ask when booking your trip)
  • Drinks (Bottled water.)
  • Fishing License (Included in trip)
  • Lunch (Can be arranged, please ask when booking your trip)

Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing (Weather dependent )
  • Wreck Fishing (Weather dependent )
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters include:
  • Bonefish
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Permit
  • Shark (Bull)
  • Shark (Lemon)
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Jim Loftus
Ramrod Key, Florida, United States
28 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
50 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since January 2016
I've basically been fishing my entire life. I started out as a freshwater fisherman fishing rivers and lakes and then when I moved to Florida I began fishing the saltwater flats, reefs and wrecks. After a successful career in the business world I began exploring the idea of becoming a charter captain/guide and started the process of obtaining my US Coast Guard License to pursue my true passion for fishing. I've been a licensed captain for the past 10 years and I am a full time guide in the lower Florida Keys where I reside. In addition to my USCG License, I am a guide member of the Lower Keys Guides Association – a guide member of the Florida Coastal Conservation Association, and an accredited captain of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary & Blue Star operator. I am also fully insured to operate as a for hire charter/guide service. I also believe in giving back to our country service men and women so I do donate trips to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bonefish Bonefish
Cobia Cobia
Grouper (Black) Black Grouper
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper

Boat specs

Panga 22 LX (Panga) originally built in 2008. Powered by a 115HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
22 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Weather dependent
Wreck Fishing
Weather dependent
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Live and dead bait provided
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fish cleaning is part of the trip and free of charge. The fish are filleted after the trip at the dock.
Snacks
Can be arranged, please ask when booking your trip
Drinks
Bottled water.
Fishing License
Included in trip
Lunch
Can be arranged, please ask when booking your trip

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
It is recommended that you bring children over the age of five and try to keep the trip to a half day maximum for ages 5 to 12 years of old.
You Keep Catch
Client keeps their catch within state laws
Catch and Release Allowed
Some species are catch & release only by state law
Catch and Release Mandatory
Species such as Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit and Sharks

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% 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

Ramrod Key Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 50 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (48)
March fishing trip
March fishing trip
March fishing trip
+45
Angler rating
48
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
90%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 50 reviews
Brooks M.
Miami, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Capt. Jim

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Backcountry on July 17, 2023
I took my mother on a half day trip with Captain Jim. He was an excellent guide, as good as any I have been fishing with (and...
Brooks M. recommends Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
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  Jim Loftus Captain replied

Cody T.
Pensacola, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Back Country

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Backcountry on July 31, 2023
Jim is a great captain who really knows the area and has some amazing knowledge when it comes to fishing. He was very informative...
Cody T. recommends Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
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  Jim Loftus Captain replied

Michael W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip – Backcountry on March 8, 2024
Michael W. recommends Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
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  Jim Loftus Captain replied

Jessica R.
Columbus, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Backcountry on May 17, 2023
Captain Jim was fantastic! We had an absolutely amazing time. He was friendly and knowledgeable (and patient with a first-timer!)....
Jessica R. recommends Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Jim Loftus Captain replied

Jon A.
La Mirada, CA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day with Capt Jim

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip – Backcountry on April 19, 2023
On fish nearly all day, if we went more than a couple minutes without a bite it was usually because something had already taken...
Jon A. recommends Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters
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  Jim Loftus Captain replied