Key West Backwater Fishing
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With 33 years' experience guiding anglers in the lower Keys, Captain Sean O'Keefe of Key West Backwater Fishing will make sure your day on the water with him will be not only fun, but also a great learning experience. These trips are a great chance to fish for some of the most exciting backwater species, including the elusive Bonefish, brutish Tarpon, and hard-hitting Permit.
Fishing aboard a 17 ft Action Craft boat, Captain Sean has all the equipment and knowledge you need to have a rewarding fishing experience in some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. The vessel is an Action Craft flats boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury engine. She can take up to two people.
The boat is fitted with navigational electronics, has a live bait well, an ice box, and stores safety equipment. For fly fishing enthusiasts, you will find the gear onboard, but can bring along your favorite set.
Another great thing when fishing lower Florida Keys is that you could be fishing within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, sometimes even less. This, of course, depends on the tide, but works as a general rule. So, if you're a novice angler, even a half day trip will get you enough time to get nice fishing action.
You will find all the fishing gear onboard. Captain Sean mostly uses Penn and Lew's these days. He will provide the leads, flies, tackle - basically all you need to have a successful trip. The fishing license is included in the trip rates. You will need to bring your own food and drinks, as well as sun protection, a cap, polarized sunglasses, and a camera. Put on appropriate clothing, and come aboard to see for yourself how good fishing the flats can be.
With 33 years' experience guiding anglers in the lower Keys, Captain Sean O'Keefe of Key West Backwater Fishing will make sure your day on the water with him will be not only fun, but also a great learning experience. These trips are a great chance to fish for some of the most exciting backwater species, including the elusive Bonefish, brutish Tarpon, and hard-hitting Permit.
Fishing aboard a 17 ft Action Craft boat, Captain Sean has all the equipment and knowledge you need to have a rewarding fishing experience in some of the most beautiful waterways in the world. The vessel is an Action Craft flats boat powered by a 115 HP Mercury engine. She can take up to two people.
The boat is fitted with navigational electronics, has a live bait well, an ice box, and stores safety equipment. For fly fishing enthusiasts, you will find the gear onboard, but can bring along your favorite set.
Another great thing when fishing lower Florida Keys is that you could be fishing within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, sometimes even less. This, of course, depends on the tide, but works as a general rule. So, if you're a novice angler, even a half day trip will get you enough time to get nice fishing action.
You will find all the fishing gear onboard. Captain Sean mostly uses Penn and Lew's these days. He will provide the leads, flies, tackle - basically all you need to have a successful trip. The fishing license is included in the trip rates. You will need to bring your own food and drinks, as well as sun protection, a cap, polarized sunglasses, and a camera. Put on appropriate clothing, and come aboard to see for yourself how good fishing the flats can be.

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Captain Sean was great to hang out with. I was with my 11 year old son and he put him on the fish. Maxx caught a 42” barracuda and a few decent sized jacks. We didn’t get the trophy tarpon but that’s fishin’!
Sean was an awesome guide and my son and I had a great time. It was my first time fiahing the flats. It was just as much fun as offshore without the sea sickness, a closer round trip and better views.

Great morning fishing with Captain Sean we came down to Key West had two charters planned bad weather canceled both. Got a hold of Sean told him we had a few hours Monday morning. He took us out early. I don’t think I’ve ever caught that many fish in the first two hours we were out. Very knowledgeable nice guy. We had a great time. Definitely use him again.

The day we fished was a cold front that came in and a bit windy, didn't see many other boats out but we went. Sean did everything he could to get us on some fish. He listened to what species we wanted to target and I feel he did his best. Boat was clean, equipment was in good shape and he knows fishing. Overall caught 6 different species. Highly recommend Sean as a guide!
Captain Sean is fantastic. His knowledge of Backwater Fishing is unmatched. You can’t find a better guide. Thank you Captain for an incredible morning of the best fishing ever.

We fished for three consecutive days and the wind was blowing the whole time. The tarpon just weren’t in. Our guide worked his tail off to try to put us on fish but it was tough. We got into some bones on the second day and finally hooked a couple of tarpon in the third. All and all, a very enjoyable trip. Can’t control the weather. This is the second time I booked through fishbooker due to last minute plan changes, and both times the logistics of the trip were handled flawlessly. It was easy and everything went as planned. Wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. Thanks guys.
Sean was handsdown the best! From the moment we arrived to the dock sean treated my husband and I like we were family. He welcomed us with open arms and helped us every step along the way. Sean made our experience on the water so memorable that when we come back, we only want to fish with him! He took us to the most remarkable spots and made so worth while. We will definitely be back to fish with him.
Capt. Sean did a great job locating and staying with the fish. The Tarpon were a little finicky but eventually they turned on and the action started.

My April trip with Captain Sean Okeefe was a lifetime experience for me. I have had multiple trips fishing the back country but never experienced what I did with Sean. Sean is extremely knowledgable and shared information about the tides in the area, the winds we were experiencing and how to fight and land the fish when I did. The morning started out a little rough, there was wind and the water was pretty choppy, conditions weren't great but after moving in to a different channel we hooked a tarpon that I would have never imagined, she hit and skated across the water about 10 times, she was huge. I / we finally got her to the boat after fighting her for about 45-50 minutes. Sean estimated she was 6'-7' long and weighing between 125-140 lbs, she was a beast. The pics I have attached aren't as good as I would have liked but they tell the story. Needless to say I will be fishing again next year with Sean, I suggest you book a trip with him as well.
Sean was very personable and accommodating. Fish weren’t as nice as he.
