Key West Backwater Fishing

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.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $500
    This morning trip is a great opportunity for less experienced anglers to explore the productive fishing spots of backwater Florida Keys. You can fish for Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish, and a lot more. The captain will bring all the gear you need, as well as the license. Pack snacks and drinks, sun protection, and a cap, and join the chase.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Jan 1 - Mar 15 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $500
    If you'd rather set out in the afternoon hours, this package will see you fishing after lunch hours. You can fish for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and more. The captain will take on both less experienced anglers and veteran fishermen to explore Keys backwaters. You will find all the gear onboard, just pack food and drinks. Bring a camera, a cap, sunglasses, and a cap.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $625
    This six hour trip will give you more time to explore the backwaters of Florida Keys, and you can still make it back in time for other errands. Captain Sean has all the gear, so you're ready to start chasing Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon. Pack food and drinks, as well as a cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Jun 15
    Price for up to 2 persons
    US $750
    More experienced anglers, this trip is for you! You will have plenty of time to explore the backwaters of the Florida Keys. These fisheries are home to Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit. If you want wicked action, these fish will show you how it's done. Captain Sean will provide all the fishing gear, as well as the fishing license. You should pack food and drinks, as well as sunblock, a cap, and sunglasses. Once you're ready, hop on board and go get 'Grey Ghost', the royal Tarpon, or hard-hitting Permit.
There are 36 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 147 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (80)
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
+77
Angler rating
122
13
8
1
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
90%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
81%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
73%
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Showing:
5 of 147 reviews
Matthew P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Capt. Sean saved our trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on December 30, 2024
Great morning fishing with Captain Sean we came down to Key West had two charters planned bad weather canceled both. Got a...
Matthew P. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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  Sean Okeefe Captain replied

Travis E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great guy to fish with

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on December 21, 2024
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...
Travis E. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Travis E. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Kevin R.
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Tough Trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on May 4, 2024
We fished for three consecutive days and the wind was blowing the whole time. The tarpon just weren’t in. Our guide worked...
Kevin R. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Kevin R. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Jeff M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First time fishing in the keys

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 22, 2024
Sean was very personable and accommodating. Fish weren’t as nice as he.
Jeff M. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Jeff M. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Chris R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Sean

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 19, 2024
Chris R. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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Chris R. recommends Key West Backwater Fishing
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FAQs about Key West Backwater Fishing

Key West Backwater Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $625 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Key West Backwater Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Key West Backwater Fishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Key West Backwater Fishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Key West Backwater Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Key West Backwater Fishing include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bonefish
  • Cobia
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Permit
  • Pompano
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Sean Okeefe
Stock Island, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
147 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since August 2016
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.
Captain Sean Okeefe has over 31years' experience guiding anglers across the flats and backcountry of the lower Florida Keys. He has taught countless men, women, and children the techniques and skills necessary to become a successful angler in the Keys.

The fish you can target

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bonefish Bonefish
Cobia Cobia
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
17 ft
Year built
1998
Restored in
2017
Boat manufacturer
Action Craft
Boat type
Flats boat

Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 115HP
Max cruising speed
50 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

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.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and Release Mandatory
Some exceptions permitted. Must request in advance

How you can pay

Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% 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
Checks

What’s biting in Stock Island right now

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