Key West Backwater Fishing 

4.7
(155 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Overseas Highway 5710, Stock Island, FL 33040, United States

Key West Backwater Fishing 

Stock Island, FL, United States
17 ft
2
4.7
(155 reviews)

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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.

Sean Okeefe
Captain
Sean Okeefe
38 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Select date to see availability

Trip availability and prices

Trip date:
Group Size:
September 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
3 hour fish and explore
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 9:00 AM
Barracuda (Great)
Bonefish
Cobia
Jack Crevalle
+5
US $400
Entire boat: 2 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:30 AM
US $550
Entire boat: 2 people
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)
US $550
Entire boat: 2 people
3/4 Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:30 AM
US $675
Entire boat: 2 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Oct 1 - Jun 15
US $800
Entire boat: 2 people
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.7
155 reviews
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (87)

What anglers say

90%
Great experience
81%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
92%
Recommended
72%
Caught fish

All reviews (155)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 15 of 155 reviews
Chris Fischer
Chris Fischer
Repeat angler
us
Illinois, US
Member since 2025
4 trips
5.0
Verified
Great Captain!
3 hour fish and explore on April 26, 20261 adult1 child

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’!

Reported catch:
Great Barracuda
Jack Crevalle
Sean Okeefe
Response from Captain

Thank you Chris for the nice review. I hope to do it again in the future!

David Benedick
David Benedick
us
Virginia, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Loved fishing the flats
3 hour fish and explore on April 2, 20262 adults

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.

Reported catch:
Great Barracuda
Mangrove Snapper
Richard Evans
Richard Evans
us
Beaumont, TX, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Beautiful Florida Keys!
Half Day Trip (AM) on March 25, 20262 adults

Fish among beautiful blue waters!

Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Cobia
Justin Bailey
Justin Bailey
Repeat angler
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
2 trips
4.3
Verified
New
Fishing with Sean
3/4 Day Trip on August 13, 20262 adults

Matthew Peace
Matthew Peace
Repeat angler
us
Kentucky, US
Member since 2021
11 trips
5.0
Verified
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Half Day Trip (AM) on December 30, 20242 adults

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.

Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Speckled Trout
Sean Okeefe
Response from Captain

Hey Matt thank you for your great review. Grateful we had a nice morning to fish. Enjoyed having you and Brian out. Have a great new year !

FAQs about Key West Backwater Fishing

Key West Backwater Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group - 3 hour fish and explore (3 hours)
  • US $550 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $675 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $800 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:
  • Inshore 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)
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Sean Okeefe
Sean Okeefe

Stock Island, Florida, United States

ID & license verified
155 Customer reviews
Typical response within 1 hour
Member since August 2016

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.

Sean Okeefe
Sean Okeefe
Fully verified
155
reviews
2016
member since
~1h
response
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

Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda
Bonefish
Bonefish
Cobia
Cobia
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Permit
Permit
Pompano
Pompano
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Tarpon
Tarpon
Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda
Bonefish
Bonefish
Cobia
Cobia
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Permit
Permit

Real catches by this captain

  • Great Captain!
    Chris F.
    Chris F.
  • Loved fishing the flats
    David B.
    David B.
  • Capt. Sean saved our trip
    Matthew P.
    Matthew P.
  • Great guy to fish with
    Travis E.
    Travis E.
  • April fishing trip
    Jim C.
    Jim C.

What is the boat 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

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
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.

More details

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 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

 Checks

 Bank transfer

What’s biting in Stock Island right now

Barracuda (Great)Barracuda (Great)
BonefishBonefish
CobiaCobia
Jack CrevalleJack Crevalle
PermitPermit
PompanoPompano
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
TarponTarpon

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Key West Backwater Fishing
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4.7
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US $550