Key West Backwater Fishing 

4.7/5 (151 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Overseas Highway 5710, Stock Island, FL 33040, United States

Key West Backwater Fishing 

 
State licensed
4.7/5 (151 reviews)
map-thumbnail
Overseas Highway 5710
Stock Island, FL, United States
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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.

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Rating

4.7
151 reviews
5
126
4
13
3
8
2
1
1
1
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (82)

Book This Charter !!!!
Book This Charter !!!!
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
+76

What anglers say

90%
Great experience
81%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
91%
Recommended
72%
Caught fish

All reviews (151)

Filter
Showing 15 of 151 reviews
Maurice Allen
Maurice Allen
5.0
Verified
Book This Charter !!!!
Half Day Trip (AM) on April 14, 20252 adults
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.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Response from Captain
April 14, 2025
Thank you mo for the nice review! Was a pleasure having you and rox out today. Caught a few fish and enjoyed our conversation. Stay safe. Maybe will do it again soon. Thank you
0
Brad Pendergrass
Brad Pendergrass
5.0
Verified
Knowledgeable
Half Day Trip (AM) on May 31, 20252 adults
Our guide was knowledgeable and personable. We definitely would recommend him to others.
Response from Captain
May 31, 2025
Hey Brad thank you for your review. It was not what I would have hoped for for this time of year but as I said the west wind doesn’t help. Hope you are having a good trip back up the road. Safe travels. Maybe we’ll go again sometime. Thanks again. Regards, sean
0
Paul Morash
Paul Morash
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Sean
Half Day Trip (AM) on June 22, 20251 adult
0
Kenneth Macklin
Kenneth Macklin
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Sean
Half Day Trip (AM) on May 24, 20252 adults
0
Matthew Peace
Matthew Peace
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.
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Review media 1
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Review media 5
Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Spotted Seatrout
Response from Captain
December 31, 2024
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 !
1

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
February 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
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
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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 are 3 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.7
151 reviews
5
126
4
13
3
8
2
1
1
1
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.8
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (82)

Book This Charter !!!!
Book This Charter !!!!
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
Capt. Sean saved our trip
+76

What anglers say

90%
Great experience
81%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
91%
Recommended
72%
Caught fish

All reviews (151)

Filter
Showing 15 of 151 reviews
Maurice Allen
Maurice Allen
5.0
Verified
Book This Charter !!!!
Half Day Trip (AM) on April 14, 20252 adults
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.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Response from Captain
April 14, 2025
Thank you mo for the nice review! Was a pleasure having you and rox out today. Caught a few fish and enjoyed our conversation. Stay safe. Maybe will do it again soon. Thank you
0
Brad Pendergrass
Brad Pendergrass
5.0
Verified
Knowledgeable
Half Day Trip (AM) on May 31, 20252 adults
Our guide was knowledgeable and personable. We definitely would recommend him to others.
Response from Captain
May 31, 2025
Hey Brad thank you for your review. It was not what I would have hoped for for this time of year but as I said the west wind doesn’t help. Hope you are having a good trip back up the road. Safe travels. Maybe we’ll go again sometime. Thanks again. Regards, sean
0
Paul Morash
Paul Morash
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Sean
Half Day Trip (AM) on June 22, 20251 adult
0
Kenneth Macklin
Kenneth Macklin
5.0
Verified
Fishing with Sean
Half Day Trip (AM) on May 24, 20252 adults
0
Matthew Peace
Matthew Peace
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.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Review media 4
Review media 5
Reported catch:
Jack Crevalle
Spotted Seatrout
Response from Captain
December 31, 2024
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 !
1

FAQs about Key West Backwater Fishing

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The fish you can target

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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
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