Running fishing trips around the Key West is what the crew of the Fish Key West do best. They are not only experienced and have fast, flexible boats, but are professional and know how to cater to your needs. Whether you’ve just picked up fishing, want to try something fun on your vacation, or a pro, they have you covered.

So, what kind of fishing will you find here? Depends on what you want to target and when. You can stay inshore and fish for Tarpon, Permit, some Cobia as well. You could do bottom fishing for Snapper and Grouper when in season. Trolling nearshore or offshore for Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel is also great. If you head far out, 20 miles and more, you’ll be able to target Mahi, Sailfish, Amberjack, Wahoo, and more.

If you’re here with your family, you can also combine fishing with snorkeling. It’s a popular pastime here, as you can explore the rich marine life up-close.

You will get the fishing rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice on all the charters. The trips run year round and the crew also provide fishing licenses. Minors are welcome to join the action and there are life jackets for them onboard.

‘Coolwater’ is a 33’ Sea Vee center console, with some custom add-ons. The boat can take up to six people. She is powered by a Yamaha 250 HP twin engine and will give you a fast, smooth and dry ride. There is plenty of room for seating, and enough storage to keep the catch. Boasting a T-top, the boat give you not only enough shade but also comfortable seating space. The vessel has top-quality electronics, including chart plotter, bottom machine, fish finding gear made by Garmin and Furuno, as well as VHF radios, a cell phone, and a CD player. There is also a private bathroom onboard.

You should bring a camera, sunblock, shades, a cap, and light clothes. Prepare your favorite food and drinks, and come along.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Split Charter - Join A Group (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $500
    Start your morning fishing and meeting some new people. The pricing works like this: one angler or a pair of anglers together pay 450 USD. Then, they're paired with another angler or another pair that also pays 450 USD. The maximum number of people on the boat is six. The captain will furnish the gear, tackle, ice, and bait. You'll want to bring a camera, food and drinks, non-marking shoes, sunblock, a cap, and sunglasses. If your group has more than 2 people, feel free to book the private half day trip.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,000
    Mornings are a perfect time of the day to fish around the Key West. Many species are biting, and depending on the season you could target anything from Permit to Kingfish. It’s a perfect trip for starters so that you can see how fishing works. It’s a great way to add that little something to your vacation. The captain will get you the gear, tackle, bait, ice, and license, and will clean your catch. Pack a camera, food, drinks, sunblock, and a cap.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $1,000
    If you like a late start, you’re going to love fishing afternoons aboard ‘Coolwater’. The action is hot and great for novice anglers. Find your spot and go target Tarpon, Permit, Snapper, Grouper, or some Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel. The crew will supply all the gear and will bring the license, ice, tackle, and will clean your catch so that you can have a nice dinner. Make sure to bring a camera, sunblock, a cap, light clothes, and non-marking shoes, alongside food and drinks.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,300
    This ¾ day trip will see you fishing around the Key West’s waters. You can stay inshore and target Tarpon and Permit, go bottom fishing Snapper and Grouper, or head out to target Mahi, Kingfish, or even Sailfish. All the gear is waiting for you onboard, alongside bait, ice, and licenses. You should bring a camera, a cap, sunblock, sunglasses, food and drinks, and non-marking shoes.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,600
    Full day trips aboard ‘Coolwater’ lets you explore the fisheries and target numerous species. From Permit to Mahi, you name it. The crew will take you where the fish are, depending on the season, and what you want to catch. You will get all the fishing gear, bait, tackle, ice, and licenses onboard. Pack your food and drinks, put on sunblock, and come along! Make sure to bring a camera. It’s a perfect trip for more experienced anglers.
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FAQs about Fish Key West – The Coolwater

Fish Key West – The Coolwater offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group, additional US $500 per person after 2 guests - Split Charter - Join A Group (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,300 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Fish Key West – The Coolwater, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box
  • Radio

Trips booked with Fish Key West – The Coolwater include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Fish Key West – The Coolwater offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing

Fish Key West – The Coolwater offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Handline
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Fish Key West – The Coolwater include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tarpon
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Damon Santelli
Key West, Florida, United States
45 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
934 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2014
Capt. Damon Santelli runs fishing trips out of the rich Florida Keys. Damon spent a decade working as a commercial fisherman in the Key West. During that time, he learnt a great deal about fishing, using rod and reel to make a living. Having earned a lot of experience and skills, Capt. Damon went on to become a captain of his own charter. He now has a fleet of boats and along with his team takes out numerous customers each year. The decision to leave behind his office career and become a captain proved to be the right one. Capt. Damon is patient and likes taking both novice anglers and seasoned fishermen out on the water. Damon has landed many commercial fishing records, such as 1232 lbs of Yellowtail Snapper. You don't want to miss a trip with him. It's going to be pure action!

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish) King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Boat specs

Sea Vee (Center console) originally built in 2014. Powered by 2 300HP Yamaha engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 45 knots.

Length
33 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Handline
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box
Radio

Trip includes

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

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
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
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
Visa
Mastercard
American Express

Key West Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 106 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (85)
The captain was very friendly and knowledgeable. Took great care of us!
Fun day!
Capt Nick
+82
Angler rating
85
15
5
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
91%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
79%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish
83%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 106 reviews
Joshua E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in September

VERIFIED   Split Charter - Join A Group (AM) on September 9, 2023
Joshua E. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Joshua E. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Albert B.
Dunwoody, GA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Noah

VERIFIED   Split Charter - Join A Group (AM) on June 20, 2023
Captain Noah was professional, knowledgeable, patient, and made everything possible to optimize our four hour trip. He provided...
Albert B. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Albert B. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Lisa W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
I would recommend this fishing charter.
Lisa W. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Lisa W. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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STeve V.
College Station, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Capt Nick

VERIFIED   Split Charter - Join A Group (AM) on April 13, 2023
Nick did a great job, catch probably 25 Mahi kept 16 looking forward to dinner..
STeve V. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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STeve V. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Vince W.
Warsaw, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with captain Noah

VERIFIED   Split Charter - Join A Group (AM) on May 4, 2023
Worked hard and got us on the fish
Vince W. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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Vince W. recommends Fish Key West – The Coolwater
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You found this review helpful