Key West
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $250
Charter operator
Conch Too Charters LLC / Joel Cruz
Key West, United States
Federal waters
100+ reviews
These waters are known for Groupers and Mahi Mahi, and your captain will show you how to catch them, whether you're trolling or bottom fishing. With years of experience, the captain has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the only way to learn is to join him out on the water!
Anthony S.
Captain
Joel C.
Business partner
Charter
Rating
4.8
128 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (152)
What anglers say
92%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
88%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish
All reviews (128)
Showing 1 – 5 of 128 reviews
Ashlie Phillips
Wyoming, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedWe will be back!
8 Hour Trip • 4 adultsWe had a great trip & wonderful, fun experience out on the water with Joel & DJ! Joel kept mixing it up for us, DJ worked hard to keep rigging and baiting the lines. Both have wonderful personalities and are both very much appreciated! We caught a decent variety and I was so happy to get a very nice sized and my first barracuda! We did 8 hours and could have continued to go all day and night w these guys if the fish were cooperating better! We will plan another booking but for winter! These two are amazing guys and if you are trying to narrow it down, choose Joel! Thank you both for everything and more memories, we will meet up again! From Us4
Annette BurdettMissouri, US•Member since 20265.0VerifiedGreat Experience
4 hour AM (shared) • 6 adultsWe fished following a cold spell that kept us from reef fishing as planned. Caught a couple of Bonitas while trolling out. Fishing was slow so I had mentioned earlier that maybe the younger men on the trip would like to catch a shark for fun. We trolled for barracuda to use for bait and caught them quickly. Barracuda were interesting to see close up. The younger men each caught a 5'+ reef shark and it made their trip. First time sea fishing for both the guys and they loved it. The captain knew his stuff and answered everyone's questions with ease. I highly recommend Conch Too charters.
Reported catch:
Response from Charter operatorThank you annette! We had a great time with your group and hope too see you guys agan!
Justin PerrittLouisiana, US•Member since 20255.0VerifiedGreat trip!
6 hour AM (shared) • 3 adults • 1 childWe had a great trip with Conch Too, Joel put in the work to make sure everyone had a good time and caught fish. Even though we knew that the Sailfish/Wahoo bite was slow he still put in all the effort to try and get us on one. After giving it his best effort, he decided to go back in towards the reef and go for Snapper/Mackerel. We managed to put a good mess of fish in the boat and had a great time. Joel was also great with my 6 yr old the entire trip, letting him ask all the questions and be involved every step of the way. I would definitely recommend him to anyone and wouldn't hesitate to go fishing with him again!
Reported catch:
Response from Charter operatorthanks for the review justin! I had a great time with you guys and your little one, happy to have helped him get his first offshore fish!
Michael FoleyMassachusetts, US•Member since 20255.0VerifiedGreat Day on the Water
6 Hour Trip • 4 adultsI booked a 6 hr morning charter with Joel for my family of 4. Prior to the trip Joel communicated with me to make sure any questions were answered. The day of the trip we were able to park right at the boat and we were off the dock right on time. Joel took the time to ask us what we wanted to target and provided some great advice. The boat was comfortable, very clean, and all the tackle was in excellent condition. We had a productive day and caught a variety of fish. We really enjoyed fishing with Joel, not only is he an excellent fisherman, but was friendly and engaging. My wife hauling in a good size barracuda was fantastic and we ended up with a bunch of nice size mutton, mackerel, and a small shark (which the boys thought was cool). Joel and Tony cleaned all the fish and let us know of a great local spot that prepared it. If you are looking for a great day on the water with a quality captain I would highly recommend Joel on The Conch Too. Looking forward to our next trip.
Reported catch:Response from Charter operatorthank you, Michael. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Livan DiazFlorida, US•Member since 20255.0Verifiedprofessional
6 hour AM (shared) • 2 adultsFrom the moment we arrived at the dock, the entire experience was outstanding. The crew was knowledgeable, courteous, and thorough in explaining every aspect of the trip. Joel demonstrated great professionalism and put us on the fish right from the start. The captain remained attentive throughout the day, ensuring everything ran smoothly and safely. This trip was far more than just a day of fishing — it was an educational and memorable experience. We located the bait, caught the bait, and successfully caught our fish, all with the guidance of an excellent crew. Thank you, Conch Too Charters, for an exceptional outing. I will certainly return and highly recommend your services to anyone visiting Key West for a quality fishing experience.
Reported catch:Response from Charter operatorLivian, thank you so much for coming with us! Glad to hear you had a great time. Hope to see you again!
Real catches shared by our community
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
- Key West Reef & Offshore FishingKey West, FL
What's biting with Key West Reef & Offshore Fishing in Key West
The weather cools and the crowds thin. This is the best time of year to score a Slam on the flats. The weather can be unpredictable with hurricanes, but the fishing makes it worth while.
Top catches for September
Fishing reports
Key West Fishing Report — Bottom Fishing
Jan 12, 2026 • Key West
Key West Fishing Report: Yesterday we headed out for a productive bottom fishing trip near the reef with live Ballyhoo and plenty of action on rod and reel!
?️ Weather & Sea Conditions
• Air Temperature: Typical Key West winter warmth in the low-70s °F range.
• Water Temperature: Around 70–75°F — perfect for snapper, grouper and reef species.
• Wind: Light to moderate winds from the Northeast around ~7–13 mph — great for reef and nearshore fishing.
• Fishing Forecast: Current activity is average, so matching tides and baits continues to be important for consistent bites.
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? Trip Summary
We started the day by stopping to pick up fresh live Ballyhoo to target bottom species — always a productive bait choice for Key West reef and bottom fishing.
Once baited up, we headed out to the reef and anchored for bottom fishing.
? Catches & Action
• Snapper: We immediately landed three legal snapper right off the anchor — great start!
• Groupers: A few groupers came up, but they were undersized so we released them for future conservation.
• Barracuda: Opportunistic barracuda were in the mix — these hard-fighting predators love Ballyhoo!
• Lane Snapper: We also added some tasty lane snapper to the tally.
This kind of mixed-species bottom and reef fishing is classic Key West in January — cooler water temps but active reef bites when tides and calm conditions align.
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? Tide & Bite Insights
• Tides in the area were transitioning throughout the day — fishing around moving water and tide changes helped keep the bites consistent.
• Solunar activity was average — combining this with live Ballyhoo and anchored reef drift techniques helped produce steady bites.
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? What This Means for Anglers
If you’re planning a Key West fishing charter for bottom fishing, reef fishing, snapper & grouper trips, now is a great time to head out. Live Ballyhoo continues to be a top bait choice, especially when paired with calm seas and manageable tides. Conditions like yesterday allow for comfortable fishing and steady action, whether you’re chasing snapper, barracuda, or other reef species.
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Late Afternoon Tuna Bite – January 7th
Jan 9, 2026 • Key West
Late Afternoon Tuna Bite – January 7th | Key West Fishing Report
We headed out late afternoon on January 7th with one goal in mind — tuna fishing in Key West. Winter is prime time for tuna, and they’re known to feed hard about 30 minutes before sunset, so we timed it perfectly.
As soon as we got lines in the water, it was instant action. We immediately hooked up on blackfin tuna, and the bite stayed hot. The tuna were jumping everywhere around the boat, exploding on baits and putting on an incredible show. By the end of the trip, we landed five solid tuna, making for an unforgettable evening on the water.
Key West Weather Conditions
The weather was classic winter fishing conditions in Key West — mild temperatures, light winds, and calm seas offshore. These stable conditions made for a comfortable ride and helped keep the tuna actively feeding right before sunset.
✅ Why This Matters
Late afternoon and sunset trips are some of the best fishing charters in Key West during winter, especially if you’re targeting fast-paced action and hard-fighting pelagics like tuna. When the timing is right, the bite can be nonstop.
If you’re looking for a Key West fishing charter that knows how to time the bite and put you on fish, sunset tuna trips are hard to beat.
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Key West Fishing Charter Report
Jan 6, 2026 • Key West
We headed out on a Key West fishing charter around 3:00 PM and started the afternoon fishing the Key West reef, which has been producing steady action lately. Right away, we caught a legal mutton snapper along with three red grouper, all within legal size limits. Since grouper season is closed in Key West, the red grouper were safely released in excellent condition.
While reef fishing, we found cero mackerel stacked up and feeding aggressively around the boat. As soon as we shut the engines down and dropped baits, they were instantly biting. We landed several cero mackerel before deciding to make a move offshore.
With sunset approaching, we ran offshore to target tuna fishing in Key West, which is especially productive this time of year about 30 minutes before sunset. Before trolling, we stopped at a wreck and dropped a jig — a tuna crushed it before the jig even reached the bottom, giving us our first tuna of the trip.
Once we started trolling offshore, the action fired up immediately. We hooked into a solid 20-pound tuna, and not long after that, all four rods went off at the same time. With just me, my wife, my mother, and our 15-month-old baby onboard, it was a wild and memorable moment. We successfully landed all four tuna, followed by two bonito to finish out the trip strong.
Conditions were ideal for an afternoon Key West fishing charter. Winds were light to moderate, seas were comfortable, and water temperatures were sitting in the mid-70s, which is perfect for tuna and reef species. The current was moving steadily, keeping bait active, and the late-day tide change lined up perfectly with the sunset tuna bite.
This trip highlights why reef fishing and offshore fishing in Key West can be extremely productive on afternoon and sunset charters. From reef species like mutton snapper and cero mackerel to fast-paced tuna fishing offshore, this is one of the best times of year to be on the water.
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? Ready to Book Your Key West Fishing Charter?
If you’re looking for an action-packed Key West fishing charter, a family-friendly fishing trip, or a sunset tuna charter, now is the perfect time to get on the water. Afternoon trips offer cooler temps, calmer seas, and some of the best bites of the day.
? Book your Key West fishing charter today and experience the reef-to-offshore action for yourself. Dates fill fast this time of year!
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Big mutton snapper on the reef- Key west
Dec 28, 2025 • Key West
? Key West Fishing Charter Report – Sand Key Lighthouse Reef
Yesterday was an excellent day reef fishing in Key West, Florida, with steady action and ideal winter conditions just offshore near Sand Key Lighthouse. We ran double half-day fishing charters, and the reef definitely delivered.
? Key West Reef Fishing Action
Fishing the reef, we landed:
2 cero mackerel
A big mutton snapper
A solid red grouper, caught just in time before the season closes
We started the trip catching live ballyhoo, then slow-trolled the reef, which is one of the most effective techniques for Key West reef fishing charters this time of year. The live bait made all the difference, and once the bite started, it stayed consistent throughout both half-day trips.
? Weather, Wind & Current Conditions
Conditions were nearly perfect for a Key West fishing charter:
Winds from the ENE to NE at about 6–10 mph
Light to moderate seas with a comfortable reef chop
Clean water and a steady southwest-moving current along the reef line near Sand Key
That moving current helped stack fish on the structure and kept them actively feeding, which is exactly what you want when targeting mutton snapper, grouper, and cero mackerel in Key West.
? Why This Time of Year Is Great for Fishing in Key West
Winter is one of the best seasons for reef fishing charters in Key West, especially around Sand Key and the outer reef. Cooler water temps, live bait availability, and consistent currents create prime conditions for quality reef species — and yesterday was a perfect example.
If you’re looking to book a Key West fishing charter, now is a great time to get on the reef and take advantage of these conditions. ?
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Live bait trolling the reef key west
Dec 26, 2025 • Key West
5 hour trip live baiting the Reef. There was beautiful weather today. Had a lot of snapper biting ended up with three legal ones to take home . The yellow tail we’re doing good too This picture doesn’t do them justice. Also took home 2 cero makera. This group was a group of four people who came off of the cruise ship. They were able to come bored and get back just in time to get back on the cruise ship.
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Key west fishing 6 hour PM december
Dec 18, 2025 • Key West
Had a last minute 6 hour pm trip 2pm-8pm we caught live bait and slow trolled the reef. We ended up with some mutton snapper , cero mackerel, and yellow tails.
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