Big Pine Key
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $700
Captain
Zach Stells
Big Pine Key, United States
2 reviews
Fishing charters in the Lower Florida Keys.
My name is Capt. Zach Stells. I'm the owner and operator of Boneafide Fishing Charters in the Lower Florida Keys. I have had ad a passion for light tackle and offshore fishing since a young age. I got on the water at a very young and just loved every aspect of angling. Spin, fly, conventional. I just love to put my friends and my family on fish and the passion grew to where I could actually do this for a living which is the greatest job in the world.
I'd love to get you out on the water. We offer a variety of charters for every lifestyle and budget.
We have 2 boats available. 29ft. SeaVee, 17 Maverick.
Charter
Rating
5.0
2 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience
All reviews (2)
Showing 1 – 2 of 2 reviews
Darren GoffRepeat angler5.0VerifiedExcellent fly fishing instructor
Flyfishing Lessons/Charter • 1 adultIt was windy and I really want to learn better to fly Fish. He was an awesome patient teacher. First we finished for tarpon, which I hadn’t expected to just thought we’re gonna go bonefish. And the tarpon we’re awesome. It was a windy day and he worked hard to find the bonefish, as usual, they can be tricky to find. Zack definitely helped me hold my skills to become a better at casting and placed the where I needed it to go . I always go fishing with Guides when I’m out of town and he’s been one of the best ones I’ve ever worked with. Thanks, Zack.
Response from CaptainThanks for fishing with me and I look forward to the next time!
Rob MaroneyRepeat anglerThe captain canceled
Trip was supposed to happen on May 14, 2026The charter operator canceled 44 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.
What's biting with Boneafide Charters – 18' Chittum Skiff in Big Pine Key
As the heat drops, Snook rise in number, here to stay until February. The offshore waters remain productive and you can get some Kings, Tuna, Wahoo, and Swordfish. Head to the reefs for some Grouper and Snapper.
Top catches for October
Fishing reports
FANTASTIC flats fishing
Aug 1, 2024 • Big Pine Key
Summer flats fishjng has been on fire! Tarpon are plentiful, bonefishing has been great and we have been catching some big permit as well!
Book soon to get in on the summers finest fishjng in the backcountry!!!
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WHAT’S BITING. FL. KEYS
Jun 18, 2019 • Big Pine Key
Summertime fishing in the Florida Keys.
This time of year is business as usual.
Mahi offshore, muttons, grouper, yellowtail on the wrecks and reefs, tarpon, permit, Cuda on the flats and backcountry.
There are so many options for fishing this time of year here in the Florida Keys.
Trolling offshore for mahi/dolphin has proven successful this month with scattered weedline and frigates showing the way. Depth has varied from 600 to 1200 depending on the color line and current.
Reef fishing has been active with a variety of fish. Yellowjack, yellowtail, snapper and grouper.
Live bait with chum. free lining and bottom fishing.
Tarpon fishing is the main attraction this month. Whether you’re flyfishing or spin fishing, you’re just about guaranteed to hook up on multiple tarpon.
Thick on the shorelines and white sand highways.
Artificial and live bait are both providing spectacular hook ups on the tarpon.
Looking ahead, the next couple months should be holding this pattern until the end of July.
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Spring Fishing Report FL Keys
Feb 28, 2019 • Big Pine Key
Get ready for epic Fishing
It’s almost spring and that should make every one of you tingle with excitement.
Here in the Florida Keys, that means daisy chaining tarpon, mutton’s, mangroves, lanes on the reef, grouper season opening May 1st, sailfish hook ups daily and the long awaited return of our favorite fish the mahi, dorado, dolphin or whatever you call dinner.
This past month we stayed busy inshore placing second in the Lower Keys Cuda Bowl (women’s division) landed a nice amount of cobia south of Key West using live bait, the migratory tarpon are laid up in the backcountry and are eating in the shallow water mangroves. The permit are moving out to deeper water to spawn and the sharks and barracudas are more than plentiful and fun to catch.
If you are planning a fishing trip to the Keys, plan on April through July for any kind of epic fishing trip. Offshore, inshore, backcountry or flats. You can be sure to catch your target species and have a blast doing it. It’s prime time for great weather, fun times and great fishing.
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Key West Tarpon Fishing
Feb 5, 2019 • Big Pine Key
UPDATE! TARPON! UPDATE! TARPON!
The huge tarpon have arrived here in the lower keys!
We are seeing and 100+ lb. tarpon in all areas of the Lower Keys.
These are the true migratory trophy fish that people from across the world target year after year.
Whether you are a beginner on spin or an expert on fly,
Don’t miss out on the most thrilling, adrenaline pumping fishing in the Florida Keys.
We are fishing artificials and a variety of colors. Most fish are laid up and getting ready for their annual show in the next couple of months.
So, why choose us when looking for a guide here in the Florida Keys?
Captain Jason Gabriel has over 20 years experience fishing and guiding here in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and the entire east coast. He is well seasoned and he also has an off kilter sense of humor that will keep you well entertained.
We offer a great experience and our reputation says it all.
Our high quality Hell’s Bay flats boat is the mode of transportation. A well built quality boat is just the start of why you should fish with us. It makes a huge difference in your success of catching fish. Quiet, dry and fast. This boat gets you within casting distance and allows you to make that perfect presentation to your fish.
12 o’clock. Cast 20 ft. That’s what we’re talking about.
The second great detail that we provide is all new tackle and all upgraded spinning rods and fly rods.
Our flys, tackle, boat and rods are new and the best in the industry.
We may be priced a few dollars higher than your average charter but we believe you get what you pay for.
We are a well established, professional business with a proven track record here in the Florida Keys.
Capt. Jason Gabriel has an amazing reputation as one of the best captains and guides in all of the Florida Keys.
Do your research and you’ll understand the difference in quality.
So, if you have always dreamed of landing that silver king of the sea, we will make your dreams a reality and you’ll have fishing memories to bring back home with you until the next year. Trust us, once you catch your first tarpon, you will be back every year.
That’s a fact.
Hope to see you soon.
Tight lines
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THERE'S NOTHING LIKE TARPON FISHING
Jan 30, 2019 • Big Pine Key
They reach weights of over 200lbs, they leap 10′ in the air once hooked, they scream drag off the reel so fast that you’ll think the reel will catch fire, and they school by the hundreds in the Florida Keys. There’s no better excitement on the water than tarpon fishing in the lower Florida Keys!
What to expect…
Violent strikes
100lb fish aerobatics
Drag screaming runs
Sore arms after a trip
Who's ready for spring? Who's really ready for fishing for Tarpon this spring?
We are booking our annual Tarpon trips for late April, May, June For our annual Tarpon season.
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Fishing Report Florida Keys
Nov 11, 2018 • Big Pine Key
Fall is upon us here in the Lower Florida Keys. That means one thing. Backcountry Fishing.
Whether you are an experienced fly angler or a casual angler on spin, you are in for a treat when fishing in the back country waters of the Florida Keys.
Surrounded by mangroves and skinny water we call “the flats” it’s a wonderland of fish.
Permit, bonefish, sharks, barracuda, redfish and tarpon are more than plentiful in the months of November through January.
Come aqua hunt this fall with us.
We are outfitted with fly rods, spin rods, bait, tackle, licenses, an 18ft. Hell’s Bay with a new 115 Mercury. Stealthy and gets you close to the fish for that perfect shot.
Come experience the backcountry waters of the Florida Keys.
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