Ramrod Key
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $250
Captain
Jim Loftus
Ramrod Key, United States
50+ reviews
I've basically been fishing my entire life. I started out as a freshwater fisherman fishing rivers and lakes and then when I moved to Florida I began fishing the saltwater flats, reefs and wrecks. After a successful career in the business world I began exploring the idea of becoming a charter captain/guide and started the process of obtaining my US Coast Guard License to pursue my true passion for fishing.
I've been a licensed captain for the past 10 years and I am a full time guide in the lower Florida Keys where I reside.
In addition to my USCG License, I am a guide member of the Lower Keys Guides Association – a guide member of the Florida Coastal Conservation Association, and an accredited captain of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary & Blue Star operator.
I am also fully insured to operate as a for hire charter/guide service.
I also believe in giving back to our country service men and women so I do donate trips to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
Charter
Rating
5.0
54 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience
Anglers' gallery (51)
What anglers say
100%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
91%
Caught fish
All reviews (54)
Showing 1 – 5 of 54 reviews
Rob MaroneyRepeat angler5.0VerifiedFish with Capt. Jim!
Full Day Trip – Backcountr (copy) • 2 adultsCapt. Jim is great to fish with! We caught tons of snappers and hooked into sharks and tarpon too! Jim is knowledgeable, friendly and very enjoyable to fish with!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainThank you, Rob. You and Johnny did a great job out there. You’re more than welcome to come back anytime you’d like. it was a pleasure having you out there!
Conor MckenzieRepeat angler5.0VerifiedGreat day out on the water!
Half Day Trip – Backcountr (copy) • 2 adults • 1 childVery safe professional operation. Beautiful boat. My son and I had a great day put fishing with captain Jim. We learned a lot and had fun. We caught enough fish to eat and my son (11) has lots of stories to share!
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainConor, Thank you and Gabe so much for coming out with me. I can tell you've done a great great job with him he's a perfect little gentlemen and both of you were a pleasure to have out on the water. I truly appreciate it. Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy the holiday and safe travels home!
Chad ShearerRepeat angler5.0VerifiedFishing with Jim
Full Day Trip – Backcountr (copy) • 2 adultsReported catch:Response from CaptainThank you Chad, I appreciate you guys coming out with me and nice pictures!
Brooks Mullen5.0VerifiedHalf day with Capt. Jim
Half Day Trip – Backcountry • 2 adultsI took my mother on a half day trip with Captain Jim. He was an excellent guide, as good as any I have been fishing with (and I have been on guided trips from the northern end of British Columbia to Ixtapa Guatemala). He was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and above all knows where to find fish. You would be hard pressed to find any better guide in the Keys. He even shared his recipe for blackened snapper with me and stuck around for cocktails at the tiki bar. Whether you are an experienced fly fisherman or a novice looking to have fund you will get you money's worth with Captain Jim. P.S. He is the preferred guide for Texans visiting Key West.
Reported catch:
Response from CaptainBrooks, Thank you for the kind words. I had a great time out there with you and Rhonda and look forward to going it again! Enjoy the rest of your stay and safe travels home.
Tiffany PruittRepeat angler4.7VerifiedFull day trip with Cpt. Jim
Full Day Trip – Backcountry • 2 adultsThe ONLY reason I gave 4 stars for experience was because the fishing was awful as far as what Cpt Jim says he usually catches with people. We DID catch a lot of fish, but 1 keeper Snapper and that was all. Everything else too small. You can't control where the good fish are! It was a fun trip and we learned a few different fishing setups we can use in the future. Cpt Jim is very knowledgeable and didn't mess around if we stopped at a new spot and weren't catching a lot; he would tell us to reel in and we would move again. Overall, would definitely recommend to anyone, and will book with him again if we go to Marathon in the future.
Response from CaptainTiffany, Thank you and Kent for coming out, it was a tough day of fishing for sure and I hope to see you guys in the future and get another chance to get you out on the water!
Real catches shared by our community
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
- Mile Marker 27 Fishing ChartersRamrod Key, FL
What's biting with Mile Marker 27 Fishing Charters in Ramrod Key
Top catches for October
Fishing reports
The Silver King in his finest moments!
May 1, 2023 • Ramrod Key
When you catch a Tarpon on fly and the Silver King puts on a show the decides he’s done playing with you.
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Gator Spotted Seatrout on the grass flat
Jan 31, 2023 • Ramrod Key
With cooler water temperatures the inshore Seatrout bite has been on fire!
We've been catching some true trophy fish with some in the 24" to 26" range, we've been releasing those big breeders to keep the stock fresh and healthy as there are plenty of fish that fit the 15" to 19" slot to take to the dinner table.
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Yellowtail Snapper Bite
Dec 16, 2022 • Ramrod Key
The bite at the reef line was a little slow and the fish were fickle but we managed to boat 19 of a 20 limit maximum of Yellowtail Snapper with most fish in the 14 to 16 inch range which is pretty respectable.
Every fish we caught was a keeper so we had no throwbacks.
The on drawback to fishing the reef is there has to be good current and low winds to make it successful.
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Beautiful weather turns on the bite!
Nov 26, 2022 • Ramrod Key
With cooling temps both in the air and water the inshore bite has been really good, the Cero and Spanish Mackerel and the Mangrove Snapper have been really good and the Spotted Seatrout have turned on also.
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Weather cooling but the bite is getting
Oct 18, 2021 • Ramrod Key
With the waters in the backcountry starting to cool off the bite is picking up very nicely.
The Mangrove Snapper and Mutton Snapper fishing has been pretty good and will only continue to get better now that fall has arrived. With the onset of our winter months yet to some the Mackerel and Spotted Seatrout fishing will be getting underway here shortly.
Our usual suspects such as big Sharks and huge Barracuda along with the Jack Crevalle are typically always up for a fight but even more in fall and winter.
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cooler waters = better fishing
Jan 7, 2021 • Ramrod Key
With the waters in the shallows of the backcountry ranging anywhere from 65 to 75 degrees depending on the weather pattern, the fishing has been pretty good provided we've had a couple days of stable sunshine to warm the flats.
The Spotted Seatrout bite is on although the huge trout have not made it onto the seagrass just yet, there are plenty of 15 to 18 inch fish around though.
The Cero and Spanish Mackerel bite has been pretty consistent.
The Mangrove Snapper have been plentiful and other species such as Ladyfish, Barracuda, Shark and Jack's are mixed in adding for a fun day on the water.
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