Captain
John Hoover

Member since November 2022 Key West, United States
Background
Lifelong Floridian raised in central Florida started fishing full-time in the Lower Keys and Key West in 2007.
Techniques
Casting artificals, live bait, fly-fishing, and sight-fishing.

Hey, I'm Captain John Hoover

Key West, United States
Background
Lifelong Floridian raised in central Florida started fishing full-time in the Lower Keys and Key West in 2007.
Techniques
Casting artificals, live bait, fly-fishing, and sight-fishing.
Anglers Choice
195
Reviews
9
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
John H.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Purple Heron Charters

State licensed
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(195 reviews)
Angler's choice
Key West
 3 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $349

Fishing Reports

Wintertime Barracuda Fishing Is Heating
Wintertime Barracuda Fishing Is Heating
Dec 3, 2025 Key West
With the annual coldfronts starting to show back up that means the larger sized Barracuda are starting to appear on the flats again. Itโ€™s a fun and active fishery for either sight fishing or fan casting, whichever you prefer. Light tackle spinning gear or fly fishing both work well and itโ€™s a blast. This fishery will remain strong through the springtime and is one of my favorite fisheries of the year.
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Key West Tarpon Fishing in August
Key West Tarpon Fishing in August
Aug 18, 2025 Key West
Tarpon fishing in Key West in August can be great. While the peak tarpon migration generally occurs from March to July, many resident tarpon remain in the area throughout the Summer and Fall. These fish range from 5 to 50 pounds. They can be found in backcountry channels, near mangroves and nearshore flats both Atlantic and gulf side. The calm, warm waters of August provide ideal conditions for both fly fishing and artificial lures, especially during early morning or late evening when the heat is less intense and the fish are more active. But they can be caught all day long. This time of year generally sees less pressured fishing, as the spring and summer visitor crowds begin to thin out. Night fishing is also always a great option . August offers a unique opportunity to target resident tarpon in Key West and the Lower Keys.
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Double Slams By 11am
Double Slams By 11am
Jun 1, 2025 Key West
Had the absolute pleasure of fishing with longterm angler John from out west. We started the day off early around 5:30 AM catching a smaller Tarpon on artificial and then a larger one on live bait. We then moved on to Permit fishing and caught two in quick succession on jigs. After catching those two Permit to go along with the two Tarpon we decided to look for Bonefish. We found an active flat and caught one out of two different schools and had a double slam by 11 AM. The weather lined up perfectly, the angler made great casts, and the fish decided to cooperate. All in all a perfect morning in Key West. I always recommend a full day trip for targeting sport fish like Bonefish, Permit, or Tarpon.
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Flats Fishing For Cobia Remains Strong
Flats Fishing For Cobia Remains Strong
Apr 5, 2025 Key West
Weโ€™ve been having a great year sightfishing for Cobia on the flats. This fish was seen and cast to in less than 4 ft of water with a bucktail jig. This angler did a great job picking his fish, making the cast,and getting him in on 10lb test. Fish was released healthily.
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Winter Cold Front Fishing In Key West
Winter Cold Front Fishing In Key West
Jan 11, 2025 Key West
As weโ€™ve just gotten our first cold front of the season which happened just this week, it signals the change from Fall to Winter fishing. The water temperatures will drop from the high 80โ€™s to the high 70โ€™s. Baitfish of all kinds(ballyhoo,mullet, and pilchards especially) will move into the backcountry in large schools. The migratory birds will also make a more prominent showing . Barracuda and bonefish are the most common targets on the shallow flats. A variety of sea trout, jacks, pompano, ladyfish, snappers, and sharks make up just some of the species that can be caught in the basins and channels consistently as well. Here at Purple Heron Charters weโ€™ve been doing a little bit of it all the last week and having a blast. Utilizing spinning gear, live bait, lures, or fly fishing. Whatever youโ€™d like to fish with I can accommodate . Always a great time to fish in Key West but this time of year offers a lot of variety and options, all while enjoying much nicer weather than the rest of the country. Tight lines. -Capt. John Purple Heron Charters
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January Mixed Bag
January Mixed Bag
Jan 9, 2025 Key West
January has been a great month so far. There has been a lot of variety in both the weather and fishing. Typically this time of year can be windy and a little cooler, but there has been a lot of nice days in the mix as well. Wintertime fisheries are in full swing. Lots of Sea Trout have been caught, with most days seeing double digit catches per trip when focused on them. Barracuda are only getting stronger in numbers on the flats as the winter progresses. Plenty of variety while drifting deeper grassflats with species like jacks, snappers, cobia, pompano,ladyfish, bluefish ,mackerel and sharks making appearances. On the nicer weather days weโ€™re seeing plenty of bonefish, permit, and tarpon opportunities. Always a good time to get on the water in Key West but right now especially itโ€™s a great mixed bag on the fishing front. Spinfishing with artificials, live bait, and fly fishing have all been successful. However youโ€™d like to fish can be accommodated. Very grateful to share some fun days on the water with some great folks from all over the world. Looking forward to a strong finish to the month and a fun new year. Hope to hear from you soon and spend some time together on the water. Tight lines !
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 195 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (124)
Excellent !!
2 Great Lakes Anglers try Keys Flats for 1st time
2 Great Lakes Anglers try Keys Flats for 1st time
+121
Angler rating
186
6
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
79%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
92%
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5 of 195 reviews
Patrick F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Shark Attack!!

VERIFIED   Afternoon Half Day Trip on November 27, 2025
Our backcountry fishing trip in Key West was absolutely unforgettable. We were on the fish nonstopโ€”catching them until our...
Patrick F. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Patrick F. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Dana H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Addicted To Bonefish Now

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on July 2, 2025
Went out with John for a 3/4 day trip targeting Tarpon, Permit and Bonefish. Weather was beautiful but not the best conditions...
Dana H. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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8 persons find this review helpful
You and 8 people found this review helpful
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Danny L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Incredible day on the water

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on March 3, 2025
Weโ€™ve done six or so charters out of key west over the past few years. This was far and away the best experience yet. The...
Danny L. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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9 persons find this review helpful
You and 9 people found this review helpful
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Matthew R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

2 Great Lakes Anglers try Keys Flats for 1st time

VERIFIED   Full Day Marquesas Keys Trip on December 30, 2025
Me & my buddy had a real blast getting out with Captain John for a day on the flats. He was super flexible with us, and did...
Matthew R. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Michael H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First tarpon and bonefish!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on May 18, 2025
Had a great trip on Sunday, May 18th. My goal was to catch a tarpon and a bonefish, and thanks to John, I accomplished both....
Michael H. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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7 persons find this review helpful
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