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
190
Reviews
9
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
John H.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Purple Heron Charters

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

Fishing Reports

Key West Fall Backcountry Fishing
Key West Fall Backcountry Fishing
Nov 9, 2023 Key West
As the weather starts to cool down from the heat of summertime the backcountry starts to come alive with life. This time of year we have major bait migration of Mullet, Ballyhoo, and Pilchards that inundate the backcountry basins and flats. Following these bait schools are a wide variety of gamefish such as : seatrout, jacks, pompano, snapper, ladyfish, sharks etc. We typically drift through these schools casting a variety of artificial lures and catch a real mixed bag. Itโ€™s a lot of fun and a very active fishery. Great option for half day trips that want to just catch fish. While drifting through these schools you can put a shark bait out and hook into one of the big boys following these groups if you really want a workout. With the drop in water temps the Barracudas have returned to the flats in high numbers. They can swim in bursts up to 60mph and itโ€™s awesome to watch them chase down the lure and explode on it. A great fishery option for doing a lot of casting and also having the ability to sight cast to a larger or specific fish. The residential tarpon fishing has still been good but as we get into the cold front season they can be a little more hit-or miss if the weather gets a little chilly. The goes for permit and bonefish. On good weather days though the fishing remains excellent. Fortunately this time of year we have plenty of options to choose from. Cooler air temps and an action based fishery, whatโ€™s not to love about Key West Backcountry fishing in the fall. Tight lines. Capt. John Purple Heron Charters
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Year Round Tarpon Fishing
Year Round Tarpon Fishing
Aug 12, 2023 Key West
Tarpon are one of the more iconic gamefish of the Florida Keys. Their seasonal migration from all along the Eastern seaboard to Key West for spawning typically occurs from March-July when they arrive in huge numbers. These are the larger spawning fish and what is typically known as โ€œtarpon seasonโ€. With that being said we do have opportunities at Tarpon year round here in the backcountry off Key West. A lot of the โ€œsmartโ€ residential fish aka the large ones, have found a home in marinas where they canโ€™t be fished for or there arenโ€™t any predators. Throughout the backcountry are schools and pockets of more fun-sized(5-30lb) fish that are an absolute blast to catch on light tackle or fly fishing. These Tarpon live here year round. They are very receptive to a well placed artificial lure or fly. Every now and again we run into some Snook as well, but they are far less common than the Tarpon. This is a catch and release fishery, we donโ€™t take them in the boat regardless of size. This gentle handling ensures the best possible health upon release for these magnificent gamefish. If youโ€™re interested in giving it a shot feel free to shoot me a message and I can recommend a good time to look for them. A lot of where we fish is tidally based for access so we need certain tides. A half day will work but Iโ€™d recommend a full day if youโ€™d like to try for other species as well and give it a good effort. Tight lines. -Capt. John Purple Heron Charters
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Key West Winter Time On The Flats
Key West Winter Time On The Flats
Dec 15, 2022 Key West
The wind and water temps have been varying frequently lately as is the norm for Winter. We have been utilizing the conditions as well as we can and targeting what's best for what the weather allows. This morning it was a little colder and windier so casting artificial lures for barracuda made the most sense. We caught a half dozen or so smaller individuals and capped it off with 2 nicer sized fish. In the afternoon the wind laid down and the sun came out in full force. With a rising water level we were able to get up onto the flats and sight fish to multiple schools of bonefish with shrimp tipped jigs culminating in some healthy fish being released. There is always something fun to fish for here off Key West and this is a great example of picking and choosing your target based off what conditions dictate. Tight lines.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 190 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (118)
John Hoover was a great Captain
John Hoover was a great Captain
John Hoover was a great Captain
+115
Angler rating
181
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 190 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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Patrick F. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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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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7 persons find 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
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Landon V.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Caught 25lb Barracuda and hooked a shark all within a 2 hour trip

VERIFIED   Quick Rod Bender on August 25, 2025
Canโ€™t say enough positive things about captain John. We caught a dozen snapper and were able to reel in a 25lb barracuda...
Landon V. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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3 persons find this review helpful
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Samuel S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time and a lot of fish

VERIFIED   NEW  3/4 Day Trip on December 24, 2025
We had a blast out on the water, and were catching fish nonstop once we were on them. Almost every cast we had something on,...
Samuel S. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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Samuel S. recommends Purple Heron Charters
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