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
180
Reviews
8
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
John H.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Purple Heron Charters

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

Fishing Reports

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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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
Continue reading
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 !
Continue reading
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
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 180 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (107)
July fishing trip
Fun day
Fun day
+104
Angler rating
171
6
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
78%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
92%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 180 reviews
Doug L.
Atlanta, GA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day with Captain John

VERIFIED   Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip on February 10, 2023
Captain John was super knowledgeable of the surrounding water and island formations around Key West. Shared lots of history...
Doug L. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied
Read more
Michael K.
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on the water

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on May 31, 2023
Had a wonderful day fishing with John Hoover. I caught several fish and learned quite a bit. Thanks for a great day John!
Michael K. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied
Read more
Annie S.
Mooresburg, TN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3/4 day trip

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on May 9, 2023
Wonderful. Captain was patient with me. Had great knowledge about the area and put me on the fish. I had a great day.
Annie S. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied
Read more
Adam B.
Snow Hill, MD
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Capt. John

VERIFIED   Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip on April 14, 2023
Great Cap, thorough knowledge of local waters. And great info on local dos and dontโ€™s. Most importantly he put us on the...
Adam B. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied
Read more
Max R.
Fostoria, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6hr trip with Captain John

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on March 23, 2023
We ha a great day fishing the islands. John was very knowledgeable and put us on a lot of fish. I highly recommend this charter.
Max R. recommends Purple Heron Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Hoover Captain replied
Read more
  • Settings