When planning our trip to Key West, I wanted a charter that would allow us to do both fishing and spend time at a sandbar so there would be something for both my wife and me to enjoy. We looked at several options, but many were more expensive and only offered four-hour trips. Then we found Conch Queen Charter Boat Service, which offered a six-hour trip at a better price, making it an easy choice.
We booked through FishingBooker, and the communication was excellent from start to finish. Every question was answered quickly and thoroughly, which gave us confidence before we even arrived.
We met Captain Jordan ("JoJo") at Hurricane Hole Marina, and she was completely ready to go before we arrived. Her boat was clean, well-maintained, and the perfect size for our trip. There was plenty of sun when we wanted it and plenty of shade when we needed a break from the heat. She also had multiple coolers stocked with ice and bottled water, making it easy for us to keep our food and drinks cold throughout the day.
We departed just before 1:00 PM for our six-hour charter. The weather was beautiful, and Captain Jordan suggested heading to the sandbar first while the sun was at its hottest so we could swim and cool off. It was a fantastic recommendation.
She found a great spot, got us anchored quickly, and within minutes we were in the water exploring the sandbar. We spent several hours swimming, walking around the sandbar, relaxing with lunch and drinks, and chatting with other boaters nearby. There was even a swing to enjoy, which added to the fun.
We offered to share some of our food and drinks with Captain Jordan. She enjoyed a little of the food but politely declined any alcohol because she was responsible for operating the boat. As someone who owns a boat and also doesn't drink when responsible for others, I really appreciated and respected that level of professionalism.
Throughout the day, Captain Jordan was incredibly personable and easy to be around. She was happy to chat when we wanted conversation and equally happy to give us space when we wanted to relax. We felt completely comfortable with her the entire trip. She also had a great classic rock and '80s playlist going, which happened to fit our tastes perfectly. Don't know if that was just her taste, or whether she made a judgment call by looking at us (51& 52 yr olds), but if she did, she was spot on!
After spending about three and a half hours at the sandbar, we headed out for some backcountry fishing. The action started almost immediately. We were catching snapper, grunts, and yellowtail one after another. Even my wife, who isn't a regular angler, got into the fun and caught several fish herself. In fact, she landed the biggest fish of the day out of the 25 to 30 fish we caught.
As the evening approached, we packed up and enjoyed a beautiful ride back to the marina, returning shortly after 7:00 PM.
Overall, it was the perfect day on the water, made even better by an outstanding captain. Captain Jordan provides exceptional service, creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, and offers tremendous value for the price.
The only thing I would do differently next time is discuss the fishing style and target species beforehand, simply because I'd be interested in pursuing some larger fish. That isn't a criticism at all, just something I'd personally ask about when booking another trip.
We would not hesitate to book with Captain Jordan again the next time we're in Key West. If you're looking for a charter that combines relaxation, fun, fishing, and excellent customer service, I highly recommend Conch Queen Charter Boat Service.
Thank you, Captain Jordan, for helping make our Key West vacation even more memorable!
