Key West Flats & BackCountry Fishing

Capt Mike Bartlett

Welcome

Welcome to Key West, the Southernmost City in the United States. Key West and the Florida Keys offer some of the most amazing fishing and boating experiences anywhere. The shallow, crystal clear water that encompasses the flats and backcountry of the Florida Keys is home to some of the most elusive and sought after sport fish in angling: tarpon, bonefish, and permit.

Current Fishing Report

Date:

Conditions: Loading weather conditions...

Species: Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Barracuda

Highlights: The spring tarpon migration has passed by for another year but there are plenty of resident tarpon around for us to have fun with. Now through early fall, fishing the flats will be red hot!!! Flat calm mornings and the presence of bait offer us some great opportunities to cast to rolling and feeding tarpon, some of the easiest tarpon fishing of the year. Though a bit more challenging, schools of tailing bonefish will be all around during the lowest part of the tides. And let's not forget about permit, breezy and sunny days are ideal. Summer and early fall is the best time of the year to be fishing the flats around Key West.

Angler with a Permit
Permit
Tarpon jumping
Tarpon
Angler with a bonefish
Bonefish

Rates & Booking

I offer catch-and-release, backcountry and shallow water/flats fishing around Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, specializing in sight fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, barracuda, and few other seasonal species. Charters are tailored to the fly fishing and spin fishing angler alike.

Prices below are for the boat for up to a maximum of 2 anglers/passengers.

Half Day

4 hours

$600

3/4 Day

6 hours

$700

Full Day

8 hours

$800

Deposit Information

$200 deposit per guided day, refundable for weather cancellations if we can’t reschedule.

Accepted Methods:

  • Credit Card / ACH (via Square invoice) Do not send me your credit card info
  • PayPal
  • Apple Cash
  • USDC

Note: Venmo not accepted.

Book Your Trip

Included: Fishing license, bait, tackle, fly & spin outfits, ice, and bottled water.

Bring: Polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket, food and beverages for yourself (Please keep quantities to a minimum as storage is limited).

FAQs

Boat

18-foot Beavertail BT3 skiff in shallow water
Beavertail BT3 Skiff

I run an 18-foot Beavertail BT3 skiff designed to run and float in very shallow water. Beavertail Skiffs are a stable platform for poling and fishing the shallowest of flats and a comfortable, dry ride through some of the choppiest conditions.

Day of Trip Information

Please arrive at the dock a few minutes early. Consider bringing sunscreen, hat, rain jacket and food and beverages for yourself. I have a cooler with ice and bottled waters.

Sunrise at the dock
Let's go Fishin' 🎣

Cancellation Policy

I understand things happen in life and our plans change. If you must cancel your trip I ask that you contact me as soon as you can so I can rebook those days. Deposits will NOT be returned if the charter is canceled within 5 DAYS of the scheduled trip, unless I am able to rebook the days. Deposits will be returned for charters canceled outside of the 5 day window. Returned deposits will be in the amount paid at booking less all service charges.

Location

Map of our dock in Key West

I am located along the dock just below the Thai Island Restaurant at Garrison Bight Marina on Palm Ave in Key West.
Free Parking is Available.