Key Largo charter fishing information

Key Largo Charter Fishing Trip Information

Captain Henry specializes in backcountry charter fishing trips in Key Largo and the Everglades National Park as well as patch reef fishing trips on the shallow reef. Here you will find all the information you need for your charter fishing trip but please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Payment and Tipping

Payment for your charter fishing trip is usually done on the day of the trip. The card that’s on file will be charged right after the trip is done. You can also pay for the trip in cash (highly preferred) or pay with VENMO. Tipping is a standard practice in the charter fishing industry and tips ranges between 10%-30% on average in Florida.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations need to be done more than 48 hours before the trip. If you cancel/modify the trip less than 48 hours before the trip, your card will be charged 50% of the total amount.

In case or unsafe weather, the trip will be cancelled and you will not be charged. If you already made a payment, you will receive a full refund. Unsafe weather is determined only by the captain. Rain by itself is usually not a reason to cancel however, when winds are over 20mph or if there are thunderstorms with lightning within 5 miles, we typically cancel the trip.

Everglades National Park Pass

Since we will be fishing inside the National park on the Inshore trips, you will need to buy an Everglades Park Pass before entering the Park. The Everglades Pass (Vehicle/Vessel pass) costs $35 and it includes everyone in your party. These passes can be bought at: www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74278 and are good for 7 days in case you want to revisit the Park again by vehicle.

If you already have a National Park Pass like a “Senior Pass”, “Veterans Pass” or any of the “America the Beautiful” passes, you do not need to purchase any additional pass. All active and veteran military personnel are encouraged to get their free passes at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#america-the-beautiful-passes.

What is included?

What to bring?

Sunglasses are mandatory for everyone on the boat. Even for kids. Please bring your own sunglasses.
Appropriate clothing for the sun. A hat, long sleeve fishing shirt, long fishing pants are highly recommended but not required.
Comfortable soft sole shoes. Please NO Flip-flops, boots, steel-toe boots or barefoot.
Light rain jacket in the summer months (optional).
Medications you cannot be without like asthma or allergy medications.
Food for trips over 4 hours. You can bring food like sandwiches or fruit on the longer trips.

What NOT to bring?

Alcohol or drugs are allowed on the boat. Please make sure not to consume any alcohol/drugs at least 12 hours before the trip.
Bulky bags or coolers. Space is very limited on the boat. You can bring one small bag to keep your belongings dry.
Tobacco products are not allowed on the boat.
Sunscreen sprays, lotions or bug sprays. Please apply sunscreen sprays or lotions before leaving the hotel room.
GPS tracking devices or tracking apps.

What about food?

You can bring food like sandwiches or fruit on 6 hour or longer trips.
No potato chips, fries, crackers, pizza, candy bars, sauces or any food that can stain the upholstery or gelcoat is allowed.
Its best to eat before the trip (and go to the bathroom too).
Please do NOT bring food items on the 3 and 4 hour fishing trips.

Are kids allowed to fish?

Kids are welcome as long as they are ok with being fairly still for a few hours on the boat. Space on a boat is limited and there is not much room to walk around. Most kids do just fine on the boat. However, if your kids are hyperactive, it might be better to wait until they are a little older before keeping them confined to a boat. The fish we catch in the Everglades are BIG, STRONG and FAST. Backcountry fishing is very hands-on and there is no sitting while fishing. This means that young kids typically need the parent to help them out the whole time. So parents, keep in mind that if you have younger kids on the boat, only the kids will fish (not the adults). When you bring young ones on the boat, it becomes all about them and making sure they have a blast while catching that big fish.

Alcohol, tobacco and sunscreen policy

My commercial insurance policy does not allow for any alcohol to be consumed on the boat, nor to be consumed before the trip. Fishing on a boat requires excellent balance. While fishing on the deck of the boat, you will be required to stand for long periods of time all while keeping your balance. As we all know, alcohol and balance don’t go together.

Sunscreen spray or lotion are NOT allowed onto the boat. Only dry sunscreen Roll-On will be allowed onto the boat. If you do not have any roll-on sunscreen, please make sure to apply any sprays or lotions before boarding.

Bug Spays do not work very well in the backcountry. As with sunscreens, they pose a safety risk on the boat because they can cause the deck to be slippery. You can bring bug repellent WIPES.

Types of fish we target

We generally try to get a mixed bag of fish including Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish, Jack Crevalle, Mangrove Snapper, Triple Tail and more

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Though we prefer to “catch and release” in order to maintain a sustainable fishery, we will allow certain species to be kept as long as they are within the legal size limits and in season. Some of the really good eating fish species are Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Triple Tail, Speckled Sea Trout and many more. However, we do NOT keep any Snook or Redfish even if they are in season.