Rating: 5.0/5 (Google) | 4.5/5 (Trustpilot, 20 reviews)
Years in Business: Since 2004 (20+ years)
Florida Licensed Seller of Travel: #ST39306
Overview
Fish Key West operates a bit differently than your typical one-captain operation - they're a booking platform that connects you with multiple professional captains running a fleet of four custom-built light tackle boats. If you're looking for variety in trip options and some of the most competitive pricing in Key West, this is worth considering. That said, since you're booking through a service that assigns captains, the quality of your experience may vary depending on who you get.
According to their website, they've been doing this since 2004, and their captains fish over 300 charters per year - so these guys are making their living on the water, not just running weekend trips.
The Captains
Here's where the research gets interesting. Based on customer reviews across Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, and Google, Captain Forest comes up repeatedly as a standout. Multiple customers specifically mentioned him by name:
- •"Captain Forest was outstanding - Very knowledgeable and friendly" (Trustpilot review)
- •"Forrest put us right on the fish, extremely knowledgeable and helpful" (TripAdvisor review)
- •"Captain was respectful, knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and extremely hard working" (review mentioning Forest)
Captain Chris is featured on their website with credentials that include ESPN appearances and multiple tournament wins in Key West. However, I couldn't verify the specific tournaments or dates through independent sources.
Important transparency note: One TripAdvisor review mentioned a negative experience with "Captain John" describing him as "knowledgeable but did not seem to want to help us." Since this is a multi-captain operation, asking for a specific captain when you book might be worth doing if you have a preference.
The Boats
Their fleet consists of four boats docked at Historic Charter Boat Row (three boats) and behind the Hyatt Key West Resort on Front St (one boat):
- •29' Whitewater
- •Two 33' SeaVees
- •36' SeaVee
All boats feature twin Yamaha outboards, T-tops for shade, clean heads (bathrooms), air-conditioned cabins, and space for up to 6 passengers. Reviews consistently mention the boats being "big and stable" and "in great shape."
They also offer a luxury Pro Yacht for larger groups (up to 41 passengers) for 4-12 hour trips.
What You Can Target
Fish Key West covers the full spectrum of Key West fishing:
Offshore (Deep Sea): Blue marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo
Reef/Wreck (Light Tackle): Grouper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, king mackerel, barracuda
Flats/Backcountry: Bonefish, permit, tarpon
According to local fishing reports from Fish All In Key West and Saltwater Angler Key West, recent conditions show mutton and yellowtail snapper have been "red hot" on the patch reefs, with good offshore action on wahoo, kings, and mahi despite easterly winds up to 25mph.
Trip durations range from 4 to 12 hours, and they fish anywhere from 1 mile out (for tarpon) to 90 miles past the Dry Tortugas for pelagics.
Pricing
This is where Fish Key West gets competitive:
- •Deep Sea Fishing: Starting at $900 (4, 6, or 8 hours)
- •Light Tackle: Starting at $950 (4, 6, or 8 hours)
- •Flats Fishing: Starting at $580 (4, 6, or 8 hours)
- •Split Charters: Starting at $200/person (shared boat, 4 or 6 hours)
- •Party Boat: $69.69/person (6 hours)
- •Premium Head Boat: $99/person (4 hours)
They advertise a "Total Price Guarantee" (no hidden costs) and a "Lowest Price Guarantee" - if you find the exact charter cheaper online, they'll refund the difference up to 48 hours before your trip. One reviewer mentioned booking a split charter for "$350 for two people" and called it the "best value in Key West."
Optional $10 lunches are available, and multiple reviews said they were "well worth it."
What's Included
- •Professional captain and crew
- •Fishing licenses
- •All bait and tackle
- •Comfortable seating and clean restrooms
- •Cooler space for your beverages
- •Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
The Good (Based on 30+ Reviews)
Fishing Success: This is where they shine. Customers consistently report catching fish - "got our limit on snapper quickly," "put us right on the fish," "plenty of fish to go around." If you're looking to actually catch something, the success rate in reviews is high.
Family-Friendly: Several reviews specifically mentioned the crew being "super easy going and patient with my boys" and "very nice guy who took my Boys and me for fishing." If you're bringing kids, this seems to be a solid choice.
Value: Multiple customers mentioned the pricing being reasonable. One even said they "booked another trip the next day" after their first experience.
The Not-So-Good (Transparency Matters)
Out of 20 Trustpilot reviews, 19 are 5-star and 1 is 3-star. That's a 95% excellent rating, which is impressive. However, there are a couple issues to be aware of:
Captain Variability: As mentioned earlier, one customer had a poor experience with Captain John. Since you're booking through a platform rather than directly with a specific captain, you might want to request Captain Forest specifically when booking.
Communication Issues: One review mentioned that "Fish Key West failed to notify the charter boat that two party members cancelled, preventing the boat from filling those spots." This suggests occasional coordination problems between the booking office and the boats.
These are low-frequency issues (showing up in less than 5% of reviews), but worth knowing about.
Who This Is Good For
- •Budget-conscious anglers who want competitive Key West pricing
- •Families with kids (multiple reviews praise patience with children)
- •Flexible anglers who don't need a specific captain
- •Groups looking for variety (split charters, party boats, private charters)
- •First-timers who want a reliable, established operation
Who Might Look Elsewhere
- •Serious tournament anglers who want a specific, known captain
- •Those wanting a boutique experience with the same captain every time
- •Anglers who prioritize consistency over variety and price
How to Book
Contact:
- •Phone: (305) 901-4600 or 800-325-FISH (3474)
- •Hours: 7am-11pm EST
- •Website: fishkeywest.com
- •Email: info@fishkeywestflorida.com
They offer phone, text, live chat, and email booking. Most charters have instant confirmation.
Bottom Line
Fish Key West is a solid choice if you want competitive pricing, a variety of trip options, and a 20+ year track record in Key West. The bite has been good on the patch reefs for snapper, and they've got the boats and captains to put you on fish whether you're targeting offshore pelagics or backcountry species.
The multi-captain platform model means you're trading boutique consistency for variety and value. If you request Captain Forest specifically (based on the review patterns), you're likely to have an excellent experience. Their pricing guarantees and free cancellation policy show they're confident in their service.
95% of Trustpilot customers gave them 5 stars, and multiple people mentioned catching limits quickly. In my experience, that kind of consistency across reviews is a good indicator of reliable fishing.
Sources:
- •Fish Key West official website (fishkeywest.com)
- •Trustpilot reviews (4.5/5 stars, 20 reviews)
- •TripAdvisor reviews
- •Fish All In Key West fishing reports
- •Saltwater Angler Key West fishing reports
- •Florida Seller of Travel License verification (#ST39306)
Last Updated: January 22, 2026
