Location: Key West, FL
Rating: 5.0 stars (324+ reviews)
Phone: (305) 923-3635
Website: goodtimeskeywest.com
Overview
If you're looking at Good Times Key West's perfect 5.0 rating across 324+ reviews and thinking "that can't be real," I get it. But after digging through hundreds of customer experiences on TripAdvisor, FishingBooker, and Yelp, I can tell you this operation has earned every one of those stars.
Captain Justin Ferrell started Good Times Key West back in 2013 after working as a marine mechanic. He moved to Key West in 2009, and by 2010 he'd traded the shop for the water full-time. What sets this charter apart isn't just Justin's 7,000+ hours on the water—it's the entire crew of captains he's built and the way they've figured out how to make every single trip feel custom-tailored to what you actually want to do (source: goodtimeskeywest.com).
The Captains
Justin runs the show with a team that includes Captain Ryan Aper, Captain Tony Aper, Captain Nate, and mate Evan. What I found interesting in the reviews is that customers consistently praise whichever captain they get—not just Justin. One reviewer said Captain Ryan "found several places that kept us busy reeling in fish all afternoon despite less than optimum conditions," while another called Captain Tony "very personable, helpful, and thoughtful in planning" (source: TripAdvisor reviews).
That consistency across multiple captains tells you they've got solid systems in place, not just one great guide having a good day.
The Boats
They run three different boats, which gives you real options depending on what kind of trip you're after:
The Sailfish (24-foot center console)
- •Suzuki 300hp, tops out around 45mph
- •Holds up to 6 anglers
- •Enclosed head (huge for families with kids)
- •JL Audio stereo system
- •The only boat in their fleet with LED lighting for night fishing
- •T-top for shade, freshwater shower
Twin Vee Catamaran (19-foot)
- •140 HP Suzuki four-stroke
- •Smaller groups who want a more intimate experience
- •GPS, fishfinder, radio
Carolina Classic (35-foot express cruiser)
- •Twin 450 HP Cummins engines
- •This is the big-boy boat for offshore work or multi-day trips
- •Full galley, A/C, flybridge, toilet, shower, even a bed
- •Outriggers, downriggers, the whole offshore setup
(source: FishingBooker boat specifications)
The thing about Justin being a former marine mechanic? These boats are maintained. Multiple reviews mention how clean and well-equipped everything was.
What You'll Fish For
In Key West waters, you're looking at snappers (yellowtail, mangrove, mutton), groupers (black, gag, red), barracuda, sharks, and jacks year-round. If you're there March through June, tarpon fishing gets serious. Justin specializes in what he calls "calm water, light tackle, good times fishing"—which basically means he's putting you on fish without beating you up in rough seas or making you fight for six hours (source: goodtimeskeywest.com).
Here's what's realistic: Key West isn't typically a trophy tarpon destination like the Marquesas or backcountry, but for snappers and groupers, the bite can be really consistent if you're with someone who knows the structure.
The Family Factor
If you've got kids, pay attention to this part. Multiple reviews specifically call out how patient Justin and his crew are with children. One customer wrote "Captain Justin was super amazing with the kids and full of patience," and the company website actually says "kids are preferred guests" with no minimum age (source: TripAdvisor reviews).
That's not just marketing talk—I found review after review from families saying their young kids had a blast. The enclosed head on the 24-footer is a game-changer when you're out with a 6-year-old who needs to use the bathroom.
Trip Customization
This is where Good Times really stands out. They offer everything from 2-hour sunset cruises to multi-day Dry Tortugas expeditions. Want to fish for two hours, then hit a sandbar and snorkel? They'll do it. Want to combine dolphin watching with light tackle fishing? Done. One reviewer said they "fished for a few hours, then we got to go to a very secluded small island with a awesome beach" (source: TripAdvisor).
The Sailfish is the only boat in the area I could verify that's rigged for night fishing with LED lights, so if you want to target snappers and sharks after dark under the stars, they can make that happen.
What Customers Actually Say
The Positives (and there are a lot):
The most common theme across 324+ reviews is how knowledgeable the captains are. People consistently mention that Justin and the crew know the waters, find fish even in tough conditions, and make the experience feel like "fishing with a good friend" rather than a commercial transaction (source: TripAdvisor).
Another frequent comment: "Four hours you wish were ten." Multiple people said they wished they'd booked longer trips because time flew by (source: customer reviews).
The Negatives:
Here's the honest part—I really struggled to find legitimate complaints. Out of hundreds of reviews across multiple platforms, the only thing resembling criticism was one person mentioning the FWC limit on jacks, but they explicitly said "that's the regulations, not the charter's fault" (source: TripAdvisor).
A perfect 5.0 rating across this many reviews is genuinely rare. Most top-tier charters settle around 4.8-4.9 stars because someone inevitably has a bad day with weather or seasickness. The fact that Good Times has maintained perfection suggests they're either very good at managing expectations or very selective about conditions—probably both.
Pricing & Booking
Here's what I couldn't verify: specific pricing. It's not listed on their main website. You'll need to call (305) 923-3635 or check their FishingBooker listings for current rates. What I can tell you is that pricing is per boat (not per person) for up to 6 guests, which is standard for private charters (source: goodtimeskeywest.com booking page).
Who This Charter Is For
Great fit if you:
- •Have kids or mixed-age groups (they excel at this)
- •Want flexibility to mix fishing with other activities
- •Prefer light tackle, fun fishing over hardcore tournament-style trips
- •Value personality and customer service as much as fish counts
- •Want to fish at night or try something different
Maybe look elsewhere if you:
- •Are a serious tournament angler looking for big offshore game fish
- •Want to specifically target permit or bonefish on fly (they focus more on snappers/groupers)
- •Need exact pricing upfront without making a call
Bottom Line
In my experience looking at charters across Florida, a 5.0 rating with 300+ reviews means one of two things: either they're gaming the system (extremely rare and usually obvious), or they've figured out how to consistently deliver exactly what customers want. Everything I found points to the latter.
Good Times Key West has been doing this for 15+ years, they've got multiple skilled captains, well-maintained boats for different trip types, and they genuinely seem to care about making sure you have a good time—whether that's catching a cooler full of snappers or just getting your kids excited about fishing.
If you're planning a Key West trip and want a charter that'll adapt to what you actually want to do rather than forcing you into their standard 4-hour reef program, this is worth a call.
Contact:
Phone: (305) 923-3635
Website: goodtimeskeywest.com
Instagram: @good_times_key_west
Tight lines!
Profile based on research conducted January 22, 2026. Information verified through guide website, 324+ customer reviews on TripAdvisor, FishingBooker listings (348 reviews for 24' boat, 218 reviews for 19' boat), and Yelp. Some details may change—always confirm current pricing, boat availability, and trip options when booking.
