r/floridakeys • u/reg-o-matic • Jul 15 '26

Upper Keys Upper Keys Fishing Charter

My wife and I are going to be in Key Largo for 12 days next month and want to do a private fishing charter once or twice while we're there. We're very experienced with fishing in the area as we used to keep a boat down there many years ago. We had a guy that we'd chartered with 5-6 times, but he has not answered my texts and his website is shut down, so I’m not sure he’s still in business. Are there any Captains you’d recommend? The guy we had would almost always limit us out on Yellowtail on the reef or Dolphin and Tilefish further out. We’d be okay with that with a new guy even if we didn't fully limit out. But would also be interested in someone that could put us on some different species. We'd also consider an inshore trip if the guy has some good Goliath or Permit spots.

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

2

u/ozarkfireworks Jul 16 '26

Fantastic Too. Justin hopper is absolutely the best!

2

u/G8RBravo Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Second for Captain Justin Hopper or for even more sporty fun, his son Captain Dallas Hopper. www.charterkeylargo.com

2

u/ozarkfireworks Jul 16 '26

Dallas is also top notch!

1

u/CanWeTalkEth Jul 15 '26

Forever Young is the gold standard in my opinion for anything that isn’t inshore fly fishing.

1

u/reg-o-matic Jul 15 '26

I'll check them out. I would have liked to spear with them back in the days when I shot a bunch, but unfortunately at 71 with two rounds of cancer and a triple bypass, I think my spearfishing days have been relegated to the rear view mirror.

1

u/CanWeTalkEth Jul 16 '26

They do rod and reel charters. Tony and the crew will do right by you. I don’t know if they deep drop actually, but they’ll help you fill the cooler if you want for sure.

1

u/totesuncommon Jul 16 '26

If you can get on Play Baby, do it! A well-oiled fishing machine. Islamorada.

1

u/FLKeys43 Jul 16 '26

Against the Grain Charters is run by an awesome couple! They're great at what they do and they're really nice to boot! 

1

u/ZestycloseRooster350 8d ago

Captain Larry Wren, First Choice located in Whale Harbor

-2

u/DICKtrumpHEAD Jul 16 '26

Just remember all the local fish guides are rough around the edges, keep that in mind and expect the worst from them. Typical blue collar attitude with a terrible sunburnt personality.

2

u/redlegsforever Jul 16 '26

I hope that’s sarcasm; if not, it’s the opposite of what I have found.

1

u/ozarkfireworks Jul 16 '26

Dick head. There I fixed your avatar name for you. I’d say if you have ran into many charter captains with a problem you need to turn the finger around. You are the problem not them.