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Dry Tortugas Fishing
Dry Tortugas fishing charters are a great adventure. Located just 70 miles to the West of Key West is the Dry Tortugas National Park also called Fort Jefferson. This place is famous for many reasons and one of them is the fishing. We call it Jurassic Park. Everything seems to be bigger out there. There are a couple of ways we can fish the “Fort”. Let’s put together a really fun and safe day of fishing and exploring on board my 36′ Yellowfin Center Console that is custom designed to go there.
About Dry Tortugas Fishing
There are many ways to fish the “Fort”. I use a 36ft Yellowfin center console as our vehicle to make the 65 mile run as short and safe as possible. My boat is loaded with safety equipment and communication devices. The comfort of triple engines.. Tactics can include bottom fishing using speed jigs, slow pitch jigs, bucktail jigs, strip bait and live bait while anchored or drifting from 35 to 220 ft of water. Light tackle casting for many species with artificial lures. Trolling live bait and lures. Really it all depends on my anglers desires and how they wish to fish along with how the fish will be responding best.
What Can We Catch In The Dry Tortugas
The most popular months to go on this fishing charter is typically May through December. The Grouper and snapper fishing is incredible. May 1st is the open of the Atlantic grouper season all the way till December 31. We can catch up to 4 grouper species. Year round we also catch Large mutton snappers up to 18 lbs and yellowtail snappers between 2-4 lbs are not uncommon. January through May grouper are closed but the fishing is still amazing. In the winter we can include blackfin Tuna fishing behind the shrimp boats and cobia are everywhere. King fishing can be good too with live bait and Huge fish up to 65 lbs are possible. Permit are around year round on the wrecks and make easy targets. For those that like a strong fight the amberjack are there for you on the wrecks as well as the possibility of wahoo in certain months. Among them are huge barracudas we catch on super light tackle. Its not hard to catch a nice bag of quality fish in the Dry Tortugas National Park. Any of the Key West fish species can be caught there.
Check Out My Key West Fishing Calendar To Learn More About What Species Are Available and When.
About The Fishing Charter
This is a one day trip of 8 or 10 hours. I will have the boat loaded and ready to roll when you meet me at my dock just after daybreak. After a brief on the safety of the boat and any physical limitations or concerns you may have. Then we have a conversation about what you expect and what I think can happen on our given day. This allows us all to be on the same page and helps me understand what you expect.
Once we are underway we might make a short stop to get fresh bait then head toward the Dry Tortugas. On the way I might stop and throw the net for a few minutes if I see easy bait targets. There are some fun stops along the way for the light tackle enthusiasts or we can head straight for the meat all that will be discussed in our brief. Its about an 1.75 hour run to get to the start of the grounds that I like to fish. All of the legal fish caught are the property of the anglers. The fishing gear I use is nothing but the best from DAIWA names such as “dog fight” “Saltiga” “Saltist” all loaded with Samurai braided line.
- Pro Tip -
I prefer you DO NOT bring your own tackle, this will only slow us down as I have to take up your time to make sure it is rigged for how we will fish. I assure you my gear is the best money can buy and meticulously maintained.
More Charter Details
- I will take up to four persons fishing to the Dry Tortugas with some exceptions for a 5th. or 6th. (discuss with us details).
- Often I cary a mate to make the fishing more productive.
- Trip lengths of 8 or 10 hours. I DO NOT offer over nights.
- My Rate Is Trip Cost PLUS Fuel expenses.
- This means You pay for the trip and then pay for the fuel we burn that day.
- This does not include gratuity for me or my mate
- This means You pay for the trip and then pay for the fuel we burn that day.
- The fish we legally harvest are yours. I do not sell fish or take fish as a gratuity.
- If you decide you do not want all your fish, they will not go to waste.
- I reserve the right to make adjustments in this trip due to weather.
- Closer to Key West
- Shorter Trip
- Rates will be adjusted accordingly
What I Supply
- Ice For your Catch
- Ice For The Food and Drink Cooler
- Bottled Waters To Drink
- All The Bait, lures and tackle.
- Gulf Federal Fishing Permits
- State Fishing Licenses
- Dry Tortugas National Park Charter Boat Permit.
- Bean Bag Chairs (Upon Request).
- Fish Cleaning And Bagging for One Hour.
- The best of the best fishing gear from DAIWA
Special Notes On Dry Tortugas Trips
Plus Fuel – My 36ft Yellowfin is equipped with state of the art fuel flow monitoring and very fuel efficient Mercury Racing outboard motors. The customer is responsible for the cost of burned fuel for that day. Generally we can have a great day fishing and seeing the Dry Tortugas trips on less than 130 gallons of fuel. If the need to run further or burn more arises. We let you know during the day so you can stay within budget. Our goal is to lessen the blow of these outrageous fuel costs for all. ALSO… We promise to run the boat as efficient as possible.
Weather Dependent – We will know one to several days in advance if the weather will be decent to run out there. We will contact you and discuss. We reserve the right to not go if the winds are up and out of a bad direction. Adjustments can be made. If it is windy but fish-able closer to Key West we will make adjustments in the trip description and pricing. Keep in mind we are not in the practice of torturing people or our equipment.
How To Book This Fishing Charter
Call us direct. We go over all the details to make sure this trip is the right one for you.
Save the booking fees.
Call – 305-292-7212
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