KEY WEST FISHING CHARTERS
with Capt. Nick LaBadie
Welcome to Tailing Water Expeditions. A premier fishing guide service based out of beautiful Key West, FL. Providing next level inshore, flats, and backcountry fishing trips. As well as other private specialty charters. Top of the line service and equipment pave the way to an experience of a lifetime.
Key West Fishing Trips
Specialty Fishing Charters
FEATURED KEY WEST FISHING TRIPS
Below you will find the most popular fishing charters for our clients in Key West. These trips are centered inside of the best in local hot spots that Captain Nick has hand picked through his years of experience here. Aside from the fishing, experiencing this fishery is something that one must fully immerse themselves in, these specific trips do just that. So, if you’re looking for epic fishing, an awesome journey, and memories that will last a lifetime – our Featured Fishing Charters fit the bill.
IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THE KEYS
Flats Fishing in the Florida Keys has been an obsession anglers have enjoyed for generations. This legendary fishery is home to many inshore world records on both fly and spinning gear. Thousands of monster tarpon migrate up and down the coastline every spring, world class permit fishing flats are just 10 minutes from the dock, and bonefish scurry around the shallows in some of the most stunning areas we have ever witnessed.
We have many different fish species here in the Florida Keys but the Tarpon, Permit, and Bonefish are considered the top three sport fish lurking around in the shallows. We target them with both fly fishing gear as well as spinning rods depending on the conditions and the anglers experience.
FLY FISHING KEY WEST
Keys West and the Florida Keys are among the worlds top fly fishing destinations. Fly fishing This is not only a past time, but a sport that has been enjoyed by many generations.
Fly Fishing down here in the Florida Keys has been made famous by a lot of popular fishing personalities, both past and present. They have made the Keys their home for some of the best long rod action on the planet.
Our crystal clear tropical flats offer some of the best sight fishing opportunities in the world. Whether looking for bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda, jacks, or snapper on the fly. Tailing Water Expeditions with fly fishing guide Captain Nick LaBadie is your go-to in Key West.
There is a big playground out there and the conditions are ever changing. Take a peak at our fishing seasons calendar for an idea of what is biting certain times of year in order to maximize your success on the water. We specialize in fishing the flats and backcountry from Big Pine Key to the Marquesas. Sight fishing in the calm clear water is an experience that you will not forget.
WHAT'S BITING NOW: Winter/Spring 2025
As the weather starts to cool down, we notice a change in the fishery here in Key West and the Lower Keys. Our summertime species are reacting to the cooler water temperatures and starting to move off of the shallow flats. Tarpon start to become harder to come by with the cooler water. But that being said, warm days can provide great opportunity’s at BIG happy fish. The same goes for the permit fishing. Luckily for us the bonefish aren’t as finicky about the cooler water and will provide consistent fishing through the winter and spring. Not only are the bonefish still around but our average size goes from 1-3lbs to 4/5lbs and can be a ton of fun.
Next to move into the neighborhood is the Great Barracuda. My personal cool water favorite. This is no doubt the best time of year to target these big critters on the flats and in the backcountry. Getting over 20lbs and providing some epic eats, these fish are no joke! They can be caught throwing a variety of lures on spinning rods and offer an exciting challenge to target with fly fishing gear.
As we move into Spring we will start to see some pretty incredible fishing windows. The big tarpon and permit start to trickle back inshore and get ready to go on the feed before spawning season. The big barracudas are still plentiful and offer a lot of opportunities on the cooler days. The jack crevalles also show their face and are a ton of fun on light tackle. We don’t get a bunch of Cobia inshore but the spring is when we do catch some on the flats and in the backcountry. They can be found cruising on the backs of big sharks or around some shallow wrecks.
Look forward to some rod bending and drag screaming action through these next couple months. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions in regards to booking a trip!
LATEST KEY WEST FISHING REPORT
~ Big Cudas on Fly ~
As air and water temperatures drop we move toward a new season here in Key West and the Lower Keys. The winds generally pick up a little and direction works from south east toward the north, bringing cool air from the the central part of the country. With this shift in weather conditions we have a shift in our fishery. Pilchards, ballyhoo, mullet along with all other types of bait fish fill in the surrounding flats and backcountry. And you might be able to guess, as the bait moves inshore so do all of the predators we like to target. I don’t know anyone or anything that doesn’t want an easy meal!