Key Largo Charter Fishing and Sandbar Trips
Captain Henry Warrington is an experienced United States Coast Guard licensed Master Captain with thousands of backcountry trips below his belt. He has fished the waters off South-Africa, the Amazon, Belize and off course the backcountry waters of Key Largo and the Everglades National Park. Captain Henry, the owner of Off Course Charters, offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere during his fishing trips in Key Largo which makes it easy for new anglers to try out this amazing sport. The fishing trips that Captain Henry offers in Key Largo are tailored to fit the needs of every angler from the beginner to the pro. Don’t like fishing? No worries. We also offer amazing Key Largo sandbar trips and Alligator Reef snorkel trips for the whole family. The sandbar trips are ideal for families who just want to chill in the crystal clear and warm water of the Florida Keys.
Backcountry fishing trips: My 3 hour, 4 hour, 6 hour and full day backcountry fishing trips are tailored for the serious fisherman who wants to target that Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Jack Crevelle and even Triple tail on the longer trips. The backcountry fishing trips are done in shallow water inside the Everglades National Park and because we fish in shallow water, its perfect for those who might get sea sick in the deeper water on the oceanside.
Patch reef fishing trips: Off Course Charters also offers 4 hour patch reef trips we venture about 5 miles offshore onto the shallow patch reef where we fish for yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper and even grouper. If time permits, we can also stop at the local sandbar or Alligator Reef Lighthouse for a quick dip so make sure to bring your bathing suit!
What the captain provides
Capt Henry will provide all the tackle, bait, bottled water, a cooler with ice and fishing licenses.
What you must bring
FOR BACKCOUNTRY FISHING ONLY:
Everglades Entry Permit. Each person entering the Everglades National Park must have a Park Pass when entering the park unless you already have a National Park Pass like "America the Beautiful", "Lifetime Senior Pass", "Veterans Pass" or "Everglades Annual Pass". Passes can be bought online at www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74278 for people 16yrs and older. Under 16 don't need a pass. Each Pass cost $15 but if your group is larger than 2 people, you can purchase a Vessel Pass for $15
I do not allow ANY alcohol on backcountry fishing trips. Sorry, NO exceptions. Alcohol, hooks and fishing lures are a terrible combination and because safety is a priority, I do NOT allow any type of alcohol on the fishing trips. Any person who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be refused access onto the vessel. Cigarettes are also a no-no...however vape pens are allowed.
On the sandbar and Alligator Reef snorkeling/floating trips
Sunglasses are MANDATORY for everyone fishing on the boat, even for kids. Sunglasses protect the eyes against the harmful rays of the sun but more importantly they protect the eyes against objects like hooks, sinkers, rod tips and other objects. You must bring your own sunglasses.
The right clothing. In the summer months I suggest light layered clothing including a hat, gaiter, long sleeve shirt and rain jacket. In the cooler months make sure to bring a jacket because the ride can be very cold. Also make sure to wear comfortable soft shoes. No flip flops or barefoot. On the 6 and 8 hour trips you MUST wear the appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the sun. Long sleeve fishing shirts and long fishing pants are crucial in the Florida sun. I strongly suggest to wear a good face buff and gloves too.
Prescription medicine. Any prescription medicines that you cannot be without like Allergy medicine, Diabetes medicine, or any other medicine that you cannot be without.
Life vests for kids under 7 years old. Please bring your own life vests if you have kids under 7 years old. Kids under 7 years old must wear a life vest that fits them correctly all the time while on the water. I do have life vests for adults.
FOR PATCH REEF FISHING:
The right clothing. I always suggest to wear a long sleeve fishing shirt, hat and buff for the sun. You can wear shorts or even a bathing suit on the patch reef fishing trip as we often stop for a quick dip at the sandbar. Swimming is optional however many people like to get into the water for a quick dip before heading back.
Sunglasses are Mandatory every time we go fishing
Snacks and beverages. You can bring a small snack like sandwiches and gatorade. No alcohol is allowed on any of my fishing trips. No exception. Alcohol, hooks and lures don't combine.
Towels if you plan to get into the water.
Prescription medicine. Any prescription medicines that you cannot be without like Allergy medicine, Diabetes medicine, or any other medicine that you cannot be without.
Life vests for kids under 7 years old. Please bring your own life vests if you have kids under 7 years old. Kids under 7 years old must wear a life vest that fits them correctly all the time while on the water. I do have life vests for adults.
FOR SANDBAR AND ALLIGATOR REEF TRIPS:
Bathing suit and dry clothes, Sunglasses, Snacks and beverages.
I do allow moderate consumption of alcohol on my Key Largo Sandbar Trips trips. Both the sandbar trips and Alligator Reef trips are on the oceanside and sometimes can get a little wavy. Too much alcohol consumption the day before or the day of the trip can lead to sea sickness. The goal is for everyone to have a good time on the water and to go back with great memories. If anyone on the boat becomes drunk, disrespectful or belligerent, the trip will be cancelled immediately.
Towels if you plan to get into the water.
Prescription medicine. Any prescription medicines that you cannot be without like Allergy medicine, Diabetes medicine, or any other medicine that you cannot be without.
Life vests for kids under 7 years old. Please bring your own life vests if you have kids under 7 years old. Kids under 7 years old must wear a life vest that fits them correctly all the time while on the water. I do have life vests for adults.
What NOT to bring.
1. Alcohol, tobacco products or drugs are NOT allowed on any of my fishing trips due to the potential hazard that they all can cause.. NO
EXCEPTION. The trip will be terminated if any of these products are brought onto the boat. However, on the sandbar and Alligator Reef trips
I do allow alcohol consumption in moderation.
2. Big bags, coolers or other bulky objects. Space is limited on a boat.
3. Sunscreen on fishing trips. Make sure to apply sunscreen BEFORE leaving your hotel room or home and wash your hands with water and
soap afterwards. Sunscreen is allowed on sandbar trips though.
4. Insect repellent. The ingredients in repellents, especially DEED, will actually cause the fish not to bite.
5. Pets. NO animals are allowed on the boat. No exception.
Can I keep my catch
Yes and No. I don't allow any Snook or Redfish to be kept on my boat. These fish can take a very long time to grow and we need to maintain their numbers for a sustainable industry. If you catch Snapper, Speckled Trout or Triple-tail, I will be happy to clean them for you. However keep in mind that you can only keep what you can consume that day. Filling up coolers is not a sustainable practice in the Everglades National Park.
How many people can go on the boat
My boat can accommodate up to 4 passengers. However, the amount of people who can fish at the same time depends on the proficiency and experience of everyone on the boat. I rarely allow all 4 people to fish at the same time unless all 4 people are extremely proficient in casting. The reason for this is to prevent accidents and to keep lines from crossing when someone gets a huge fish on the line (which happens a lot). I take safety very seriously and I want everyone to have great memories of the fishing trip....not memories of a trip to the ER.
How do you deal with kids
Kids are very welcome on my boat. I pride myself in teaching the young ones the art of fishing in the backcountry. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a kid reel in a big fish. Kids under 10 years old can only go on the 2 hour trips because movement is restricted on a boat and the younger ones find it difficult to be fairly quiet for long periods. So, the 2 hour trip is perfect for them. On my 4hr trips, kids 10 and older usually do very well. I usually do a little safety talk with the kids before we leave the dock to make sure everyone is on the same page. There is no running, jumping, climbing, hanging or horseplay allowed at anytime.