Finding Reputable Dry Tortugas Fishing Charter Companies

You’ve decided you want to fish the Dry Tortugas – awesome! Now, how do you find a good company to take you there? Since it’s a long trip offshore, picking a reputable and experienced charter is really important for your safety and enjoyment.

Think about hiring someone for a big job, like building an addition onto your house. You wouldn’t just hire the first person in the phone book, right? You’d look at their past work, read reviews, and talk to them to make sure they know what they’re doing. Finding a Dry Tortugas fishing charter is similar – you want to do a little checking to find the right fit.

Here are some tips and steps for finding a reliable Key West-based charter company that goes to the Dry Tortugas:

Start Your Research

Where do you look for Dry Tortugas charters?

• Online Search: Start with simple searches like “Dry Tortugas fishing charters Key West” or “Fishing trips to Dry Tortugas National Park.” This will give you a list of companies that offer the trip.
• Check Local Tourism Sites: Websites for Key West or Florida Keys tourism might list local fishing charters that specialize in offshore trips.
• Ask for Recommendations: If you know anyone who has fished the Dry Tortugas or Key West offshore, ask them which charter they used and if they recommend them.

Look for Experience and Reputation

This is extra important for a Dry Tortugas trip.

• How Long Have They Been Operating? Companies that have been around for a while likely have a good understanding of the Dry Tortugas area and its fishing.
• Do They Specialize in Dry Tortugas? Some charters do all types of fishing. Others really focus on the Dry Tortugas. A company that specializes will likely have more experience with the long run, the specific fishing spots out there, and the park regulations. Look for companies that feature Dry Tortugas trips prominently on their website.
• Read Reviews: Look for reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and fishing-specific forums. Pay attention to what past customers say about the captain’s knowledge, the crew’s helpfulness, the condition of the boat, safety, and if they felt the trip was worth the cost. Don’t just look at the star rating; read the actual comments.

Check Their Boats

We talked about this in the Dry Tortugas Fishing Charter Boats guide, but it’s worth checking the company’s website for photos and descriptions of their vessels.

• Are the boats clean and well-maintained from the pictures?
• Do they look like they’re built for long offshore trips?
• Do they have the size and amenities you’re looking for in the Choosing the Right Boat section?

Understand What’s Included

Once you have a few potential companies, contact them and get clear information.

• Get a Detailed Quote: Ask for a breakdown of all costs (charter fee, fuel, potential extras like fish cleaning). Make sure you understand how fuel is charged.
• What’s Provided? Confirm what’s included in the price – fishing licenses, rods, reels, bait, tackle, ice, etc.
• What Do You Need to Bring? Ask if there’s a recommended Essential Gear to Bring checklist.
• Cancellation Policy: Understand their policy if the weather is bad or if you need to cancel for another reason.

Ask Questions

Don’t be shy! A good charter company is happy to answer your questions.

• Ask about their typical Dry Tortugas trips – trip length options, how many people the boat can comfortably take.
• Ask about the captain’s and crew’s experience fishing the Dry Tortugas.
• Ask about their safety procedures and equipment.
• If you have specific fish you want to target, ask if that’s realistic for the time of year you want to go.

Trust Your Gut

After you’ve done your research and talked to potential companies, go with the one you feel most comfortable with. Did they answer your questions clearly? Did they seem knowledgeable and professional?

Finding a reputable Dry Tortugas fishing charter company takes a little effort, but it’s worth it for a safe and successful trip. By doing your homework, you can increase your chances of having an amazing fishing adventure out to the Dry Tortugas National Park.

Ready to get started? You can check out our services and learn more here! Or, head back to our main Dry Tortugas Fishing Charter Guide to continue planning.