About the captain
Capt. John Hoover, a lifelong Floridian, has been fishing in the Lower Florida Keys for over 15 years. He is a year round fishing guide.
The Captain
The Boat
18′ Dolphin Backcountry Pro Flats Skiff
Seating for 2-3 passengers, dry storage for your belongings and plenty of space on the front casting deck for anglers.
Boat & equipment 4.9 · FishingBooker
Captain & Boat
The Boat
The 18′ Backcountry Pro is considered the most versatile backcountry boat in the world and designed to be the best all-around near shore boat. Its stability allows anglers to walk around the gunnels easily.
The boat is 18 ft long and 88 inches wide. It is the perfect tool to ethically and adequately navigate the delicate backcountry shallow water ecosystem. This skiff provides the best on-the-water experience without compromising between a smooth ride and shallow water angling capabilities.
Seating for 2-3 passengers, dry storage for your belongings and plenty of space on the front casting deck for anglers. I’ll have a cooler with waters and ice on board that you can feel free to add any other drinks or snacks, too.
- The boat
- 18′ Dolphin Backcountry Pro Flats Skiff
- Size
- 18 ft long and 88 inches wide
- Seating
- Seating for 2-3 passengers
- On board
- Dry storage for your belongings, plenty of space on the front casting deck, and a cooler with waters and ice
- Fishing
- Inshore fishing, flats fishing, backcountry fishing, and light tackle
- Departure
- Purple Heron Charters typically departs from the Historic Charter Boat Row unless a different departure location is agreed upon with the captain. 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040.
Fishing Charters
Flats Fishing Lower Keys & Key West
Your trip begins on board a 18’ Dolphin Backcountry Pro that can fit 2-3 anglers. This skiff is designed with the need to run shallow while still offering a comfortable ride across large open stretches of water. The perfect blend of shallow water capabilities and comfort.
Captain & Boat
Capt. John Hoover
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring?
The boat will have a cooler onboard with waters and ice. Please feel free to bring whatever else you’d like to eat or drink. A good pair of polarized sunglasses is recommended and plenty of sunscreen. Footwear with good traction. A light rain jacket if possible. Everything else needed for a fun day on the water will be provided.
Will it be rough?
Fortunately in inshore fishing we always have the option to hide. Unlike offshore or reef fishing where you are constantly exposed we can generally find the lee of the wind and get out of it. That being said, on windy days sometimes it is a little bumpy or we may get some spray from the wave action when traveling to and from fishing locations. I do my best to mitigate these effects but unfortunately it is a part of it sometimes. It is generally much calmer than any other kind of fishing.
What if it’s raining?
We are located in the tropics, it can rain on almost any given day of the year. We do our best to avoid it as much as possible or wait for it to pass. Sometimes we will get rained on though, that is just a part of the natural ecosystem. If there is a lot of lightning in close proximity we will not head out, or if it pops up while we are out then we will head back to the dock. Safety is the number one priority.
Can I bring beer?
You are more than welcome to bring a few beers or other alcoholic drink of your choice to enjoy responsibly while we’re out. Just remember that it is a very hot and humid environment at times so not overdoing it and staying hydrated with water is key. Absolutely zero tolerance policy on illegal substances though, drugs are not allowed on the boat at any time.
Book Your Trip Today!
Book your trip now and hit the water with Purple Heron Charters.