Step #1 – Get Ready
Click
Book It to use our Booking Calendar. Select the dates and times you want to go fishing in Key West. Press the Update button and all the available charters will show below. Choose the type of trip you wish to book by pressing the book now link under that trip type. Then fill out the reservation form and use PayPal to submit your reservation and deposit. A 20% deposit is due at the time of reservation. Be sure to read our Policies Agreement and our Cancellation Policy.
Get ready to have a great time!
Step #2 – Get Set
We’ll e-mail you a Trip Confirmation Notice with instructions and all the details of your Key West fishing charter, including the balance that will be due to the Captain the day of your trip. Let the excitement build!
Step #3 – Here Fishy, Fishy…
The Captain and crew provide bait, tackle, rods, reels, boat fuel, expertise and assistance in finding and landing fish as well as all fish cleaning, filleting and bagging the catch on ice….everything you would expect professional deep sea fishing guides to provide and then some. Most trophy fish like Sailfish & Sharks are released to fight again, the crew can recommend very talented taxidermists who can create an identical “release mounted trophy”. Some trophy fish may be brought in at the customer’s request, if permitted by law and with the Captain’s approval. We suggest you bring food, drinks, hat, sun block and proper clothing in case the weather changes. Leave your worries at home and don’t forget your camera!
Most of all….HAVE FUN!
The Key West fishing guides we partner with are the best anglers in the business, working the greatest sport fishing waters in the world….Key West! Once a client experiences the convenience of booking a trip with the team at KWBigFish.com, the benefit of fishing the pristine waters of Key West with an experienced crew and the thrill of landing beautiful game fish….they are hooked and want to do it again and again.
KW Big Fish is a 2 person operation. Just an American small business, like our fishing guide partners. We are the sister and future brother-in-law of a 30 year (and counting) successful Key West fisherman. Like many people, we experienced the loss of a long time job. After a discussion (possibly alcohol induced) about how the charter fishing booking system worked, we decided there had to be an better way. Expecting the customer to scour the internet, call the numbers they found for boat captains, give their credit card number to a stranger over the phone and then hope for a good outcome is no way to start a vacation. So we came up with KWBigFish.com, a convenient, easy, trusted way to connect customers with the best guides in the business….and hopefully, make a little money in the process.
GET HOOKED!
What time(s) are the charter trips?
We usually book 8, 6 or 4 hour trips. Time and scheduling can be tailored to meet the needs of your group.
- 8 hour charters leave between 7 – 8 AM and return between 3 – 4:00 PM
- 6 hour charters leave between 7 – 8 AM and return between 1 – 2:00 PM
- Morning 4 hour charters leave between 7 – 8 AM and return between 11 – noon
- Afternoon 4 hour charters leave between 11 – noon and return 4 – 4:00 PM
- Evening Charters leave around 6:30 PM and return around 10:30 PM
How many people can go on a fishing boat?
Though some boats accommodate less, Deep Sea Fishing, Shark Fishing and Wreck & Reef trips typically can handle a maximum of 6 people (USCG regulations).
Because of the shallow water nature of these charters, Back Country Fishing, Flats Fishing and Fly Fishing vessels can usually accommodate 2-4 guests (depending on USCG regulations)
Do we need a fishing license?
No. All clients are under the umbrella of the Captain’s license.
Are kids welcome?
Absolutely. We are kid friendly and love to help create the lasting memories that come from a family fishing trip. The Captain will tailor your fishing adventure to the child’s skill level and interests, the Crew will provide good instruction and together they’ll help make your family trip special.
Is alcohol permitted on board?
What happens to the fish we catch?
Any fish allowed by regulation to be brought to shore will be cleaned, filleted and bagged on ice by the crew, ready for you to cook. The crew can also recommend local restaurants that will cook your catch for a nominal charge. Most trophy fish like Sailfish & Sharks are released to fight again, the crew can recommend very talented taxidermists who can create an identical “release mounted trophy”. Some trophy fish may be brought in at our customer’s request, if permitted by law and with the Captain’s approval.
What else should we know?
The enjoyment of our customers is our most important priority so we ask a few questions during the reservation process that will help us understand what will be important to your party. While most of the boats we work with have a basic lavatory and an air conditioned cabin, not all boats have these amenities. That is one of the reasons why, if you’ve been looking online, you can sometimes see a wide variety of pricing for fishing charters. Take a few minutes to think about what you feel will be best for your group, let us know, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.
What is a shared charter?
A shared charter, also called a split charter is when one party wants to share the fishing charter with another party. Basically, someone who books a shared charter is asking us to connect them with someone else who wants to fish at the same time and share a charter with them. Since the financial risk to the Captain is greater should one party cancel or no-show, be aware that most of our Captains ask shared charter clients to pay the balance due at the time of reservation. Shared charters are a great choice for an individual or small party of travelers who don’t want to charter a whole boat and don’t mind making new friends.
Could I get seasick?
It does happen occasionally to even the most seasoned veteran. As a precautionary measure, some people benefit from limiting their alcohol intake the night before a trip, taking a dose of Dramamine or Bonine (both are found over the counter in most drugstores) the night before and then another dose when they wake up on trip day. Others use motion sickness wrist bands as a precaution which also can be found in drug stores.
How are deposits handled?
- A deposit in the amount of 20% is due upon reservation.
- The Trip Confirmation Notice reflecting the balance due will be forwarded to both the customer and the Captain.
- The remainder of any balance due (shown at the bottom of the Trip Confirmation Notice) is required on the day of the charter, in cash, money order, or credit card, prior to sailing. Tips are a vital part of the crew’s compensation. It is customary to provide the crew a 20% gratuity for their services; this is not included in the price of the charter and should be given to the Captain and/or First Mate.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
A full 100% refund will be provided if the cancellation occurs more than 14 days prior to the reserved date(s) or for any cancellation resulting from double-booking errors, mechanical problems, inclement weather (Captain’s discretion) or other act of God. In the case of booking errors, inclement weather or mechanical malfunction, we will make every effort to re-book you on a comparable boat should you prefer that to a full refund. No refund will be provided for cancellations that occur 14 days or less before the reserved booking date(s). The customer will be charged the full charter amount plus the crew gratuity of 20%, if cancelled less than 12 hours prior to reserved date.
Are there any hidden costs?
There are no hidden costs when you book with KW Big Fish including no fuel charges or surcharges.
FISH ON!
Dori Gehling, Chief Fun Officer
Rich Linnemann, Partner Extraordinaire and Fiance of Chief Fun Officer
513.885.5553
Business Hours: 8am – 7pm ET, 7 days/week
Email Us
Who is KW Big Fish?
KW Big Fish is a 2 person operation. Just an American small business, like our fishing guide partners. We are the sister and future brother-in-law of a 30 year (and counting) successful Key West fisherman. Like many people, we experienced the loss of a long time job. After a discussion (possibly alcohol induced) about how the charter fishing booking system worked, we decided there had to be an better way. Expecting the customer to scour the internet, call the numbers they found for boat captains, give their credit card number to a stranger over the phone and then hope for a good outcome is no way to start a vacation. So we came up with KWBigFish.com, a convenient, easy, trusted way to connect customers with the best guides in the business….and hopefully, make a little money in the process.
