What happens if one session is canceled for weather?

If one portion is canceled due to weather, the trip price reverts to the half-day rate; captains prioritize safety.

Is the trip suitable for kids?

Yes — minimum age is six, but expect long fights and handling guidance; parents should assess their child’s tolerance for fishing.

Are rods, reels and tackle provided?

Captains typically supply standard tackle and terminal gear; bring any personal rods or specialty gear after confirming with your booking.

Should I tip the captain?

Gratuity is not included; an 18–20% tip is standard for excellent service and handling during a full-day charter.

Tarpon are usually catch-and-release; the crew will advise on humane handling and quick release techniques to protect the fish.

Double Golden Hour Tarpon Charter — Two-Session Tarpon Fishing in Key West

Q: Where do we meet?

Check in at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina - 5950 Peninsular Ave, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040; arrive early for boarding.

At the height of morning light and again as the sky goes auburn, the Double Golden Hour Tarpon Charter stages a rhythmic chase across the clear flats and nearshore channels off Key West, Florida. Operated from Oceans Edge Resort & Marina - 5950 Peninsular Ave, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040, this two-session trip targets tarpon—the silver kings—during the two most productive windows of the day. The format is simple and effective: a 4‑hour morning session (6:30–10:30am) and a 4‑hour evening session (5:30–9:30pm), separated by a land break to reset, regroup and let the midday heat pass.

You’ll fish with a small group—maximum four anglers—giving each angler ample rod time and line space when a tarpon takes. Key West sits at the western edge of the Florida Keys reef tract and bonefish flats, where a mix of limestone shelf, seagrass beds and mangrove-lined channels funnels bait and big predators alike. Tarpon here are known for explosive surface rolls and long, powerful runs that test tackle and angler endurance; that drama is why local captains prize the golden hours.

Practical touches matter: the charter accommodates anglers aged six and up, and the skipper handles tackle repairs on a case-by-case basis—broken rods happen. Weather can force adjustments; if a session is canceled due to conditions, the trip reverts to the half-day rate. Bring sun protection, seasickness remedies if you’re prone, and a camera for those head-and-tail leaps that make for editorial-worthy frames.

Why book this trip? For visitors staying in Key West, the schedule maximizes fishable hours while offering a comfortable mid-day pause to explore Old Town or nap before the evening push. The small group size and two-session format make it a standout option: you’re not committing to a single long grind but getting two concentrated chances at tarpon in prime light. The combination of shallow flats, deep-water structure and tidal funnels around Key West creates repeatable holding spots for tarpon—conditions the captain knows how to read.

For conservation-minded anglers, tarpon are often handled and released; expect catch-and-release practices and guidance on minimizing fight time. Whether you’re chasing your first tarpon or coming for the photo and the fight, this charter packages two of Key West’s most cinematic fishing windows into one efficient, angler-friendly day.

Meet at the marina and arrive early to load gear and get a short safety briefing; the exact official check-in is Oceans Edge Resort & Marina at the Naval Air Station on your booking confirmation. The captain will monitor tides and wind to decide where to stage—backcountry flats, inshore channels, or near the reef edge—and will tailor bait and tackle for tarpon behaviors that day. Expect hands-on instruction, clear communication, and humane handling for release.