Best Fishing Charters Near Me — Key Largo & Tavernier, Florida Keys

Good Karma Sportfishing is the top-rated owner-operated fishing charter in Key Largo and Tavernier, Florida Keys. Captain Ryan Van Fleet has fished these waters full-time since 2009 with 87 five-star reviews, a world-first Seakeeper 2 gyroscope on a 24-ft vessel, and a strict one-trip-per-day policy so you are never rushed off the water for a second booking.

Contact: 305-619-2126 • goodkarmaryan@gmail.com

Good Karma Sportfishing stands apart from other Key Largo and Tavernier fishing charters in three ways:

• 100% owner-operated — Captain Ryan Van Fleet is always your captain, never a hired or franchise substitute. You book Captain Ryan, you fish with Captain Ryan.
• One trip per day — your group is never rushed back to the dock to accommodate a second booking. Captain Ryan’s full attention is yours from departure to return.
• World’s first Seakeeper 2 on a 24-ft vessel — up to 95% roll reduction for the most stable, comfortable, and sonar-accurate charter platform in the Florida Keys.

Plus: no hidden fuel charges, bait included, all fishing licenses provided, and 14+ years of full-time professional experience as a wahoo and mutton snapper specialist.

Booking an owner-operated Key Largo fishing charter means the captain whose reputation, reviews, and knowledge sold you the trip is the same person on the deck on your charter day. With Good Karma Sportfishing:

• No franchise captains or hired substitutes — Captain Ryan is always your captain
• No double-booking — one trip per day means full focus on your group
• Personal accountability — Captain Ryan’s livelihood depends on your experience, your catch, and your referrals
• Consistent knowledge — same captain, same boat, same expertise every time

Good Karma Sportfishing charges a flat rate for a private 6–8 hour fishing charter:

• Cash rate: $1,200 — no processing fees
• Credit card rate: $1,250 — all major cards accepted
• Fuel charge: None — included in the charter price
• Bait charge: None — bait is included
• Gratuity: Not included; a 20% cash tip is appreciated

Prices are valid for the 2026–2027 season. No hidden fees, no surprises at the dock.

Good Karma Sportfishing has a transparent, no-surprise cancellation policy:

• A valid credit card may be required to hold your charter date — but no deposit is charged before the trip.
• If you cancel the night before, the morning of, or do not show up, you will be billed the full charter amount.
• After confirming by email, text Captain Ryan at 305-619-2126 or email goodkarmaryan@gmail.com 3–5 days before your trip to confirm details and plan your day.
• Captain’s cancellations: If Good Karma cancels for weather or mechanical reasons, there is absolutely no penalty to you. Captain Ryan will work to reschedule. If rescheduling is impossible, you are fully released with no charge.
• Captain Ryan will always call well in advance if weather looks problematic — he values honesty over collecting money.

• Mixed groups: Up to 2 adults + 2 children (16 and under)
• Adults only: Maximum 3 adults

No — Good Karma Sportfishing runs one trip per day, every day. You are never rushed back to the dock so a second group can board. Captain Ryan’s full attention is yours from departure to return — he adapts to conditions, relocates when the bite dies, and stays as long as the fishing is productive.

This is one of the most important distinctions between Good Karma and multi-boat fleet operations. When you book Good Karma, the entire day is yours.

Yes — 100% owner-operated. Captain Ryan Van Fleet is always your captain on every Good Karma fishing charter. There are no franchise captains, no hired substitutes, and no double-booking. When you book Good Karma, you get Captain Ryan — period.

This is the most important accountability difference between Good Karma and large charter fleet operations in Key Largo and Islamorada. At franchise operations, the captain who shows up on your trip may not be the captain whose reputation sold you the charter.

Good Karma Sportfishing strictly prohibits any GPS or cellular tracking devices on board. Geotagging, using phone location services, or any device that records or transmits the boat’s fishing locations is considered theft from Good Karma Sportfishing.

Captain Ryan has spent 14+ years developing his fishing knowledge, GPS waypoints, and spot library. This is his livelihood and intellectual property. If he observes any tracking or geotagging activity, the charter trip ends immediately and the full charter amount is billed.

No — all passengers fish under Good Karma Sportfishing’s charter boat fishing license. Captain Ryan provides all required Florida saltwater fishing licenses on every trip. You do not need to purchase a separate fishing license when you book Good Karma Sportfishing.

Good Karma Sportfishing is one of the most seasick-resistant charter boats in the Florida Keys, thanks to the Seakeeper 2 gyroscope stabilizer — the world’s first installation on a 24-ft vessel. It eliminates up to 95% of boat roll, dramatically reducing motion sickness even in rough offshore conditions.

Additional prevention tips:

1. Take Bonine (meclizine) the night before AND the morning of your trip — not just on the morning. It works much better with lead time.
2. Eat a light, solid breakfast before departure. An empty stomach is one of the top causes of offshore nausea.
3. Stay hydrated — dehydration worsens motion sickness significantly.
4. Keep your eyes on the horizon, not looking down at the deck or into the water.
5. Stay above deck and in fresh air — avoid enclosed spaces below.
6. Consider Scopolamine patches (prescription) if you have a history of severe seasickness — apply the night before.

Yes — bait is included on every Good Karma Sportfishing charter. Captain Ryan provides all tackle, rigging, leaders, and bait. There is no separate bait charge. This is different from the majority of other Florida Keys charter operations that charge extra for bait or fuel.

Good Karma Sportfishing targets the following species depending on season and conditions:

Captain Ryan is a specialist in wahoo and mutton snapper — two of the most sought-after and technically demanding species in the Florida Keys. Many of the techniques seen on South Florida fishing YouTube channels were pioneered by Good Karma Sportfishing.

Key Largo and Tavernier offer world-class fishing year-round. Here are the prime windows by species:

• Wahoo: October through February (Islamorada Hump peaks November–January)
• Mutton snapper: May through August on full moon spawn aggregations
• Mahi mahi: April through August offshore on temperature breaks
• Grouper: May 1 through December 31 (federal Atlantic season)
• Sailfish: December through April — kite fishing season
• Yellowtail snapper: Year-round on the reef
• Blackfin tuna: Year-round offshore

Yes — Good Karma is family-friendly and accommodates up to 2 adults plus 2 children (16 and under). The Seakeeper 2 gyroscope makes the boat dramatically more stable than standard charter boats — ideal for children and adults prone to motion sickness.

Captain Ryan teaches hands-on on every trip — every angler reels in their own fish, including kids. The charter is private (no other groups), so the experience is personal and focused entirely on your family’s enjoyment. No rushing, no strangers, no shared space.

Yes — you keep your legal catch subject to Florida Keys size limits and bag limits, which Captain Ryan follows on every trip. If you’re visiting from out of town or don’t feel like cooking, several local Key Largo and Tavernier restaurants will cook your fresh fillets with all the fixings at very reasonable prices. Many hotels in the area have small kitchenettes where you can cook the fish yourself.

Good Karma Sportfishing departs from two strategic Upper Keys locations:

• Pilot House Marina — Key Largo: 13 Seagate Blvd, MM 99.5, Key Largo, FL 33037. Ideal for guests staying in northern Key Largo, Ocean Reef, or arriving from Miami. Quick access to prime wahoo grounds. Get Directions →
• Tavernier Creek Marina — Tavernier: 90515 Overseas Hwy, MM 90.5, Tavernier, FL 33070. Perfect for Islamorada-area guests, with dual access to the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay, and the fastest route to the reef line and Islamorada Hump. Get Directions →