All Water Charters

About your Trip.

All Water Charters is a fishing charter boat company out of Key West, FL. Owned and operated by Captain Kyle Kelso and colleagues, All Water Charters takes people on private backcountry fishing, flats fishing, offshore, reef fishing, snorkel trips, and other custom charters. There are many different styles of fishing offered to those who want to embark out on a boat from Key West. The most popular type of charter that All Water Fishing Charters offers is Backcountry Fishing because it is fun, easygoing, and the variety is endless. Backcountry fishing is primarily a shallow water fishing excursion. We also offer light tackle reef fishing trips as well. This is the type of trip where you can catch yellow tail snapper fishing on the reef, sometimes catch fish on the wrecks, and if the weather is even nice enough you could shoot out offshore for a pelagic species like mahi-mahi. The type of fishing we do is usually based on the weather conditions for the day. We don’t want to take you out to an area if we know it is going to be too rough and uncomfortable. Key West is amazing because we can always stay in shallow water and hide from the wind or waves if the weather conditions aren’t great.

About Your Captain

All Water Fishing Charters was started in 2013 by Captain Kyle Kelso. Captain Kyle was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He grew up fishing the Tampa Bay area with his dad and grandfather. He has always had a passion for the water and the environment. He graduated high school in St. Petersburg and got his Captain’s License shortly after. He has been extremely serious with his fishing career ever since, always trying to better himself and learn different parts of the industry. He moved to Key West shortly after obtaining his captain’s license in 2009 and fished non stop, as a full time career. Capt. Kyle Kelso with a happy customer and his permit He knows the waters in the Lower Keys to the Marquesas Keys. He fishes the flats, backcountry, reef, and offshore. Captain Kyle is a true sportsman and is great to be around on the water. He loves teaching kids how important it is to preserve such a beautiful environment so they can enjoy it through their childhood just like he did. Captain Kyle is very flexible and will try and create a custom charter catered to the goals of his anglers.

Some FAQ's

How long is the boat ride before we are fishing?
Depending on what type of fishing trip you are scheduled on and how long the trip is, will give the best answer. If you are going tarpon fishing, the boat ride could be very short considering a lot of the tarpon in the migration are close to the marina. We get fresh bait every morning which is typically in bait traps (takes about 10 minutes). So on average, from when you leave the dock, you could be fishing in 25 minutes which isn’t too bad.

If you are on a full day trip, and we are going a little further out in to the backcountry or to the Marquesas Keys, you could have an hour or a little more from leaving the dock until you are fishing. A lot of times on route to certain fishing locations, we see some activity on the way and stop to fish. Just remember when booking, that the trip times (like with any charter company) are from dock to dock (i.e. half day trip leave dock at 8am and come back at 12pm).

What do I need to bring on the fishing charter?
You should be wearing comfortable clothes that match with the weather for the day of your charter. A light rain jacket is a good idea as well during the summer months. Always wear sunglasses (polarized). A hat is also good. Both help with the glare and help your eyes adjust to changing light throughout the day. Also, polarized sunglasses will help you see through the water better (more important if flats fishing/sight casting).

Light snacks and food are a good idea, but completely up to you. Non-spray sunscreen is preferred. Spray sunscreen gets all over the boat and makes it slippery, as well as ruining marine upholstery.

If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages on the boat that is fine, but try and keep the hard alcohol to a minimum and use aluminum cans if bringing beer. Please try and avoid bringing large coolers with you, as they tend to get in the way. The cooler on the boats are sufficient in size. Small coolers and cooler bags are a good idea though if you would like to bring your own. *Please, no Styrofoam coolers. They never, ever hold up and end up flying everywhere in pieces.

Should I bring my own fishing gear?
If you really have to. Provided on the boats is gear designed for doing exactly what we will be doing. So, if you really want to bring your own tackle, make sure your captain knows about it before hand so they can make room on their boat.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?
On most center consoles, no. On some of the bigger charter boats in town, yes. There is a swim platform on the back of the boat which allows for (primarily women) to use as their restroom. Men don’t have an issue. If you need to have a boat with a bathroom on it, you will be referred to someone who offers this. *Just so you know, all flats boats and most bay boats (well really most boats under 32 feet) do not have restrooms on them.

What is provided in my charter for the day?
One of the top questions. Provided in your day is:

• Bottled water on ice in the cooler
• Fishing license for everyone during the charter
• All needed fishing tackle and bait for the given day
• Instruction and techniques
• Fish cleaning (if bringing a few home for lunch/dinner)

How many fish can I catch?
This is a really hard, if not impossible question to answer. Depending on what you are going for, how you’re fishing, and what time of year you are fishing can give you a better idea. If you want to get hard to catch target species, you will most likely catch less fish (which is anywhere in the world). If you are looking for a variety and want to catch a little bit of anything, you will most likely catch lots of fish. We can switch up your day for you giving you a custom experience to do a little bit of both.

What if there is bad weather on the day of our trip?
No one likes being out on the water if it is extremely windy and rainy all day. It makes things really difficult when being forced to fish certain locations based on the weather conditions. The possibility of inclement weather will be brought up night before (or at check in), and also prior to the charter for a more accurate prediction. Honest captains’ opinions will be brought to you prior to the charter to discuss whether it will be worth going or not given these rare situations.

*When a professional, full time captain tells you the weather is not going to be suitable to go on the charter, listen. This is him/her giving up their income that day to make sure you don’t waste yours, ultimately saving you from a bad experience.