Captain
John Hoover

Member since November 2022 Key West, United States
Background
Lifelong Floridian raised in central Florida started fishing full-time in the Lower Keys and Key West in 2007.
Techniques
Casting artificals, live bait, fly-fishing, and sight-fishing.

Hey, I'm Captain John Hoover

Key West, Verenigde Staten
Background
Lifelong Floridian raised in central Florida started fishing full-time in the Lower Keys and Key West in 2007.
Techniques
Casting artificals, live bait, fly-fishing, and sight-fishing.
Anglers Choice
190
Reviews
9
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
John H.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Purple Heron Charters

State licensed
Uitstekend
4.9 / 5
(190 beoordelingen)
Angler's choice
Key West
 3 boekingen in de afgelopen week.
 Directe bevestiging
Trips vanaf US $349

Fishing Reports

Key West Fall Backcountry Fishing
Key West Fall Backcountry Fishing
Nov 9, 2023 Key West
As the weather starts to cool down from the heat of summertime the backcountry starts to come alive with life. This time of year we have major bait migration of Mullet, Ballyhoo, and Pilchards that inundate the backcountry basins and flats. Following these bait schools are a wide variety of gamefish such as : seatrout, jacks, pompano, snapper, ladyfish, sharks etc. We typically drift through these schools casting a variety of artificial lures and catch a real mixed bag. Itโ€™s a lot of fun and a very active fishery. Great option for half day trips that want to just catch fish. While drifting through these schools you can put a shark bait out and hook into one of the big boys following these groups if you really want a workout. With the drop in water temps the Barracudas have returned to the flats in high numbers. They can swim in bursts up to 60mph and itโ€™s awesome to watch them chase down the lure and explode on it. A great fishery option for doing a lot of casting and also having the ability to sight cast to a larger or specific fish. The residential tarpon fishing has still been good but as we get into the cold front season they can be a little more hit-or miss if the weather gets a little chilly. The goes for permit and bonefish. On good weather days though the fishing remains excellent. Fortunately this time of year we have plenty of options to choose from. Cooler air temps and an action based fishery, whatโ€™s not to love about Key West Backcountry fishing in the fall. Tight lines. Capt. John Purple Heron Charters
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Year Round Tarpon Fishing
Year Round Tarpon Fishing
Aug 12, 2023 Key West
Tarpon are one of the more iconic gamefish of the Florida Keys. Their seasonal migration from all along the Eastern seaboard to Key West for spawning typically occurs from March-July when they arrive in huge numbers. These are the larger spawning fish and what is typically known as โ€œtarpon seasonโ€. With that being said we do have opportunities at Tarpon year round here in the backcountry off Key West. A lot of the โ€œsmartโ€ residential fish aka the large ones, have found a home in marinas where they canโ€™t be fished for or there arenโ€™t any predators. Throughout the backcountry are schools and pockets of more fun-sized(5-30lb) fish that are an absolute blast to catch on light tackle or fly fishing. These Tarpon live here year round. They are very receptive to a well placed artificial lure or fly. Every now and again we run into some Snook as well, but they are far less common than the Tarpon. This is a catch and release fishery, we donโ€™t take them in the boat regardless of size. This gentle handling ensures the best possible health upon release for these magnificent gamefish. If youโ€™re interested in giving it a shot feel free to shoot me a message and I can recommend a good time to look for them. A lot of where we fish is tidally based for access so we need certain tides. A half day will work but Iโ€™d recommend a full day if youโ€™d like to try for other species as well and give it a good effort. Tight lines. -Capt. John Purple Heron Charters
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Key West Winter Time On The Flats
Key West Winter Time On The Flats
Dec 15, 2022 Key West
The wind and water temps have been varying frequently lately as is the norm for Winter. We have been utilizing the conditions as well as we can and targeting what's best for what the weather allows. This morning it was a little colder and windier so casting artificial lures for barracuda made the most sense. We caught a half dozen or so smaller individuals and capped it off with 2 nicer sized fish. In the afternoon the wind laid down and the sun came out in full force. With a rising water level we were able to get up onto the flats and sight fish to multiple schools of bonefish with shrimp tipped jigs culminating in some healthy fish being released. There is always something fun to fish for here off Key West and this is a great example of picking and choosing your target based off what conditions dictate. Tight lines.
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Customer reviews

Beoordelingsoverzicht
Uitstekend
4.9 / 5
van de 5 sterren op basis van 190 beoordelingen
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Boot
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4.9 / 5
Crew
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5.0 / 5
Ervaring
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4.9 / 5
Foto's & video's door recensenten (118)
John Hoover was a great Captain
John Hoover was a great Captain
John Hoover was a great Captain
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100%
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Jesse E.
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Algemeen

Good day on the water

GECONTROLEERD   Afternoon Half Day Trip op September 27, 2025
John was friendly, accommodating, and knows his craft well. He made it a point to keep moving us until we found fish, and my...
Jesse E. raadt Purple Heron Charters aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
1 persoon vindt deze beoordeling nuttig
je en 1 andere persoon vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
  John Hoover De schipper heeft geantwoord
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Seth K.
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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Fishing with John

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  Half Day Morning Fishing Trip op December 28, 2025
Seth K. raadt Purple Heron Charters aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig
  John Hoover De schipper heeft geantwoord
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Blake W.
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
Boot
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5.0 / 5
Crew
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5.0 / 5
Algemeen

Great time on the water

GECONTROLEERD   Half Day Morning Fishing Trip op Oktober 31, 2025
John is extremely knowledgable is the fishing in this area. my wife and i learned so much from him and had an amazing time...
Blake W. raadt Purple Heron Charters aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
2 personen vinden deze beoordeling nuttig
je en 2 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
  John Hoover De schipper heeft geantwoord
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Deane N.
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5.0 / 5
Ervaring:
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5.0 / 5
Boot
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5.0 / 5
Crew
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5.0 / 5
Algemeen

Great day on the water.

GECONTROLEERD   Half Day Morning Fishing Trip op April 8, 2025
Captain John was very attentive to finding out what my goals were for the trip and we focused on that. We went after larger...
Deane N. raadt Purple Heron Charters aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
7 personen vinden deze beoordeling nuttig
je en 7 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
  John Hoover De schipper heeft geantwoord
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Santi L.
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5.0 / 5
Ervaring:
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5.0 / 5
Boot
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5.0 / 5
Crew
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5.0 / 5
Algemeen

Top notch fishing guide

GECONTROLEERD   3/4 Day Trip op Februari 2, 2025
Excellent trip. John has a lot of experience and knowledge of the area.ย  He will put you on the fish and offer a lot of technical...
Santi L. raadt Purple Heron Charters aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
4 personen vinden deze beoordeling nuttig
je en 4 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
  John Hoover De schipper heeft geantwoord
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