Key Largo Full Day Fishing Charter
Looking for a real fishing adventure in Key Largo? All Hanns On Deck's full-day charter gives you 8 solid hours on some of Florida's most productive waters. Starting at 7 AM, this private charter takes up to 4 anglers to both the reefs and blue water offshore, where you'll have shots at everything from snapper and grouper on the bottom to mahi, wahoo, and tuna cruising the surface. Captain Hann knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. With all tackle, bait, and even spearfishing gear included, you just need to bring your crew, some snacks, and get ready for a day you'll be talking about for years.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – with 8 hours, you've got time to really fish. We'll start the morning hitting the reef structure for snappers and groupers, then move offshore where the real action happens. The beauty of a full day is flexibility. If the mahi are showing up on the weedlines, we'll work them hard. If the wahoo are biting on the edge, that's where we'll spend our time. Captain Hann reads the water and adjusts the plan based on what's happening that day. You'll fish from a well-equipped boat with quality Penn and Shimano gear, but if you've got lucky rods you prefer, bring them along. The boat's got plenty of rod holders, a good fish box, and all the electronics needed to find structure and baitfish. Between the reef fishing and offshore trolling, you'll experience the full range of what Key Largo fishing offers.
Techniques We'll Use
We'll mix up the fishing styles throughout the day to keep things interesting and productive. On the reefs, we're dropping live pilchards, pinfish, and ballyhoo on circle hooks for the snappers and groupers. You'll learn to feel the bite and set the hook properly – it's all about timing with these bottom dwellers. Once we head offshore, we're pulling a spread of lures and rigged baits. Trolling is an art form here, and Captain Hann runs everything from small feathers for mahi to big horse ballyhoo for wahoo and kingfish. We'll also do some live bait fishing when conditions are right, especially if we mark good fish on the sounder. If you're into spearfishing, the gear's onboard – nothing beats the rush of dropping down on a big grouper or cobia. The key is staying adaptable and reading what the fish want on any given day.
Top Catches This Season
The Atlantic Sailfish around Key Largo are pure athletes, and when they're here from November through April, every angler should experience that first jump. These fish average 6-8 feet and fight like nothing else – they'll clear the water multiple times, tail-walking and throwing the hook if you're not careful. The cool thing about sails is they often travel in small schools, so where you catch one, there's usually another nearby. We fish for them with live goggle-eyes and blue runners, and the bite is typically best in 80-120 feet of water along the reef edge. King Mackerel are year-round residents, but they really turn on from September through February. These smoker kings will hit a trolled spoon or live bait and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. A good king in these waters runs 15-30 pounds, with the occasional 40-pounder showing up to make your day. They've got razor teeth, so we use wire leader and handle them carefully at the boat.
Mahi Mahi are the crowd-pleasers, especially for families with kids. These colorful fighters show up around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks, typically from April through September. What makes mahi special is they're aggressive feeders and acrobatic fighters – they'll jump, dive, and change colors while fighting. Plus, they're fantastic table fare. A typical mahi here runs 10-25 pounds, but we see bulls over 40 pounds several times each season. Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef – these powerful fish live around wrecks and hard bottom in 60-200 feet of water. They'll hit live bait hard and immediately head for the bottom, testing your back and your drag. AJs can reach 50+ pounds around Key Largo, and they're available year-round, though we catch the most from March through September. Great Barracuda are everywhere in these waters, and while some anglers see them as a nuisance, a big cuda can provide serious excitement. They hit lures and bait with explosive strikes and make powerful runs. The biggest ones lurk around the reef edges and can exceed 4 feet in length.
Time to Book Your Spot
A full-day charter with All Hanns On Deck gives you the complete Key Largo fishing experience – reef action, offshore excitement, and enough time to really get into the rhythm of fishing these world-class waters. With only 4 spots available, this trip books up fast, especially during peak season. Captain Hann's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a top-rated charter that anglers return to year after year. Whether you're looking to check species off your bucket list, put some fresh fish in the cooler, or just spend quality time on the water with family or friends, this charter delivers. The memories you'll make and the fish stories you'll tell are worth every penny – just ask anyone who's fished with Hann before.