Extended Half Day Deep Sea Fishing in Key West
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour deepsea fishing adventure targeting sailfish and grouperProfessional captain provides all gear and fishing licenses includedMaximum five guests for personalized offshore fishing experience
Nothing beats spending six solid hours on the deep blue waters around Key West, where the Gulf meets the Atlantic and the fishing is legendary. This extended half-day charter gives you serious time to get out to the good spots – those deeper waters where the big fish live. You're not rushing back after a couple hours like those shorter trips. Instead, you get to settle in, find your rhythm, and really work the water properly.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will adjust the game plan based on what's biting that day. Some days we're bottom fishing the wrecks and reefs, dropping baits down to where the grouper and snapper hang out in the structure. Other times, we're trolling the blue water, covering ground to find those fast-moving pelagics like mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. The beauty of a six-hour trip is flexibility – if the bottom bite is slow, we can switch gears and go hunting in the open ocean. Your fishing license and all the gear you need comes with the trip, so just bring yourself and maybe some snacks and drinks. The boat handles up to five anglers, which keeps things comfortable without feeling crowded when multiple fish hit the spread.
When we're bottom fishing, expect to work with medium to heavy spinning gear loaded with braided line – you need the strength to pull fish up from 80 to 150 feet of water. Circle hooks and knocker rigs are the standard setup, tipped with cut bait, sardines, or live pinfish depending on what we're targeting. For the trolling action, we'll run a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and maybe some diving lures behind the boat at different depths. The captain will set up the outriggers and vary the boat speed to trigger strikes. When a sailfish crashes the spread or a wahoo screams off 200 yards of line, you'll understand why Key West has such a reputation among serious offshore anglers. The wrecks and artificial reefs scattered around the area create perfect ambush points for predator fish, while the natural reefs offer classic bottom fishing for the table fare species.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of Key West offshore fishing, especially during their peak season from April through August. These fish travel in schools and when you find one, there's usually more around. They're aggressive feeders that hit both trolled baits and live bait, and they put on quite a show with their acrobatic jumps. Most mahi in these waters run 10 to 25 pounds, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40 pounds or more. What makes them so popular is the combination of great fight and excellent table fare – plus they're one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with those electric blues and greens.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of Key West fishing, and these waters see good numbers especially from November through April when the fish migrate through. These incredible game fish can reach 8 feet long and jump repeatedly when hooked, making for some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience. Most captains practice catch and release with sailfish, but the photos and memories last forever. The Key West fleet has refined sailfish techniques over decades, using kite fishing, slow trolling, and live bait presentations that consistently produce shots at these magnificent fish.
Wahoo fishing peaks during the cooler months, with these speed demons capable of hitting 60 mph underwater. They're built like torpedoes and hit trolled baits with enough force to snap light tackle. Most wahoo here run 20 to 50 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth requiring wire leaders. The meat is fantastic – often compared to premium tuna – making wahoo a favorite target for anglers who like to eat their catch. They typically hold in 100 to 300 feet of water around structure or temperature breaks.
Red snapper season brings targeted bottom fishing excitement when regulations allow. These fish are smart and finicky, requiring fresh bait and light leaders to fool. They average 5 to 15 pounds in local waters but can grow much larger. The key is finding productive bottom structure and being patient – red snapper won't rush to the boat like some other species. Their firm, white meat makes them one of the most sought-after table fish in the Gulf.
Gag grouper represent the heavyweight division of bottom fishing around Key West. These bruisers live in holes and ledges on the reefs and wrecks, ambushing prey that ventures too close. A big gag can weigh 20 to 40 pounds and will try to get back to its hole as soon as it's hooked, making for a powerful fight in tight quarters. They're most active during cooler months and require heavy tackle and strong drag settings to keep them out of the structure.
Six hours on the water with professional crew, all gear included, and access to some of the best fishing grounds in the Florida Keys – this trip delivers serious value for offshore fishing enthusiasts. Whether you're after trophy game fish for photos or quality eating fish for the cooler, the extended time frame gives you the best shot at both. The deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly, but the investment pays off when you're fighting fish in paradise. Key West's unique location means you're fishing different water than anywhere else in Florida, with species diversity and year-round action that keeps both locals and visitors coming back. Book your spot today and get ready to see why offshore fishing here has such a legendary reputation.
Hit the deep waters of Key West aboard our 2021 32' Donzi center console, powered by twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and smooth. This sleek fishing machine comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing sailfish, grouper, and whatever else is biting. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on track. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. Whether you're bottom fishing the reefs and wrecks or trolling for pelagics, this boat delivers the performance and comfort serious anglers expect in Key West waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - these majestic fish average 7-8 feet and 50 pounds with that signature sail dorsal fin. We target them in 100-600 feet of water along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months are prime time in Key West when they move through in numbers. What makes them legendary? The fight - they'll jump, dive, and tail-walk across the surface in spectacular fashion. We typically slow-troll with rigged ballyhoo or pitch baits to teased-up fish. The secret is patience - when one shows up behind the boat, get that bait in the water and be ready for the show. Most anglers release them since they're better as trophies than table fare, but the memory lasts forever.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - thick, powerful fish that average 20 inches but can reach 50+ pounds. We find them around hard bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 40-200 feet, with bigger fish preferring deeper structure. They're ambush predators that love live bait, especially pinfish and mullet, though cut squid and crab work too. What guests love is the fight - once hooked, they'll try to dive straight back into their hole, so you've got to clamp down on the drag and horse them up. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Spring through fall is best when they're more active. The key is using circle hooks and keeping your rod tip low when fighting them - don't give them an inch or they'll bury you in the rocks.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll hook, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a light show when they come out of the water. They average 15-29 pounds but can get much bigger. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in open water, usually within 30-65 feet of the surface. Summer through fall is prime time here in Key West. What makes them special? They're strong fighters that'll jump and run, plus they're absolutely delicious eating with firm, mild white meat. Pro tip: when you see one mahi, there's usually more around - they often travel in small schools, so keep your lines in after landing the first one.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the prize of bottom fishing - these crimson beauties average 1-2 feet but can push 35 pounds or more. We target them around reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 30-200 feet of water. They're fighters that'll try to cut your line on the bottom structure, so you need to muscle them up quick. What makes them special? They're absolute table fare gold with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. May through October is peak season when they're spawning and more active. My go-to setup is heavy tackle with circle hooks and fresh cut bait - squid, cigar minnows, or live pinfish work best. The trick is keeping steady pressure once hooked and not letting them get back to their holes.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. We target them in open water around 30-200 feet deep, often near oil rigs or current breaks. July through November is when they're most active around Key West. What draws anglers to wahoo? They're pure adrenaline on the line with blistering runs, plus the meat is top-shelf - firm, white, and mild like premium tuna. The key to landing them is using wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through anything else in a heartbeat. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving lures or rigged ballyhoo usually does the trick. Once hooked, hang on tight - they don't give up easy.
Key West