Islamorada Reef & Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Reef and offshore fishing options in Islamorada watersExpert guides provide equipment and local fishing knowledgeCharter accommodates up to six guests per trip
The fishing around Islamorada is some of the best you'll find anywhere in the world, and our charters put you right in the middle of it all. We're talking about pristine waters where the Atlantic meets the Gulf Stream, creating perfect conditions for both reef fishing and offshore big-game action. Best Day Ever Charters has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and we know exactly where to find them. Whether you're after colorful reef dwellers or looking to tangle with offshore giants, this trip delivers the goods. Our boat handles up to 6 anglers, so bring your crew and get ready for some serious fishing action in the heart of the Florida Keys.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water is glass smooth. We'll meet you at the dock where our captain will brief you on the day's game plan based on current conditions, seasonal patterns, and what's been biting lately. The beauty of fishing Islamorada is the options: we can work the reef structure in 30-80 feet of water, or push out to the blue water where the real monsters live. The reef holds plenty of action with grouper, cobia, and mackerel, while the offshore waters offer shots at wahoo, king mackerel, and other pelagic species. Our boat is rigged with top-shelf gear, GPS fish finders, and all the tackle you'll need. The captain knows these waters like his backyard and will put you on the most productive spots based on tides, weather, and fish movement patterns.
We fish these waters using a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For reef fishing, we'll anchor up on structure and drop live bait or fresh cut bait to the bottom where grouper and cobia hang out. The key is getting your bait right in their face without spooking them. For the pelagic species like kings and wahoo, we'll troll various lures and rigged baits at different depths and speeds. Trolling lets us cover water efficiently and trigger strikes from fast-moving predators. We run wire leaders for the toothy critters and adjust our spread based on what's showing on the fish finder. All our rods are spooled with quality line, and we carry everything from light spinning gear for smaller reef fish to heavy conventional setups for the big offshore bruisers. The captain will match your tackle to the target species and make sure you're rigged properly for success.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, and these silver bullets put up one heck of a fight. They typically run 15-40 pounds, with bigger fish showing up in cooler months from November through March. Kings are aggressive feeders that love trolled baits and lures, and when you hook one, get ready for blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They're also fantastic table fare when prepared fresh. Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60 mph and stripping line off your reel before you know what hit you. These fish average 20-50 pounds and are most active during the cooler months. Their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make every hookup a heart-pounding experience. Cobia are one of the most underrated gamefish in these waters – they're curious, aggressive, and incredibly strong. These brown sharks (as locals call them) can exceed 50 pounds and will follow the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that are pure adrenaline. Black Grouper are the kings of the reef, ambush predators that can weigh 20-50 pounds and live in rocky structure. They're notorious for trying to dive back into their holes when hooked, making for an epic tug-of-war. Spanish Mackerel are smaller but incredibly abundant, especially in spring and fall. They're perfect for light tackle action and are excellent bait for larger species.
The fishing around Islamorada is world-class year-round, but it doesn't wait for anyone. The best bite windows, prime weather days, and peak seasonal movements fill up fast, especially during the cooler months when the offshore action really heats up. Our experienced captain knows exactly where to find the fish based on current conditions, and with only 6 spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next trophy or a newcomer wanting to experience Florida Keys fishing at its finest, this charter delivers the goods. The combination of reef and offshore options means we can adapt to conditions and target whatever's biting best. Don't let another fishing season slip by – book your trip with Best Day Ever Charters and discover why Islamorada is considered one of the premier fishing destinations in the world.
Our 37-foot Sea Ray sportfisher is your ticket to the productive waters around Islamorada. This 1997 classic runs on twin 350HP Caterpillar diesels that'll cruise you out to the reef or push offshore at a comfortable 25 knots. The boat handles six anglers with room to move around when the fish are biting. You'll stay cool with onboard AC between fishing spots, and the fridge keeps drinks cold and bait fresh all day. The fish finder helps locate structure and schools, while GPS and radar keep us on productive grounds safely. When nature calls, there's a head onboard so you don't miss any fishing time. Whether you're targeting snapper and grouper on the reef or chasing mahi, tuna, and billfish in blue water, this boat gets you there comfortably. The spacious cockpit gives everyone room to fight fish, and there's plenty of storage for tackle and your catch. Perfect for families or groups looking to experience the legendary fishing the Florida Keys are famous for.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our reef fishing, averaging 10-30 pounds with monsters over 100 pounds lurking in deeper water. We target them around ledges, wrecks, and coral heads from 30 feet out to 300 feet deep. They're most active during cooler months when they move shallower to spawn. What makes them special is that bone-jarring initial hit followed by a bulldogging fight straight for the rocks. The meat is sweet, firm, and perfect for grilling. These ambush predators inhale baits whole, so when you feel that thump, reel hard immediately. Local secret: use heavy tackle with at least 80-pound braid and crank them up fast - give them time to think and they'll wrap you around every piece of structure down there.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are sight-fishing favorites that often get mistaken for sharks when cruising near the surface. These brown, muscular fish average 20-40 pounds and can hit 100+ pounds. We find them around buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're migrating and spawning. What makes them exciting is their curious nature - they'll follow the boat and eat almost any bait you drop. The fight is bulldogging strong, and the white, firm meat rivals any grouper. My go-to technique is sight-casting bucktail jigs when we spot them cruising. Key tip: once you hook one, pressure them hard and fast to keep them away from structure where they love to wrap you up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are one of our most popular offshore targets, averaging 20-40 pounds with some bruisers pushing 60+. These fast-moving predators cruise depths from 40-150 feet around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll scream line off your reel at 40+ mph. The meat is firm and flaky, though higher in mercury. Here's a local trick: when trolling, use a stinger hook setup with wire leader because kings love to bite baitfish in half. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure where they'll cut you off on barnacles or coral.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are perfect for lighter tackle fun, running 1-3 pounds and schooling up in large numbers near shore. We catch them around flats, piers, and channel edges in 10-40 feet of water. They're most active in warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the fast action - when you find a school, it's often fish after fish. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's great smoked or grilled. These speed demons will hit small spoons, jigs, or live shrimp. Here's my tip: when you see diving birds or bait splashing, get there fast but stay on the edges of the school. Run right through the middle and you'll scatter them quickly.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of offshore fishing, hitting 50+ mph and averaging 20-50 pounds around here. We find them in 60+ feet of water near current breaks and floating debris, especially during our peak season from July through November. Their zebra-striped sides and razor teeth make them unmistakable. What guests love most is that explosive strike and the way they peel drag on long runs. Plus, the meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating in the ocean - Hawaiians call it "ono" meaning delicious. Pro tip: troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their teeth will slice through anything else. Once you hook up, be ready for multiple screaming runs before they tire out.
Islamorada