Tavernier Fishing Charters | Half Day Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Captain Scott targets cobia, mahi mahi, and grouper offshoreHalfday and fullday fishing options accommodate six guestsLocal expertise provides access to prime Florida Keys waters
Captain Scott Grenfell knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard Beyond Blessed Charters in Tavernier, you're getting decades of local knowledge packed into one solid fishing trip. The Florida Keys offer some of the most productive offshore waters you'll find anywhere, and Scott's got the GPS marks, the tackle, and the patience to put you on fish whether you've never held a rod or you're chasing your next personal best. With room for up to six anglers, this charter keeps things intimate so everyone gets their shot at the action.
You'll launch from Tavernier and head offshore where the real magic happens. Scott runs both half-day and full-day trips, giving you flexibility based on your schedule and how deep you want to get into the fishing. The half-day trips are perfect if you're testing the waters or have limited time, while the full-day adventures let you cover more ground and really dial in on different species as conditions change throughout the day. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, and Scott's got everything from light spinning gear for snapper to heavy conventional setups for when the big boys show up. You'll be fishing in 60 to 200 feet of water most of the time, hitting structure that holds fish year-round. The ride out takes about 20 minutes, giving you time to get your sea legs and talk strategy with the captain.
Scott runs a mixed bag of techniques depending on what's biting and what you want to target. You'll do plenty of bottom fishing with live bait and cut bait for snapper and grouper, but don't be surprised when he breaks out the spinning rods for sight fishing cobia or works the current lines for mahi. Live pilchards, ballyhoo, and squid are staples in the bait well, though Scott's always got a few tricks up his sleeve with artificials when the fish get picky. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and circle hooks are the standard to keep everything above board with regulations. When you're bottom fishing, expect 6 to 8-ounce sinkers to hold in the current, and don't worry if you've never tied a snapper rig - Scott's got pre-tied leaders ready to go. For the mahi and cobia, you'll often fish with lighter tackle that makes the fight more sporting and gives you a better feel for what these fish can do.
Mahi mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These fish hit hard, jump high, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. They're most reliable from late spring through early fall, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Scott targets them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they ambush baitfish. A good mahi will run 10 to 30 pounds, with bulls pushing even bigger. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll often travel in schools, so when you hook one, there's a good chance his buddies are still hanging around for multiple hookups.
Great barracuda are the speed demons of the reef, and catching one never gets old. These fish can hit 40 miles per hour and have teeth that'll make you respect the business end real quick. They're around year-round but most active during the cooler months. Barracuda are ambush predators that lurk around structure, and when they decide to eat, they commit fully. A 20 to 40-pound barracuda on medium tackle will test your drag and give you a fight you'll remember. They're also excellent table fare when prepared right, despite what some people think.
Cobia are the ultimate sight fishing target when conditions line up. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise the surface and around structure, and when you spot one, the adrenaline kicks in immediately. Spring and early summer are prime time, though they show up sporadically year-round. Cobia are curious fish that will often follow the boat or investigate a well-presented bait. They fight with power rather than speed, bulldogging toward the bottom and making long, strong runs. A typical cobia runs 20 to 50 pounds, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Tripletail are the odd-looking fish that always surprise first-time anglers. They hang around floating debris and buoys, often lying on their side looking like floating trash until they suddenly come alive. These fish are most common in summer and early fall, and they're prized by anglers who know their quirky behavior. Tripletail have excellent table fare and fight with surprising strength for their size, typically running 5 to 15 pounds. Finding them takes a trained eye, but Scott knows all the spots where they consistently show up.
Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Keys fishing. These smart fish live around every piece of structure and provide consistent action when the bigger predators are being temperamental. They're available year-round, though summer offers the best bite. Don't let their size fool you - a 5-pound mangrove snapper on light tackle is a scrappy opponent that will test your skills. They're also outstanding on the dinner table, making them a favorite among anglers who like to take home their catch.
Captain Scott's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your dates. Whether you choose the half-day trip to get a taste of Keys fishing or commit to the full-day adventure for maximum fish-catching potential, you're getting a top-rated charter experience with a captain who genuinely cares about putting his anglers on fish. The offshore waters around Tavernier produce year-round,
Step aboard this pristine 2021 Tidewater Bay boat, powered by a robust 300HP Mercury engine that cuts through offshore waters with authority. At 25 feet, she's built for serious fishing while comfortably handling up to 6 anglers. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of mahi mahi and grouper hiding in the depths, while GPS navigation keeps you on productive fishing grounds. When you hook into that trophy cobia, the wireless trolling motor lets Captain Scott position the boat quietly without spooking nearby fish. Keep your catch fresh in the spacious icebox, and stay entertained between bites with the multimedia system. This well-equipped fishing machine is ready to take you beyond the reef where the big ones swim.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most underrated fighters in our waters - brown sharks with attitude, as some folks call them. These bruisers typically run 30-50 pounds but can hit triple digits, and they'll test every inch of your drag. You'll find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 20-100 feet, especially during their spring migration from March through May when they're moving north to spawn. They're usually loners, cruising just under the surface where you can sight-cast to them. What makes cobia special is they eat like kings and fight like bulls - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean, plus a battle that includes long runs and surprising jumps for such a heavy fish. The trick is getting close enough for a good cast without spooking them. Use a bucktail jig and make your first cast count - they don't usually give you a second chance.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the wolves of the reef - sleek, fast, and always on the hunt. These silver torpedoes average 2-4 feet but can stretch to 6 feet and over 100 pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and grass flats in 10-50 feet of water year-round, though spring and summer fishing tends to be most productive. They're ambush predators that hunt by sight, so they'll often follow your bait right to the boat before deciding to strike. The fight is pure adrenaline - they'll make blazing runs and jump like crazy, though they tire quickly. Most folks target them for sport since the meat can carry ciguatera, but the action more than makes up for it. Here's the key: use a wire leader and keep your bait moving fast. Barracuda want something that looks like it's trying to escape, so don't slow down when you see one following.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are the bread and butter of Keys fishing - smart, tasty, and always willing to test your skills. These copper-colored fish typically run 1-4 pounds inshore, though offshore specimens can hit 15-20 pounds. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridges, mangroves, and reefs from shallow water to about 100 feet deep. They bite year-round but really turn on during summer months, especially around the full moon when they spawn. People love targeting them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat, plus they're plentiful enough to make for steady action. The challenge is they're incredibly line-shy and bait-smart. Use the lightest leader you can get away with and let your bait sit still on the bottom. These guys are opportunistic but cautious - too much movement and they'll disappear. Circle hooks work best, and patience always beats aggressive techniques with these fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real light show when they're brought to the boat. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some real bulls push 50+ pounds. They love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in 100-600 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're moving through our area following the warm water. What makes mahi so popular is their willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them, plus they fight hard with plenty of jumps and runs. The meat is top-shelf too - firm, white, and sweet. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep working the area because they often travel in small schools, and the commotion can fire up the whole bunch.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our quirkiest targets - they look like floating leaves until you get close, then turn into surprisingly strong fighters. These oddly-shaped fish typically run 2-15 pounds with their distinctive three-fin tail design that gives them their name. You'll spot them floating on their sides near debris, channel markers, and weedlines in 10-50 feet of water, especially during summer months when they're most active in our area. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match whatever they're hiding near. What draws people to tripletail fishing is the sight-casting challenge and excellent table fare - the meat tastes similar to snapper or grouper. They're also surprisingly acrobatic for such an oddly-built fish. The secret is staying quiet and casting well past them, then working your bait slowly into their strike zone. Spook one and it's game over - they disappear like ghosts.
Key Largo