Whole Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour offshore fishing adventure for up to 8 guestsBottom fishing morning, marlin and mahi afternoon pursuitFull galley service with catering options available onboard
Picture this: you and your fishing buddy heading out at first light for a full 8-hour day on the water with Blind Squirrel Charters. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a proper fishing adventure that gives you enough time to really get into the zone and chase multiple species across different grounds. Starting at 8:00 AM, you'll have the entire day to experience everything from deep dropping in the morning to running offshore for pelagics when the conditions are prime. At $2,650 for your party of two, you're getting a world-class charter experience with everything included – no hidden fees, no surprise charges.
This day is all about variety and maximizing your time on the water. We start the morning with bottom fishing and deep dropping – that's when the deep-water species are most active and the bite is typically strongest. You'll be working the depths with heavy tackle, feeling that solid thump of a quality fish hitting your bait. As the day progresses and conditions change, we transition to offshore trolling for the speed demons like Marlin and Mahi Mahi. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that we're not rushed – if the bottom bite is hot, we can stay on it. If the offshore action is firing, we've got time to capitalize. Your captain reads the water and adjusts the game plan based on what's happening that day. The boat comes equipped with a full galley, so heating up your lunch is no problem. Want to go all out? You can arrange catering or even bring a chef aboard to keep everyone fed and happy while you're chasing fish.
We've got you completely dialed in with top-quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait – plus your fishing license is handled. For the morning bottom fishing session, we're talking heavy conventional reels spooled with braided line, typically in the 50-80 pound class depending on what we're targeting. Deep dropping means working electric reels for those 400+ foot drops where the big grouper and snappers live. The technique is straightforward but requires patience – drop your rig to the bottom, reel up a few cranks, and wait for that solid bite. When we transition offshore, we switch to trolling spreads with a mix of ballyhoo, lures, and teasers. The captain sets up a pattern that covers water efficiently while presenting baits at different depths and speeds. You'll learn to read the outriggers, watch for birds, and spot the signs that indicate gamefish are in the area. The gear does most of the work, but knowing when to reel and when to wait makes all the difference between landing fish and telling stories about the ones that got away.
Marlin are the apex predators that every offshore angler dreams about hooking. These fish can push 200-400 pounds and will test every piece of gear on the boat when they decide to go airborne. Blue marlin are more common in warmer months, typically showing up when water temperatures hit the mid-70s and above. What makes marlin fishing so addictive is the visual aspect – you'll often see them come up behind the spread, sometimes multiple fish competing for the same bait. When a marlin eats, there's no mistaking it. The reel screams, the rod doubles over, and you're in for a fight that can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. Most anglers choose to release these magnificent fish, making for great photos and even better stories.
Mahi Mahi are the perfect complement to marlin fishing because they're abundant, aggressive, and absolutely delicious on the table. These fish are drawn to floating debris, weed lines, and structure, often traveling in schools that can provide non-stop action. Mahi grow fast and fight hard, with bulls reaching 30-50 pounds and cows typically running 10-25 pounds. What's awesome about mahi is their willingness to eat – they'll hit trolled baits, live bait, jigs, and even flies if you're into that. The colors on a fresh mahi are incredible, flashing gold, green, and blue as they fight. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean, so you'll definitely want to keep a few for dinner. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can find them year-round in the right conditions.
Bottom fishing opens up opportunities for a variety of species that are both challenging to catch and excellent table fare. Grouper are the kings of structure, using their powerful jaws and strong bodies to try to break you off in the rocks or wreck. Red grouper, gag grouper, and black grouper all fight differently but share that initial bulldogging run toward the bottom. Snappers like red snapper, mutton snapper, and yellowtail add speed and cunning to the mix, often requiring lighter leaders and more finesse. The deep dropping game targets species like golden tilefish, queen snapper, and barrelfish – fish that live in 300-800 feet of water and provide steady action when the offshore bite is slow. These deep-water species are perfectly adapted to their environment and offer a different kind of challenge than the high-speed pelagic fishing.
An 8-hour charter with Blind Squirrel gives you the full offshore fishing experience without the rush of shorter trips. You're getting professional-grade equipment, an experienced captain who knows the local waters, and enough time to really enjoy the day. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, introducing someone to offshore fishing, or just want to spend a quality day on the water, this trip delivers. The included tackle, bait, and license mean you can focus on fishing instead of logistics. With space for up to two anglers, you're not competing with a crowded boat – just you, your fishing partner, and some of the best fishing grounds
Step aboard our impressive 63-foot custom sportfishing vessel for your all-day fishing adventure! This beautifully restored boat cuts through Key West waters at 23+ knots, powered by twin 980HP engines that get you to the best fishing spots fast. Start your morning bottom fishing or deep dropping, then chase marlin and mahi mahi offshore as the day heats up. Your floating basecamp comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder, GPS, radar, plus air conditioning to cool off between catches. The full galley lets your captain heat up lunch, or bring a chef aboard for the ultimate fishing experience. With a comfortable flybridge for spotting fish and an icebox to keep your catch fresh, this boat handles up to 8 anglers with room to move around and fight those big ones. All rods, reels, tackle, bait and licenses included - just bring your appetite for action on the water!
Key West