Beyond the Reef: Full-Day Offshore Fishing
When you're ready to leave the shallow backcountry behind and chase the big boys in deep water, Captain Joe Snyder and his crew at Coral Sea Charters have you covered. This 8-hour offshore fishing charter out of Islamorada puts you right in the heart of some of the Atlantic's most productive fishing grounds. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to land your first sailfish or a seasoned angler chasing that next trophy, this full-day trip delivers the goods. All your gear, bait, licenses, and drinks are handled – you just show up ready to fish.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll meet Captain Joe and his first mate at Whale Harbor Marina before sunrise, and by the time the sun's painting the horizon, you'll be running offshore toward the reef line and beyond. This isn't a half-day teaser trip – with 8 hours on the water, you've got time to hit multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what's biting. The boat's rigged for up to 6 anglers, so whether you're bringing the family, a group of buddies, or booking solo, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different lines. Captain Joe's been working these waters long enough to know where the fish are holding, and his first mate keeps the boat running smooth so you can focus on what matters – getting hooked up.
Trolling Tactics & Deep Water
Once you clear the reef and hit the blue water, it's all about covering ground and reading the signs. Captain Joe runs a spread of trolling lures and rigged baits designed to trigger strikes from pelagic gamefish cruising the current lines. You'll work depths from 100 to 1,000 feet, adjusting speed and lure selection based on water temperature, current breaks, and bait activity. When the bite's on, you might switch to live bait or chunk baits to keep the action going. The crew handles all the technical stuff – rigging, gaffing, and keeping fish fresh – while you focus on the fight. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing; they'll walk you through proper fighting technique and make sure you're comfortable with the gear before the first fish hits.
What Anglers Are Saying
"We had a great time! Capt. Joe and his first mate Jennifer made it easy and fun ——-and turned us into real fisherman for a day! That's not easy since we're both inexperienced fishermen. But, you'd never know by the catch we hauled in!! 😎 Thanks!" - David
"Joe and Jess took our family out and worked hard to get us on the fish. They both were awesome with our boys, being patient and answering all their questions. Best part was they let us fish! They didn't just cast then let us reel, we got to do it all! We are a MO family that fish all the time in lakes and rivers, so we thoroughly enjoyed the trip out on the open water with Joe and Jess!" - Chelsea
"Great experience. We caught shark, barracuda and snapper. Capt Joe and deck hand jessica were great and exceeded our expectations. Reasonably priced. They underpromised and over delivered." - Duke
Species You'll Want to Hook
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing in these waters, and for good reason. These electric-fast billfish put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pounding, often clearing the water multiple times during the fight. Peak sailfish action typically runs from December through March, when cooler water temperatures bring them closer to shore. You'll find them along current edges and temperature breaks, often in 150-400 feet of water. What makes sailfish so special isn't just their speed – it's their attitude. They'll attack a trolled ballyhoo with pure aggression, and once hooked, they'll test every bit of your drag system and fighting skills.
Tarpon might seem like an odd target for offshore fishing, but these silver kings often show up in surprising numbers around offshore structure and current lines. These prehistoric bruisers can top 150 pounds and are famous for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked. Late spring through early fall offers the best tarpon action, particularly when they're staging for their spawning runs. Fighting a big tarpon is like being connected to a submarine with an attitude – they'll make long, powerful runs and throw themselves skyward trying to throw the hook. Many anglers consider tarpon the ultimate test of tackle and technique.
Sea Trout in offshore waters are typically the larger speckled variety that have moved out to deeper structure and current edges. These spotted gamefish are excellent table fare and put up a respectable fight on light tackle. They're most active during cooler months and often school up around offshore reefs and ledges in 40-80 feet of water. What makes offshore sea trout special is their size – the deeper water fish tend to be considerably larger than their shallow water cousins, with 3-5 pound fish being common and occasional monsters pushing 8 pounds or more.
Cobia are the brown sharks of the fishing world – big, powerful, and always hungry. These chocolate-colored bruisers love structure and current, making them perfect targets for offshore fishing. Spring and fall offer peak cobia fishing, when they're actively feeding and moving along migration routes. A 30-50 pound cobia will test your tackle and your back, making long runs and using their broad tails to maximum advantage. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Cobia often show up when you're least expecting them, cruising just under the surface or following other hooked fish to the boat.
Red Snapper are the prize of the bottom fishing world, with their bright red coloration and excellent table fare making them a favorite target. These reef dwellers typically hold in 80-200 feet
4.9(15 Reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
Islamorada, FL
Eight
