Key Largo Offshore Fishing - Private 6-Hour Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore charter targets sailfish, mahi, and grouperAll fishing gear and licenses included with experienced captainsPrivate trips accommodate up to 4 guests maximum
Ready to hit some serious offshore waters around Key Largo? This 6-hour private charter puts you right in the action with some of the best fishing grounds South Florida has to offer. We're talking deep blue water where the big boys swim - sailfish, mahi, wahoo, and those chunky mutton snappers that'll make your drag scream. Starting at 6:30 AM, you'll beat the crowds and catch fish when they're most active. Our captain's been working these waters for over two decades, so you're in good hands whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
Your day kicks off early - and trust me, that's exactly when you want to be out there. We'll cruise out to the offshore grounds where the water turns that deep blue color that gets every angler's heart pumping. The boat's rigged with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all your fishing licenses are covered. You're fishing with a max of 4 people, so there's plenty of room to move around and everyone gets quality time with the captain. The waters off Key Largo drop off fast, putting us over structure and weed lines where pelagic species love to hunt. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might work the edge, hit some wrecks, or drift over reef systems.
This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip - we're running the full playbook out there. Deep dropping is huge for those mutton snappers and grouper hanging around structure. We're talking 80-200 feet down where these fish stack up. Vertical jigging is another killer technique, especially when we mark fish on the bottom machine. For the pelagics like mahi and wahoo, we'll troll when conditions are right, pulling lures through current breaks and weed lines. The captain switches between light and heavy tackle based on what we're targeting - light stuff for the sporty sailfish battles, heavy gear when we're pulling up big grouper from the depths. Bottom fishing with cut bait produces steady action, while drift fishing lets us cover water and find active schools.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Key Largo offshore fishing. These acrobatic fighters show up best during our cooler months, roughly December through April. They're ambush predators that love trolled baits and ballyhoo, and when one grabs your line, get ready for some serious aerial displays. Most sailfish we hook run 6-8 feet long and put on a show you won't forget. The fights are all about finesse - too much pressure and they'll throw the hook during one of their jumps.
Mahi Mahi are pure excitement on light tackle. These fish are curious and aggressive, often traveling in schools around floating debris or weed lines. Peak season runs May through September, though we see them year-round in smaller numbers. They're beautiful fish with that distinctive flat forehead and amazing colors that light up when they're fighting. Most mahi we catch range 10-30 pounds, with bulls occasionally pushing 40-50 pounds. They're also fantastic table fare.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60+ mph when they strike a trolled lure. These toothy critters show up best during our winter months and early spring. They're built like torpedoes and fight with raw power rather than acrobatics. Most wahoo run 20-40 pounds in our waters, with bigger fish possible. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are essential, and their initial runs are legendary among offshore anglers.
Mutton Snapper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing. These reef dwellers are available year-round but fish best during summer months when they're more active. They're smart, structure-oriented fish that require finesse and the right bait presentation. Most muttons range 3-10 pounds, with occasional slabs pushing 15+ pounds. They're excellent eating and provide steady action when offshore pelagics are being finicky.
Black Grouper are the heavyweights of the reef system. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. They're available year-round but bite best during warmer months when they're more aggressive. Grouper fights are all about power - they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off. Most black grouper run 5-20 pounds, though bigger fish live in deeper water. They require heavy tackle and strong drag to pull them away from structure.
Key Largo's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and this charter gives you access to some of the best fishing grounds in South Florida. With our experienced captain, top-notch gear, and prime fishing times, you're set up for success whether you're chasing your first sailfish or looking to load the cooler with dinner. The 6-hour format gives us enough time to try different techniques and locations based on conditions and what's biting. Remember, we run seasonal trips from December 1st through September 30th, hitting the prime fishing months when these species are most active. Don't wait - prime offshore fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season.
Your offshore fishing adventure begins aboard our 34-foot Venture, built to handle Key Largo's deep waters and designed for serious angling. This spacious fishing platform accommodates up to six anglers with plenty of room to work your lines and land trophy fish. The vessel comes equipped with advanced fish finder technology to locate prime fishing spots, GPS navigation for pinpoint accuracy, and a multimedia system for those moments between bites. When you're targeting sailfish, mahi mahi, and wahoo in the offshore waters, comfort matters during those long 6-hour trips. The onboard restroom means you won't miss any fishing time, and our experienced captains know exactly where to find the best action using deep drop and vertical jigging techniques. All your rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided, so you can focus on what matters most - getting your lines in the water and bringing home dinner. Whether we're trolling for wahoo or bottom fishing for grouper and mutton snapper, this boat handles it all with the stability and space you need for a productive day on the water.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the showstoppers of offshore fishing - nothing beats watching one of these blue rockets leap six feet out of the water with that massive dorsal fin spread wide. They average 40-60 pounds and 6-8 feet long, cruising the blue water from 30-150 feet deep along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter is peak season here in Key Largo when they migrate through our waters. The thrill is all about the aerial display and that blazing initial run - they're built for speed and acrobatics, not necessarily the longest fight. Most folks release them since they're not great eating anyway. Best tip I can give: when you get a bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them eat the bait and turn away first, then come tight. They have that long bill and often just slap at baits initially.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack groupers are the heavyweights of the reef - thick, powerful fish that'll test your tackle and your back. Most run 10-20 pounds, but 40-50 pounders aren't uncommon, and they can push 100+ pounds. They live around wrecks, ledges, and coral heads from 30 feet all the way down to 300 feet, moving shallow in winter and deep in summer. Year-round fishing, but winter months are prime when they're up shallow. What makes them special is the brutal fight - they use that massive body and every ounce of strength to get back to their hole. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Here's the key: once you hook one, don't give it an inch. Crank hard immediately and keep steady pressure. Let them get back to the rocks and you'll get broken off every time.
Coryphaena HippurusThese stunning fish are pure eye candy with their bright golden sides and electric blue-green backs. Most run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen them hit 50+ pounds out here. They love hanging around floating debris and weedlines in our offshore waters, usually in that 30-65 foot range. Peak season runs April through September when the water warms up. What makes mahi special is the whole package - they fight hard with lots of jumps, they're gorgeous to look at, and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for others. Mahi often travel in small schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Once that first fish is in the boat, get your lines back out fast.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are the pink-tinged beauties that put up a solid scrap on light tackle. They typically run 3-8 pounds, though 15-20 pounders show up regularly around our deeper reefs. You'll find them from 80-250 feet, usually hanging around coral heads and rocky bottom in that 130-200 foot sweet spot. Best fishing happens during our cooler months from December through April. What guests love is the combination of a good fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also beautiful fish with that distinctive pinkish hue. Local secret: use the freshest bait you can get and fish it light. A knocker rig with just enough weight to get down works best. When you see that pink flash coming up through the clear water, you know you've got one.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - these sleek silver rockets with blue stripes can hit 60 mph, making them one of the fastest fish around. Most range 3-5 feet and 20-40 pounds, but we've seen them over 100 pounds. They cruise the blue water from 30-200 feet, often around current edges and drop-offs. July through November is prime time here in Key Largo when they're most active. Anglers love wahoo because they hit like freight trains and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, the meat is white, flaky, and delicious - perfect for fish tacos. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll fast at 12-15 knots. Their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, and they prefer baits moving at high speed.
Key Largo