Full-Day Florida Keys Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing adventure in beautiful Florida Keys watersTarget hardfighting game fish with experienced DOA Charters crewSmall group experience accommodating up to 6 guests maximum
When you fish the Florida Keys with DOA Charters, you're hitting some of the most productive offshore waters in the world. The crystal-clear blue water stretches as far as you can see, and beneath the surface, game fish are cruising the drop-offs and current lines just waiting for the right presentation. This full-day charter takes up to 6 anglers into the heart of Keys fishing territory, where redfish patrol the flats, sailfish hunt the deep blue, and cobia cruise the structures. You'll spend the day working different zones – from shallow backcountry spots to offshore ledges – giving you the best shot at multiple species and plenty of action on the rod.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how serious anglers like it. The morning bite is often the hottest, and by the time recreational boats start crowding the water, you'll already have fish in the box. DOA Charters runs a clean, well-maintained boat equipped with quality tackle, electronics, and all the gear you need for a successful day. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – which reefs hold cobia, where the sailfish have been showing up, and how the tides affect the redfish bite. You'll cover serious ground on this full-day trip, working everything from grass flats in 3 feet of water to blue water ledges in 100+ feet. The variety keeps things interesting, and it means you're always adapting your technique based on what's biting and where the fish are holding.
Florida Keys fishing means switching gears throughout the day, and that's what makes it so rewarding. For redfish in the shallows, you'll be sight-fishing with live bait or working topwater plugs around mangrove edges and grass beds. The water's clear enough that you can actually see the fish before you cast – talk about getting your heart pumping. When you move offshore for sailfish, it's all about trolling the right spread at the right speed. Ballyhoo, strips, and lures get rigged behind the boat, and you'll work the color changes and current breaks where these fish ambush baitfish. Cobia fishing is different again – these fish love structure, so you'll be working around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris. Live crabs work great, but they'll also smash a well-presented jig. The captain provides all the tackle, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, bring them along. Just make sure your drag is smooth – these Keys fish don't mess around.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Keys fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll test your tackle and your technique. They range from schoolie-sized fish around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some monster fish when cold fronts push bait into the shallows. What makes redfish so special here is the sight-fishing opportunities – watching a big red cruise through 2 feet of gin-clear water, then seeing it turn and inhale your bait, never gets old. They're smart fish that spook easily, so accurate casting and quiet approaches are key to success.
Atlantic Sailfish turn the Florida Keys into one of the premier billfish destinations on the East Coast. These acrobatic fighters typically run 6-8 feet long and 40-60 pounds, though larger fish over 80 pounds show up regularly. Peak season runs from December through April, when cooler water temperatures and strong currents create perfect conditions. Sailfish are all about the show – when one grabs your bait, expect multiple jumps, long runs, and plenty of line peeling off your reel. The offshore waters from 80-200 feet hold the most fish, especially along the reef line where the bottom drops off quickly. Even experienced anglers get their hearts racing when a sail lights up a bait and goes airborne.
Cobia are the wild cards that can make your day memorable. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise around structures and often show up when you least expect them. They typically range from 20-50 pounds, but bigger fish over 60 pounds patrol Keys waters. Cobia are curious fish that will follow the boat and inspect baits, giving you multiple chances for the right presentation. Spring migration from March through May offers the hottest action, but resident fish provide year-round opportunities. They're strong fighters that make long runs and test your endurance, plus they're excellent table fare. The key with cobia is staying ready – they appear suddenly and often disappear just as fast if you don't get a bait to them quickly.
DOA Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers want from a Florida Keys fishing experience – access to productive waters, quality equipment, and the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. This full-day charter gives you enough time to work different techniques and target multiple species without feeling rushed. Whether you're after your first sailfish, looking to sight-cast to tailing redfish, or hoping to tangle with a big cobia, these waters deliver the goods. The 6-person capacity means you'll have plenty of room to fish comfortably and won't be fighting for rod space when the action heats up. Book your trip with DOA Charters and get ready to experience why the Florida Keys remain one of the top fishing destinations in the world.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets in the Keys shallow waters. These copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-30 inches and put up a solid fight once hooked. You'll find them cruising flats in 1-4 feet of water around mangroves, oyster bars, and grass beds, especially on incoming tides. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, topwater plugs, or jigs all work well. The meat is excellent table fare with a mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast beyond the fish and work your bait back toward them - they spook easily if you land right on top of them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of offshore fishing - brown, stocky fish that average 30-50 pounds and fight dirty once hooked. These solitary hunters cruise around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 20-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time as they move through the Keys heading to spawning grounds. What makes cobia fishing exciting is the sight fishing aspect - you'll often see them swimming just under the surface and can cast right to them. They're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's prized by restaurants. Cobia will eat live bait, jigs, or even large topwater plugs. My go-to technique is a bucktail jig worked slowly near the bottom around structure. When you hook one, be ready for a long, stubborn battle.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of Keys offshore fishing, averaging 6-7 feet and 40-60 pounds of pure speed and acrobatics. These blue-gray billfish with their massive dorsal fins cruise the 30-200 foot depths along current edges and drop-offs. Winter months from December through March bring the best sailfish action as they migrate through our waters following baitfish. What guests love most is the spectacular fight - they'll jump repeatedly, strip line, and test every bit of your tackle. The meat is decent eating but most folks release these beauties. We typically fish live bait like pilchards or goggle eyes, but they'll also hit rigged ballyhoo. Here's the key: when a sail comes up behind the bait, don't get excited and jerk the rod. Let them eat it completely before setting the hook, or you'll pull it right out of their mouth.
Key West