5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Key West Fishing Charter Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 6hour offshore charter targets multiple trophy speciesCaptain customizes techniques for Snapper, Grouper, Sailfish, and MahiMount replica option available to commemorate trophy catches
Picture this: you're 6 hours deep into the best fishing waters around Key West, lines tight, cooler filling up with keeper fish, and your captain still finding new spots to put you on the bite. That's exactly what you get with Drop Off Sportfishing's full day charter. We're talking about a serious fishing trip here – not some quick tourist jaunt, but a proper offshore adventure where you'll have time to work different techniques, chase multiple species, and really get into the rhythm of fishing these legendary waters. With just you and up to 5 friends aboard, this private charter gives you the flexibility to fish your way, whether you're dead-set on landing a trophy or just want to fill the box with dinner.
When you step aboard for this 6-hour charter, you're getting the full Key West fishing experience. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust the game plan based on what's biting, weather conditions, and what gets your group fired up. Maybe we start the morning working the reef for snapper and grouper, then head out to the blue water to troll for mahi, wahoo, and king mackerel. The beauty of a full day trip is having time to really explore – if one spot isn't producing, we've got hours to find the fish. Your captain will handle all the navigation and fish-finding, but don't expect to just sit back and watch. This is hands-on fishing where you'll learn to read the water, work different baits, and feel the difference between a trash fish and a keeper tugging on your line. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle, but if you've got lucky rods or favorite lures, bring them along.
Key West fishing means mastering multiple approaches, and a 6-hour trip gives you time to try them all. We'll likely start with bottom fishing around the reef structure using live bait or chunks for snapper and grouper – this is precision fishing where you need to feel the bottom and work your bait just right. When we move offshore, we switch to trolling spread with a mix of ballyhoo, lures, and maybe some live bait depending on what's around. Trolling for pelagics like mahi, wahoo, and king mackerel is all about covering water and reading the signs – bird action, weed lines, temperature breaks. Your captain will set the spread, but you'll learn to watch the rods, spot the strikes, and fight the fish properly. We might also do some sight fishing if conditions are right and the mahi are showing on the surface. All the tackle is provided, from spinning reels for the smaller stuff to heavy conventional gear for the big boys, but the real skill is learning when to use each technique.
"I couldn't recommend this trip more! We had such a blast, the crews kindness and all the information given made our trip one for the books!! They happily accepted my daughter on board who totally slept the whole 8 hours 😂 we caught so much fish we went and had it cooked and will have fish the rest of the trip." - Simmons
Mahi Mahi are the crowd favorites out here, and for good reason. These fish are pure adrenaline – they hit hard, jump like crazy, and their colors are absolutely stunning when you first bring them boatside. In Key West, we typically find mahi around floating weed lines and debris from spring through fall, with peak season running May through August. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around. A decent mahi runs 10-20 pounds, but we see plenty of bulls pushing 30-40 pounds. What makes them special is they're aggressive feeders and will hit everything from ballyhoo to jigs, plus they're fantastic eating.
Cero Mackerel might not get the headlines, but they're scrappy fighters that'll test your skills. These smaller cousins of the king mackerel typically run 2-8 pounds and are found around the reefs year-round, though they're most active in warmer months. They've got razor-sharp teeth and blazing speed, often hitting trolled baits or small jigs with surprising violence. What anglers love about ceros is they're always willing to bite when other species are being finicky, and they make excellent bait for bigger predators.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60 mph and stripping line off your reel like you wouldn't believe. In Key West waters, wahoo are typically caught while trolling high-speed lures or rigged ballyhoo, especially around drop-offs and current edges. Winter months often produce the best wahoo fishing, with fish ranging from 20-60 pounds. Their teeth are like razors, so wire leaders are mandatory. Landing a wahoo is special because they're relatively rare compared to other species, incredibly fast, and their meat is prized by chefs worldwide.
Great Barracuda are the reef's top predator and put on an absolute show when hooked. These fish are common year-round in Key West, typically running 5-15 pounds around the reefs, though bigger ones cruise the flats and deeper waters. Barracuda will hit just about anything that moves – trolled lures, live bait, even shiny spoons worked fast over the reef. They're known for their explosive strikes and aerial acrobatics, often jumping repeatedly and making blistering runs. While they're not typically kept for eating due to potential ciguatera, they're fantastic sport fish that always add excitement to the day.
Lemon Shark encounters add a wild card element to any Key West fishing trip. These sharks are year-round residents, typically found in 30-100 feet of water, and can range from juvenile 3-footers to mature sharks pushing 8 feet and 200+ pounds. They're often caught while bottom fishing
Step aboard The Double Wrap, a classic 42-foot Post sportfishing boat that's been hauling in trophy fish since 1978. This offshore workhorse gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work the lines while chasing everything from snapper and grouper in shallower waters to wahoo, mahi, and sailfish in the deep blue. The boat's flybridge offers commanding views for spotting fish and bird activity, while the fish finder helps locate structure and schools below. When you need a break from the action, duck into the air-conditioned cabin featuring a full galley, comfortable seating, and even a private head and sleeping quarters. The icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with Key West's legendary gamefish. Whether you're dropping baits on the reef or trolling the Gulf Stream, The Double Wrap delivers the stability and comfort you need for a serious day of fishing these world-class waters.
Scomberomorus RegalisCero mackerel are sleek predators that most folks overlook, but they're some of the best eating in these waters. These fish run 5-10 pounds typically, with that classic torpedo shape and bronze streaks along their silver sides. You'll find them year-round over patch reefs and clear coastal waters, usually in 10-60 feet. They're not schooling fish like their Spanish mackerel cousins - they hunt solo or in small packs. What makes cero special is they're lightning fast but burn out quick, so the fights are intense but manageable. The meat is sushi-grade quality, perfect for ceviche or grilled fish tacos. They've got razor teeth and excellent eyesight, so here's the key: use a 20-pound braid with a light wire leader, and chum with cut ballyhoo over the reefs. Once you get them fired up, they'll hit topwater lures like crazy - just be ready for that first explosive strike.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the apex ambush predators of the flats and reefs, running 10-40 pounds with those unmistakable razor grins. These silver torpedoes hang around coral heads, grass beds, and structure in 5-50 feet of water year-round, though spring and fall fishing tends to be most productive. They're curious fish that'll often follow your boat or lures, checking things out with those big eyes. What makes barracuda fishing exciting is the explosive strike and that first wild run - they're pure power for about 30 seconds before they gas out. Most folks target them for the fight since the meat can be hit-or-miss depending on size and location. The trick with cuda is to use shiny spoons or tube lures and work them erratically near structure. They hunt by sight and love flashy, wounded-looking baits. Just remember to use a steel leader and keep your hands clear when landing one - those teeth don't discriminate.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are the gentle giants of Key West's shallow waters, running 4-8 feet and getting their name from that distinctive yellow-bronze coloration. These guys love the flats, mangroves, and sandy bottoms in 5-30 feet where they cruise for stingrays, crabs, and small fish. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and summer bring the most action when they're more active in warmer water. What makes lemon sharks special is the sustained power - no crazy runs, just steady, bulldogging strength that'll test your tackle and patience. Most anglers target them for the experience and photos since we practice catch and release. They're actually pretty mellow compared to other shark species. The key to hooking lemons is fresh cut bait on the bottom - mullet, jack, or bonito chunks work great. Use circle hooks and heavy tackle because once they decide to move, you're just along for the ride until they tire out.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are absolute crowd favorites around Key West. Running 15-30 pounds on average, mahi put on a color show like nothing else - brilliant blues and greens that flash like neon when they're fighting. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks, usually in the top 30 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when the water's warm and clear. What makes mahi special is the combination - they fight hard with long runs and jumps, they're stunning to look at, and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, leave it in the water and keep trolling around the area. Mahi often travel in small groups, and that first fish will usually keep his buddies nearby for a few more shots.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the Formula One cars of the fishing world - built for pure speed and hitting 60 mph when they want to. These silver rockets with blue zebra stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around Key West, though we see some real giants pushing 100+. They cruise the offshore waters from 50-200 feet, often near drop-offs and current edges. July through November gives us prime wahoo time when they're most abundant. What draws people to wahoo fishing is that blistering initial run and the premium table fare - the white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. They're solitary hunters with razor teeth that'll cut through regular line like butter. The secret to consistent wahoo is high-speed trolling at 15+ knots with wire leaders and diving plugs. Keep those lures running deep and fast - wahoo won't chase a slow bait, but they can't resist something screaming by at full throttle.
5.0 out of 5.0I couldn’t recommend this trip more! We had such a blast, the crews kindness and all the information given made our trip one for t...
Key West