Half Day Reef Fishing and Snorkeling
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday fishing trip targets snapper and grouper over patch reefsSnorkeling experience includes swimming alongside friendly stingrays in calm watersFully equipped boat accommodates small groups with gear and safety equipment
Looking for the perfect mix of action and relaxation on the water? Easy Does It Charters delivers a top-rated 4-hour adventure that gets your lines wet over productive patch reefs before cooling off with some of the friendliest stingrays you'll ever meet. This isn't your typical fishing charter – it's a complete marine experience that keeps families and small groups talking long after they're back on shore. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work the reefs without feeling crowded, and our crew makes sure everyone gets their shot at the action, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
Your morning starts with a quick gear check and safety briefing before we head to our favorite patch reef spots where snapper and grouper like to hang out. These reefs are fish magnets – the structure holds bait, and where there's bait, there are hungry predators looking for an easy meal. You'll be fishing in relatively shallow water, which means shorter drops to the bottom and more time with your line in the strike zone. The boat comes loaded with all the tackle you need, from circle hooks for the bottom dwellers to the right weights for holding bottom in current. After we've had our fun with the fishing, we'll move to calmer waters where the stingrays gather. These gentle giants are used to visitors and genuinely seem to enjoy the interaction – it's something you have to see to believe. The snorkeling gear is all provided, and the water clarity in these spots will blow you away.
Patch reef fishing is all about reading the bottom and putting your bait where the fish want it. We'll be using medium-heavy spinning setups with enough backbone to pull fish away from the rocks but with the sensitivity to feel those subtle grouper taps. Circle hooks are the way to go here – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce gut hooking, which is better for the fish and better for your success rate. The key is getting your bait down to the bottom quickly and keeping it there. We'll rig with enough weight to hold bottom but not so much that it kills the action of your bait. Live shrimp, pilchards, and cut bait all produce on these reefs, and we'll match the bait to what the fish are telling us they want. The snorkeling portion uses standard masks, fins, and snorkels – all sized and sanitized for your group. The stingray encounters happen in sandy-bottom areas where the rays cruise looking for food, and the water depth is perfect for confident swimmers and nervous first-timers alike.
Tarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing, and when one explodes on your bait, you'll understand why anglers travel from around the world just for a shot at these fish. These prehistoric beasts can push 100+ pounds and launch themselves completely out of the water when hooked. Peak tarpon season runs through the warmer months, and they patrol the deeper edges of the reefs looking for schools of baitfish. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their attitude. They fight dirty, using their gill plates like weapons and their acrobatic ability to throw hooks. Landing one is a team effort, and releasing a healthy tarpon back to the water is one of fishing's great rewards.
Blue marlin represent the ultimate offshore prize, but smaller fish occasionally cruise the deeper reef edges during their migrations. These speedsters can hit 40+ mph and are built like guided missiles – all muscle and aggression. While they're more common in deeper water, the reef edges sometimes hold the baitfish that draw marlin in closer to shore. Even a smaller marlin will test every piece of tackle and every ounce of angling skill you have. Their bills are weapons, and their runs are legendary. Spotting one free-jumping in the distance is a sight that gives every angler goosebumps.
Wahoo fish are the speed demons of the reef, capable of peeling line off your reel faster than you thought possible. These torpedo-shaped predators have razor-sharp teeth and hit baits like freight trains. They're most active during the cooler months and early mornings when baitfish are moving along the reef edges. What makes wahoo fishing exciting is the initial run – they'll take 200+ yards of line before you even know what hit you. Their meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating in the ocean. A good wahoo will test your drag system and your arms in equal measure.
Yellowfin tuna bring a different kind of fight to the table – pure, unstoppable power combined with endurance that will leave you questioning your fitness level. These fish are muscle wrapped in silver skin, and they don't give up easily. Yellowfin move through the area following bait schools and temperature breaks, often showing up when you least expect them. They're curious fish that will investigate lures and baits, but they're also spooky and can disappear as quickly as they arrive. The larger fish patrol the deeper water adjacent to the reefs, making them a real possibility on any trip.
Black grouper are the reef's heavyweight residents, using their powerful jaws and intimate knowledge of the bottom structure to their advantage. These fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with the larger specimens earning the respect of every angler who tangles with them. They're ambush predators that use caves and ledges as hunting blinds, making them masters of their environment. Hooking a big grouper is just the beginning – they'll immediately head for the nearest hole or ledge, testing your tackle and technique. Their fight is more about power and stubbornness than speed, and they have an annoying habit of winning these underwater wrestling matches.
This world-class combination trip gives you the best of both worlds – serious fishing action followed by
This 18-foot Tracker Grizzly drift boat is your ticket to productive reef fishing and snorkeling adventures. Built for stability in changing water conditions, the Mercury 60hp engine delivers reliable power whether you're positioning over productive patch reefs or cruising to snorkeling spots where rays gather. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to work lines and land fish without crowding. When the snapper and grouper are biting, the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh while the fish finder helps locate structure where fish hold. GPS navigation takes the guesswork out of returning to hot spots. Between fishing sessions, there's plenty of deck space for snorkeling gear and easy water entry. The multimedia system adds convenience during longer trips. This boat strikes the right balance - serious fishing capability with comfort features that make half-day trips enjoyable for everyone aboard.
Mycteroperca BonaciBottom dwellers that average over 2 feet but can reach 5 feet and 125 pounds, these ambush predators pack serious strength in their thick bodies. They hang around reefs, wrecks, and ledges from 30 feet in winter down to 300 feet in summer. Cold weather brings them shallow, making winter and spring your best bet. Anglers love the bulldogging fight and excellent table fare - mild, firm white meat that's hard to beat. These fish aren't picky eaters and will hit live or dead bait, but they don't nibble - when they eat, they inhale it whole. Heavy tackle is a must since they'll try to get back to structure and break you off. Key tip: the second you feel that thump, start cranking hard and don't stop. If you let them get their head down and run for the rocks, game over.
Makaira NigricansThe ultimate offshore trophy fish, with females reaching 1000+ pounds and 16 feet long while males stay around 300 pounds. They cruise the deep blue water along temperature breaks and current edges, usually in 100+ feet of water. Peak season varies by location, but warmer months generally produce the best action. What draws anglers is the raw power and those legendary jumps when hooked - plus the bragging rights of landing one of the ocean's apex predators. While edible, most get released due to high mercury levels. These fish prefer live bait that puts up a fight, so don't be afraid to use bigger baits than you think. One key tip: when trolling, keep your spread moving fast at 12-15 knots - blue marlin are aggressive hunters that respond to speed and commotion.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants run 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds on average, though some monsters hit 8 feet and 280 pounds. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating - they're catch and release fish with tough, bony meat. It's watching a 100-pound fish launch 10 feet out of the water that gets people hooked. They hang around shallow flats, channels, and harbor areas in warmer months, moving to deeper water when it cools down. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at hooking one. These ancient fish have been around 125 million years and can live 50+ years, so that big one you're fighting might be older than you. Pro tip: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild aerial shows.
Acanthocybium SolandriFast doesn't begin to describe these torpedoes - wahoo can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet with some reaching 8 feet. They patrol open water around structure like oil rigs and drop-offs, usually in the top 60 feet. Best fishing runs from spring through fall when they're migrating through. Anglers love the blistering runs and the fact that wahoo are hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white, and mild. Their razor-sharp teeth will slice through regular leader like butter, so always use wire. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or skirted ballyhoo works best. Here's a tip most guides won't share: when you hook one, keep the boat moving at trolling speed for the first few seconds - it prevents them from making those line-breaking direction changes.
Thunnus AlbacaresThese torpedo-shaped fighters average 60 pounds but can push 400+ pounds, running 2-7 feet long. They cruise the upper 100 feet of offshore waters, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Year-round fishing with peak action varying by region - generally best in warmer months. What makes yellowfin special is the combination of blistering speed (50 mph), dogged fighting, and premium table fare - this is sushi-grade tuna. They respond to trolling, jigging, and chunking, but nothing beats watching one demolish a surface plug. The key is matching your bait to what they're feeding on - look for bird activity and bait schools. Pro tip: when they're being picky, try chunking with whatever baitfish you're seeing in the area. Cut it up, toss it overboard, and let them come up to feed before dropping your hook bait back.
Grand Cayman