5.0(3 Reviews)Private 8 Hour Deep Reef Islamorada Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour deep reef fishing charter targeting 5001,000 foot depthsElectric reels and traditional gear provided for deepwater speciesCustomizable trip includes offshore trolling for Kingfish and Wahoo
When you're looking to hit the deep water around Islamorada and chase some serious fish, this 8-hour charter delivers exactly what you're after. Starting at 7 AM, you'll be heading out to depths between 500 and 1,000 feet where the real action happens. These aren't your typical reef fish - we're talking about deep water species that pack serious flavor and put up memorable fights. First Choice Charters has this trip dialed in, mixing deep dropping with offshore trolling opportunities depending on what's biting and what you're most interested in targeting.
This charter takes you into some of the most productive fishing zones off Islamorada, where the deep reefs hold incredible concentrations of bottom fish. You'll be fishing in 500 to 1,000 feet of water, which means you're getting into serious grouper and tilefish territory. The crew sets you up with both electric reels and traditional hand cranks, so whether you want the power assistance for these depths or prefer to feel every pound of the fight, you're covered. What makes this trip special is the flexibility - if conditions are right and the bite is hot offshore, your captain can pivot to trolling for pelagics like kingfish or wahoo. It's about reading the water and the fish, not just sticking to one game plan.
Deep dropping is a whole different game from shallow reef fishing. At these depths, you're using heavy weights to get your baits down fast, and the fish you're targeting are used to feeding in that cold, dark environment. The electric reels become your best friend when you're cranking fish up from 800 feet - that's a long way to hand crank a fighting grouper or tilefish. Your captain knows exactly where to position the boat over these deep structures, using GPS and fish finder technology to put you right on the money spots. When the conditions allow for offshore work, the boat transitions to trolling spread with live bait or lures, covering water to find those fast-moving pelagics that cruise the blue water edges.
"Our captain was awesome and hit all the spots! Snapper & Grouper! Highly recommend if you're in Destin Fl. Thank you 1st Choice Charters my family had a great time." - Ashley
"You know it's a good day when you have enough time Mahi to stop and do deep drops. The captain put us on the spot, two drops one came with a tile fish and one with a nice snowy grouper. He truly knows where the fish are. Took a total of 15 minutes. The captain was good to run us around several storms and keep catching fish. The mate colby was legit. Super friendly and new his stuff. We stopped for bait on the way out. He through two cast the first to target cigar minnows the second ballyhoo. The first yeided about 100+ minnows and they got about about 50 ballyhoo. Again Took about 30 minutes. No wasted time. I have been on several charter boats in the keys and this os one of the best charter boats in islamorada. To the person said me know it all. The captain has a little sarcastic humor and they must have missed that but he truly knows his stuff." - Kyle
"Had planned on going fishing with Captain Larry today with family, but he contacted me first thing in morning to let me know that the seas were building up quickly knowing that I have younger children. Appreciated his integrity. Will look for him on next trip." - Ly
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around Islamorada, and when they're around, you'll know it. These fish travel in schools and are absolutely aggressive feeders, especially around floating debris or weed lines. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, with peak action in summer. What makes mahi so special is their incredible fight - they jump, they run, and they never give up easily. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the ocean. When you hook into a school, it's not uncommon to boat several fish before they move on.
Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish are deep water specialists that live in the exact depths this charter targets. These fish prefer temperatures around 50-60 degrees, which you'll find consistently at 500+ feet. They're year-round residents on these deep reefs, building burrows in the muddy bottom between rock outcroppings. Tilefish are known for their incredible table fare - the meat is firm, white, and has a sweet flavor that rivals any fish in the ocean. They can reach impressive sizes too, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon in these waters.
Snowy Grouper are the deepwater cousins of the more familiar grouper species, and they're perfectly adapted to life in the depths you'll be fishing. These fish prefer depths of 300 to 1,000 feet and are most active during cooler months from November through March, though they can be caught year-round. They're aggressive predators that will hammer a bait, and their fight is legendary - combining the power of shallow water grouper with the endurance that comes from living in deep, cold water. The meat is exceptional, with a clean, sweet flavor that's prized by chefs.
Scamp Grouper are another deep reef specialist that makes these waters so productive. They prefer depths between 200 and 800 feet and are most active during the fall and winter months. Scamp are known for their beautiful coloration and their excellent table quality. They're smart fish that require some finesse to catch consistently, but when you find them, they're usually in good numbers. These fish have a reputation for being one of the best eating grouper species, with firm white meat that holds up well to any cooking metho
Step aboard Capt. Larry's beautifully restored 1958 37' Merritt sportfisher for serious deep reef fishing in Islamorada's offshore waters. This classic boat was given new life in 2011 and runs smooth with twin 355HP Cummins engines that'll get you out to 500-1,000 foot depths where the best-tasting fish live. The wide open deck gives all six anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're cranking up snapper and grouper from the deep or trolling for kingfish and wahoo. Modern electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate the best spots, while the flybridge gives Capt. Larry a commanding view of the action. With a head onboard and VHF radio for safety, this vintage Merritt combines old-school fishing boat charm with everything you need for a productive day targeting deep water species.
Caulolatilus ChrysopsGoldeneye tilefish are one of our deeper targets, living on sandy bottoms and around coral structure in 250-800 feet of water. These golden-spotted beauties average 2-3 feet and 40-65 pounds, with that distinctive olive-green back fading to white on the belly. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they make up for it with steady pressure and excellent table fare. We fish for them year-round since they're pretty consistent in our deeper waters, especially during cooler months when they're more active. What guests really appreciate is the eating quality - clean, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They feed mainly on crabs, shrimp, and worms, so fresh squid or eel strips work great as bait. Drop your rig to the bottom and wait for that steady thump - don't rush the hookset. Let them get a good bite before lifting into them. Once hooked, they'll use that deep water to their advantage, so be patient on the retrieve.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real light show when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen them hit 40+ pounds. They love floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in open water. We target them trolling with ballyhoo or lures, making the bait skip on the surface since they go crazy for flying fish. Spring through fall gives us our best shots when water temps are warm. What makes mahi special is the combination - they fight hard with plenty of jumps, they're stunning to look at, and the meat is absolutely fantastic. Sweet, firm, and mild - some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Here's the key: when you see one, there's usually a school. Keep one hooked and in the water while you pitch baits to the others swimming around the boat.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp grouper are considered the best eating fish in the grouper family - that's why old-timers call them "captain's meat." These chocolate-brown beauties with their distinctive elongated tail rays average 4-6 pounds, though the big ones can push 30+ pounds and 3 feet. They hang around structure in 75-300 feet - rocks, ledges, wrecks, and reefs where they ambush prey. February through May is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, giving us easier shots at them. Don't let their size fool you - scamps are slow but incredibly strong fighters that'll test your tackle and patience. They start life as females and change to males as they grow. Live pinfish, sardines, or cigar minnows are hard to beat, but they'll take most anything that fits in their mouth. The trick is getting them away from structure fast once hooked. Use heavy tackle and don't give them time to think - lift hard right after the hookset to keep them out of the rocks.
Epinephelus Snowy grouper are the trophy fish of the deep reef - these copper-brown beauties with white geometric spots can reach 70 pounds and live in 300-600 feet around rocky structure. Most of what we catch runs 20-40 pounds, but they're built like tanks and fight accordingly. Season runs May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit, so every shot counts. What makes them special is the combination of their bulldogging fight and exceptional table quality. They're ambush predators that'll eat anything from deep-water crabs to butterfish, so whole squid, bonito strips, or mackerel work well. The challenge is getting them up from those depths before they wedge into the rocks. With electric reels, it's manageable, but hand-cranking from 500+ feet will test your endurance. Once you feel that thump, keep steady pressure and don't give them an inch to run back to structure. They're territorial and aggressive, so they'll usually commit to the bite once they grab it.
5.0 out of 5.0Our captain was awesome and hit all the spots! Snapper & Grouper! Highly recommend if you’re in Destin Fl. Thank you 1st Choice Ch...
You know it's a good day when you have enough time Mahi to stop and do deep drops. The captain put us on the spot, two drops one c...
Had planned on going fishing with Captain Larry today with family, but he contacted me first thing in morning to let me know that ...
Islamorada, FL