Key Largo Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Captain Kevin guides offshore fishing trips aboard 36' vesselTarget Snapper, Grouper, and Hogfish in Key Largo watersAM and PM charters accommodate up to 6 guests
If you're looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of South Florida's most prized bottom fish, Captain Kevin's got you covered. His 36-foot charter operates out of Key Largo, taking up to 6 anglers on both morning and afternoon trips to productive offshore grounds. This isn't some cookie-cutter fishing operation – Kevin knows these waters inside and out, and he's built a reputation for putting his guests on fish consistently. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's been chasing snapper and grouper for decades, you'll appreciate his no-nonsense approach and deep knowledge of local fishing patterns.
Your day starts with a comfortable ride out to Kevin's proven fishing spots aboard his well-maintained 36-footer. The boat's got everything you need – quality rods and reels, fresh bait, and all the terminal tackle to handle whatever's biting down there. Kevin runs both AM and PM charters, which gives you flexibility if you're not an early bird or want to fish during different tidal conditions. The morning trips typically head out around sunrise, while the afternoon charters let you sleep in and still get a solid half-day of fishing. You'll be targeting structure and ledges where snapper, grouper, and hogfish like to hang out, usually in 60 to 120 feet of water depending on conditions and what's been producing lately.
Captain Kevin specializes in bottom fishing techniques that consistently produce results in Key Largo's offshore waters. You'll be dropping baits on natural and artificial reefs, ledges, and wrecks where these species congregate. The setup is straightforward but effective – heavy sinkers to get your bait down quickly, circle hooks for better hookups and fish survival, and fresh cut bait or live offerings depending on what the fish are wanting that day. Kevin provides all the gear, but if you've got your own heavy spinning or conventional setup, feel free to bring it along. The key here is being able to feel the bottom and detect those subtle bites that grouper and snapper are famous for. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – Kevin will walk you through reading your rod tip and knowing when to set the hook.
Hogfish are one of the real treats you'll target on these charters. These colorful, pig-faced fish are absolutely delicious and put up a decent fight for their size. They're typically found around sandy areas near reefs, often in 40-80 feet of water. Hogfish can be finicky feeders, preferring fresh shrimp or small crabs, but when you find a school, you can often pick up several nice ones. They're most active during spring and fall months, though you can catch them year-round in the Keys. What makes hogfish special is their incredible table fare – many consider them the best eating fish in South Florida waters.
Cubera snapper represent the trophy end of the snapper family, and Key Largo's deep ledges hold some real giants. These bruisers can exceed 50 pounds and will test both your tackle and your back. They're ambush predators that lurk around structure, waiting to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal. Summer months typically produce the largest cuberas, though you'll find smaller ones throughout the year. When you hook into a big cubera, you'll know it immediately – they make powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Red snapper fishing in the Keys offers a different experience than what you'll find in the Gulf. These fish are generally smaller but more abundant, and they're often mixed in with other snapper species on the same reefs. Reds prefer live or fresh dead bait and can be found in 80-200 feet of water. They're excellent table fare and fairly cooperative once you locate them. The key is finding the right depth and structure – Kevin's local knowledge really shines when it comes to putting you on productive red snapper spots.
Mutton snapper are perhaps the most beautiful of the snapper family, with their olive backs and distinctive red fins. They're also some of the best eating fish you'll encounter. Muttons can be found in a variety of depths but seem to prefer the 60-100 foot range around hard bottom and coral heads. They're more likely to take live bait than dead, and they can be surprisingly strong fighters. Fall and winter months typically produce the best mutton snapper fishing, though they're available year-round.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of Key Largo's grouper fishing scene. These fish are aggressive predators that will eat just about anything that fits in their mouth, from pinfish to grunt to cut bait. They're found around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs, typically in 60-120 feet of water. Gags are excellent table fare and put up a strong fight, making those powerful runs toward structure that grouper are famous for. They're most abundant during the cooler months, but you can target them throughout most of the year.
Captain Kevin's Key Largo fishing charters offer excellent value for anyone wanting to experience world-class bottom fishing without the crowds and chaos of larger party boats. His 36-foot vessel provides a stable platform for fishing, and the 6-person maximum ensures you'll get plenty of personal attention and fishing time. Whether you choose the morning or afternoon charter, you'll be fishing productive waters with a captain who knows how to put his guests on fish. The variety of species available means every drop could produce something different, keeping the action interesting throughout your trip. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Give Captain Kevin a call and secure your spot for what could be your best Key Largo fishing adventure yet.
Step aboard Captain Kevin's beautifully restored 1973 Hatteras Cruiser and experience vintage fishing at its finest in Key Largo waters. This 36-footer combines classic boat craftsmanship with reliable twin 315HP Cummins engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a comfortable 25 knots. The spacious flybridge gives you prime casting room and perfect views while you target snapper, grouper, and hogfish in offshore waters. Below deck, you'll find all the essentials - a comfortable bed for longer trips, private head, and icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Modern fish finder technology helps locate the best spots while GPS keeps you on course. With room for up to 6 anglers, this charter boat delivers both comfort and fishing performance, whether you're dropping lines at dawn or catching the afternoon bite around the reefs and wrecks that make Key Largo fishing legendary.
Lutjanus CyanopterusThe monster of the snapper family, cuberas are what serious anglers dream about. These bruisers commonly hit 40 pounds and can push over 100, with thick lips and dog-like teeth that'll straighten hooks. We find them around rocky ledges and structure in 60-150 feet, especially during their summer spawning runs from May through August. When you hook one, it's going to make a beeline straight back to the rocks - that's just what they do. The fight is pure power, no fancy jumps, just bulldogging toward cover. Here's the deal: when one grabs your bait, lock that drag down and pull hard right away. Give them any slack and they'll wrap you around the nearest ledge. Live bait like skipjack or big pinfish gets their attention best.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGags are the most common grouper we target, and they know how to use structure to their advantage. Average fish runs 20 inches, but we catch plenty in the 30-40 pound range around wrecks and ledges in 40-120 feet. They're ambush predators that love live pinfish or cut bait, but here's what separates the pros from beginners: the second you feel that thump, lock down the drag and pull straight up. These fish will dive for the nearest hole or wrap you around structure faster than you can blink. Winter through spring gives us the most consistent action when they're feeding heavy before spawn. The meat is excellent - firm white fillets that grill up perfect. My go-to is circle hooks with live bait, and keep that rod tip low so you can muscle them off the bottom quickly.
Lachnolaimus MaximusThese unique wrasse are some of the most interesting fish we target around Key Largo's reefs. With their pig-like snouts and bright orange spines, hogfish typically run 1-3 feet and can hit 20+ pounds. They use that snout to root through sand and coral for crabs and shellfish, usually hanging around hard bottom areas in 10-100 feet. The curious nature works in our favor - they'll often swim right up to investigate noise and commotion. Live shrimp or mud crabs work best, and here's the key: once hooked, get them up fast. Their small mouth makes hook-setting tricky, but the sweet, mild meat is worth the effort. Spring through fall gives us the most consistent action when they're actively feeding on the reefs.
Lutjanus AnalisMuttons are the pretty ones of the snapper bunch with those olive-pink colors and blue streaks around the face. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big spawners can hit 30+ pounds and really test your tackle. We catch them around reefs and sandy edges in 15-80 feet, often in small groups cruising the drop-offs. They're picky eaters that want fresh bait presented naturally - knocker rigs work great to let shrimp or pilchards drift in the current. What guests love is watching that pink flash come up through clear water and the solid fight they put up. Spring through summer is prime time when they move shallow to spawn. Pro tip: once you get them away from structure, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they've got soft mouths that tear easily.
Lutjanus CampechanusClassic bottom fish that never gets old to catch. Most of our reds run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though the big ones can push 35 pounds. They hang around structure in 30-100 feet - wrecks, ledges, rocky bottom, anywhere they can ambush baitfish. The bite stays pretty consistent year-round, but we see the best action during summer months when they're more active. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight once you get them off the bottom, plus they're absolutely fantastic eating with that sweet, flaky meat. My tip: use a knocker rig with fresh cut bait or live pinfish, and once you feel that tap-tap bite, give it a second then set the hook hard. They've got those canine teeth up front that can throw hooks if you're not ready.
Key Largo