Premier Offshore Fishing Adventures in Key Largo Waters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing charter targeting tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and mahi mahi.Professional captain guides trips aboard spacious 36foot Hatteras vessel.Small group experience accommodates up to six guests maximum.
Captain Kevin and his 36-foot Hatteras are waiting to show you what makes Key Largo one of Florida's premier fishing destinations. This isn't your typical half-day trip close to shore – we're talking about a real offshore adventure where the Gulf Stream meets the Atlantic, creating some of the richest fishing grounds you'll find anywhere. With room for up to six anglers, First Down Charters gives you the perfect setup to target trophy fish while enjoying the camaraderie that makes these trips memorable. The waters off Key Largo hold everything from lightning-fast wahoo to acrobatic sailfish, and Captain Kevin knows exactly where to find them.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are most active and the conditions are at their best. Captain Kevin's Hatteras is built for offshore work – stable, comfortable, and equipped with everything you need for a successful day of fishing. We'll head out beyond the reef line where the water turns that deep blue color that signals big fish territory. The boat handles the offshore swells like a dream, so even if you're not the most experienced angler, you'll feel confident and comfortable. Captain Kevin reads these waters like a book, watching for birds, bait schools, and temperature breaks that signal where the action is happening. Don't worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm – the boat comes loaded with quality tackle, and Captain Kevin will handle all the rigging and setup.
Offshore fishing here is all about trolling, and it's an art form that Captain Kevin has perfected over years on these waters. We'll run multiple lines at different depths and distances, using a mix of live bait, dead bait, and lures that mimic the smaller fish that our target species love to eat. The key is covering water and presenting baits at the right speed and depth. You'll learn to watch the rod tips for that telltale bend that means fish on, and trust me, when a wahoo or mahi hits at trolling speed, you'll know it immediately. We use circle hooks for most of our fishing, which makes for better hooksets and healthier fish releases. Captain Kevin will coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish properly and avoid common mistakes that can cost you your trophy.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These fish are absolutely beautiful with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs, and they fight like crazy when hooked. Mahi are schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They love structure like floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. The best part about mahi is they're willing biters – they'll hit trolled baits, live bait, and even lures worked around the boat. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish ranging from small schoolies to bull dolphins pushing 30 pounds or more.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, and Key Largo's waters hold some monsters. These fish can hit 60 miles per hour, and when they take a trolled bait, the initial run will test your reflexes and your drag system. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth, so we use wire leaders and handle them carefully. They're excellent eating and make for great photos with their torpedo-shaped bodies and distinctive blue stripes. Winter months tend to be best for wahoo, when they move through in good numbers chasing bait schools.
Atlantic sailfish are the ultimate light-tackle opponent and a favorite among sport fishermen. These magnificent billfish put on an aerial show when hooked, jumping repeatedly and showing off their massive dorsal fin. Sailfish fishing requires patience and skill – we'll use live bait when possible, presenting it at the right depth and watching for that characteristic bill tap before the fish commits. Most sailfish are released after a quick photo, and Captain Kevin knows the proper techniques to ensure they swim away healthy. Winter is peak sailfish season off Key Largo.
Yellowtail amberjack, known locally as AJ's, are bulldogs that will test your tackle and your endurance. These fish live around structure and drop-offs, and they fight dirty – heading straight for the bottom or wrapping you around whatever cover they can find. AJ's are year-round residents, but spring and fall fishing tends to be most productive. They're excellent table fare and a favorite among anglers who like a good fight.
Permit are considered one of the holy grail species in these waters, known for their wariness and spectacular fighting ability. These silver ghosts are incredibly spooky and require perfect presentations, but when you hook one, you're in for a battle. Permit have powerful shoulders and will make long, sustained runs. They're more commonly caught on the flats, but offshore encounters do happen, especially around wrecks and deeper structure.
Captain Kevin's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. This top-rated charter combines years of local knowledge with a genuine passion for putting anglers on fish. Whether you're a seasoned offshore veteran or this is your first time targeting pelagic species, you'll come away with new skills, great stories, and hopefully a cooler full of fish. The memories you make fighting trophy fish in the crystal-clear waters off Key Largo will last long after your tan fades. Book your offshore adventure with First Down Charters and discover why anglers travel from around the world to fish these legendary waters.
Step aboard Captain Kevin's restored 1973 36' Hatteras Cruiser and experience the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern fishing power in Key Largo's legendary offshore waters. This classic beauty, completely rebuilt in 2017, cuts through the waves with twin 315HP Cummins engines while you hunt for tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and mahi mahi in the deep blue. The spacious flybridge gives you prime spotting position as the fish finder locates your targets below. With comfortable seating for up to 6 anglers, plus a bed and head for longer trips, you'll stay comfortable while chasing trophy fish. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold as you battle the ocean's finest. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to offshore fishing, this restored Hatteras delivers the perfect platform for targeting pelagic species in some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - those massive dorsal fins and acrobatic jumps make every hookup memorable. These billfish average 40-60 pounds and stretch 6-8 feet, spending most of their time in 100-400 feet hunting schools of ballyhoo and sardines. Winter is sailfish season here in the Keys, December through March when they stack up in good numbers. The famous "Sailfish Alley" stretches right through our backyard. What hooks anglers is that aerial display - they'll tailwalk, jump, and dive repeatedly during the fight. We practice catch and release with these magnificent fish. The secret is slow trolling with live bait or pulling teasers to get them fired up, then making the switch to a rigged ballyhoo. When one comes up behind the boat with that sail raised, get ready for a show you won't forget.
Coryphaena HippurusThese colorful offshore fighters average 15-29 pounds and put on quite a show with their golden sides and electric blues. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100-500 feet of water. They love chasing flying fish, so we run ballyhoo or squid baits skipping on the surface while trolling. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when water temps hit 75-80 degrees. What makes mahi special is the combination - they fight hard, look stunning with all those color changes, and make some of the best fish tacos you'll ever taste. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for the school underneath - where there's one mahi, there's usually more.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail of flats fishing - silver, disc-shaped fish that can reach 40+ pounds and test every angler's patience. Around Key Largo, we find them on shallow grass flats, around wrecks, and near channel edges in 2-15 feet of water. They've got those golf ball-sized eyes that rotate almost 360 degrees, making them incredibly spooky. April through October is prime time when they're spawning, but we see them year-round in our warm waters. Anglers love the challenge - permit are notorious for being one of the hardest fish to fool. Blue crabs are the ticket, either live or good imitations. My advice: when you see one, make your first cast count because you might not get a second chance. Patience and stealth win the day with these fish.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep blue, hitting 50+ mph and averaging 15-40 pounds in our waters. We target them in 200-1000 feet, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish have razor-sharp teeth and that distinctive zebra striping along their sides. Winter months from November through March are prime time here in the Keys when they move closer to shore. What guests love is the searing runs - when a wahoo takes your bait at high-speed trolling, it's game on. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that white, flaky meat. The key is running wire leaders because those teeth will slice through anything else. We troll fast with diving plugs and skip baits to trigger their predatory instincts.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail amberjacks are bruising bottom fighters that'll test your tackle and your back. These yellow-finned powerhouses typically run 15-25 pounds around our reefs and wrecks, though 40-pounders show up when conditions are right. We find them in 60-200 feet around hard structure - they love rocky bottom, artificial reefs, and deep ledges. Summer months when the water warms up bring the best fishing, but they're around year-round in South Florida. What makes them special is that raw power - they'll dive straight back to the rocks trying to cut you off. Great eating too, prized in sushi restaurants for that firm, oily meat. The trick is heavy tackle and keeping steady pressure without being too aggressive. Let them run initially, then work them up slowly. Once you get them away from structure, you've got a fighting chance.
Key Largo