3/4 Day Reef & Offshore – Mahi, Snapper & Grouper
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target snapper, grouper, mahi, tuna, and sailfish offshoreFull-day adventure on 34ft Sea Vee with premium gearCaptain provides all equipment, fits up to 5 anglers
This isn't your typical half-day inshore trip. When you book Grand Slam Charters' 3/4 day offshore adventure, you're signing up for the real deal – a proper blue water fishing experience that gives you time to work both the reef structure and the deep water where the big pelagics cruise. Captain Josh runs a tight operation on his 34-foot Sea Vee, and with space for just five anglers, you're getting personal attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds. Whether you're after table fare like snapper and grouper or looking to tangle with mahi mahi and tuna in the blue water, this trip delivers the kind of variety that keeps you guessing what's coming up next on the line.
Your day starts early – that's just how offshore fishing works when you want to maximize your time on productive water. The Sea Vee is built for comfort and fishing efficiency, with plenty of room to fight fish and move around the cockpit. Captain Josh has this boat dialed in with top-shelf electronics, so you're not wasting time searching for fish or structure. The game plan typically involves hitting the closer reef structure first, where you'll drop baits for snapper, grouper, and hogfish around wrecks and hard bottom. These spots are productive year-round and give you a solid foundation of keeper fish before making the run to deeper water. Once you've loaded the fish box with some quality bottom dwellers, it's time to head offshore where the real action happens. This is where you'll troll for mahi mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna, with the occasional sailfish mixed in when conditions line up right. The beauty of a 3/4 day trip is having enough time to properly work both fishing styles without feeling rushed.
Captain Josh provides all the gear, which takes the guesswork out of rigging for different species. For the reef fishing portion, you'll be working with conventional reels spooled with heavy braid, perfect for pulling fish away from structure. The bottom fishing involves a mix of live bait and cut bait presentations, depending on what the fish are showing preference for that day. Circle hooks are the standard for most bottom species, helping with both fish survival and hookup rates. When it's time to transition to the offshore trolling spread, the captain switches to a combination of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs that cover different depths in the water column. The trolling setup typically runs four to six lines at varying distances behind the boat, creating a spread that appeals to whatever pelagic species are moving through. Don't worry about bringing your own tackle – everything from the rods to the terminal tackle is provided, and it's all tournament-grade equipment that can handle whatever you hook into out there.
Mahi mahi are the stars of the offshore show, and for good reason. These fish are pure adrenaline – they hit trolled baits hard, jump repeatedly, and put up a fight that's completely disproportionate to their size. Most mahi in these waters run between 10 and 25 pounds, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40 pounds or more. They're most active during the warmer months but can be found year-round when you know where to look. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat just about anything you put in front of them, from ballyhoo to small jigs. When you find one, there are usually more around, so the action can get hectic fast.
Blackfin tuna might not get the same attention as their yellowfin cousins, but they're fantastic fish that fight way above their weight class. These speedsters typically range from 5 to 20 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, making them a perfect target during the offshore portion of your trip. Blackfins are also some of the best eating fish in the ocean – their dark, rich meat is perfect for searing or sashimi if you're into that.
Black grouper are the kings of the reef, and landing a quality one is always a highlight. These bruisers can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon in the right spots. They're ambush predators that hang tight to structure, so the fight is usually a straight up-and-down battle of wills. Grouper are incredibly strong and will try to get back to their hole the second they feel the hook. The key is keeping steady pressure and not giving them an inch. Their white, flaky meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table.
Hogfish are often called the most beautiful fish in the reef, and they're also among the best eating. These colorful characters have a unique appearance with their elongated snouts and vibrant coloration. They're typically found in smaller sizes, ranging from 2 to 8 pounds, but they make up for it in table quality. Hogfish are notorious bait stealers, so catching them requires finesse and quick reflexes on the hookset.
Swordfish represent the ultimate offshore challenge, though they're more of a bonus fish on this type of trip. These apex predators are typically targeted during specific conditions and times, but when one shows up on the lines during a daytime trip, it's a moment you'll never forget. Swords are powerful, unpredictable fighters that can reach massive sizes, making any encounter with them a true test of angling skill and equipment.
This 3/4 day trip represents serious value for offshore fishing – you're getting almost a full day on the water with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. The combination of reef and offshore fishing means you're practically guaranteed to go home with a cooler full of quality fish, assuming you bring that cooler like Captain Josh suggests. With only five spots available, these trips
Captain Josh's 34ft Sea Vee center-console is built for serious offshore action. Twin 300hp Suzuki engines push this tournament-ready boat over 50 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to port quick. The spacious deck comfortably handles up to 5 anglers targeting everything from reef dwellers like Snapper and Grouper to pelagic fighters like Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo. Premium electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate the best structure and open-water action. The flybridge gives Captain Josh a commanding view for spotting diving birds and feeding fish. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 3/4 day adventure. All tackle, rods, reels, and bait provided – just bring your cooler and get ready to fill it with quality fish from both bottom structure and blue water hunting.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the bruisers of the reef, with their olive-gray bodies covered in dark blotches and that signature big mouth that can inhale just about anything. Most run 10-20 pounds, but the real trophies can push 50+ pounds and measure over 3 feet long. You'll find them around offshore wrecks, ledges, and reef structures in 30-300 feet, depending on the season - they move shallow in winter and deep in summer. These fish are pure ambush predators that fight dirty, trying to cut you off in the rocks the second they feel the hook. They're prized for their excellent eating - mild, firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. The battle is what draws most anglers though - it's a straight power struggle from the get-go. Pro tip: once you hook one, crank hard immediately and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you up in the structure below.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight and flavor. These beauties average 10-20 pounds with their dark backs, silver bellies, and that distinctive gold stripe that fades after they're caught. You'll find them in warm offshore waters near continental shelves, often schooled up with other tunas and dolphin. Peak season here runs fall through spring when they're most abundant. They're fantastic on light tackle - fast, acrobatic fighters that'll test your drag and your arms. The meat is superb, with that rich tuna flavor that's perfect for searing or sashimi. They've got sharp eyes though, so you need to scale down your tackle. My go-to setup: 30lb fluorocarbon leader with a 5/0 circle hook, and throw some live pilchards in the water to get them fired up before you drop your baits.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are one of the reef's most unique characters, with their pig-like snouts and bright orange spines that make them easy to spot. They typically run 3-10 pounds but can push 20+ on a good day. You'll find them rooting around coral reefs and hard bottom areas in 10-100 feet, using that snout to dig up crabs and shellfish like underwater bulldozers. They're curious fish that'll actually swim up to check you out, but landing one takes quick reflexes since they're lightning-fast strikers. The payoff is worth it though - hogfish are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, mild meat that beats grouper hands down. Here's the trick: use live shrimp or mud crab on a smaller hook, and the second you feel that tap, set it hard and fast.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most stunning fish you'll encounter out there, with their golden sides and electric blue-green colors that put on a real light show when they come out of the water. These guys average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in warm offshore waters. They're fast swimmers and even faster fighters - once hooked, they'll jump, run, and give you a workout you won't forget. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild with a slightly sweet taste that rivals swordfish. Best action happens during warmer months when they're feeding near the surface. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lines in - mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting for their turn.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the giants of the deep water game, averaging 400 pounds but capable of hitting 1,000+ pounds with that distinctive flat bill and torpedo-shaped body. These are deep-water fish, living in 300-1,500 feet of water, and they're primarily night feeders that come up to hunt after dark. Peak season runs April through September when they're most active. What makes them special is the challenge - it's technical fishing with heavy tackle, lights, and deep drops that can take hours to pay off. When you do connect, you're in for the fight of your life against one of the ocean's strongest fish. The meat is outstanding too, with firm steaks that grill beautifully. Key tip: use 2-3 lights at 45-50 feet down, and when that rod bends over, don't rush it - these fish will test every bit of your drag system.
Key Largo