Advanced Full Day Fishing in Islamorada
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour advanced charter targeting Permit, Grouper, and SnookProfessional techniques and strategy for experienced anglers onlyTwoguest maximum ensures personalized instruction and prime fishing spots
When you're ready to move beyond the basics and test your skills against some of Florida's most challenging inshore species, Captain Steve's advanced full-day charter is where serious anglers prove their worth. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's eight hours of strategic, technical fishing in Islamorada's world-class waters, targeting trophy species that'll make your reel scream and your arms burn. With only two spots available per trip, you'll get the personalized attention and advanced instruction that separates the weekend warriors from the pros.
Captain Steve doesn't mess around when it comes to advanced fishing. You'll start before sunrise, hitting productive flats, channels, and structure where permit cruise the shallows and grouper lurk in the depths. This top-rated charter focuses on reading water conditions, understanding fish behavior, and mastering the precise presentations that fool educated fish. Expect to cover serious ground – from the legendary backcountry flats where permit ghosts through knee-deep water to the deeper channels where hefty snook ambush baitfish. The pace is intense, the fishing is technical, and the rewards are worth every minute. Captain Steve's local knowledge runs deep, and he'll push you to locations that most guides keep secret, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us.
This charter is all about precision and technique. You'll work with light tackle spinning setups and fly rods, learning to make accurate casts in challenging conditions – whether that's dropping a live crab perfectly in front of a tailing permit or threading a lure through mangrove roots where snook are holding. Captain Steve specializes in sight fishing, teaching you to spot fish before they see you and execute the kind of presentations that separate successful anglers from frustrated ones. We'll cover advanced rigging techniques, from perfecting your permit rig to understanding exactly how to work a topwater plug over shallow grass beds. The gear is tournament-quality, but more importantly, you'll learn when and why to use specific techniques. This isn't about luck – it's about understanding the science behind successful inshore fishing in one of Florida's most demanding fisheries.
Permit are the holy grail of flats fishing, and Islamorada's shallow waters hold some of the best populations in Florida. These disc-shaped fighters are incredibly spooky and selective, often requiring multiple perfect presentations before they'll eat. Peak season runs from March through July, when you'll find them tailing in 2-4 feet of water, rooting for crabs. A 20-pound permit will test every aspect of your fishing skills – from the approach to the hookset to the fight that follows. They're notorious for their blistering runs toward structure, and landing one is a badge of honor that many anglers chase for years.
Great Barracuda patrol these waters year-round, but really fire up during the warmer months. These apex predators can stretch over four feet and hit lures with explosive strikes that'll rattle your teeth. They're perfect for practicing your reaction time and drag settings – a big 'cuda will peel line faster than you'd believe, often leaping completely out of the water in spectacular fashion. What makes them special here is their size and aggression; Islamorada's barracuda are well-fed and strong, making them worthy opponents on appropriate tackle.
Cubera Snapper represent the ultimate structure fishing challenge. These bruiser snappers live around deep ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom, growing to impressive sizes – think 30-50 pounds of pure muscle. They're most active during summer months, especially around full moon phases when they move shallow to spawn. The fight is straight down and dirty, testing your ability to turn a fish before it cuts you off on the bottom. Many anglers underestimate the raw power of a quality cubera until they hook one.
Black Grouper are the kings of the reef, and Florida Bay's rocky structure holds some real trophies. These ambush predators can exceed 40 pounds and are masters at using structure to their advantage. Summer and fall offer the best action, when they're most aggressive and feeding heavily. The technique is all about precision – dropping baits exactly on the structure without getting hung up, then muscling fish away from their rocky homes the moment you hook up. It's power fishing at its finest.
Snook are Florida's signature inshore gamefish, and Islamorada's mangrove coastline provides world-class habitat. They're most active during the warmer months, May through September, when they're feeding aggressively in the backcountry. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight – they'll jump, run, and use every piece of structure to try to throw your hook. The bigger fish, those 28-inch-plus slot busters, are incredibly smart and require perfect presentations along mangrove edges, docks, and creek mouths.
This renowned advanced charter fills up fast because Captain Steve only takes serious anglers who are ready for the real deal. Eight hours on the water with personalized instruction, access to Islamorada's best fishing spots, and the chance to target species that most anglers only dream about – this is the kind of fishing trip that changes how you approach the sport. Whether you're looking to finally land your first permit, battle a trophy snook, or test your skills against Florida's toughest inshore species, this charter delivers the goods. Don't settle for crowded party boats or guides who treat every angler the same. Book your spot with Hooked Up Outback Guide Service and experience why experienced anglers consider this the best advanced fishing charter in the Keys.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the ultimate bottom bullies, with their mottled olive and gray bodies built for power, not speed. Common sizes run 10-30 pounds, but the big girls can push 50+ pounds and live over 30 years. They hang around wrecks, ledges, and rocky structure from 30 feet in winter up to 200+ feet in summer months. These ambush predators just vacuum up anything that gets close – they don't nibble, they inhale. What anglers love is the initial thump followed by a bulldogging fight straight down. The meat's outstanding – mild, firm, and versatile. November through May is peak season when they're spawning and more aggressive. Pro tip: once you feel that bite, start cranking immediately. Don't give them time to think or they'll dive straight back to the rocks and cut you off. Heavy drag and strong arms are essential for these battles.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera snappers are the bruisers of the snapper family – these thick-bodied fighters can reach 40+ pounds, with monsters pushing 60+ pounds and 4 feet long. They hang around rocky ledges, reefs, and structure in 60-150 feet of water, ambushing prey with those massive canine teeth. Best fishing runs May through August during their spawn when they move to shallower water. What makes cuberas special is the pure power – they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks and break you off. The meat's excellent when properly prepared, though bigger ones can carry ciguatera. These fish require heavy tackle and quick reflexes. My go-to tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get their head down. Use live bait like small tunas or big squid, and be ready for a serious arm workout. Timing your hookset is critical with these guys.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are apex predators that'll test your reflexes and gear. These sleek missiles average 2-4 feet but the big ones can hit 6 feet and 50+ pounds. They cruise near the surface around coral reefs, grass flats, and structure from shallow water out to about 100 feet deep. Year-round fishing here is solid, but spring and summer are prime when they're most active and aggressive. What guests love about cuda is the explosive strikes and blistering runs – they can hit 35mph in short bursts. The fight's intense but short since they burn out quick. Fair warning: they're not great table fare due to potential ciguatera, but the thrill is worth it. Local trick: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear when landing – those razor teeth will slice right through skin. Silver spoons and flashy lures work best when they're feeding.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many serious anglers – these silvery, disc-shaped fish average around 15-25 pounds but can push 40+ pounds. You'll spot them cruising shallow flats in just 2-4 feet of water, those golf ball-sized eyes scanning constantly for danger. They're incredibly spooky and selective, which makes landing one such a trophy. Peak season runs April through October when they spawn, but we catch them year-round in our warm waters. What makes permit special is the challenge – they're way tougher than bonefish or tarpon to fool. Live blue crabs are the gold standard bait. Pro tip: when you see one tailing on the flats, approach from downwind and present your crab about 3 feet ahead of where they're headed. Once hooked, they'll make powerful runs and test every bit of your drag system.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are Florida's signature gamefish – sleek, aggressive predators with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. Most run 18-28 inches, but trophy fish can hit 35+ inches and 15-20 pounds. They love structure like mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths in water from 2-60 feet deep. Peak action happens May through September during spawn when their fins turn bright yellow. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. Plus they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. They're temperature sensitive, so cold fronts can shut them down quick. My best advice: work your lures around cover but expect to lose some tackle – snook will wrap you up in mangroves faster than you can blink. Live shrimp and pilchards work great, but topwater plugs at dawn and dusk are pure magic.
Islamorada