5.0(1 Reviews)Premium 6-Hour Offshore Charter in Key West Waters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour private offshore fishing charter in Key West watersExperienced captains guide trips to prime fishing locationsAccommodates up to six guests with expert crew support
Key West's offshore waters are where serious anglers come to play, and this private 6-hour charter puts you right in the thick of it. You'll be fishing the deep blue where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic, targeting some of the most sought-after species in these waters. With Hunter Sport Fishing's experienced captains at the helm, you're looking at prime fishing territory that's made Key West famous among anglers worldwide. This isn't your typical half-day trip – six hours gives you real time to work different depths and structures, from the nearshore reefs to the deeper drop-offs where the big boys hang out.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll adjust the game plan based on what's biting and where the action is hottest. We're talking about fishing depths from 80 feet out to 200+ feet, hitting the wrecks, ledges, and color changes that hold fish. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and all the gear you need, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. Six anglers max means everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the crew. You'll start early to beat the afternoon chop and make the most of those prime morning and midday bite windows. The captain will work multiple spots throughout the day, reading the water and adjusting based on what's producing.
This is serious offshore fishing where technique matters. You'll be bottom fishing with heavy tackle for grouper, working the drift for cobia, and trolling for the pelagics like mahi and wahoo. The crew will set you up with the right rigs – whether that's a knocker rig with a big circle hook for grouper, live bait presentations for cobia, or high-speed trolling spreads when we're covering water looking for mahi schools. Electric reels are available for the deep drops, which is a game-changer when you're fishing 150+ feet and battling a big scamp or snowy grouper. The captain reads the electronics constantly, marking structure and bait, then positioning the boat to give you the best shot at quality fish.
"Incredible full-day offshore fishing excursion! The captain's expertise really shone through as we navigated to different spots, maximizing our chances of catching fish. The crew was attentive and made sure we were well taken care of. Overall, a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Key West." - Carlos
Scamp Grouper are the bread and butter of Key West's deeper waters, typically found in 100-200 feet around rocky bottom and structure. These guys are smart and selective, but when you hook into a 15-20 pound scamp, you know you've got something special. They fight hard on the way up, and the meat is top-shelf eating. Peak season runs from late fall through spring when they're most active, though you can target them year-round in the right spots.
Mahi Mahi are pure excitement on the line – these fish jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. Key West's offshore waters see good mahi action from spring through fall, with the bigger bulls showing up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. A 20-30 pound bull mahi is a fish you'll remember forever, and the smaller school dolphin are perfect for filling the cooler with some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Wahoo are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your tackle. These fish hit trolled baits like freight trains, often at boat speeds of 8-12 knots, and their initial runs will strip line off your reel in seconds. Winter months are prime time for wahoo in Key West's offshore waters, and a 30-40 pound wahoo is a trophy that combines blazing speed with excellent table fare.
Snowy Grouper live in the deepest water we fish, typically 180+ feet, and they're prized for both their fight and their incredible eating quality. These fish don't get as big as some other grouper species, but a 10-15 pound snowy is a quality catch that requires skill to get to the boat from those depths. They're most active during cooler months and are considered one of the finest eating fish in these waters.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from 60 feet to 150 feet, often following rays or cruising structure. These brown sharks (as some call them) are curious fish that will sometimes come right up to the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities you don't get with other species. A 30-50 pound cobia is a serious fish that will test your endurance, and they're excellent on the dinner table too.
Six hours of private offshore fishing with an experienced Key West captain is exactly what serious anglers are looking for. You're getting quality time on proven fishing grounds, personal attention from the crew, and shots at multiple species that make Key West famous. The boat's equipped, the captain knows where to find fish, and you've got the time to really work the water properly. Don't wait around – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season. Get your group together and lock in your dates for some world-class offshore fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Your fishing adventure centers around the reliable 28' SeaHunter center console, built specifically for serious anglers targeting Key West's productive offshore waters. This well-equipped boat handles the Gulf Stream swells with confidence while providing the stability you need when fighting large gamefish. The spacious center console design gives everyone room to move around during the action, whether you're working a marlin or bringing in a monster mahi. The boat comes loaded with fishing essentials including a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure, GPS navigation for pinpointing hot spots, and radar for safe travel in changing weather conditions. The wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat quietly over productive areas without spooking the fish. A large icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the long day on the water. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room for your group to spread out and work different techniques simultaneously.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these dark, powerful fish cruise alone and can easily be mistaken for small sharks until you see that single dorsal fin. They average around 50-60 pounds and 4-5 feet, but we catch them up to 100+ pounds regularly. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet during spring and summer. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat, making for exciting sight fishing. Spring migration and spawning season offer the best action. The meat is firm and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find. They're strong fighters that make long runs and test your drag. Pro tip: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig past it and work it back slowly - cobia are aggressive but spooky, so that first cast usually counts the most.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most exciting fish to catch out here - they're fast, strong, and absolutely beautiful with those electric blues and golds that change colors right in front of you. Most run 15-29 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we see bigger ones regularly. Look for them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in open water. They're surface dwellers that love chasing flying fish, so we troll at speed with ballyhoo or lures that skip on top. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are up. The meat is firm, mild, and perfect for tacos or grilling. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't boat it right away - leave it in the water because mahi travel in schools and that hooked fish will often call in its buddies for multiple hookups.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp grouper are some of the tastiest fish you'll find in these waters - locals call them "captain's meat" for good reason. They average 4-6 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds, and you'll know one by its chocolate brown color with darker blotches and those distinctive long tail rays. These fish hang out around structure like reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 75-300 feet of water, though they move shallower during spawning season (February through May). They're slow but incredibly strong swimmers, so expect a real battle even from smaller ones. The meat is firm, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use heavy braided line and live pinfish or sardines - once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their hole.
Epinephelus Snowy grouper are the deep-water prize that serious anglers come looking for. These copper-brown beauties with white spots average around 30 pounds but can reach 70, and they live way down in 300-600 feet over rocky bottom. Season runs May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit, so it's quality over quantity. They're ambush predators that will eat anything - crabs, butterfish, even each other. The fight is different from shallow water fish - it's all about the long, steady pull from the depths. Electric reels help, but some folks still like cranking them up by hand. The meat is excellent table fare. Here's the key: use heavy tackle with 80-pound leaders and whole squid or bonito strips. Once hooked, keep steady pressure because they'll try to get back into the rocks and cut you off.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - these sleek, silver torpedoes with blue stripes can hit 60 mph and will test your drag system like nothing else. They average 3-5 feet but can grow much larger, and you'll find them in open water around 66 feet deep, often near floating debris. Best months here are July through November when they're moving through in good numbers. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - what Hawaiians call "ono" meaning delicious. We troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through anything else. Pro tip: when trolling for wahoo, use a plunger or bullet-head lure and don't slow down when you get a strike - these fish often hit multiple times, so keep that lure moving until you're sure it's hooked solid.
5.0 out of 5.0Incredible full-day offshore fishing excursion! The captain's expertise really shone through as we navigated to different spots, m...
Key West