6 Hour Big Pine Key Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6-hour offshore trips targeting mahi, tuna, wahoo, and sailfishCaptain Troy Phillips brings 20+ years reef fishing experience28-foot Intrepid holds up to 6 guests with live bait setup
Captain Troy Phillips has been working these waters for over two decades, and his 28-foot Intrepid knows every reef, color change, and structure from Big Pine Key out to the deep blue. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head back. Six hours gives you the real deal – enough time to hit multiple spots, adjust to what the fish are doing, and put some serious bends in the rods. Starting at $1,150 for two anglers, you're looking at world-class offshore fishing without the crowds or rush of bigger operations.
You'll meet Captain Troy at the Big Pine Key marina ready to load up on a boat built for covering water fast and fishing hard. Those twin Suzuki 175s don't mess around – they'll get you to the fishing grounds while other boats are still putting lines out closer to shore. The center console setup means everyone has room to move and fight fish without getting tangled up. Troy keeps the boat stocked with quality tackle, but if you've got favorite rods or lucky lures, bring them along. He's seen enough anglers over the years to know that confidence in your gear can make the difference between a good day and a great one. The trip accommodates up to six people total, with kids under 12 fishing free – perfect for families wanting to introduce the next generation to serious offshore fishing. You can choose between 7AM and 2PM start times, depending on whether you're early risers or prefer afternoon action.
This is where Captain Troy's two decades of experience really show. The Florida Keys offshore scene is all about reading conditions and adapting fast. Some days the mahi are thick on the weed lines eight miles out. Other days, the wahoo are crushing baits right on the reef edge. Troy runs a mix of live bait and trolling depending on what's working and what species are showing up. The boat's rigged for both – live wells keep pilchards and goggle eyes happy, while the outriggers spread a trolling pattern that covers serious water. When you're working the color changes where blue water meets green, presentation is everything. Troy knows how to set the spread at different speeds and depths to match what the fish want. If the bite is hot on one technique, you'll stick with it. If things slow down, you're moving and switching tactics before other boats even realize the fish have moved.
The Atlantic Sailfish are the rock stars of Keys offshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish hit hard, jump high, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat screaming. Peak season runs from December through April when they're thick in 80 to 150 feet of water. They love live pilchards on the outriggers and will absolutely crush a well-presented goggle eye. What makes sailfish so addictive is the combination of speed and acrobatics – they'll peel drag off your reel while throwing themselves completely out of the water. Most fish run 6 to 8 feet long, but the big females can push 9 feet and really test your equipment.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and the action that make offshore trips memorable. These fish are pure eye candy – bright gold and green that practically glow in the boat. They school up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, often in groups that can keep multiple rods bent at once. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to the Keys. Mahi are curious fish that often follow hooked fish right to the boat, giving you shots at multiple hookups. They're also fantastic table fare, which makes them a customer favorite for families planning a fish dinner.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of stripping line faster than most anglers expect. These torpedo-shaped fish cruise the reef edges and drop-offs, especially during winter months when they're moving through Keys waters in good numbers. They're ambush predators that hit trolled baits with incredible force – you'll know when a wahoo grabs your lure. The fight is typically shorter than other pelagic species, but the initial run and their razor-sharp teeth make them a challenge to land. Most Keys wahoo run 20 to 40 pounds, perfect for the grill and impressive enough for photos.
Red Snapper represent the quality bottom fishing available between trolling runs. These reef dwellers are structure-oriented fish that require precise boat positioning and good bottom fishing skills. Captain Troy knows the productive ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom areas where snapper gather in fishable numbers. They're notorious bait stealers with soft mouths, so the bite detection and hookset timing takes some finesse. But when you connect with a good red snapper, they pull hard and steady toward the bottom. The 20-inch minimum size limit means any keeper is a quality fish worth the effort.
Tarpon fishing around Big Pine Key offers shots at the silver king when conditions align. These fish are migration-dependent, with peak opportunities during spring and early summer months. Tarpon require specific tackle and techniques – they're large, powerful fish that can easily exceed 100 pounds and jump repeatedly when hooked. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size, but their fighting ability and the spectacular aerial displays they put on. Landing a tarpon is considered a career highlight for many anglers, and the Keys offer some of the most consistent tarpon fishing in the world.
Six hours offshore with Captain Troy gives you the time and flexibility to fish the way conditions dictate. Whether that means working a hot mahi bite until your arms are sore or covering water to find where the sailfish are setting up, you're not watching the clock when the action gets good. The 28-foot Intrepid handles the offshore conditions with confidence, and Troy's knowledge of these waters means you're fishing smart, not just fishing
This 28-foot Intrepid center console cuts through the waters off Big Pine Key with authority, powered by twin Suzuki 175 HP engines that get you to the best fishing grounds fast. Built specifically for light tackle work, she's got the deck space and stability you need when mahi are running hot or you're working a color line for tuna. The boat handles offshore conditions with confidence, whether you're trolling the reefs or drifting live bait in deeper water. With room for up to 6 anglers under Coast Guard limits, there's plenty of space to work without getting tangled up during the fight. Captain Troy has this rig dialed in perfectly for the kind of fishing that makes the Florida Keys legendary - from wahoo screaming drag to sailfish putting on a show.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are built for speed, averaging 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds with that signature sail-like dorsal fin. We find them cruising the surface waters 30-65 feet deep along the color changes and current edges offshore. They're one of the fastest fish in the ocean and put on quite a show when hooked, jumping repeatedly and making long runs. Winter through spring gives us our best shot at them here in the Keys when they migrate through following the warmer water. What makes them special is that acrobatic fight - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times trying to throw the hook. For the best hookup rate, I always tell guests to keep the rod tip low and resist the urge to lift when they jump. The meat's decent but most folks prefer the catch-and-release experience with these beauties.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most colorful fish in the ocean, flashing brilliant gold, green, and blue when hooked. They average 15-30 pounds and grow fast in these warm offshore waters. Look for them under floating debris, weedlines, and around current edges where they hunt flying fish and squid. We see good numbers spring through fall, with summer being prime time when the water's warmest. What guests love about mahi is the combination - they fight hard with lots of jumping and runs, plus they're absolutely delicious on the table. The meat is firm, white, and mild-tasting, perfect for grilling or fish tacos. When you hook one, there's usually more around since they often travel in small schools. Here's a local tip: once you boat the first fish, keep a couple rods ready with live bait or jigs because the school will often stick around for a few minutes if you work it right.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bottom-dwelling prize of the deep reefs, averaging 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though the big ones can push 20+ pounds. They live around hard structure in 40-200 feet of water - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom where they can ambush passing bait. Summer gives us the best action during spawning season, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What folks love about snapper fishing is the steady action and excellent eating - they have sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are smart and strong, making runs straight for cover when hooked. You've got to turn them quick or they'll wrap you up in the structure. Here's the key: use circle hooks and don't set the hook hard. Just start reeling when you feel the bite. The circle hook will slide to the corner of their mouth and give you a much better hook-up rate than trying to muscle them with a traditional J-hook set.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of the flats, averaging 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though the big females can push 200+ pounds. These prehistoric giants love shallow coastal waters, channels, and harbor areas where they roll and gulp air at the surface. Peak season runs May through July when they're moving through for spawning, but we see them year-round in South Florida. What draws people to tarpon is pure spectacle - when one of these fish goes airborne, it's something you never forget. They're incredibly strong and can fight for hours, making multiple jumps and long powerful runs. The meat isn't great eating due to lots of bones, so it's all about the sport. My advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook on those wild aerial displays.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built like torpedoes and can hit 60 mph, making them one of the ocean's fastest predators. They average 3-5 feet and 30-50 pounds with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through regular leader in a heartbeat. We target them in 60+ feet of water along drop-offs and current edges where they ambush baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time here in the Keys when they move through following the cooler water. What makes wahoo special is that lightning-fast strike and searing initial run that'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. Plus, they're fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect for sashimi or grilling. These fish are loners, so it's usually one-and-done when you hook up. My go-to setup is always wire leader, at least 3 feet of it. Mono or fluorocarbon doesn't stand a chance against those teeth, and you'll lose more fish than you land without proper wire.
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