Captain Troy's 6 Hour Big Pine Key Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore trips targeting mahi, tuna, wahoo, and sailfishCaptain Troy Phillips brings 20+ years Florida Keys experienceFast 28foot Intrepid holds up to 6 guests comfortably
Captain Troy Phillips has been working these waters for over two decades, and his 6-hour offshore trips out of Big Pine Key are exactly what serious anglers come to the Florida Keys for. You're not just booking another charter – you're getting a local guide who knows where the fish stack up along the reef lines and color changes that make this stretch of water so productive. His 28-foot Intrepid center console with twin Suzuki 175s will get you out to the good stuff fast, giving you maximum fishing time instead of burning daylight on the ride out. With space for up to 6 anglers and built-in flexibility to chase whatever's biting, this trip delivers the kind of offshore action that keeps people coming back to the Keys year after year.
Captain Troy runs his operation with the kind of attention to detail that comes from 20+ years of putting clients on fish. The Intrepid is rigged for both live bait fishing and trolling, so you can adapt your approach based on what the fish are telling you that day. Morning trips kick off at 7AM to catch the prime bite times, while afternoon departures at 2PM work perfectly for folks who want to sleep in or have morning plans. The boat handles the offshore conditions beautifully, and those twin 175s mean you're covering serious ground to find active fish. You'll be targeting the reef systems and color lines where the Gulf Stream pushes up against shallower water – prime real estate for pelagics like mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. Base pricing covers 2 anglers at $1,150, with additional spots running $50 each up to the 6-person Coast Guard limit. Kids under 12 fish free, and Captain Troy welcomes your personal tackle if you've got gear you're comfortable with.
This isn't a one-trick operation – Captain Troy switches between trolling and live bait fishing depending on conditions and what species you're targeting. When you're working the color lines for mahi and wahoo, you'll be pulling a spread of lures at different speeds and depths to cover the water column. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with appropriate line weights for everything from 20-pound snapper rigs to heavy tackle for big pelagics. Live bait fishing comes into play when you mark fish on the bottom machine or want to target specific structure. The Intrepid's live well keeps pilchards and goggle-eyes in prime condition, and Captain Troy knows how to present them whether you're dropping baits to the reef or slow-trolling them through productive water. Circle hooks are standard for live bait work to improve hook-up ratios and fish survival, while the trolling spread gets dialed in based on what's been producing recently.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Keys offshore fishing, and these acrobatic fighters show up consistently from late fall through spring. You'll typically find them along the color changes in 60-120 feet of water, and when they're feeding, the action can be absolutely wild. Sails average 6-7 feet and put on a show with their jumps and runs that'll test your drag settings. Captain Troy knows the seasonal patterns and can position you where these fish patrol the edges looking for baitfish.
Tarpon are legendary in these waters, with fish ranging from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 20-40 pounds up to monsters pushing 150+. The smaller fish are around year-round and provide incredible action on lighter tackle, while the big migratory fish typically show up from March through July. These silver kings are pure muscle and will test every knot and connection on your gear. When you hook one, expect multiple jumps and long, powerful runs that'll leave your arms burning.
Mahi Mahi are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, with schools of these colorful fighters showing up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They're most active from April through September, though scattered fish can be found year-round. Bulls can push 40+ pounds while the smaller fish still provide fast action on spinning tackle. Mahi are aggressive feeders and will often stay around the boat if you keep one hooked, allowing for multiple hookups.
Wahoo are speed demons that patrol the deeper water along the reef edge, and they're absolute rockets when they hit your trolling spread. These toothy predators can reach 40+ mph and will peel line off your reel in seconds. They're most consistent from November through March, with fish averaging 20-40 pounds. Wahoo are excellent eating and provide some of the most exciting strikes you'll experience offshore.
Red Snapper are structure-oriented fish that live around the offshore reefs and wrecks in 60-200+ feet of water. These bottom dwellers are strong fighters that will try to cut your line on the coral, and landing a quality snapper requires technique and proper tackle. The federal season typically runs from June through July, but regulations change, so Captain Troy stays current on all the rules. When they're open, red snapper provide excellent action and some of the best eating in the ocean.
Captain Troy's 6-hour offshore trips represent the sweet spot for serious fishing in the Keys – enough time to cover water and adapt to conditions without committing to a full day. His local knowledge and quality equipment give you the best shot at connecting with the species that make this area world-renowned. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, introducing kids to offshore fishing, or just need to get your line wet in some of the most productive waters in Florida, this trip delivers the goods. The Intrepid's speed and versatility mean you're maximizing every hour on the water, and Captain Troy's experience ensures you're fishing the right spots with the right techniques. Book your dates early, especially during peak seasons, and get ready for the kind of offshore action that keeps ang
This 28-foot Intrepid center console cuts through the water like a knife, powered by twin Suzuki 175s that'll get you to the fish fast. Captain Troy built this rig for serious offshore work around Big Pine Key - plenty of deck space for fighting fish, live wells that keep bait frisky, and the speed to hit multiple spots when the bite gets tough. The twin engines mean backup power and smooth cruising to the color changes where mahi hang out. Console gives you shade between battles, and there's room to move around when you hook into something that wants to run. Perfect setup for working the reefs, trolling the edges, or chasing birds when they're diving on bait balls.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are absolute speed demons - these blue-gray beauties with their signature dorsal fin can hit 35+ mph and put on a show like nothing else. Most run 6-8 feet and around 50 pounds. We find them hunting the color changes and current edges in 100-400 feet of water, especially during winter months when they're thick here in the Keys. They love to corral baitfish with that big sail, then slash through schools of ballyhoo and sardines. What makes them special is the fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and test every bit of your drag system. Here's the key: when one lights up behind your spread, don't get too excited and pull the bait away. Let it eat, count to three, then set the hook hard.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish in the ocean - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green highlights that flash like neon underwater. They typically run 15-30 pounds and about 3 feet, though we've seen 50-pounders. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and color changes in 100-1000 feet. Spring through fall is prime time when the water's warm. What guests love is the non-stop action - where there's one mahi, there's usually a school. They hit hard, fight strong, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The local trick is once you hook one, keep a second line ready with a small jig. That hooked fish will often call in the whole school, and you can pick them off one by one before they scatter.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bread and butter of deep-water fishing - solid, reliable fighters that average 2-8 pounds with bigger ones pushing 15+ pounds. They're bright red with white bellies and live on hard bottom, wrecks, and rocky structure in 80-200 feet. We fish them year-round, but fall and winter months tend to be most productive when they school up tight on the reefs. What people love is the steady action and excellent eating - sweet, mild white meat that's perfect for any recipe. They'll fight hard on the way up, using their body to try and shake the hook. The trick with snapper is getting your bait right to the bottom and keeping it there. Use enough weight to hold, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap bite, set the hook immediately before they spit it out.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is pure magic on the water. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, but the big females can push 200+. They roll in shallow channels, deeper basins around the smaller keys, and along both the Atlantic and Gulf sides. Best fishing runs May through August when they're migrating through, though we see fish year-round. What hooks people is watching a 150-pound fish launch 8 feet out of the water - it's a bucket-list moment every time. They're notorious for throwing hooks during those jumps, so the trick is "bowing" to the fish when it goes airborne. Drop your rod tip toward the fish to give slack and reduce pressure on the hook. Most folks practice catch-and-release since the meat's full of bones anyway.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 20-40 pounds with that distinctive zebra stripe pattern. We target them along the reef edges and drop-offs in 60-400 feet, especially around structure or floating debris. Fall and winter are peak seasons here in the Keys when they're moving through. What makes them special is the violent strike - they'll smoke your reel on the initial run, then make several blistering runs that test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The secret to wahoo is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Run your lures fast and hold on tight.
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