Big Pine Key 6 Hour Inshore Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter departing Big Pine Key with experienced Captain Troy Phillips.Target tarpon, snapper, snook, sharks, and barracuda on 28foot Coast Guard approved vessel.Accommodates up to six guests with light tackle livebait fishing in mangroves and flats.
Captain Troy Phillips knows these waters like the back of his hand after 20+ years working the reefs, mangrove lines, and flats around Big Pine Key. His 28-foot Intrepid center console gives you plenty of room to work and gets you into those tight spots where the big fish hang out. At $800 for two anglers, with room for up to six people total, this six-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of some of the Florida Keys' most productive inshore fishing grounds. Kids under 12 fish free, making this a solid choice for families looking to get everyone on the water.
You'll launch from Big Pine Key with Captain Troy, who's spent decades dialing in the patterns of tarpon, snapper, snook, sharks, and barracuda in these waters. The 28-foot Intrepid handles beautifully in the shallow stuff and gives everyone space to cast without crossing lines. Troy runs light tackle with live bait, which means more action and better fights when you hook up. Depending on the season and what's moving, you might find yourself sight-casting to rolling tarpon in the channels, working the mangrove edges for snook, or drifting baits over structure for snapper. The boat's Coast Guard approved for six guests, so couples and small groups get plenty of elbow room. Pack your own food and drinks, bring towels and sunscreen, and if you're prone to getting queasy, Captain Troy recommends Bonine over Dramamine since it won't knock you out.
This isn't heavy tackle fishing where you're just cranking fish up from the bottom. Captain Troy specializes in light tackle techniques that let you feel every head shake and run. Live bait is the name of the game here – pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp depending on what the target species are eating. You'll learn to work baits around structure, present them naturally in the current, and read the signs when fish are feeding. The shallow water around Big Pine Key means you're often sight-fishing, watching your target before you even make the cast. Troy knows which mangrove cuts hold snook during different tides, where the tarpon stage up during their seasonal migrations, and which patches of hard bottom consistently produce snapper. The 28-foot center console draws minimal water, opening up backcountry areas that bigger boats can't reach.
Atlantic Sailfish show up best during the cooler months from November through March, though you might encounter them year-round in deeper water near the reef line. These acrobatic fighters average 6-8 feet and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. They feed aggressively on pilchards and ballyhoo, often coming up behind the boat in small groups. When a sail lights up and starts tail-walking, you'll understand why they're considered one of the premier light tackle gamefish in Florida waters.
Tarpon are the silver kings of the Keys, and Big Pine Key sits right in their migration corridor. During peak season from April through July, you'll see them rolling and crashing bait in the channels and along the reef line. These prehistoric beasts can exceed 150 pounds and six feet, providing fights that can last an hour or more on light tackle. They're notorious for their jumping ability and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. Even smaller tarpon in the 40-80 pound range will give you a workout you won't forget.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish, patrol the offshore waters and around floating debris. These colorful speedsters hit hard and fight dirty, making long runs and changing directions without warning. They average 10-30 pounds in these waters, with bigger bulls occasionally topping 40 pounds. Mahi are aggressive feeders that'll often double up, so keep a second rod ready when you hook one. Their electric blue and yellow colors make them some of the most beautiful fish you'll catch.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the reef, capable of hitting 60 mph and stripping line faster than you can blink. These torpedo-shaped predators ambush baits near the reef edge and in blue water, hitting so hard they'll sometimes hook themselves. They typically run 20-50 pounds around Big Pine Key, with their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs making them a favorite among experienced anglers. Their white, flaky meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Red Snapper are the bread and butter of Keys fishing, holding over hard bottom and structure throughout the year. These crimson fighters average 2-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds around deeper structure. They're notorious bait thieves with excellent eyesight, requiring finesse presentations and quality tackle. Snappers are excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Captain Troy's 20+ years of local knowledge combined with prime Big Pine Key access makes this charter a top choice for serious anglers and families alike. The six-hour format gives you enough time to work multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. With light tackle live bait fishing, you'll experience the full fight these gamefish are famous for. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather and plan accordingly. Whether you're targeting silver kings on the flats or working the reef for snappers and wahoo, this charter puts you in the right place with an experienced captain who knows how to put fish in the boat.
This 28-foot Intrepid center console cuts through Florida Keys water like it was built for it. Twin Suzuki 175s give you the muscle to reach those productive fishing spots around Big Pine Key without burning half your day getting there. The wide deck gives everyone room to work a fish properly, whether you're battling a tarpon or bringing up snapper from the reef. Captain Troy knows where the fish move with the tides after 20+ years working these flats and mangrove edges. The boat handles light tackle fishing perfectly - responsive enough for sight fishing but stable when you hook into something that wants to run. Six anglers fit comfortably under Coast Guard limits, but with just two guests you'll have the whole deck to yourself. Gets you to the hard-to-reach honey holes where the bigger fish hang out.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the speed demons of our local waters, hitting 30+ mph when they take off. These beauties average 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds, with that signature sail-like dorsal fin they flash when hunting. We find them in 30-65 feet of water along temperature breaks and current edges, especially during winter months when they migrate through the Keys. What makes them special is the fight - they'll jump, dive, and strip line like nothing else. Plus they change colors from blue to black when excited, which is wild to see. The meat's decent but most folks release them. My tip: when one takes the bait, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds - sailfish like to play with their food before committing.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish we catch out here, flashing gold, green, and blue when they're fired up. They average 15-30 pounds and love hanging under floating debris, weed lines, or anything that creates shade. We find them year-round in warmer months, but spring and fall are prime time. These fish are pure fun - they fight hard, jump, and put on a light show when you bring them boatside. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. They're also curious fish that travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep fishing that spot. My trick: always look for birds working over debris piles. Frigate birds and tropicbirds will lead you right to feeding mahi, and that's when the action gets fast.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are classic bottom fish that live on structure in 30-200 feet of water. Most run 1-3 feet long and 5-15 pounds, though the big ones can hit 20+. They love rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs where they can ambush baitfish. Summer is peak season when they're spawning and feeding heavy. People love targeting them because they fight hard on the way up and make excellent table fare - white, flaky meat with a sweet flavor. They're also smart fish that require some finesse. Here's what works: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut squid, and don't set the hook hard. Let the fish load up on the rod, then reel steady. Snapper have bony mouths, so a smooth hookset works better than jerking. Fresh bait always outfishes frozen with these guys.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of the flats, and for good reason. These prehistoric fish average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though the big girls can push 200. They roll and gulp air at the surface, making them easy to spot in shallow water around mangroves and channels. Best fishing is late spring through summer when they're migrating through. What gets people hooked is the aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out and cartwheel across the surface. Most folks release them since the meat's bony and tough. They're also incredibly strong, so don't be surprised if a fish takes 30+ minutes to land. Here's the key: keep your rod tip down when they jump. High rod tips let them use their weight to throw the hook. Bow to the king when it jumps and you'll land more fish.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed, hitting 50+ mph in open water. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet and 30-50 pounds, with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through mono like butter. We target them around current breaks and drop-offs, usually trolling fast over deeper water. Peak season runs fall through winter when they're moving through our area. What makes them popular is the initial run - it's violent and fast, then they fight steady all the way to the boat. The white meat is mild, flaky, and perfect for fish tacos. They're solitary hunters, so don't expect multiple hookups like with other pelagics. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll at 12-15 knots with diving plugs. When you get bit, don't slow down right away - let the fish hook itself before backing off the throttle.
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