Big Pine Key Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Captain Troy Phillips offers 20+ years local guiding expertise.Light tackle offshore fishing targets sailfish, mahi, tuna, wahoo.28-foot Intrepid accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably.
When you're looking for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys, Captain Troy Phillips has been putting anglers on fish for over two decades. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – Troy grew up on these waters around Big Pine Key, learning every reef edge, current break, and seasonal pattern the hard way. His 28-foot Intrepid center console gets you out to the blue water fast with twin Suzuki 175s, and he keeps things comfortable for up to 6 guests while targeting everything from reef snapper to pelagic speedsters like sailfish and wahoo. Whether you're a family wanting to experience Keys fishing or serious anglers chasing personal bests, Troy's light tackle approach with live bait and proven presentations keeps the action steady.
Troy runs his operation like the local he is – no rushing, no drama, just solid fishing knowledge applied where it counts. You'll launch from Big Pine Key and depending on conditions and what's biting, he'll work the reef edges for snapper and grouper or push out to the blue water for pelagics. The boat rides smooth in typical Keys chop, and Troy keeps the gear maintained and ready. Expect live bait in the wells – pilchards, goggle-eyes, whatever's running fresh that day. He's not one to burn fuel chasing rumors; instead, he reads the water, watches for birds, and puts you where fish actually live. The trips flow naturally between trolling spreads, kite fishing when conditions are right, and live bait fishing over structure. You're looking at productive fishing time, not just boat rides to distant spots that may or may not produce.
Troy specializes in light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every run and jump without the heavy gear that takes the sport out of it. His trolling spreads feature a mix of ballyhoo, small lures, and teasers designed to pull strikes from sailfish, mahi, and wahoo cruising the offshore waters. When he switches to kite fishing – a Keys specialty – you'll watch live baits swim naturally on the surface while the kite keeps them positioned perfectly in the strike zone. This technique is deadly on sailfish and big kings that won't hit trolled baits. For reef fishing, he uses circle hooks and just enough weight to reach bottom, letting fish like mutton snapper and yellowtail feel the bait naturally before they commit. The 28-foot Intrepid gives him the stability for fighting big fish while keeping everyone safe and comfortable throughout the trip.
Atlantic Sailfish represent the crown jewel of Keys offshore fishing, and Big Pine Key sits perfectly positioned along their migration routes. These acrobatic billfish typically show up in good numbers from November through April, with peak action in winter months when they're moving through in schools. Sailfish average 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, but what makes them special is the way they fight – multiple jumps, long runs, and aerial displays that'll have you grabbing for the camera. Troy targets them with kite-fished live baits and slow-trolled ballyhoo, and when conditions align, you might see multiple hookups that'll test everyone's fish-fighting skills.
Tarpon fishing around Big Pine Key shifts with the seasons, but when they're here, they're the most sought-after gamefish in Florida waters. These silver giants range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class up to mature adults pushing 100+ pounds and 6 feet long. Peak tarpon season runs May through August when they migrate through the Keys in massive schools. What sets tarpon apart is their explosive jumps – sometimes clearing the water completely – and their ability to throw hooks with violent head shakes. Troy uses live crabs, pilchards, and threadfin herring to tempt them, often sight-fishing to rolling fish or working known tarpon highways along the reef line.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish provide some of the most consistent offshore action, especially from April through September when they're abundant in Keys waters. These colorful gamefish typically run 10-30 pounds, though bulls can exceed 40 pounds and stretch over 4 feet. Mahi are aggressive feeders that hit trolled ballyhoo, small lures, and live baits with authority. What anglers love about mahi is their willingness to bite, beautiful colors that light up when hooked, and excellent table fare. Troy finds them around floating sargassum, debris lines, and current edges where they ambush baitfish. When you hook one mahi, others often stick around, leading to multiple hookups and steady action.
Wahoo Fish are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of 50+ mph runs that'll smoke drag systems in seconds. These torpedo-shaped predators average 15-40 pounds around Big Pine Key, with larger specimens pushing 60+ pounds and 5-6 feet in length. Wahoo bite best from October through March, often hitting high-speed trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo. Their razor-sharp teeth require wire leaders, and their initial runs are legendary among offshore anglers. Troy targets them along reef edges and current breaks where they ambush passing baitfish. The fight is typically one blistering run followed by a steady pull to the boat, but that first run will test your drag settings and reflexes.
Red Snapper represent the bread and butter of Keys reef fishing, providing consistent action and excellent eating throughout most of the year. These bottom dwellers typically run 2-8 pounds around Big Pine Key reefs, though larger specimens over 10 pounds show up regularly. Red snapper are structure-oriented fish that live around coral heads, ledges, and artificial reefs in 40-120 feet of water. Troy uses live and cut baits on circle hooks, often combining snapper fishing with offshore trolling for a mixed bag approach. What makes red snapper special is their abundance, willingness to bite, and the fact that they're one
Captain Troy's 28-foot Intrepid center console cuts through Keys waters with twin Suzuki 175s that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. This boat handles the offshore chop with ease while giving you plenty of deck space to work a fish. Built for light tackle fishing, she's got the speed to chase down schools of mahi and the stability to battle reef fish in deeper water. The twin engines mean reliable power when you're miles offshore targeting sailfish, tuna, or wahoo. With room for up to 6 anglers under Coast Guard limits, there's space to move around when the action heats up. Whether you're drifting live bait over the reef or trolling the blue water beyond, this center console setup gives Captain Troy the platform he needs to put you on fish in Big Pine Key waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansThese blue-silver speedsters average around 7 feet and 50 pounds, though we've seen them push 8 feet out here. Sailfish cruise the surface waters 30-65 feet down, following baitfish along current edges and temperature breaks. Winter months are prime time in the Keys - December through March brings the best action when they're moving through in good numbers. What makes them special is that signature dorsal fin and the way they light up different colors when hunting. They'll leap clear out of the water multiple times during a fight, which gets everyone on the boat fired up. The meat's decent but most folks prefer the photos and release. My tip: when trolling, keep your baits skipping on the surface like flying fish - that's what really gets their attention.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are probably the most colorful fish you'll catch out here - brilliant gold, green, and blue that fades fast once they're boated. They average 15-30 pounds and 3 feet, but we get them up to 50+ pounds during good years. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water, usually within 20 miles offshore. Spring through fall is our best season, especially when the water warms up. What guests love is they travel in schools, so one fish often means several more nearby. Plus they're fantastic eating - firm white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. They'll put up a strong fight with lots of head shaking. Pro tip: once you hook one, leave it in the water and keep trolling around the area. The rest of the school usually stays with their hooked buddy.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bread and butter of our deeper reef fishing. These crimson beauties average 2-4 pounds around here, though we get them up to 15+ pounds on the deeper wrecks and ledges. They live in 40-150 feet of water around hard bottom structure - coral heads, ledges, and artificial reefs. Year-round fishing with summer being strongest when they're spawning. What guests love is they're cooperative biters and absolutely delicious - sweet, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They'll give you a good tussle on light tackle, trying to get back to their holes in the reef. Watch regulations closely since seasons and sizes change. My advice: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut squid, keep your bait right on bottom, and be ready to pull them up quick before they wrap you in the coral.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what brings most serious anglers to the Keys. These prehistoric giants average 4-5 feet and 80-100 pounds, but the real trophies can push 200 pounds and live 50+ years. They roll through our shallow flats and channels during spring and summer migrations, April through July being peak season. You'll find them in 3-15 feet of water around the backcountry channels and bridge pilings. What makes tarpon fishing addictive is those jumps - they'll go airborne 8-10 feet trying to throw the hook. Most people release them since the meat's bony and not great eating. The fight can last an hour on lighter tackle. Here's what I tell first-timers: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. Keeps tension off and prevents thrown hooks.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek fish average 3-4 feet and 20-40 pounds, with those distinctive blue tiger stripes along silver sides. We find them in 60-200 feet of water around drop-offs and current edges, often near floating debris. July through November is our prime time here in the Keys, though they're around year-round in smaller numbers. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll strip 200 yards of line before you know what happened. The meat is outstanding too, white and flaky like premium tuna. Here's the key: troll fast, 12-15 knots minimum, and use wire leaders. Their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. Dark-colored lures work best in our clear water.
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