5.0(1 Reviews)Charter Fishing Key West | Private 4-8 Hour Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private offshore fishing aboard spacious 33foot SeaVee vesselTarget Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Sailfish speciesAll tackle, licenses, and equipment included with charter
Key West's offshore waters are calling, and Captain Anthony at Kilo Whiskey Charters knows exactly where the fish are biting. Picture yourself aboard a roomy 33-foot SeaVee, cutting through the deep blue with up to five of your closest fishing buddies. Whether you're planning a half-day morning strike or going all-out with a full eight-hour adventure, this private charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. The best part? Everything's handled for you – tackle, licenses, and local knowledge that only comes from years of working these waters.
From the moment you step aboard the SeaVee, you'll notice this isn't your average fishing boat. She's built for comfort and serious angling, with plenty of deck space to fight fish and family-friendly features that keep everyone happy. Captain Anthony runs a tight ship but keeps the atmosphere relaxed – perfect for seasoned anglers and first-timers alike. You'll head out from Key West's historic harbor and make your way to productive offshore grounds where the Gulf Stream brings in pelagic species year-round. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics to locate schools and structure, plus all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need to tangle with whatever's out there. Expect to be working depths from 100 to over 1,000 feet, depending on what's running hot that day.
Kilo Whiskey runs a mixed bag of techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll spend time trolling the offshore waters with a spread of lures and rigged ballyhoo, covering water to intercept mahi, wahoo, and billfish moving through the area. When the bite's on, it's game time – rods bend, drags scream, and the real fun begins. The captain also works bottom structure for snapper and grouper, dropping baits to productive ledges and wrecks that hold quality fish. Live bait fishing is another weapon in the arsenal, especially when targeting bigger predators that want the real deal. The SeaVee's fighting chair and outrigger setup make it easy to handle serious fish, while the experienced crew keeps everything running smooth so you can focus on the fight.
"Anthony Del Valle and the team at Maritime Co. – Sea Rebel provided an unforgettable fishing experience in Key West! Their expertise and passion for fishing made the trip exceptional. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great time on the water." - Franz
Blue Marlin represent the ultimate prize in Key West's offshore waters. These apex predators cruise the deep water from spring through fall, with peak action typically running May through August. A decent blue runs 200-400 pounds, but the real monsters can push 500-plus. They're notorious for their aerial displays and bulldogging runs that'll test your tackle and stamina. What makes them special here is the relatively short run to productive water – you're not burning half your day just getting to the fishing grounds. When one shows up behind the spread, everything else stops mattering.
Mahi Mahi, or common dolphinfish, are the workhorses of Key West charter fishing. These colorful speedsters travel in schools and provide non-stop action when you find them. They're suckers for trolled baits and put on quite a show with their acrobatic jumps. Peak season runs March through July, though you'll find scattered fish year-round. Bulls can hit 30-50 pounds, while the smaller females still fight like crazy. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite with families looking to take home a cooler full of fillets.
Cubera Snapper are the heavyweight champions of the snapper family. These bruisers live around deep structure and can exceed 40 pounds, with their crushing jaws capable of straightening hooks. They're most active during summer months around the full moon, when they move up to spawn. Landing a big cubera is like arm wrestling a truck – they use their broad sides and powerful tails to head straight back to the bottom. The fight is pure power, and their size makes them a trophy catch that'll have you talking for years.
Mutton Snapper offer a different kind of challenge with their notorious finicky feeding habits. These beautiful fish with their distinctive red coloring and black spot are abundant around Key West's reef and wreck structure. They're most cooperative during spring and summer months, especially around the new moon phases. What makes them frustrating and rewarding is their ability to inspect baits – they'll follow lures, mouth baits, and generally drive anglers crazy before committing. When you hook one, though, they make strong runs and use every trick to cut you off on the structure.
Black Grouper are the bulldogs of the deep, living around ledges and wrecks in 80-300 feet of water. These bottom dwellers are available year-round but are most active during the cooler months from November through March. They're ambush predators that inhale baits and immediately head for the nearest hole or ledge. The fight is straight power – it's you versus the fish in a tug-of-war that tests your drag system and technique. A good black grouper runs 20-40 pounds, and their white, flaky meat makes them a prized catch for the dinner table.
Key West's offshore fishing doesn't wait around, and neither should you. Kilo Whiskey Charters books up fast, especially during prime season when the fishing is red-hot and the weather's cooperating. Captain Anthony's local knowledge and quality equipment give you the edge you need to make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're after a wall-hanger for the den or a cooler full of dinner, this charter delivers
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are the heavyweight champions of our reef system, averaging 20-40 pounds but reaching over 100. These ambush predators live around wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 30-300 feet, moving shallower in winter months. They're available year-round but winter offers the best shallow water action. What makes them special is that initial bulldogging fight - they'll try to wrap you around structure immediately with surprising power for their size. The meat's outstanding - mild, flaky, and versatile. You can spot them by the dark rectangular blotches covering their olive-gray bodies. Critical technique: once you feel that thump, start winding immediately and don't stop. They inhale baits whole and will dive straight back to the rocks if given any slack. Use heavy tackle with at least 20 pounds of drag - these fish don't know the meaning of surrender and will test every component of your setup.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can hit over 1,000 pounds (we call those "granders"), while males top out around 350. These apex predators cruise our Gulf Stream waters year-round, but peak action happens April through August when they follow the warm currents. You'll find them in 100-400 feet of water, often near temperature breaks and floating debris. What makes them special? That explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll tail-walk and sound deep, testing every ounce of your gear and stamina. The meat's decent eating, though most folks release these beauties. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your baits skipping on the surface and watch for that telltale bill slashing through the spread. Once hooked, crank hard the first few seconds to keep them from diving back to structure.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera Snapper are the bruisers of the snapper family, commonly hitting 40 pounds but capable of reaching 120+. These thick-lipped fighters hang around rocky ledges, wrecks, and reefs in 60-180 feet of water throughout our area. Best fishing runs from May through August when they spawn in shallower water. What makes them special is that bone-jarring initial run when hooked - they'll test your drag and try to wrap you around structure immediately. The meat's excellent eating, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. You'll recognize them by those massive canine teeth and gray-brown coloring. Key technique: use live bait like skipjack or goggle-eyes on heavy tackle, and the moment you feel that thump, start cranking hard. Don't give them time to think or they'll dive straight back into the rocks and cut you off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the colorful speedsters of offshore fishing, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-1000 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best action in Key West waters. What guests love most is the brilliant gold and green colors that flash underwater, plus they're fantastic table fare - sweet, firm white meat that grills perfectly. They're also scrappy fighters that jump and make fast runs. Here's the key: when you hook one, keep it in the water and look around for more - mahi typically travel in schools. Work the area with jigs or live bait while your first fish is still hooked. They'll often stay around their hooked buddy, letting you double or triple up before boating your catch.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are prized for their pink coloration and solid fight, typically running 5-15 pounds with some reaching 20+. Look for them around reefs, ledges, and sandy areas in 80-200 feet of water - they're year-round residents but spawn heavily in summer months. What guests love is watching that pink flash come up through clear blue water, plus they're some of the best eating fish in our waters. They're smart feeders that require fresh bait and light tackle for best results. Unlike other snappers, they'll often feed in open sand patches near structure rather than tight to the bottom. My go-to technique is a knocker rig with fresh ballyhoo or pilchards, letting it drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink getting bigger below the boat, keep steady pressure and lead them away from the rocks - they're notorious for making last-second dives.
5.0 out of 5.0Anthony Del Valle and the team at Maritime Co. – Sea Rebel provided an unforgettable fishing experience in Key West! Their experti...
Key West, FL