5.0(1 Reviews)Charter Fishing Key West | Private Offshore Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private charter fishing aboard spacious 33-foot SeaVee vesselTarget Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Sailfish offshoreAll tackle, licenses, and equipment included with booking
Key West's offshore waters are home to some of the most productive fishing grounds in Florida, and Kilo Whiskey Charters puts you right in the action. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get you on fish whether you're looking for a quick half-day trip or want to spend the full day chasing trophy species. The 33-foot SeaVee is built for offshore work – plenty of room for up to six anglers, smooth ride in bigger seas, and all the gear you need to tangle with serious gamefish. You're not just booking a boat ride here; you're getting a shot at blue marlin, mahi mahi, snappers, and grouper that call these deep waters home.
Your day starts at the dock where you'll meet the crew and get a quick rundown of the game plan. The SeaVee is set up right – outriggers for trolling, downriggers when you need to get baits deeper, and a fish box that'll keep your catch fresh all day. Most trips head out to the reef line first, where the bottom structure holds plenty of snapper and grouper. If the bite's hot, you might stick around and fill the cooler. But when conditions are right, the real magic happens in the blue water beyond the reef. That's where you'll find the pelagics – mahi mahi cruising under floating sargassum, wahoo screaming through the water column, and if you're lucky, billfish hunting the current breaks. The crew handles all the rigging, bait selection, and fish handling. Your job is simple: hang on and enjoy the ride.
Offshore fishing in Key West is all about covering water and presenting baits at different depths. The crew runs a spread of lures and natural baits designed to attract different species. Ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks work magic on everything from mahi to marlin, while high-speed lures pull wahoo and tuna out of the depths. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with braided line – enough backbone to handle big fish, but smooth drags that won't break you off on long runs. Live bait fishing comes into play when you find structure or current edges holding fish. The crew knows how to read the water, watch for bird activity, and spot the subtle signs that put you on productive water. All tackle, licenses, and bait are included, so you can focus on the fishing instead of worrying about gear.
"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 are the ultimate prize in Key West's offshore waters, and for good reason. These apex predators can stretch over 10 feet and weigh several hundred pounds, turning any fishing trip into an epic battle. Peak season runs from April through August when warm water pushes up from the south, bringing baitfish and the marlin that hunt them. When a blue marlin hits your spread, everything changes – the reel screams, the rod bends double, and you're in for a fight that can last hours. Most anglers practice catch and release with these magnificent fish, taking photos and measurements before sending them back to fight another day. The sheer power and aerial displays make blue marlin fishing one of the most sought-after experiences in sportfishing.
Mahi mahi bring non-stop action and incredible table fare to any offshore trip. These colorful gamefish travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They average 10-20 pounds but can push 40 pounds or more for true bulls. Mahi are structure-oriented fish, often found under floating debris, sargassum lines, or around FADs. They hit hard, jump repeatedly, and put up a spirited fight on appropriate tackle. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious – one of the best eating fish in the ocean. Peak season runs from April through September, but you can find mahi year-round in Key West's warm waters. Their willingness to bite and spectacular fighting ability make them a favorite target for anglers of all experience levels.
Cubera snapper are the giants of the snapper family, growing to massive proportions in Key West's deeper waters. These bruisers can exceed 50 pounds and are known for their bulldogging fights and impressive size. They're typically found around deep structure, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 100-300 feet of water. Cubera snapper are ambush predators that engulf large baits, making them a challenge to hook and land. The best fishing happens at night or during periods of low light when these nocturnal feeders become active. Landing a trophy cubera is a bucket-list achievement for serious bottom fishermen – they're strong, smart, and use every trick to break you off in the rocks.
Mutton snapper offer some of the best eating and most consistent action in Key West's offshore waters. These pink and yellow beauties average 3-8 pounds but can reach 15-20 pounds around deeper structure. They're found over hard bottom, patch reefs, and wrecks where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Mutton snapper are excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. They bite well during the day and are a reliable target when other species aren't cooperating. The fight is respectable for their size, and they're beautiful fish that photograph well. Many anglers consider mutton snapper the perfect combination of action, beauty, and table quality.
Black grouper are the kings of the reef, growing to impressive sizes and providing arm-burning fights in deep water. These
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are powerful reef dwellers that can reach 50+ pounds, though most we catch run 10-30 pounds. These olive-colored bruisers with dark blotches live around wrecks, ledges, and coral heads from 30-300 feet deep. They move shallow in winter and deeper in summer. What makes them popular is the serious fight they put up - pure muscle that'll test your drag system and your arms. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, mild white meat. They're ambush predators that inhale their prey whole, so when you feel that thump, start reeling immediately. Here's the key: use heavy tackle (80lb braid minimum) and once you hook one, don't give them an inch - they'll dive straight back to the rocks and cut you off. Keep steady pressure and muscle them up fast, no mercy.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can hit 1,000+ pounds while males top out around 350. These deep blue bruisers cruise our offshore waters year-round, but peak season runs April through August when they follow the Gulf Stream currents. You'll find them in 400+ feet of water, often around weed lines and temperature breaks. What makes them special? Pure power and aerial acrobatics that'll test every ounce of your strength. The fight can last hours, with spectacular jumps that'll leave you breathless. They're incredible table fare too, though most anglers release these apex predators. My tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let the fish run initially - trying to muscle a big blue right away will snap your line or pull the hook.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera Snapper are the giants of the snapper family, with most fish running 20-40 pounds, though monsters over 100 pounds cruise our deeper reefs. You'll find them around rocky ledges and coral formations in 60-180 feet, especially near drop-offs and structure. Summer months from May through August are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. What makes cuberas special is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll try to cut you off on the rocks with surprising power. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The tricky part is their big canine teeth and wariness around structure. My go-to technique: use live bait like skipjack or large squid, but once you hook one, get them up fast and don't let them run back to the rocks or they'll cut your line every time.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are probably our most colorful catch - brilliant gold sides with electric blues and greens that put on a light show when they're brought to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see some pushing 50+ pounds. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100-1,000 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time here in Key West. What guests love about mahi is the aggressive fight and those amazing colors, plus they're absolutely delicious eating - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for the grill. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Here's a local trick: when trolling for mahi, make your baits skip and splash on the surface - they can't resist chasing what looks like a fleeing flying fish.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are one of our prettier reef fish - olive green with distinctive blue lines around the head and that telltale black spot on the side. They typically run 3-8 pounds, though we catch some pushing 15-20 pounds around deeper structure. You'll find them from 80-250 feet on reefs, wrecks, and sandy areas near rocks. They're available year-round but really shine in spring and summer. What guests love is their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They can be finicky eaters, so presentation matters. My secret: use the freshest bait possible on a light knocker rig, and when you're chumming, let your bait drift naturally in the slick without much weight. Once hooked, get them up quick before they dive back into the rocks.
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