Offshore Fishing Charter in Dania Beach, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore charter targeting kingfish, tuna, and wahooBottom fishing over reefs and wrecks for snapper and grouperAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included with Captain Keith
Captain Keith's morning offshore charter puts you right in the heart of some of South Florida's best fishing grounds. This 4-hour trip takes you beyond the reef line where the big fish live, combining the fast-paced action of trolling with the steady bite of bottom fishing. Whether you're chasing pelagics on the surface or dropping down to the structure, you'll experience the full range of what makes Dania Beach fishing so special. Everything's included - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and fishing license - so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your morning starts at first light, when the offshore bite is typically at its peak. Captain Keith runs a tight ship with space for up to 4 anglers, keeping the group small so everyone gets plenty of rod time. The first part of your trip focuses on trolling the blue water for speed demons like kingfish, blackfin tuna, and wahoo. You'll cover serious ground, working the temperature breaks and current edges where these predators hunt. Once you've had your fill of the trolling action, it's time to hit the bottom. The captain knows every reef and wreck in the area, and that's where you'll target the heavy hitters - mutton snapper and red grouper that call these structures home. The variety keeps things exciting, and there's always something pulling on the other end of your line.
Trolling out here means running a spread of baits and lures at different depths and distances behind the boat. Captain Keith sets up the rods with a mix of live ballyhoo, spoons, and diving plugs that cover the water column from surface to about 30 feet down. The key is staying mobile and reading the water - watching for bird activity, temperature changes, and bait schools that signal feeding fish below. When you hook up trolling, it's game on. These fish hit hard and fast, so be ready for that initial surge. Bottom fishing is a different beast entirely. You'll anchor up over productive structure and drop heavy tackle with circle hooks and fresh bait. It's all about getting down quick through the current and staying tight to the bottom where the big snappers and groupers live. The captain provides everything from the heavy sinkers to the right hooks for each target species.
King mackerel are the bread and butter of the offshore trolling scene here, and Dania Beach consistently produces fish in the 15-40 pound range. These silver missiles are most active during the cooler months from October through March, though you can find them year-round. They're notorious for their blistering runs and aerial displays, making them a favorite among anglers who love a good fight. What makes kings special is their unpredictability - one minute you're trolling along, the next your reel is screaming as a 30-pounder takes off for the horizon.
Blackfin tuna might be the smaller cousins of their yellowfin relatives, but they pack serious punch for their size. These 10-20 pound torpedoes are built for speed and endurance, testing your tackle and technique with long, powerful runs. They show up best during the warmer months from April through October, often traveling in schools that can provide multiple hookups. The meat is absolutely top-notch, making them as valuable in the cooler as they are fun on the rod. Their dark red flesh is perfect for sashimi or searing, and many anglers consider them the best eating fish in these waters.
Wahoo are the ghosts of the offshore world - fast, unpredictable, and absolutely devastating when they decide to bite. These speed demons can exceed 50 mph and regularly break the 40-50 pound mark around here. They're most common during the winter months when the water cools down, but a big wahoo can show up anytime. What makes them so sought-after is their combination of incredible speed, razor-sharp teeth, and excellent table fare. Their white, flaky meat rivals any fish in the ocean, and landing one is always a highlight of any offshore trip.
Mutton snapper represent the premium bottom fish in South Florida waters, with their distinctive red coloring and hefty shoulders. These reef dwellers commonly run 5-15 pounds but can push much larger around the right structure. They're year-round residents but bite best during the full moon periods when they're more aggressive. Muttons are notoriously finicky eaters, requiring light leaders and natural baits to fool them. When you do connect, they make powerful runs back toward the structure, testing your drag and skill. Their sweet, white meat makes them one of the most prized table fish in the region.
Red grouper are the workhorses of the bottom fishing world, providing consistent action over the reefs and wrecks. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 5-20 pounds and are available year-round, though they're most active during the warmer months. What makes grouper fishing so appealing is their dependable nature - find the right structure and you'll usually find fish. They're ambush predators that inhale baits and immediately try to get back to their holes, so you need to muscle them up quickly. Their firm, white fillets are excellent prepared any way you like, making them a favorite among families and fish fry enthusiasts.
This top-rated charter combines the best of both offshore fishing worlds - the excitement of trolling for pelagic speedsters and the steady action of bottom fishing over productive structure. Captain Keith's local knowledge and fully-equipped boat give you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. With everything included and space limited to just 4 anglers, spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Whether you're looking to check some bucket list species off your list or just want to experience world-class fishing in one of Florida's most productive areas, this morning offshore adventure delivers the goods. Don't
Get ready to chase trophy fish aboard this sleek 24' Cobia center console! Built in 2020 and powered by twin 150HP Yamaha outboards, this speed demon hits 50 knots, getting you to the offshore grounds fast where kingfish, tuna, and wahoo are waiting. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - GPS to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate the action below, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish, while the onboard head keeps you comfortable during those long battles. Whether you're trolling the blue water or dropping lines on reef structure, this boat handles offshore conditions with ease. Captain Keith knows these Dania Beach waters inside and out, and this reliable fishing machine will have you on the fish all morning long.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the perfect size tuna for our offshore trips - usually 10-20 pounds with that classic torpedo shape and dark back. These guys school up in warm blue water and are built for speed, so when one hits your line, you're in for a real scrap. We find them best from late fall through spring when water temps are right. They cruise the offshore waters looking for bait schools, and once you find them, the action can be fast. What guests love is they fight hard but won't drag you around for hours like their bigger cousins. The meat is top-notch too - great for sushi or grilled. My tip: when we're chunking or jigging for them, scale down your leader to 30-40lb fluorocarbon because these fish have sharp eyes and will spook off heavy tackle.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kings" as we call them, are built for speed and put on quite a show when hooked. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, but the big smoker kings can push 40+ pounds. We find them trolling the edges and drop-offs in 40-120 feet of water where they chase bait schools. Fall and winter are prime time here in South Florida when they migrate through in big numbers. What gets anglers fired up is that initial run - these fish can strip line like few others. They're also great on the table with firm, flaky meat. The key to landing them is using wire leaders because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through anything else. I like trolling live baits or spoons at 6-8 knots, and always rig with a stinger hook since they often hit the tail end of your bait first.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are some of the prettiest fish we target on our bottom fishing trips. These olive-colored beauties typically run 5-15 pounds, though they can push 20+ pounds. You'll spot them by their distinctive blue lines around the eyes and pointed dorsal fins. They hang around reefs and wrecks in 80-200 feet of water, often in sandy pockets just outside the hard structure. Fall through spring gives us the best action when they're more aggressive. What makes them special is the fight - they're strong pullers that try to get back to the rocks. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish we catch. Pro tip: use fresh bait on a knocker rig and let it drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink color coming up through the water, you'll know you've got one.
Epinephelus MorioRed groupers are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing here in South Florida. These rust-colored bruisers typically weigh 5-15 pounds, with the occasional 20-pounder showing up to make your day. They live on rocky bottom and around wrecks in 60-200 feet of water, and they're not shy about eating. What makes them a favorite is the solid fight they put up - they'll try to get back into the structure, so you need to muscle them up quick. The eating quality is outstanding too, with firm white meat that's perfect for grouper sandwiches. We target them year-round, but summer months can be tricky due to regulations. Here's my advice: use heavy tackle with 50-60lb line because once they feel the hook, they head straight for the rocks. Shrimp and crabs work great for bait.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, and catching one is always a highlight of our trips. These sleek fish average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+ pounds, with that distinctive blue-striped pattern. They cruise the open blue water and around floating debris, usually in 100+ feet. We see them best from fall through spring when they're more active in our waters. What makes wahoo special is their blistering speed - they can hit 60 mph and their first run will test your drag. The meat is absolutely premium, white and flaky like the best fish tacos you've ever had. For wahoo, we troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - their teeth are like razors. Bullethead lures and ballyhoo work great, but be ready because when they hit, it's usually violent and spectacular.
Fort Lauderdale, FL