5.0(1 Reviews)Florida Keys Full Day Reef Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday combo trip targeting Snapper and Mackerel at local reefsAll equipment, licenses, meals and drinks included for convenienceProfessional crew handles navigation and gear for 6person groups
Picture this: you're floating over crystal-clear water in the Florida Keys, watching schools of tropical fish dart around the coral below while your line is set for some serious reef action above. This full-day combo trip with Let it Ride Charters gives you the best of both worlds – productive reef fishing and some of the clearest snorkeling water you'll find anywhere. Captain and crew handle all the details while you focus on landing dinner and soaking up that Keys vibe. With eight full hours on the water, there's plenty of time to work the reefs, cool off with a swim, and maybe even squeeze in a second fishing spot if the bite is hot.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. We're talking a full eight hours of cruising the Atlantic side reefs where the water stays gin-clear and the fish are hungry. Your captain knows these reefs like the back of his hand – which structures hold fish, where the current breaks just right, and when to move if the action slows down. The boat comes loaded with all your fishing gear, fresh bait, and even those snorkeling masks that actually fit right. Between fishing spots, you'll have time to slip over the side and check out what's happening below the surface. Don't worry about packing a cooler – sandwiches, snacks, and drinks are all taken care of, plus they'll throw in towels so you're not dripping all over the ride home. Group size stays small at six people max, so there's plenty of elbow room and personal attention from the crew.
Reef fishing in the Keys is all about reading structure and matching your approach to what's biting. Your captain will position the boat over productive coral heads and ledges, using GPS marks that have been producing for years. The tackle setup typically runs medium to heavy spinning gear or conventional reels loaded with enough line to handle the occasional surprise. Bottom rigs get most of the action – think circle hooks, egg sinkers, and wire leaders to handle the toothy critters. Live pilchards, ballyhoo, and cut bait work magic down there, but don't be surprised if the crew switches up the menu based on what's working that day. The beauty of these reef systems is the variety – you might be dropping for snapper one minute and free-lining a live bait for mackerel the next. Water depth ranges from 30 to 80 feet depending on which reefs are firing, and the clear visibility means you can actually watch fish approach your bait.
"Awesome guy that took care of me and my mom super well. Treats you like an adult and lets you decide every detail of your dives. I'd you want someone thats responsible and funny. This is it." - Jaycie
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Keys reef fishing, and for good reason. These chunky bottom-dwellers hang tight to structure and put up a respectable fight on medium tackle. They're ambush predators, so expect quick, powerful runs toward the reef when hooked. Most red grouper here run 2-5 pounds, perfect for the dinner table with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Peak action happens during cooler months from November through March, though you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes red grouper special is their predictability – find the right bottom structure and they're usually home.
King Mackerel bring the speed and excitement to your reef day. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise reef edges looking for baitfish schools, and when they hit, your reel will scream. Kings can range from schoolie-size at 5-10 pounds up to real smokers pushing 20-30 pounds or more. They're most active during warmer months from April through October, often showing up mid-morning when the sun gets the baitfish moving. Live bait fished on the surface or slow-trolled around reef edges is deadly. The fight is what gets people hooked – blistering initial runs followed by acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are the wild cards that can make your entire trip. These brilliant gold and green beauties are open-water nomads that sometimes cruise close to the reef systems, especially around floating debris or sargassum patches. When you find a school, the action can be non-stop with fish ranging from small schoolies to bull dolphin over 20 pounds. Peak season runs May through September, and they're absolute dynamite on light tackle. Mahi are known for their aerial displays and color changes during the fight – watching that electric blue and gold flash in the clear Keys water never gets old.
Hogfish are the reef's hidden gems, prized by locals for their incredible table fare. These pig-snouted bottom feeders use their specialized mouths to root around coral heads for crabs and small fish. They're picky eaters and spook easily, making them a fun challenge on light tackle. Most hogfish run 1-3 pounds with occasional larger fish pushing 5-6 pounds. They're most active during cooler months and early morning periods. Shrimp, small crabs, or cut bait fished right on the bottom near coral heads is the ticket. What makes hogfish special is the reward – many consider them the best-eating fish in South Florida waters.
Eight hours of reef fishing and snorkeling with all gear, licenses, food, and drinks included – this trip delivers serious value for your Keys vacation. The combination format means you're not stuck doing just one thing all day, perfect for groups with mixed interests or anyone who wants to experience the full spectrum of what these reefs offer. Captain and crew bring years of local knowledge and the kind of laid-back professionalism that makes for a memorable
Our 29-foot WorldCat center console delivers the perfect platform for targeting reef fish and exploring the crystal-clear waters around Key Largo. Built for stability and comfort, this spacious boat handles six anglers with ease while cutting through chop to reach prime snapper and mackerel spots. The outriggers give you serious trolling capability, while the fish finder helps locate structure where the big ones hang out. When it's time to cool off between fishing sessions, there's plenty of room to gear up for snorkeling right from the boat. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long reef sessions under the Florida sun. With GPS and radar on board, your captain can navigate confidently to productive fishing grounds and beautiful snorkeling sites. The center console design means easy movement around the boat whether you're fighting fish or prepping to dive in. Quality fishing gear comes standard, so you can focus on what matters – getting lines in the water and making the most of your day on the reef.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are one of our most prized catches, both for their unique pig-like snout and their reputation as premium table fare. These colorful wrasse typically weigh 3-8 pounds and max out around 20 pounds, living around hard bottom areas, coral heads, and rocky structure in 10-80 feet. They use that distinctive snout to root through sand and rocks hunting crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. What guests find fascinating is their behavior - they're curious fish that'll swim right up to divers and seem attracted to noise and commotion. The meat is incredibly sweet, often compared to lobster. They're year-round residents but can be tricky to hook due to their small mouths and quick strikes. Live shrimp or small crabs work best on small hooks. Here's the key: the struggling bait creates vibrations that draw them in, and you need lightning-fast reflexes to set the hook when they strike.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system when they make their signature runs. These olive-backed fish typically weigh 15-40 pounds in our waters and cruise the reef edges in 40-150 feet, especially around temperature breaks and bait schools. They're most active from spring through fall when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What guests love is the pure adrenaline rush - these fish can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. The meat is rich and flaky, though high in mercury so it's more of a treat fish. They're opportunistic predators that'll hit live bait, spoons, or trolled lures. Here's a local trick: rig with two hooks on a wire leader - one through the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings often strike at the tail end of live baits, so that second hook saves the day.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the acrobats of our reef trips, putting on aerial shows that'll have everyone grabbing cameras. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds and are drawn to floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where they hunt flying fish and smaller baitfish. They're surface dwellers that love structure, so look for them around anything floating. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move through our waters following warm currents. What makes them guest favorites is the combination of spectacular jumps, beautiful colors that shift like a light show, and some of the best eating you'll find - mild, sweet, and firm. They're curious fish that often travel in schools. My go-to technique is skipping ballyhoo or squid on the surface near debris. Once you hook one, keep others around by leaving hooked fish in the water while rigging fresh baits.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are solid reef fighters that typically run 5-15 pounds around our Keys waters. These rusty-red fish with distinctive white spots love hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks in 20-100 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live shrimp, crabs, or cut bait without much hesitation. What makes them popular with guests is the combination of a strong fight and excellent table fare - their firm, flaky meat has that sweet shellfish taste from their crab and shrimp diet. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall seem to produce the most consistent action. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head up quickly. They'll dive straight for the rocks and cut you off if you give them slack.
5.0 out of 5.0Awesome guy that took care of me and my mom super well. Treats you like an adult and lets you decide every detail of your dives. I...
Key Largo, FL