5.0(2 Reviews)Florida Keys Half Day Reef Fishing and Snorkeling
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday combo trip targets Snapper and Mackerel on local reefsAll gear, licenses, food and drinks included for six guestsCustom balance of reef fishing and Atlantic snorkeling activities
Picture this: you're drifting over crystal-clear reefs in the Florida Keys, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale strike from a hungry snapper. Then, after hauling in your catch, you slip on a mask and fins to explore the same underwater world that just gave up your dinner. This hybrid half-day trip with Let it Ride Charters delivers the best of both worlds—serious reef fishing followed by world-class snorkeling—all packed into four action-filled hours on the water.
Captain Steve runs a tight ship that accommodates up to six anglers, making this a top-rated choice for families or small groups who want personal attention without the cattle-boat experience. You'll start your morning targeting the productive reef structure that makes the Keys famous among saltwater anglers. The beauty of this setup is flexibility—spend more time with the rods if the bite is hot, or transition to snorkeling when you want to cool off and see what's living down there. All your tackle, bait, and Florida fishing licenses are handled, plus you get the full snorkel setup including masks, fins, and snorkels. They even throw in towels, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks so you can focus on what matters: catching fish and making memories.
The fishing approach here is all about finesse and reading the structure. Captain Steve positions the boat over productive reef areas where snapper, mackerel, and grouper cruise for an easy meal. You'll be using light tackle that lets you feel every bump and headshake—perfect for beginners learning to detect bites and experienced anglers who appreciate the sport. Bottom rigs with circle hooks are the go-to setup for snapper, while live bait and small jigs work magic on the mackerel species. The transition to snorkeling happens right over these same reefs, so you get to see the underwater neighborhoods where your target fish actually live. It's like getting the fish-eye view of your fishing spots, which makes every angler better at reading water.
"Great time with Steve!" - Kelly
"Captain Steve is the man! Had a great time aboard and caught four fish! We also went snorkeling which was an incredible experience. Originally I was going to book one of those snorkel boats where theres 50 people, but i spoke to Zoe and she informed me they do snorkeling also... im so glad i did. It was just my husband and I, which made our first time snorkeling even better. Boat was comfortable, Steve had a great sense of humor, and some good stories. Next time we're in the Keys we are definitely booking again. Thank you both so much!" - Jessica
Red Grouper are the heavyweights of this fishery, and when one inhales your bait, you'll know it immediately. These chunky reef dwellers hit hard and dive straight for cover, testing your drag and technique. Red grouper average 5-15 pounds on these reefs, with bigger specimens always possible. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their intelligence—they'll study your bait before committing, making each hookup feel earned. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that grills beautifully.
King Mackerel are pure adrenaline on light tackle. These silver bullets can stretch 20-40 pounds and make blistering runs that'll have you wondering if your drag is tight enough. Kings patrol the reef edges looking for baitfish, and when they find your offering, the strike is unmistakable. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months bringing the biggest fish closer to shore. Their razor-sharp teeth and acrobatic fights make them a customer favorite, though you'll want to handle them carefully during release.
Mahi Mahi are the wildcards that can turn a good day into a legendary one. These colorful fighters average 10-25 pounds in Keys waters and put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on deck grabbing cameras. Mahi are structure-oriented but also follow floating debris and weed lines. When you find one, there are usually more nearby, leading to those magic moments where everyone's hooked up at once. Their brilliant gold and green colors fade quickly after landing, so snap those photos fast. As a bonus, mahi are considered some of the finest eating fish in the ocean.
Cero Mackerel might be smaller than their king mackerel cousins, but they make up for size with sheer aggression and numbers. These spotted speedsters average 2-8 pounds and school up around reef structure, creating fast action that keeps everyone busy. They're perfect for kids and beginning anglers because they bite readily and fight hard relative to their size. Ceros are year-round residents, though they're most active during warmer months. Their smaller size makes them ideal for lighter tackle, and they respond well to both live bait and small lures.
Hogfish are the reef's most unique residents, combining excellent eating with unusual appearance and behavior. These wrasse family members use their pig-like snouts to root through sand and rubble for crustaceans and small fish. Hogfish average 2-8 pounds and require a bit more finesse to catch, often preferring smaller baits presented near the bottom. They're most active during daylight hours and can be surprisingly strong fighters despite their docile appearance. Many anglers consider hogfish the ultimate table fish, with sweet, flaky meat that's prized in Keys restaurants.
This hybrid approach to a Keys fishing trip solves the age-old problem of choosing between fishing and snorkeling—you get both, done right, with personal attention from a captain who knows these
Our 29' WorldCat center console is built for serious reef fishing in the Florida Keys waters. This stable platform handles the Atlantic swells with ease while you target snapper and mackerel around the local reefs. The boat's outriggers give you extra fishing space, while the fish finder helps locate where the fish are holding. When you're ready to cool off between fishing spots, there's plenty of room to gear up for snorkeling right off the stern. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons, and the GPS ensures we hit the best fishing spots every time. With radar on board, even morning fog won't slow down your trip. The center console design gives everyone clear casting lanes and easy access to the action. Whether you're working a snapper hole or drifting for mackerel, this boat delivers the stability and features needed for a productive day on the reefs.
Scomberomorus RegalisCero Mackerel are the sleeper hit of our reef trips - smaller than Kings but pound-for-pound some of the best eating fish out here. They typically run 5-10 pounds with those distinctive bronze stripes and yellow spots. You'll find them cruising the patch reefs and clear water around coral heads, usually in the top 30 feet. They're year-round residents, but warmer months are best when they're most active. What guests love is they're aggressive strikers and great on light tackle, plus the meat is sushi-grade - we use it for ceviche all the time. They've got sharp teeth and good eyesight, so use a light wire leader and keep your baits moving. My secret: chum with cut ballyhoo over the reef to get them fired up, then throw topwater plugs for some exciting surface action.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are the reef's personality fish - curious, colorful, and some of the best eating you'll find. They average 2-5 pounds with that pig-like snout and bright orange fins. You'll spot them around hard bottom areas, coral heads, and rocky ledges in 10-60 feet, using their snouts to root through the sand for crabs and shrimp. They're year-round residents, but they're most active during warmer months. What makes them special is that sweet, mild meat that rivals lobster - many say it's the best-tasting fish on the reef. They're also just fun to watch while snorkeling. They're curious and will often swim right up to check you out. For fishing, live shrimp or small crabs work best. Here's my tip: make some noise by tapping your rod on the boat - they're attracted to vibrations and will come investigate.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. These silver torpedoes typically run 10-30 pounds and cruise our reef edges in 40-150 feet, hunting schools of baitfish. They're year-round residents here in the Keys, but spring and fall are prime time when they're most active. What guests love is that explosive strike and the blistering runs - they're fast as lightning and will strip line like crazy. The meat's firm and flaky, great on the grill. We usually troll with live ballyhoo or spanish sardines, letting them skip on the surface. Here's the key: use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut right through mono, and when you get a bite, don't set the hook too hard - let them take it and run first.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow warriors of the reef - brilliant gold and green colors that put on a light show when they come out of the water. Most run 15-30 pounds with that distinctive blunt head on males. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges near our reefs. Spring through fall is prime season when they're most abundant. What makes them special is that acrobatic fight - they'll jump, dive, and change directions like crazy. Plus, the meat is top-shelf - firm, white, and mild with a slightly sweet taste that's perfect for the grill. Look for birds working over floating sargassum or debris. When you find one mahi, there's usually more around, so keep a few baits in the water. Skip ballyhoo on the surface to mimic flying fish.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are one of the toughest fighters you'll hook on our reefs. These rusty-red beauties with white spots average 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They hang around hard bottom areas, ledges, and coral heads in 10-100 feet of water - perfect for our half-day trips. What makes them special is that meaty, flaky white meat with a sweet, almost shellfish-like flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. They're aggressive feeders, so they'll hit live shrimp or cut bait hard. Once hooked, they'll try to dive straight back to their rocky hideouts. My tip: use a strong leader and keep steady pressure - don't let them get back to the rocks or you'll lose them for sure.
5.0 out of 5.0Great time with Steve!
Captain Steve is the man! Had a great time aboard and caught four fish! We also went snorkeling which was an incredible experience...
Key Largo, FL