5.0(2 Reviews)Florida Keys Reef Fishing & Snorkeling Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour combo trip featuring reef fishing and snorkeling adventuresTarget Snapper and Mackerel with all tackle and licenses includedProfessional crew guides seamless transitions between water activities
Picture this: you're drifting over crystal-clear Atlantic reefs, rod in hand, watching the fish finder light up with baitfish while colorful coral gardens beckon below. That's exactly what you get with Let it Ride Charters' combo reef fishing and snorkeling adventure in the Florida Keys. Captain Steve runs a top-rated 6-hour trip that perfectly balances serious fishing action with world-class snorkeling, making it a customer favorite for families and mixed groups who want the best of both worlds.
This isn't your typical half-day fishing charter – it's a carefully planned adventure that maximizes your time on some of the most productive reefs in the Atlantic. You'll start your morning or afternoon departure targeting the resident reef species that make the Keys famous among anglers. The boat is spacious and comfortable, perfect for up to 6 guests, with plenty of room to move around whether you're fighting fish or gearing up for a snorkel. Captain Steve keeps the cooler stocked with drinks and snacks, plus you'll get sandwiches to keep your energy up during the action. All your fishing tackle, bait, snorkeling gear, and licenses are included, so you just need to show up ready for a great day on the water. The professional crew handles the transitions between fishing and snorkeling seamlessly, so you're never missing out on prime time for either activity.
Reef fishing in the Keys is all about reading structure and understanding how gamefish relate to coral formations and ledges. Captain Steve positions the boat over prime drop-offs and coral heads where Snapper, Mackerel, and Grouper congregate to feed. You'll be using a mix of bottom fishing techniques with circle hooks and live bait, plus some drift fishing when targeting pelagic species like Mahi and King Mackerel. The tackle provided is perfectly matched to the target species – medium-heavy spinning rods with quality reels that can handle both the smaller reef fish and the occasional larger predator that cruises through. When it's time to snorkel, you'll move to protected areas with exceptional visibility where the coral gardens are teeming with tropical fish. The snorkeling gear is well-maintained and sized properly, with masks, fins, and snorkels that won't leak or fog up during your underwater exploration.
"Capt Steve was great! The boat was roomy and very comfortable and the cooler was stocked for both the kids and the adults. My older son caught his first Mahi and first Tuna, and though our other son didn't hook anything out deep Capt Steve made sure to stop at the reef on the way back do he could pull in some keeper snappers! A wonderful short excursion at the end of the day. Next time we'll book a half or full day charter!" - Troy
"Thank you for the great day fishing! Everyone caught something. Captain Steve was easygoing, very helpful and knowledgeable. Takes you to where the action is. Will definitely come back!" - Mark
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Florida Keys reef fishing, and for good reason. These chunky bottom-dwellers average 15-25 pounds and put up a bulldogging fight that'll test your technique. They're year-round residents around coral heads and rocky bottom in 60-120 feet of water, feeding heavily on crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. What makes Red Grouper so exciting to target is their habit of inhaling bait and immediately heading for the nearest hole or ledge – you've got seconds to turn their head before they cut you off on the coral. The best action typically happens during moving tides when they're actively hunting.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the reef, capable of blistering runs that'll scream line off your reel. These silver bullets can reach 30-50 pounds during peak season from fall through early spring, when they migrate along the reef line following massive schools of ballyhoo and pilchards. Kings are notorious for their aerial displays and multiple runs, making them a favorite among anglers who love a good fight. They're typically caught while slow-trolling live bait or drifting near reef edges where the bottom drops into deeper water.
Mahi Mahi, or Common Dolphinfish as they're properly called, are arguably the most exciting catch you can hook in Keys waters. These electric-colored fighters average 15-30 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic jumps and stunning golden-green coloration that lights up when they're hooked. Mahi are highly migratory and show up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, often traveling in small schools. Spring through fall offers the best action, and once you hook one, there's often more nearby – which is why Captain Steve always has extra rods ready when Mahi are located.
Cero Mackerel are the sleek cousins of King Mackerel, typically running 5-15 pounds with distinctive yellow spots and bronze stripes. They're incredibly fast and aggressive, often striking lures and baits with lightning speed around coral formations and reef edges. Ceros are year-round residents in Keys waters, making them a reliable target species. What anglers love about Cero Mackerel is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare – they're perfect for smaller anglers or those wanting consistent action without the heavy tackle requirements of larger gamefish.
Hogfish are one of the most prized catches on any Keys reef trip, both for their challenging nature and exceptional eating quality. These colorful characters can reach 8-15 pounds and are masters of using reef structure to their advantage. Hogfish have excellent eyesight and can be finicky about bait presentation, requiring stealth and skill to hook consistently. They're year-round residents but fee
Get ready to fish the crystal-clear waters around Key Largo aboard our 29-foot WorldCat center console. This stable platform handles both reef fishing and snorkeling spots with ease, keeping you comfortable while chasing snapper and mackerel. Built for up to six anglers, she's equipped with outriggers for trolling, a fish finder to locate the action, and GPS to hit those productive reef structures. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold under the Florida sun. When it's time to cool off, we'll anchor up at prime snorkeling locations where you can explore the same reefs you just fished. Radar keeps us safe in changing weather, and the center console design means easy movement around the boat whether you're landing a fish or gearing up to snorkel.
Scomberomorus RegalisCero Mackerel are the sleeper hits of our reef trips - often overlooked but fantastic sport fish. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 5-8 pounds and cruise the patch reefs in 10-40 feet of water. You can catch them year-round here in the Keys, but they're most active during warmer months over clear coral areas. What makes them worth targeting? They're lightning fast with razor-sharp teeth, plus they're considered the best eating of all the mackerels - even sushi-grade quality. Their bronze stripes and yellow spots make them easy to identify. Local secret: chum with cut ballyhoo over patch reefs to get them fired up. Once they're in a feeding frenzy, they'll hit almost anything. Use 20-pound line but keep it as invisible as possible - these fish have great eyesight and will spook from heavy tackle. Topwater lures work great since they feed near the surface.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are one of the most unique fish we target on our reef trips - they're like underwater pigs with that distinctive snout they use to root around for crabs and shrimp in the sand. These colorful wrasse typically run 2-5 pounds and hang around coral heads and hard bottom areas in 15-60 feet of water. They're active year-round but bite best during cooler months when they're more aggressive. What makes them special? They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to check you out, plus they're absolutely delicious - sweet, mild flavor that rivals grouper. Males have a black spot behind their fins and brighter colors than females. Here's the trick with hogs: they're fast strikers with small mouths, so use small hooks and live shrimp or small crabs. Make some noise - tap the boat or splash around. They're naturally curious and the vibrations will draw them in closer to investigate.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our reefs, and they'll give you a run you won't forget. These silver bullets average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ when conditions are right. We find them cruising the outer reefs in 40-150 feet, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. Fall through spring is prime time when baitfish are thick. What makes them worth targeting? Pure speed and power - they'll strip line like crazy and make multiple runs. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat that's perfect smoked or grilled. Pro tip from years out here: use a two-hook rig with wire leader when live baiting. Kings love to hit the back half of a bait, so that trailing hook will save you from a lot of missed fish. Keep your drag smooth - they're notorious for throwing hooks on jerky runs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow warriors of offshore fishing - absolutely stunning fish that change colors like a light show when you bring them aboard. These golden beauties typically run 15-30 pounds and love floating debris, weed lines, and anything drifting in blue water. We target them year-round, but spring through summer is peak season when they're most abundant. What makes them special? They're acrobatic fighters that jump and dance on the surface, plus they're top-shelf table fare with mild, sweet white meat. Mahi travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Here's my go-to trick: once you hook up, keep one person fishing while fighting the first fish. The hooked mahi will often keep the school around, and you can double or triple up before they move on. Look for birds working over floating grass - that's mahi gold.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are one of our most popular reef targets here in the Keys. These rusty-red beauties typically run 5-10 pounds, though we see some pushing 20+ on deeper structure. They hang around rocky bottom and coral heads in 20-80 feet of water, especially near ledges and drop-offs. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes them special? They're absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. Here's a local tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack. They'll dive straight for the nearest coral head to cut your line, so you've got to muscle them up and away from structure quickly.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Steve was great! The boat was roomy and very comfortable and the cooler was stocked for both the kids and the adults. My olde...
Thank you for the great day fishing! Everyone caught something. Captain Steve was easygoing, very helpful and knowledgeable. Takes...
Key Largo, FL