5.0(2 Reviews)Florida Keys Reef Fishing and Snorkeling Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour combo trip combines reef fishing and snorkeling activitiesTargets Snapper and Mackerel at Atlantic reef locationsAll equipment, licenses, food and drinks included
Picture this: you're cruising over crystal-clear Atlantic waters, rod in hand, with the Florida Keys stretching out behind you. Captain Steve and his crew at Let it Ride Charters know these reefs like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on some serious fish. This top-rated 6-hour combo trip gives you the best of both worlds – productive reef fishing followed by world-class snorkeling in the same pristine waters. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting your feet wet, this customer favorite delivers the kind of day that keeps people coming back to the Keys year after year.
Your morning or afternoon departure kicks off with a comfortable ride to the productive Atlantic reefs where snapper, mackerel, and grouper call home. The boat's spacious layout gives everyone room to fish without tangling lines, while the well-stocked cooler keeps you hydrated and fed throughout the day. Captain Steve's approach is simple – get you to where the fish are biting, then help you make the most of every opportunity. After working the fishing spots, you'll transition to some of the area's best snorkeling locations where the same reefs that hold fish also showcase the Keys' renowned underwater scenery. All your fishing tackle, snorkeling gear, bait, and licenses are included, so you can focus on the action instead of the logistics.
Fishing these Atlantic reefs means dropping baits down to structure where fish congregate – think ledges, coral heads, and rocky bottom that holds everything from keeper snappers to hefty grouper. The crew sets you up with appropriate tackle for the conditions, typically medium to heavy spinning or conventional gear that can handle both the current and the fish you're targeting. Live bait like pilchards and ballyhoo work magic here, but cut bait and jigs also produce when worked properly around the structure. The key is reading the bottom, understanding how fish relate to the reef, and adjusting your presentation as conditions change. Between the GPS marks and fish finder, Captain Steve puts you over productive water, but success still comes down to technique and patience.
"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 Keys reef fishing, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers average 5-15 pounds but can push 20-plus when you find the right spots. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes grouper so exciting is the initial hit – they slam your bait then immediately dive for cover, testing your drag and your nerves. Their fight is all about power and leverage, trying to wrap you around coral or rock. When you finally get one boatside, that broad tail and thick body tells the whole story of why they're such a prized catch.
King Mackerel bring speed and excitement to any Keys fishing trip. These silver bullets can stretch 20-40 pounds and make blistering runs that'll test your reel's drag system. Peak season runs from fall through spring, when cooler water temperatures bring kings closer to the reefs. The thrill comes from their unpredictable nature – one minute you're fighting dead weight, the next they're screaming drag and jumping clear of the water. Kings are also excellent table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Mahi Mahi represent the ultimate offshore prize that sometimes ventures close enough to reef territory. These golden beauties average 10-25 pounds but can push much larger, especially bulls that show incredible colors when hooked. Spring through fall offers the best mahi action, particularly when weed lines and current edges set up near the reefs. What gets anglers fired up about mahi is their acrobatic display – multiple jumps, long runs, and those brilliant color changes as they fight. Plus, mahi are widely considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat.
Cero Mackerel might not get the press of their king mackerel cousins, but they're scrappy fighters that provide consistent action around Keys reefs. These smaller speedsters typically run 2-8 pounds and are available year-round, making them perfect for keeping rods bent when larger species aren't cooperating. Ceros hit fast and fight hard for their size, often making multiple runs before coming to the boat. They're also fantastic for introducing kids or new anglers to the excitement of fishing, since they bite readily and provide steady action.
Hogfish stand out as one of the most unique catches in Keys waters, with their distinctive elongated snout and impressive size potential. These reef dwellers can reach 10-20 pounds and are considered among the finest eating fish in the ocean. They're most active during daylight hours around coral and rocky structure, using their specialized snouts to root out crabs and other bottom-dwelling prey. Hooking a big hog is memorable because they combine the power of a grouper with the unpredictable runs of a snapper, often surprising anglers with their strength and determination.
Our 29' WorldCat center console is built for serious reef fishing in the Florida Keys. This stable platform handles the Atlantic swells with ease while you target snapper, mackerel, and other reef species. The twin outriggers give you plenty of spread for trolling, and the advanced fish finder helps locate productive bottom structure. When it's time to cool off, you'll have everything needed for exploring the coral reefs below. The spacious cockpit comfortably accommodates six anglers with room to move around when fighting fish. GPS and radar keep you on the fishing grounds safely, while the large icebox holds your catch and cold drinks. Whether you're working the reef edges or drifting over structure, this boat delivers the performance and comfort needed for a full day on the water around Key Largo.
Scomberomorus RegalisCero mackerel are the refined cousins of the mackerel family, often called the best eating of the bunch. These streamlined fish typically weigh 5-10 pounds and are built for speed, hitting 30 mph when they want to. You'll find them year-round in 10-60 feet over patch reefs and clear water structures where they hunt small baitfish. What sets them apart are those distinctive bronze stripes and yellow spots - they're easy to identify. They're sushi-grade fish with excellent flavor, and they provide quick, exciting fights without the marathon battles. The key to success is using lighter tackle with a short wire leader - their eyesight is sharp and they're easily spooked. Try chumming with pilchards over the reefs, then toss topwater lures for some surface action.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are one of the more challenging and rewarding species we target on the reefs. These pig-nosed wrasse typically weigh 3-8 pounds and are prized for their sweet, delicate meat that rivals lobster. They hang around coral heads and hard bottom areas in 15-80 feet, using that distinctive snout to root out crabs and shrimp. What makes them tricky is their quick-strike feeding style - you need fast reflexes to set the hook. They're curious fish that often approach divers and respond to noise in the water. The meat quality makes every effort worthwhile - it's considered some of the finest eating in these waters. Here's the trick: use live shrimp or small crabs on a light rig, and when you feel that tap, set the hook immediately. They'll sample your bait and spit it out faster than most fish.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speed demons of our trips, capable of peeling line like nothing else out here. These silver bullets typically weigh 10-30 pounds but can hit 50+ during peak season from fall through spring when water temps drop into the 70s. We find them cruising 40-150 feet over the reefs and along current edges where baitfish gather. What makes them special is that lightning-fast strike and the screaming runs that follow - pure adrenaline. They're also excellent table fare with rich, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: when trolling for kings, use a two-hook rig with wire leader. Put one hook through the nose of your ballyhoo and let the second hook dangle free. Kings often hit the tail first, and that trailing hook will save your fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the most colorful catch you'll see - brilliant gold and green that shifts like a light show when they're brought aboard. Most run 15-30 pounds and put up an acrobatic fight with jumps that'll get everyone's attention. We target them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water, especially during warmer months when they're more abundant. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and mild-tasting, perfect for the grill. These fish are curious by nature and often travel in small schools, so when we hook one, there's usually more around. My go-to technique is trolling with ballyhoo or small lures that skip the surface - mahi love chasing flying fish, so that skipping action triggers their predatory instincts.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are some of the toughest fighters you'll encounter on our reef trips. These rusty-red beauties with white spots typically run 5-15 pounds, though we've seen some push 30+ pounds around the deeper ledges and wrecks. They hang out in 15-100 feet of water, loving rocky bottoms and coral structures where they hunt crabs and shrimp. Their aggressive nature makes them great for beginners - they'll hit live shrimp or cut bait without much coaxing. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and sweet with that shellfish flavor from their diet. One trick I always share: once you feel that thump, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack. They'll try to run straight back to their hole in the reef, and if they make it, you're usually done for.
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