5.0(2 Reviews)Islamorada Wreck Fishing: 8-Hour Deep Water Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Eight-hour charter targets reef, wreck, and offshore speciesProfessional crew guides trips for up to six guestsQueen Snapper and Snowy Grouper fishing opportunities available
Here's what serious anglers have been waiting for – a full-day charter that hits all the best spots around Islamorada's legendary fishing grounds. This 8-hour private trip takes you and up to 5 buddies out to the reef, wrecks, and offshore waters where the big fish hang out. We're talking about targeting some of the most sought-after species in the Keys, from king mackerel screaming drag off the reels to hefty grouper pulled up from deep structure. Captain Mike Diaz and the crew at Makaira Fish Company know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while making sure everyone has a blast doing it.
Your day starts early – we're talking dawn patrol here – because that's when the fish are most active and the conditions are prime. You'll board a well-equipped vessel that's got everything you need for a successful day of fishing. The beauty of this 8-hour charter is the variety you get to experience. We'll start by working the reef structure where snapper and grouper like to hide, then move to the famous shipwrecks that attract baitfish and the predators that feed on them. As the day progresses, we'll head offshore to troll for pelagic species like mahi, wahoo, and kingfish. The crew handles all the navigation, bait prep, and rigging – your job is to fish hard and have fun. With a 6-person max capacity, there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets quality time with a rod in their hands.
This trip covers a lot of ground, so you'll get to experience different fishing techniques throughout the day. When we're working the wrecks and reef structure, we'll be bottom fishing with heavy tackle to pull grouper and snapper up from 80-200 feet of water. The crew will set you up with the right weights and circle hooks to get your bait down to where the fish are holding. For the offshore portion, we switch to trolling with outriggers, running a spread of lures and live bait to cover water and locate schools of mahi or individual wahoo and kingfish. The boat comes equipped with quality rods and reels matched to each technique, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. If you've got your own gear and want to bring it, that's always welcome – just make sure it's rated for the species we're targeting.
"Great fishing trip with captain Mike Diaz and first ship mate Chris! My 3 boys and I had the best time with Mike and Chris. Put my boys on the fish and were very helpful with my boys. Chris was helpful and very patient with my son's. What a great group of guys and I would definitely go fishing with them again!" - Kyle
"Five stars for Bill! He went above and beyond to accommodate our group, making sure everyone had a great time. His enthusiasm for fishing is infectious, and we can't wait to join him again soon!" - Alan
King mackerel are the speed demons of this fishery, and Islamorada's offshore waters are prime territory for these toothy predators. These fish typically run 15-40 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 50-plus. Kings are most active during the cooler months from October through March, when they move closer to shore following bait schools. When a king hits your bait or lure, you'll know it – they make blistering runs that'll test your drag system and your arm strength. What makes them so popular with anglers is their aggressive nature and the way they fight, often jumping and tail-walking across the surface.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as they're properly called, are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around here. These brilliant gold and green fish are visual feeders that love to hang around floating debris, weed lines, and structure. Most mahi we catch range from 10-25 pounds, but bulls can push 40-60 pounds and provide an epic battle on appropriate tackle. They're present year-round in South Florida waters, with peak season running from spring through early fall. Mahi are acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly, and their beautiful colors make them a favorite for photos before they hit the ice.
Wahoo are the rockets of the reef, capable of hitting 60+ mph when they strike a trolled bait or lure. These sleek predators typically weigh 20-50 pounds in our local waters, with their razor-sharp teeth and torpedo-shaped bodies built for speed. Winter months offer the best wahoo action around Islamorada, particularly when we're trolling the deep edges and drop-offs. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is their initial run – it's so fast and powerful that it'll leave you wondering what just hit your bait. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat.
Snowy grouper are the deep-water prize that keeps bottom fishermen coming back for more. These fish live in 200+ feet of water around rocky bottom and structure, with most ranging from 10-30 pounds. They're available year-round but fishing is often better during winter months when seas are calmer for the long runs to deep water. Snowies are prized for their incredible eating quality – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. The challenge with these fish is the depth and their tendency to head straight for the rocks when hooked.
Black grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, using their powerful bodies and intimate knowledge of structure to test your tackle and technique. Most blacks we encounter run 5-25 pounds, though larger fish are always possible around the right structure. They're year-round residents but tend to bite best during warmer months when they're more active. What makes black grouper so appealing to anglers is their combination of
The 33' Tournament Sea Hunter center console is built for serious fishing in Islamorada's productive waters. This spacious boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while you target reef fish, explore historic wrecks, and venture offshore for bigger game. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting fish and bird activity, while the advanced fish finder helps locate structure and schools below. Keep your catch fresh in the large icebox and stay comfortable with the onboard facilities including a head and multimedia system. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation whether you're working the shallow reefs or heading to deeper offshore grounds. The center console design maximizes fishing space around the entire boat, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for groups looking to experience the legendary fishing that makes the Florida Keys a world-class angling destination.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the reef bulldozers, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of reaching 100+. We find them around wrecks, ledges, and rocky structure from 30 feet in winter up to 300 feet during warmer months. They spawn November through May, making winter and spring prime time. What makes blacks special is their incredible power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They're also top-shelf eating with mild, firm meat that's perfect for any preparation. These ambush predators use structure to their advantage, so expect a serious tug-of-war. The secret is heavy tackle - 80-pound braid with 100-pound leader minimum. Once hooked, they dive straight for the rocks to cut you off. Keep steady pressure and pump them up quickly. Don't give them time to think. Any bait works, but present it right on the bottom where they live.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive predators that typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen them push 50+ pounds out here. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths along our reefs and wrecks, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs - they'll strip line like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. My go-to trick: use a wire leader with two hooks on live bait. Put one hook through the nose, let the second dangle near the tail. Kings love to hit bait from behind, and that stinger hook saves a lot of cut-offs. When you hook up, keep steady pressure but let them run - trying to muscle them early just leads to pulled hooks.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure eye candy with their electric blues and golds, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in the offshore waters. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding heavily. What guests love about mahi is everything - they fight hard with spectacular jumps, they're beautiful fish, and the meat is some of the best you'll taste. Firm, white, and mild flavored. They're also fast growers that mature quickly, so they're a sustainable choice. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, don't just fight the fish you can see. Mahi travel in schools, so keep other lines in the water. We've had boats land a dozen fish from one school. Look for frigate birds working debris piles - they'll lead you right to the fish.
Epinephelus Snowy grouper are the deep-water prize, typically running 20-40 pounds with some pushing 70. We find them in 300-600 feet over rocky bottom and ledges - they're true deep-drop specialists. Season runs May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit, making each one special. What draws anglers is the challenge and the excellent eating - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. These fish live deep and fight hard on the way up, testing both angler and gear. They're territorial bottom dwellers that ambush prey, so once you find structure holding fish, work it thoroughly. Here's the key: use electric reels if you can - hand-cranking from 400+ feet gets old fast. Drop whole squid or bonito strips on 80-pound leader with 5-pound weights. When you get bit, start cranking immediately. They'll head straight for the rocks to break you off.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters, hitting 60 mph and averaging 20-40 pounds with some reaching 80+. We target them in 60-200 feet, often around current edges and drop-offs. Best fishing runs from spring through fall when they're most active. What makes wahoo special is that blazing speed - they'll smoke your reel on the initial run like nothing else. They're also premium table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or sashimi. The trick with wahoo is trolling fast - we run 12-15 knots with wire leaders because their razor teeth will slice through anything else. Use high-speed lures like bullet heads or diving plugs. When you get bit, the fish often hooks itself from the sheer speed. Just hold on and enjoy the ride - wahoo don't jump much but they make up for it with pure velocity.
5.0 out of 5.0Great fishing trip with captain Mike Diaz and first ship mate Chris! My 3 boys and I had the best time with Mike and Chris. Put ...
Five stars for Bill! He went above and beyond to accommodate our group, making sure everyone had a great time. His enthusiasm for ...
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