Full Day Offshore Fishing Trip in Long Key
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting waters up to 40 miles outPrivate charter accommodates six guests with all gear and licenses includedCaptain Angel provides experienced guidance aboard 32foot Contender vessel
Captain Angel knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Long Key's offshore grounds are some of the most productive in the Florida Keys. This isn't your typical half-day run to the reef – we're talking about a serious offshore adventure that takes you up to 40 miles out into the deep blue, where the big fish live and the action stays hot all day long. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to break your personal best or a seasoned angler wanting to explore new territory, this charter delivers the kind of fishing that keeps you coming back for more.
Your day kicks off at 7:00 AM sharp from Long Key, giving you the best shot at finding fish before the afternoon heat settles in. Captain Angel runs a pristine 32' Contender that's built for comfort and performance – this boat handles the offshore chop like a dream and gets you to the fishing grounds fast. You've got your choice between a 6-hour or 8-hour trip, depending on how deep you want to go and how much water you want to cover. The boat comfortably handles up to six anglers, so whether you're bringing the whole crew or keeping it intimate with just a few buddies, there's plenty of room to fish without getting in each other's way. Everything's included in your charter fee – tackle, bait, licenses, snacks, and drinks – plus Captain Angel handles all the fish cleaning at the end of the day so you can head home with fresh fillets ready for the grill.
Once we clear the shallows and hit the deep water, it's all about covering ground and reading the signs. Captain Angel runs a mix of trolling patterns using downriggers, outriggers, and flat lines to present baits at different depths and distances from the boat. The tackle setup varies depending on what we're targeting, but expect to see everything from 20-pound spinning gear for the smaller tunas and bonitos up to 50-pound trolling rigs when we're hunting wahoo and big mahi. Live bait plays a huge role out here – ballyhoo, pilchards, and squid are the go-to choices, rigged fresh and swimming naturally behind the boat. When the bite gets hot, we'll stop the boat and switch to live bait fishing or vertical jigging, especially when we mark schools of fish on the electronics. The key to success in these offshore waters is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish are telling you, and Captain Angel has the experience to put you on the action no matter what conditions throw at you.
Blackfin Tuna are the bread and butter of Long Key's offshore scene, and for good reason. These feisty fighters typically run between 10-25 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked. They school up over structure and temperature breaks, often feeding aggressively in the early morning and late afternoon. What makes blackfins so special is their incredible speed and endurance – they'll make blistering runs that test your drag system and fight right to the boat. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that deep red meat that's perfect for searing or making into sashimi. You'll find them year-round in these waters, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their tuna cousins, but they make up for size with pure attitude. These 5-10 pound speedsters are perfect for light tackle fishing and put up a fight that'll surprise you. They travel in large schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups happening simultaneously. Bonito are excellent bait fish for bigger predators too, so Captain Angel often uses them strategically when targeting wahoo or big mahi later in the day.
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing in the Keys, and Long Key's deep waters produce some true bulls. These gorgeous fish are famous for their electric colors and acrobatic fights, often clearing the water multiple times before coming to the boat. Mahi are structure-oriented, so we'll work floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks where they ambush baitfish. The bigger bulls can push 40-50 pounds and provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience. Spring through fall offers the best mahi action, with peak season running from April through June when the migration is in full swing.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60 mph when they strike a trolled bait. These torpedo-shaped predators typically run 20-60 pounds in these waters and are famous for their incredibly sharp teeth and lightning-fast initial runs. Finding wahoo requires covering water and presenting baits at the right speed – usually faster than you'd fish for other species. When a wahoo hits, there's no mistaking it – the rod loads up instantly and line starts screaming off the reel. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Tripletail are the wild card of offshore fishing – these oddly-shaped fish are ambush predators that hang around floating debris and structure. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they're incredibly strong and fight with a dogged determination that tests your tackle and patience. Tripletail can be tricky to hook because of their feeding behavior, but once you connect, they're bulldogs that use their broad, flat bodies to maximum advantage. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat that holds together well no matter how you cook it.
Long Key's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and Captain Angel's expertise puts you right in the heart of the action. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a chance to experience some of the best offshore angling the Florida Keys has to offer. With all gear provided, fish cleaning included, and a captain who knows exactly where to
Captain Angel's 32' Contender is built for serious offshore fishing in the Florida Keys. This 2022 center console runs on twin 300HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the productive grounds up to 40 miles out from Long Key with plenty of power to spare. The boat handles six anglers comfortably with room to move around when fighting fish. You'll have GPS to mark those hot spots, a multimedia system for the ride out, and even a head onboard for longer trips. Whether you're trolling the blue water for mahi and tuna or dropping baits on the wrecks and reefs, this Contender gives you a stable platform to fish from and the speed to cover water efficiently. The twin outboards provide the reliability you want when you're miles offshore chasing pelagics in the Atlantic.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are fast, aggressive fish that look like small tuna but pack a serious punch. They typically run 3-8 pounds and travel in large schools that feed right on the surface - you'll see birds diving and fins cutting the water like mini sharks. These guys are built for speed, hitting 40 mph when chasing baitfish. We see them best during cooler months when they move through our waters chasing mackerel and sardines. While they're not great table fare here in the States, they're fantastic sport fish that'll bend your rod and test your drag. They hit almost anything when they're feeding - metals, plastics, or live bait. Pro tip: when you see that surface activity with birds working, get there fast and throw whatever you've got. They'll hit it, but the school won't stay long.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, usually running 15-25 pounds but can reach up to 46 pounds. They're gorgeous fish with that distinctive golden stripe that fades once you boat them. We find them year-round in our deeper waters, but they're most active during fall, winter, and spring when the water temps are just right. These guys are absolute fighters - pound for pound, they'll give you one hell of a battle on lighter tackle. They school up with other tunas, so once you find one, there's usually more around. The meat is fantastic - some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Here's a local tip: scale down your leaders to 30-pound fluoro and use smaller circle hooks. These fish have sharp eyes, and heavy tackle will spook them every time.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These beauties average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds out here in the deep water. They're absolutely stunning with those electric blues and golds that put on a light show when you bring them boatside. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks, usually in that 100-600 foot range. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. They're fantastic fighters - acrobatic jumpers that'll test your skills. Plus, the meat is top-shelf eating with that mild, sweet flavor everyone loves. Here's what works: when you hook one, leave it in the water while you set up more lines. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will keep the others around for multiple hookups.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique fish - they look like floating debris until they suddenly come alive. These chunky fish average 5-15 pounds and have this weird habit of lying on their sides near the surface, mimicking floating weeds or trash. We find them around weed lines, debris, and structure in 20-100 feet of water. Summer through early fall is best when water temps are warm. They're surprisingly acrobatic fighters for such odd-looking fish, and the meat rivals red snapper - firm, white, and tasty. Sight fishing is the game here since they hang near the surface. The trick is staying quiet and casting past them, then working your bait slowly toward the fish. They spook easily, so stealth is everything. Once hooked, watch those sharp gill plates when handling them.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our offshore waters, hitting 60 mph and making blistering runs that'll smoke your drag. They average 20-40 pounds but we see them up to 80+ pounds on the deeper edges. These silver rockets with blue stripes are found around drop-offs and current edges, usually in 200-1000+ feet of water. July through November is our peak season here in the Keys when they're most active. What makes them special is that explosive strike and fight, plus they're premium table fare - white, flaky meat that's absolutely delicious. You need wire leaders because their razor teeth will cut through anything else. My advice: troll fast - 12-15 knots minimum. Most guys troll too slow. Wahoo want that bait moving, so speed up and hang on when they hit.
Long Key, FL