Key West 7-Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sevenhour offshore fishing trip targeting Florida's largest speciesAccommodates up to six guests with all gear and licenses includedCatch cleaning service provided by Pirate Adventure Charters
When you're looking for serious fishing action in the Florida Keys, this 7-hour offshore charter with Pirate Adventure Charters delivers the goods. We're talking about real blue water fishing where you'll have plenty of time to work different depths, switch up techniques, and chase after some of Florida's most prized gamefish. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough crew to keep things lively while ensuring everyone gets quality rod time. Your fishing licenses, all tackle, and professional fish cleaning are covered, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you're barely getting warmed up before heading back to the dock. Seven hours gives you the luxury of time to really fish properly. We'll start by running out to productive offshore waters where the Gulf Stream influence brings in the pelagic species that make Key West fishing legendary. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will adjust the game plan based on current conditions, bait activity, and seasonal patterns. Expect to cover some serious ground as we work different structure, depth changes, and current breaks. The boat's equipped with quality electronics to mark fish and bait, plus all the gear you need from light tackle for smaller species up to heavy conventional setups for the bigger players. Weather permitting, we'll push out to where the water turns that deep blue color that gets every angler's heart pumping.
With seven hours at our disposal, we can run through the full playbook of offshore techniques. We'll start with trolling to cover water and locate active fish, pulling a spread of lures and rigged baits at various depths. When we mark fish or find feeding activity, we'll switch to live bait fishing, chunk baiting, or jigging depending on what the fish are telling us. The boat carries a full arsenal of tackle from spinning gear perfect for smaller tunas and snappers, up to 50-class conventional reels for when the big cobia or mahi show up. Circle hooks are standard for most applications to ensure solid hooksets and easy releases. The crew will handle all the rigging, bait preparation, and tackle selection – they know exactly what works in these waters and will put you on the right setup for whatever we're targeting. Don't worry if you're newer to offshore fishing; the captain will walk you through proper fighting techniques and make sure you're comfortable with the gear before the action heats up.
The species list for this trip reads like a who's who of Florida gamefish, and each one brings something different to the table. Cobia are absolute bulldogs that will test your arms and back with their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style. These fish love structure and current breaks, often showing up around wrecks or following rays in the shallows before moving offshore. Red snapper fishing has been outstanding when seasons allow, with these crimson beauties holding tight to bottom structure in 60-120 feet of water. Their smaller cousins, the grey snapper, are just as tasty and often more cooperative when the reds get finicky. The tuna action includes both skipjack and blackfin varieties – skipjack are speed demons that hit trolled baits like freight trains, while blackfin tend to be a bit larger and provide excellent sashimi-grade meat. Barracuda add some teeth and attitude to the mix, often appearing out of nowhere to slash at baits with their razor-sharp chompers. But the real crown jewel is mahi mahi, those electric green and gold beauties that jump, run, and fight with more heart than fish twice their size. When we find floating debris or weed lines holding mahi, the action can be absolutely electric with multiple hookups and fish coming over the rail in quick succession.
Let's break down what makes each target species special in these Key West waters. Cobia typically show up from March through September, with peak action during the warmer months when they're most active. These brown sharks of the reef can reach 40-50 pounds and will give you a workout you won't forget. They're curious fish that often cruise near the surface, making them exciting targets for sight fishing when conditions are right. Red snapper remain one of the most sought-after bottom fish, holding in 80-150 feet over rocky bottom and structure. Their season can be limited, but when it's open, these 10-20 pound fish provide excellent table fare and solid fights on appropriate tackle. Grey snapper are available year-round and school up in impressive numbers, making them perfect action fish when you want consistent bites and full coolers.
The tuna species bring serious speed and power to offshore fishing here. Skipjack tuna are smaller but incredibly fast, hitting trolled lures with explosive strikes that will wake up anyone dozing in the fighting chair. Blackfin tuna grow larger, typically running 15-25 pounds, and their dark red meat is prized by sushi lovers. Both species are most active during cooler months but can be found year-round in the right conditions. Barracuda are the opportunists of the reef, showing up whenever there's commotion or bleeding baitfish. While they're not typically targeted specifically, a big barracuda on light tackle provides serious entertainment with their acrobatic jumps and slashing runs.
Mahi mahi deserve special mention as the ultimate offshore gamefish for many anglers. These fish are pure energy from the moment they hit until they're in the boat, jumping repeatedly and making blistering runs that test your drag system. They travel in schools, so finding one often means finding many. The best mahi action typically occurs from April through August, though scattered fish can be caught year-round. Their incredible colors – brilliant green, blue, and gold – make them as beautiful as they are fun to catch, and their white, flaky meat is considered among the finest eating fish in the ocean.
Get ready to battle Florida's biggest game fish aboard our well-equipped motorboat designed for serious offshore action. This fishing machine comes loaded with GPS navigation to track the hottest fishing spots and a spacious ice box to keep your trophy catch fresh. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without getting tangled up with your crew. The boat handles Key West's offshore waters like a champ, getting you out to the deep blue where the monster fish roam. Whether you're dropping lines for mahi, working the reefs for grouper, or chasing sailfish, this rig has everything you need for a productive day on the water. Captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time fighting fish and less time searching.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest in the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. Most run 20-30 inches and under 20 pounds, with that distinctive black back and golden sides that fade when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish prefer warm waters over 68 degrees and are most active in our area during fall, winter, and spring. They school up with skipjacks and are fierce fighters that make screaming runs. The meat is outstanding - dark, rich, and perfect for sashimi or searing. They're sharp-eyed, so downsizing your tackle is key. Vertical jigging and chunking work best, especially with live pilchards for chum. My go-to setup is 30-pound fluorocarbon leader with 5/0-6/0 circle hooks. When you mark them on the finder, get small jigs down fast and work them aggressively.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack tuna are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, running 2-3 feet and averaging around 20 pounds. These torpedo-shaped fish with distinctive dark stripes are built for speed and live in big schools in the upper water column. They're most active near the surface during feeding times, especially around floating debris and current breaks. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're moving through our waters. Guests love them because they fight hard and make great table fare - this is the tuna you find in most cans. They hit fast-moving trolled baits like hoochies, feathers, and spoons at 4-6 knots. The secret is staying quiet when you find a school - they spook easily, so circle wide and let your lures drift through the feeding fish rather than driving straight at them.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the deep-water prize everyone wants to catch. These bottom dwellers typically run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds in our waters, though they can grow much larger. You'll find them holding tight to structure in 30-200 feet - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom are prime spots. The meat is absolutely top-notch with that mild, nutty flavor that makes them restaurant favorites. They're real fighters too, making hard runs for cover when hooked, which can snap your line if you're not careful. Best fishing is during their spawning season from May through October when they're most active. Here's the key: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish on heavy tackle, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure to pull them away from structure before they cut you off.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, also called mangrove snapper, are crafty fish that'll test your skills. They usually run 10-14 inches and 1-2 pounds inshore, but can hit 20 pounds in deeper water. These opportunistic feeders love structure - docks, mangroves, reefs, and rocky bottom where they can ambush prey. They're most active at night, making evening trips productive. What guests love is the challenge and the reward - they're smart fish with excellent white, flaky meat that tastes great. The greyish-red color and dark eye stripe make them easy to identify. Best technique is live shrimp on a 4/0 hook, but here's the trick: thread the hook through the tail, not the head, to keep it alive longer. Let your bait settle to the bottom, then lift it slightly to avoid snags. Patience pays off with these wary biters.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are the ocean's missiles - torpedo-shaped predators that can hit 35 mph when they strike. Most run 3-4 feet around here, with that menacing underbite full of razor teeth. They patrol shallow flats, mangroves, and reef edges, hunting by sight for anything shiny or moving erratically. Year-round fishing is good, but they're most aggressive during warmer months. Guests get hooked on their explosive strikes and aerial shows - they'll jump and tail-walk when hooked. The meat is decent, though some folks avoid it due to ciguatera concerns in larger fish. Light spinning tackle with 10-pound test and wire leader is perfect for casting spoons, tubes, or live bait. Pro tip: retrieve your lures fast and erratic - stop and start to trigger that predator instinct. They often follow before striking, so don't give up on your retrieve.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fighters that average around 6 feet and 100 pounds - they're often mistaken for sharks due to their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These solitary fish hang around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, making them perfect targets for sight fishing when they cruise near the surface. Spring through summer is prime time when they move into our waters for spawning. What makes cobia special is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat with excellent flavor that's prized by restaurants. They're aggressive predators that'll hit bucktail jigs, crankbaits, and live bait hard. Pro tip: when you spot one, cast ahead of where it's swimming and let your jig sink slowly - they're curious fish and will often investigate before striking.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the most colorful fighters in the ocean, flashing gold, green, and blue when they're fired up. They average 15-29 pounds and 39 inches, with bulls having that distinctive square head. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where baitfish gather. Best action is spring through fall when they're moving through our waters. What makes them special is the complete package - they fight hard with jumps and runs, they're absolutely beautiful, and the white, firm meat is restaurant-quality. They mature fast and spawn year-round, so the population stays strong. Trolling ballyhoo or rigged squid at 6-8 knots along weed lines works great. Once you hook one, look for the school - where there's one mahi, there's usually more. Keep a second rod ready with live bait.
Key West