Full Day Offshore Fishing in the Florida Keys
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore fishing adventure targeting cobia, mahimahi, and yellowfin tunaBeginnerfriendly trip with handson guidance from experienced Captain MikeStable 34foot Luhrs vessel accommodates up to five guests comfortably
Captain Mike knows the Florida Keys waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why offshore fishing here is absolutely legendary. This isn't your typical charter where beginners get lost in the shuffle – Mike specializes in making sure first-time offshore anglers feel confident and successful from the moment they step aboard his 34' Luhrs. You'll spend eight full hours targeting some of the most prized gamefish in these waters: hard-fighting cobia, acrobatic mahi-mahi, and the king of offshore fishing – yellowfin tuna. With room for up to five anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between personalized instruction and enough space to fish comfortably.
Your day starts early at the marina, where Captain Mike will greet you with fresh coffee and a game plan for the day's fishing. The 34' Luhrs is built for comfort and stability – crucial when you're learning to fight big fish in open water. Mike keeps his tackle meticulously maintained and uses circle hooks and appropriate leaders for each target species. The boat's spacious cockpit gives everyone room to move around, and the outriggers are set up perfectly for trolling spreads. You'll head out to the deep blue water where the continental shelf drops off, usually 8-15 miles offshore depending on conditions and where the fish are biting. Mike reads the water constantly – looking for temperature breaks, current edges, weed lines, and bird activity that signal feeding fish below. As a beginner-friendly captain, he explains everything he's doing and why, turning every moment into a learning opportunity.
Offshore fishing in the Keys is primarily about trolling, and Mike has perfected his spreads over years of guiding these waters. He'll set up a combination of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs at different depths and distances from the boat. The outriggers keep lines separated and create the proper action that triggers strikes from pelagic species. Mike uses quality Penn and Shimano reels paired with 7-foot trolling rods that have enough backbone for big fish but won't wear you out during a long fight. He'll show you the proper fighting stance, how to pump and wind effectively, and when to let the drag do the work. The boat's fighting chair is available for larger fish, but Mike encourages beginners to try fighting fish standing up first – it's more active and gives you better control. Live bait is also an option when the trolling bite slows down, and Mike often keeps a supply of pilchards or ballyhoo for sight-casting opportunities.
Cobia are one of the most exciting fish you can target in Keys waters, and they're perfect for beginners because they fight hard but don't make the blazing runs that can intimidate new anglers. These brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) cruise the surface near crab traps, buoys, and floating debris. They're curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, giving you a clear shot with live bait or jigs. Cobia typically range from 20-40 pounds in these waters, though 50-pounders show up regularly. They're excellent table fare and fight with dogged determination rather than spectacular jumps. Spring and early summer are prime time, when they're moving through the Keys in good numbers.
Mahi-mahi are the acrobats of offshore fishing, and watching one explode from the water in a series of tail-walking jumps never gets old. These gorgeous fish with their golden flanks and electric blue-green backs are often found under floating sargassum weed or debris lines. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to trolled baits and lures, and once you hook one, there are often more in the school. Mahi grow fast and the ones you'll catch typically range from 10-30 pounds, with occasional bulls pushing 40-plus. They're fantastic eating and relatively easy to fight, making them ideal for beginners. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, though they're present year-round in varying numbers.
Yellowfin tuna represent the pinnacle of offshore fishing in the Keys – they're fast, strong, and absolutely relentless fighters that will test your endurance and technique. These silver bullets can appear anywhere from 100 to 400 pounds, though the typical catch runs 40-100 pounds. They're often found around temperature breaks and current edges, usually in deeper water. When a yellowfin hits your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately – the reel screams and the fish makes a blistering initial run that can peel off hundreds of yards of line. Mike coaches beginners through every step of the fight, helping with proper body position and breathing techniques. The meat is unparalleled – think high-end sashimi quality – and the experience of landing your first yellowfin is something you'll remember forever.
This top-rated charter fills up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weather conditions are most predictable. Captain Mike's reputation for putting beginners on fish while teaching proper techniques has made this trip a customer favorite among first-time offshore anglers. You'll return to the dock with newfound confidence, practical fishing knowledge, and hopefully a cooler full of world-class gamefish. The combination of Mike's patient instruction, quality equipment, and access to some of the best offshore fishing grounds in the country makes this trip an outstanding value for anyone ready to experience the deep water fishing that made the Florida Keys famous. Don't wait – the fish are out there and your offshore adventure is just a phone call away.
Step aboard the reliable 34' Luhrs, your home base for a full day of offshore fishing in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the Florida Keys. This well-maintained fishing machine runs on twin Caterpillar 316 HP engines that'll get you out to the productive fishing grounds smoothly, cruising at a comfortable 20 knots while you gear up for the day ahead. Built specifically for offshore work, this boat handles the Atlantic swells like a champ, giving you a stable platform whether you're fighting a hard-pulling mahi or learning to work a tuna jig. The spacious cockpit has plenty of room for up to five anglers to move around without tangling lines, and there's ample storage for tackle, bait, and your catch. Captain Mike keeps the Luhrs equipped with quality fishing gear and safety equipment, so you can focus on what matters most – getting fish in the boat. The boat's design makes it perfect for beginners who want to experience real offshore fishing without feeling overwhelmed by rough conditions or cramped quarters.
Rachycentron CanadumThese dark brown fish average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, often mistaken for sharks due to their single dorsal fin. Cobia are loners, rarely schooling, which makes each hookup special. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time here in the Keys when they move into our warmer waters. They're aggressive predators that hit bucktail jigs hard and put up a serious fight. Plus, cobia are some of the best eating fish out there - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you spot one cruising the surface, cast ahead of where it's swimming, not right at it. They spook easy but once hooked, they'll test your tackle with powerful runs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish we target - brilliant gold, blue, and green that flash like neon underwater. They average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in offshore waters. We catch them year-round, but spring through fall gives us the best action when they're most active. What guests love about mahi is the visual fishing - you can often see them before you cast, plus they're acrobatic fighters that jump and run. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The key to consistent mahi fishing is finding the right structure - look for frigate birds working over floating debris or sargassum patches. Once you find one mahi, stick around because they often travel in small groups.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 50 mph and average around 60 pounds, though they can grow much larger. You'll find them in the upper 100 feet of offshore waters where they school and feed aggressively. We target them year-round in the Keys, but spring and summer offer the most consistent action. What makes yellowfin special is their combination of raw power and table fare - they're absolute bulldogs on the line and make outstanding sushi or grilling steaks. We'll troll rigged ballyhoo and lures, but when they're feeding on top, watching one crush a surface plug is pure excitement. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - their speed and stamina will wear you out if you try to muscle them in too fast.
Florida Keys