Full Day Offshore Fishing Trip in Florida Keys
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting cobia, mahimahi, and yellowfin tunaCaptain Mike provides expert guidance aboard comfortable 34foot Luhrs vesselPrivate charter accommodates up to five guests of all skill levels
Looking for the real deal when it comes to deep water fishing in the Florida Keys? Captain Mike's got you covered with an 8-hour offshore adventure that'll put you on some of the hottest fishing grounds in South Florida. We're talking about the kind of trip where you'll be battling cobia, mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna in crystal-clear waters that stretch as far as the eye can see. His 34-foot Luhrs is built for comfort and performance, handling up to five anglers who want to experience what makes the Keys one of the world's premier fishing destinations. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Mike knows how to put you on fish and make sure everyone has a blast doing it.
Your day starts early – we're talking first light departure to maximize your time in the productive waters. Captain Mike runs a tight ship, but the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. The 34-foot Luhrs gives everyone plenty of room to move around, with a comfortable cabin for when you need a break from the sun and plenty of deck space for fighting fish. We'll be heading out to depths anywhere from 100 to 400 feet, depending on where the fish are holding that day. The ride out takes about 30-45 minutes, giving you time to rig up, talk strategy, and get pumped for what's ahead. Captain Mike's been working these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to find the structure, weed lines, and temperature breaks that hold the big fish. The best part? This is your private charter, so there's no sharing space with strangers or waiting for other people to catch up.
We'll be running a spread of trolling lures and live bait to cover all the bases. Captain Mike sets up the rods with everything from ballyhoo rigs to high-speed wahoo lures, depending on what's been producing. The boat's equipped with top-notch Penn and Shimano reels that can handle anything from a screaming mahi run to a stubborn cobia that wants to dive back to the bottom. If you've got your own gear and want to use it, that's cool too – just make sure your drag is set properly because these fish don't mess around. We'll work the edges of the Gulf Stream, drop-offs, and any floating debris or sargassum weed lines we find. When the bite gets hot, it's all hands on deck – literally. Captain Mike will coach you through the fight, help with the gaff work, and make sure you get those hero shots with your catch.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world, and the Florida Keys hold some absolute tanks. These fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 50-plus when you find the right schools. They're most active from April through September, cruising around structure and following rays along the bottom. What makes cobia so fun is their attitude – they'll eat just about anything you throw at them, from live crabs to bucktail jigs. When you hook one, they make powerful runs and try to wrap you up on whatever structure they can find. The fight is pure arm-burning fun, and the meat is some of the best eating in the ocean.
Yellowfin tuna are the speed demons that'll test your tackle and your stamina. In the Keys, we're looking at fish in the 20-60 pound range, with bigger ones showing up during the cooler months from November through March. These fish are built for speed and endurance, making blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. They school up around drop-offs and temperature breaks, often feeding with dolphins or birds working the surface. The key is getting your bait down quick when you mark them on the sounder. Once hooked, yellowfins fight hard all the way to the boat, and their sashimi-grade meat makes them a prized catch for any angler.
Mahi-mahi, or dolphin fish, are the acrobats of the offshore scene and absolutely love the warm waters around the Keys. These beautiful fish are most abundant from May through August, when the sargassum weed lines are thick and the water temperatures are perfect. They average 10-25 pounds but can reach 40-plus when conditions are right. What makes mahi special is their aggressive nature and aerial displays – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Plus, mahi are fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Captain Mike's Full Day Offshore trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – access to premier fishing grounds, expert local knowledge, and the kind of action that keeps you coming back for more. Eight hours gives you plenty of time to work different areas, target multiple species, and really dial in on what's biting. The 34-foot Luhrs provides the perfect platform for up to five anglers, whether you're a family group, bunch of buddies, or mixed crew of different skill levels. Remember, you're not just booking a fishing trip – you're getting a front-row seat to some of the best offshore fishing the Atlantic has to offer. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around. Give Captain Mike a call and lock in your dates for a day on the water you'll be talking about for years to come.
This 34' Luhrs is your ticket to serious offshore action in the Florida Keys. Built tough for open water fishing, she's powered by twin Caterpillar 316 HP engines that'll get you out to the deep blue where the big fish live. The boat cruises comfortably at 20 knots, eating up miles to reach those prime fishing grounds where cobia, mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna patrol the waters. With room for up to five anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up. The stable platform handles the swells like a champ, letting you focus on fighting fish instead of fighting seasickness. Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this Luhrs gives him the range and reliability to put you on the fish day after day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this boat's got the comfort and fishability to make your 8-hour adventure productive and enjoyable.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are often mistaken for sharks because of their dark brown color and single dorsal fin, but they're actually fantastic eating fish that average around 30-50 pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and floating debris in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time here in the Keys when they're moving through during migration. These fish are loners, so when you spot one, there might be more nearby. They put up a solid fight and the meat is firm and delicious - like a cross between shark and grouper. My tip: when sight fishing for cobia, cast your bucktail jig well ahead of where they're swimming and work it back slowly. They're curious fish but spook easily, so patience pays off when targeting these brown torpedoes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi-mahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch out here - brilliant gold, green, and blue that puts on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish typically run 10-25 pounds and are found around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in open water. They're year-round residents in the Keys, but spring and summer offer the best action. Mahi are aggressive feeders that'll hit trolled ballyhoo, live bait, or jigs, and they jump like crazy when hooked. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the ocean - mild and sweet. Here's the key: when you find one mahi, slow down and work the area thoroughly. They often travel in schools, and where there's one, there's usually more hiding nearby.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the speed demons of our offshore waters, hitting 50 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies and bright yellow fins. Most fish we catch run 40-80 pounds, though they can push over 200. They cruise the upper 100 feet of blue water, often around weed lines and temperature breaks. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are right. These fish are pure adrenaline - long, screaming runs that'll test your gear and endurance. The meat is top-shelf sushi grade, perfect for searing or eating raw. When trolling, rigged ballyhoo and skirted lures work great, but don't overlook chunking with live bait when you mark fish deep. Pro tip: once you hook up, clear the other lines fast - yellowfin often travel in schools and you might get multiple hookups.
Florida Keys