Whole Day Fishing Adventure in Key West FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing charter targets premium speciesEighthour trip accommodates up to six experienced anglersMultiple techniques include deep sea and kite fishing
Picture this: you're standing at the stern of a well-rigged charter boat at sunrise, coffee in hand, watching the lights of Key West fade behind you as we head to some of the most productive offshore waters in Florida. That's exactly what you'll get with RideOut Charters' full-day fishing experience. At $1,600 for up to six anglers, this 8-hour charter gives you serious bang for your buck and plenty of time to work the water properly. We're not rushing back to the dock after a couple hours – we're staying out there until we've given you the best shot at filling the fish box.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get your sea legs before heading home. Eight hours on the water means we can run to the good spots without watching the clock, and trust me, that makes all the difference. We'll be targeting some of Key West's most sought-after species in their prime habitat, using everything from live bait to high-speed trolling to get you hooked up. The boat leaves the dock at 8 AM sharp, so we catch that prime morning bite when fish are actively feeding. By the time other charters are heading in for lunch, we're just hitting our stride. The variety of fishing we'll do keeps things interesting – one minute you might be working a jig on a wreck, the next you could be fighting a sailfish that grabbed our kite bait. That's the beauty of a full-day trip in these waters.
Key West offshore fishing is all about adapting to conditions and knowing when to switch things up. We'll start the day trolling the reef line and weed edges where mahi mahi love to hang out, then move to deeper structure for amberjack and grouper. Bottom fishing with circle hooks and heavy tackle lets us pull big snapper and grouper off the reef before they can get back to their holes. When conditions are right, we'll deploy kites with live baits – this technique is deadly for sailfish and wahoo that want their bait moving naturally on the surface. Jigging over wrecks and hard bottom produces some of the biggest fish, especially when the current is moving just right. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is we have time to really work each technique properly instead of rushing from spot to spot.
Black grouper are the kings of the deep reefs around Key West, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 40+ pounds and will test every bit of your tackle and technique. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, hanging around ledges and wrecks in 80-120 feet of water. What makes them so exciting is the fight – they'll try to get back to their hole the second they feel the hook, so you've got to turn their head and get them up quickly. The meat is phenomenal too, which is why they're always a customer favorite.
Gag grouper might not get as big as their black cousins, but they're scrappy fighters that'll give you a workout. These guys are year-round residents, though they're most aggressive in spring and fall. You'll find them around structure in 60-100 feet, and they're notorious for that initial run toward the bottom when hooked. What's great about gags is they're usually willing biters when you put the right bait in front of them.
Blackfin tuna are the speed demons of our local waters, and they'll absolutely scream drag off your reel. These fish are around year-round but really light up in summer when the water's warm. They typically run 10-25 pounds and travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, head shakes, and they don't give up until they're in the boat.
Red grouper are probably the most reliable fish we target, which is why they're perfect for charter fishing. They're curious and aggressive, often coming up to investigate the boat. You'll find them on sandy bottom mixed with hard structure, and they're year-round residents. While they might not fight as hard as other grouper species, they make up for it by being consistent biters and excellent table fare.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as they're properly called, are what dreams are made of in Key West. These gorgeous fish with their electric colors are most abundant in spring and summer, usually found around floating sargassum or debris lines. They're amazing jumpers that'll put on a show once hooked, and they often travel in schools. Bulls can push 30+ pounds, while the smaller females are still fantastic fighters. The bite can be wide open one day and tough the next, but when they're biting, it's game on.
Look, I've been running charters in these waters for years, and I can tell you that a full-day trip is the way to experience Key West fishing properly. You're not just buying 8 hours of fishing time – you're getting access to spots that are too far for shorter trips, techniques that need time to work, and the chance to really learn the water. At $1,600 for up to six people, you're looking at about $267 per angler for a world-class offshore experience. That's hard to beat anywhere, especially in waters this productive. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from top-shelf tackle to safety gear, and we'll clean your catch at the dock. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Give us a call and let's get you set up for a day of fishing you'll be talking about for years.
This beautifully restored 30-foot WhiteWater center console is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in Key West waters. Powered by twin 200HP Yamahas, she'll cruise at 29 knots to get you to the best fishing grounds fast and back home comfortable. The 2022 restoration means everything's fresh and ready to handle whatever the Gulf throws at you. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods whether you're jigging for amberjack, kite fishing for sailfish, or bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of mahi and tuna. When nature calls during those long 8-hour days, the onboard head keeps you fishing instead of heading back early. Perfect setup for targeting trophy fish in Key West's legendary offshore waters.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are bruisers that average 2-3 feet but can hit 50+ pounds. These olive-gray fish with dark blotches love hanging around reefs, wrecks, and ledges anywhere from 30 to 300 feet deep. They're ambush predators with massive mouths - they don't nibble, they inhale their prey whole. Winter through spring offers the best action when they move shallower. Guests love them for the incredible fight they put up and the sweet, firm meat that's perfect for the table. My tip: once you feel that thump, start cranking immediately and keep steady pressure - don't give them a chance to dive back into the rocks where they'll cut you off every time.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. They typically run 15-30 pounds and rarely exceed 40, with distinctive black fins and bronze reflections. These pelagic speedsters cruise warm offshore waters around the continental shelf, often schooling with skipjacks. Peak season here is fall through spring when water temps stay above 68°F. Anglers love their fierce fights and premium sashimi-quality meat. They're sharp-eyed, so scale down your tackle - use 30lb fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. My go-to technique is vertical jigging or chunking with pilchards, and always have live chum ready to bring them to the boat.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the gray ghosts of the reef, averaging 20 inches but capable of reaching 4+ feet. Males are darker with distinctive reticulated dorsal fins, while females show marbled patterns. You'll find them around rocky bottoms, reefs, and drop-offs from shallow water to 200+ feet. They love structure and often hang with kingfish and Spanish mackerel. Spring and fall produce the best fishing when they're more active. These fish put up a serious scrap and have excellent table fare. Pro tip: look for stone crab traps - gags love hanging around them for easy meals. Use circle hooks with live bait and keep your drag locked tight to prevent them from diving into cover.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow fighters of the offshore world - golden sides with electric blues and greens that put on a light show when hooked. They average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+, growing fast in warm waters around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they follow the Gulf Stream closer to shore. These acrobatic jumpers provide non-stop action and make outstanding table fare with mild, firm white meat. Look for frigate birds working debris piles - that's where the mahi will be. Troll ballyhoo or lures at 6-8 knots, making them skip on the surface to trigger strikes from these aggressive predators.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are the most common grouper we target, with their rusty-red color and white spots making them easy to identify. Most run 5-10 pounds, though we see some pushing 20+. They live on muddy and rocky bottoms from 10 to 300 feet, preferring reefs, ledges, and wrecks. These fish are available year-round but fishing peaks outside their spawning closure (January-April). They're aggressive strikers and tough fighters that guests love for both the battle and the sweet, flaky meat - many say it's the best-tasting grouper. Use heavy tackle because they'll try to get back to the rocks. Fresh shrimp or crab works great, and don't be surprised if a shark tries to steal your catch on the way up.
Key West