5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Mahi, Grouper & Snapper Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour advanced fishing trip targeting mahi, grouper and snapperFastpaced techniques designed for experienced anglers seeking big catchesCaptain Alison guides trips on 6guest Sportsman Center Console
Looking for serious fishing action without burning a whole day? Captain Alison's 4-hour advanced trip out of Cudjoe Key delivers the goods. This isn't your typical tourist fishing charter – we're talking fast-paced fishing designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to put some quality fish in the cooler. You'll be working productive grounds where mahi mahi, black grouper, red grouper, and mutton snapper call home, using techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the real deal.
Captain Alison runs a tight ship aboard the Sportsman Center Console, and she's got the local knowledge to put you on fish when others are striking out. This trip moves at a good clip – we're not spending time teaching knots or basic casting. You'll hit multiple spots depending on conditions, switching between bottom fishing for grouper and chasing mahi in blue water. The flexible departure times mean you can pick the window that works best for your schedule, whether you're an early bird looking to beat the heat or prefer an afternoon bite. With up to 6 anglers on board, there's plenty of room to spread out and work your spots without getting lines tangled. The Sportsman platform gives you the stability you need for fighting bigger fish while staying comfortable during the run to the grounds.
This trip focuses on proven methods that produce consistent results in these waters. For the grouper, you'll be dropping heavy jigs and live bait to structure in 60-120 feet of water, using quality circle hooks and enough weight to stay in contact with bottom in the current. The mahi fishing involves working weed lines, debris, and temperature breaks where these fish stack up to feed. Captain Alison provides the tackle suited for each target – heavy enough to muscle grouper out of the rocks but balanced enough to feel every head shake from a bull mahi. You'll learn to read the electronics, spot bait schools, and work areas where multiple species overlap. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish are doing that day, whether they're hitting topwater presentations or want bait dead on bottom.
"Alison was amazing! Great fishing and hanging at the sandbar! Definitely 5 star service." - Melinda
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of these waters, holding tight to hard bottom and structure where they ambush baitfish. These chunky fighters typically run 3-8 pounds but can push into the teens when you find the right spot. They're most active during moving water, especially on the incoming tide when bait gets pushed over the reefs. Red grouper hit hard and dive straight for cover, so you need to turn them quick once you set the hook. What makes them special is their willingness to bite year-round and their excellent table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Mahi Mahi bring the excitement factor with their aerial displays and blazing runs. These offshore beauties average 10-20 pounds in these waters, with bulls pushing 30-plus when conditions align. Peak season runs from spring through fall, but you can find them around floating debris and weed lines most of the year. Once you hook into a school, the action can be non-stop as they travel in groups and get competitive when feeding. Their electric colors – that brilliant gold and green – make every catch photo-worthy, plus they're one of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, mild flesh.
Mutton Snapper are the prize for anglers who appreciate a smart, spooky fish. These copper-colored beauties typically run 3-10 pounds and require finesse to fool consistently. They're structure-oriented like grouper but much more selective about what they'll eat. Muttons are most active during warmer months and around the new and full moon phases when they move shallow to spawn. Fighting-wise, they're strong and stubborn, using their broad sides to bulldoze toward cover. Many consider mutton snapper the finest eating fish in Florida waters – the meat is sweet, firm, and takes on whatever seasoning you throw at it.
Black Grouper represent the apex predator of the grouper family, growing larger and fighting harder than their red cousins. These bruisers can exceed 30 pounds and live in deeper, more remote areas where the pressure is lighter. They're opportunistic feeders that will crush everything from small fish to crabs, making them willing biters when you find them home. Black grouper prefer ledges, wrecks, and deep reefs where they can use their size advantage. The bigger specimens are pure power – they'll test your drag system and your back muscles. Their meat is similar to red grouper but with a slightly firmer texture that holds up well to various cooking methods.
This advanced half-day trip fills up quick with serious anglers who know quality fishing when they see it. Captain Alison's local knowledge combined with her no-nonsense approach means you're spending time fishing, not fooling around. The flexible scheduling works perfect for targeting peak bite times, and the 4-hour format gives you plenty of action without eating your whole day. Whether you're looking to stock the freezer or test your skills against some of Florida's best fighting fish, this trip delivers the goods. The Cudjoe Key location puts you close to both inshore structure and offshore opportunities, maximizing your fishing time. Don't wait – the best fishing windows book fast, especially during prime seasons when these species are most active.
Captain Alison's 2014 Sportsman Center Console is built for serious fishing in Cudjoe Key waters. This 21-footer packs a punch with its reliable 150HP Yamaha engine, cruising comfortably at 30 knots to get you to the hottest mahi and grouper spots quickly. The center console layout gives everyone aboard plenty of room to fight fish, while the GPS and fish finder combo help locate structure where big snapper and grouper hang out. With space for up to 6 anglers, this boat handles both bottom fishing for grouper and chasing mahi in deeper waters. The setup is perfect for advanced techniques - whether you're dropping baits to the bottom or working the offshore bite. Built tough and designed for Florida Keys fishing, this Sportsman delivers the speed and stability you need to make the most of your 4-hour window on productive fishing grounds.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of our reef system, and they'll test every bit of your tackle and skill. These dark, mottled bruisers average over 2 feet but can reach monster proportions - the record is 124 pounds. They lurk around wrecks, ledges, and deep reefs from 30-300 feet, with cooler months bringing them shallower. What sets them apart is their incredible strength and determination to get back to structure once hooked. The meat is outstanding - mild flavor with a firm, flaky texture that's loaded with nutrients. They're ambush predators that inhale prey whole, so when you feel that thump, don't hesitate. My advice: bring heavy gear with at least 20 pounds of drag and 80-pound braid. The moment you hook up, lean on them hard and don't give an inch, or they'll drag you straight into the rocks and break you off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the gold standard for offshore action around Cudjoe Key. These vibrant fish average 15-29 pounds and put on a spectacular show with their color-changing abilities and acrobatic jumps. You'll find them under floating debris, weed lines, and around current edges in blue water. They're surface dwellers that love chasing flying fish, so we'll troll ballyhoo or work the edges with live bait. The fight is pure adrenaline - they'll jump, run, and test every inch of your tackle. Plus, the meat is some of the best you'll ever taste - mild, sweet, and perfect for the grill. My go-to trick is watching for frigate birds working debris piles. Where you see birds diving, there's usually a school of hungry mahi underneath waiting to hammer your baits.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are the prize catch for serious reef fishermen around Cudjoe Key. These pink-tinted snappers typically run 5-15 pounds, though monsters up to 34 pounds roam our deeper reefs. You'll find them along rocky edges and coral heads in 80-200 feet, often hanging just outside the structure in sandy pockets. They're known as tough fighters among snappers, making solid runs when hooked. The meat is top-shelf - firm, white, and perfect for any preparation. What makes them tricky is their wariness - fresh bait and light weights are essential. Once they feel the hook, they'll bolt straight for the rocks. Here's my secret: use a knocker rig with the freshest ballyhoo you can find, and let it drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink flash coming up through clear water, that's when you know you've got one.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are one of the most reliable bottom dwellers you'll find around Cudjoe Key's reefs and wrecks. These rusty-red fish average 5-10 pounds, though they can push 50+ pounds if you're lucky. They hang out in 10-100 feet of water around rocky bottoms and structure, making them perfect targets for our half-day trips. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks. The meat is fantastic too, with a firm, flaky texture that tastes almost sweet from their shellfish diet. Pro tip: once you hook one, immediately start pulling hard and get them away from structure. They don't nibble - when you feel that thump, set the hook and start cranking because they'll suck your bait down whole.
5.0 out of 5.0Alison was amazing! Great fishing and hanging at the sandbar! Definitely 5 star service.
Cudjoe Key