Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Islamorada
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting sailfish, tuna, and marlinExpert crew guidance for beginners and experienced anglersSixperson capacity boat exploring Islamorada waters
There's nothing quite like spending a full day chasing billfish and pelagics in the deep blue waters off Islamorada. Sea Horse Deep Sea Fishing has been putting anglers on fish in these legendary waters, and when you book with us, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of reading these waters. We'll have you targeting some of the most sought-after species in the Atlantic, from screaming sailfish to bulldogging amberjack. Whether you've been fishing these waters for decades or this is your first time dropping lines in the Gulf Stream, our crew knows how to put you on the fish that make this area famous.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how you want it when you're serious about fishing. We'll head out to our proven spots where the current breaks and the baitfish stack up – that's where the action happens. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle and all the gear you need, so you can focus on what matters: fighting fish. Our crew will handle the details like rigging baits, reading the sonar, and positioning the boat while you concentrate on keeping your rod bent. The waters around Islamorada offer everything from shallow reef action to deep drop fishing, and we'll adjust our game plan based on what the fish are telling us. You'll spend the day moving between spots, working different techniques, and covering the kind of water that holds the fish everyone talks about back at the dock.
We run a mix of trolling and live bait fishing depending on what's working best. The trolling spread typically includes a combination of ballyhoo, strip baits, and lures that imitate the baitfish these pelagics can't resist. When we mark fish on the bottom machine or see birds working, we'll switch gears to live bait fishing with goggle eyes, pilchards, or whatever bait we've got in the wells. The tackle is sized right for what we're targeting – heavy enough to handle a big marlin if one shows up, but balanced enough that you'll actually enjoy the fight. Circle hooks are standard for most of our fishing, which means better hookup ratios and healthier fish releases. Our crew will coach you through the fights, help with the gaffing and photos, and make sure you're getting the most out of every hookup.
Blackfin Tuna are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These fish average 10-25 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. What makes blackfins special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them – small trolling lures, live bait, even chunk baits. The meat is outstanding too, so you'll want to keep a few for the dinner table.
Atlantic Sailfish are the stars of the show and the reason many anglers make the trip to South Florida. These fish run 6-8 feet long and put on an aerial display that'll have you shaking with adrenaline. Peak season runs from December through April when the fish migrate south along our coast. Sailfish are sight feeders that love to work in packs, so when you hook one, there's often more around. We practice catch and release with most of our sails, and there's nothing quite like watching one of these beautiful fish swim away healthy after a good fight.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate prize fish, and Islamorada's deep water access gives us legitimate shots at these giants. While they can show up any time of year, summer months offer the best opportunities when these fish move inshore to feed. Blues can range from 100 pounds to well over 500, and every one will test your tackle and your endurance. These fish are pure power – long runs, deep dives, and the kind of fight that'll leave your arms shaking. Most marlin get released after photos, but the memory of fighting one stays with you forever.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, and they'll give you a completely different kind of fight than the pelagics. These fish live around structure in 60-200 feet of water and can weigh anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds or more. What makes amberjack fishing exciting is the initial run – when you hook a big one, it heads straight for the bottom and tries to wrap you up in whatever structure it can find. The key is stopping that first run and then grinding them up from the depths. They're excellent eating too, especially the smaller ones.
Wahoo are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These fish can hit 60 mph and are armed with razor-sharp teeth that can slice through wire if you're not careful. They're most common during the winter months and early spring, often showing up when we're trolling for other species. A wahoo bite is unmistakable – the rod loads up heavy and line starts screaming off the reel. They don't jump like billfish, but they make incredibly long, fast runs that'll have your reel smoking. The meat is white, flaky, and considered by many to be the best eating fish in the ocean.
This is the kind of fishing trip that fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red hot. Six anglers max means you're not fighting for rod time or elbow room at the rail. You'll have space to fish properly and the crew attention you deserve. The deposit holds your date, and trust me – you don't want to be the guy watching the boats come back loaded with fish while you're stuck on shore wishing you'd booked. The fishing around Islamorada is world-class, our crew knows these waters inside and out, and the only thing missing is you with a bent rod and a big
This fully-equipped offshore fishing vessel is built for serious anglers chasing big game in Islamorada's deep waters. The 6-passenger motorboat features everything you need for a comfortable day targeting sailfish, tuna, and marlin - including a flybridge for optimal fish spotting, advanced fish finder technology, and GPS navigation to get you to the hottest fishing grounds. Stay cool with onboard air conditioning between battles, grab cold drinks from the refrigerator, and rinse off in the shower after landing your catch. The full galley kitchen lets you prep fresh fish right on deck, while the head and ice box handle all the essentials. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats sharing intel on where the fish are biting. Whether you're trolling for wahoo or bottom fishing for snapper, this boat puts you in prime position to boat trophy fish in the Florida Keys' legendary offshore waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansThese are the speedsters of our waters, hitting 30+ mph with that massive dorsal sail flashing blue and silver. Most sailfish we catch run 6-8 feet and around 50 pounds, but they fight like fish twice that size. Winter's prime time here in Islamorada when they're thick in 30-80 feet of water. What guests love is the show - sailfish jump, dive, and put on aerial displays that'll get your heart racing. The bill makes them tricky to hook solid, so patience is key. They hunt in packs, changing colors to communicate while herding baitfish. We troll ballyhoo or pitch live bait, but here's the trick: when one comes up, don't set the hook right away. Let them eat it, wait for that first run, then come tight. The fight's worth the wait every time.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest tuna in the family, blackfins run 20-40 pounds and fight way above their weight class. These sleek fish show up in our waters from fall through spring, cruising warm offshore waters around 68°F and up. You'll find them schooling near the surface, often mixed with skipjacks. What makes them special is their incredible speed and stamina - they'll peel line and make long runs that'll test your drag. The meat is outstanding too, with that rich tuna flavor that's perfect for searing. Around here, we like to scale down our tackle since they've got sharp eyes. Try chunking with pilchards or vertical jigging - use fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. When you hook one, get ready for a battle that'll remind you why tuna fishing is so addictive.
Makaira NigricansThe ultimate prize fish - females can push 1,000+ pounds while males top out around 300. We call the big ones "granders" and they're every angler's dream. Blues cruise deep blue water year-round here, following warm currents and baitfish. Summer and fall are best, when water temps hit that sweet spot above 78°F. What makes them legendary is the fight - they'll sound deep, then come up throwing their whole body out of the water. The power is just unreal. We troll heavy tackle with industrial-grade reels because these fish will test every piece of gear you've got. Live bait works great since they love a good fight from their prey. My advice: when you hook one, settle in for the long haul. Keep steady pressure and let the fish work against the drag - trying to horse them in will just break something.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers are pure muscle, averaging 30-50 pounds with that distinctive amber stripe running down their bluish-grey sides. Amberjacks love structure - wrecks, reefs, oil rigs - anywhere from 60-200 feet deep. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What anglers love is the initial run when you hook one - they'll head straight for cover and test your drag system hard. The meat's excellent too, firm and white, though bigger fish can carry ciguatera so we usually keep the smaller ones. They're not picky eaters, hitting live bait, jigs, or trolled spoons. Here's the key: once you hook up, turn them away from structure immediately. Use heavy tackle and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around whatever's down there and you'll be telling the "one that got away" story.
Acanthocybium SolandriOne of the ocean's fastest fish, wahoo can hit 60 mph and typically run 3-5 feet long, averaging 20-40 pounds. They're loners most of the time, cruising open water and structure edges in depths up to 200 feet. Fall and winter are prime here in Islamorada when they're chasing baitfish through our area. What makes them special is that blazing speed - the initial run will scream line off your reel like nothing else. Plus, the meat is fantastic - white, flaky, and mild. Locals call them "ono" which means delicious in Hawaiian, and they're right. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best with wire leaders since their razor teeth will cut anything else. Pro tip: when you see those zebra stripes flash behind the boat, get ready. The bite is violent and they'll test your reflexes, but that first searing run makes it all worth it.
Islamorada, FL