5.0(2 Reviews)Extended Half Day Wreck Fishing in Islamorada
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
6-hour charter targets Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and GrouperCaptain Regina covers offshore waters and wreck fishing spotsAll gear provided plus complimentary Size Matters Charters shirt
Captain Regina Teixeira knows where the fish live, and she's ready to prove it on this action-packed 6-hour charter out of Islamorada. You'll split time between high-speed offshore trolling and working the productive wrecks that make the Florida Keys legendary among serious anglers. This isn't your typical half-day trip—we're talking about a legitimate fishing adventure that gives you the best of both worlds without committing to a full day on the water.
Your day starts with a quick boat briefing before we head out to hunt down some of the most sought-after species in South Florida waters. Captain Regina runs a tight ship but keeps things fun and relaxed—she's got the experience to put you on fish while making sure everyone aboard has a blast. The first part of your trip focuses on offshore trolling, where we'll cover ground looking for pelagic species like Wahoo and Mahi Mahi. Then we'll shift gears and work the nearby wrecks and structure for bottom dwellers like Grouper and Snapper. All your tackle is provided, so you just need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and an appetite for some serious fishing action. Plus, everyone goes home with a Size Matters Charters shirt as a bonus.
We start offshore pulling a spread of trolling lures designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving predators. Captain Regina sets up the boat with a mix of ballyhoo, feathers, and diving plugs at different depths and distances. When we find birds working or debris lines, that's where the magic happens. After working the blue water, we transition to wreck fishing using GPS coordinates that Captain Regina has dialed in over years of experience. Here we'll drop live bait, jigs, and bottom rigs down to structure where Grouper and Snapper hold tight. The key is reading the fish finder and adjusting your presentation based on what the sonar is showing. You'll get hands-on experience with both techniques, and Captain Regina is great about explaining what's happening so you can apply these skills on future trips.
"We came for Mahi, and weren't disappointed. The captain was great, very knowledgeable and personable, you could tell she loved doing this. We had a great time, caught lots of fish, and left with more food than we could eat! Would highly recommend!" - Glen-michael Hepworth
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing in Islamorada, and for good reason. These brilliant gold and green fish are pure dynamite on the end of your line, jumping clear out of the water and making long runs that'll test your drag system. They typically run 10-30 pounds in our waters, with bigger bulls pushing 40-plus during peak season from April through September. What makes Mahi special is their willingness to bite—once you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish before they move on. Captain Regina knows how to spot the floating debris and weedlines where these fish congregate, and she's got the trolling patterns dialed in to trigger strikes.
Wahoo might just be the fastest fish you'll ever tangle with in these waters. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and regularly smoke line off your reel before you even know what happened. They're ambush hunters that patrol the edges of the Gulf Stream, and when they hit a trolled bait, it's game on. Most Wahoo we see run 20-50 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and blistering speed making them a top-rated target species. Winter months are prime time for Wahoo fishing, when cooler water temperatures bring them closer to shore and more willing to bite.
Blackfin Tuna are the perfect combination of fight and flavor, making them a customer favorite on every trip. These compact powerhouses average 10-20 pounds but fight way above their weight class, making long runs and diving deep when hooked. They're year-round residents in our offshore waters, but the cooler months from October through April see the most consistent action. What anglers love about Blackfin is their schooling behavior—where there's one, there's usually more. They're also excellent table fare, making them perfect for the cooler.
Gag Grouper are the kings of structure fishing around Islamorada's wreck sites. These bottom dwellers can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon on the deeper wrecks. What makes Grouper fishing exciting is the initial hookup—they'll try to dive straight back into the wreck, and you've got to turn them quickly or risk getting cut off on the structure. They're ambush predators that hold tight to cover, so precise boat positioning and the right bait presentation are crucial. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Great Barracuda add an element of surprise to every trip, often showing up when you least expect them. These toothy predators are opportunistic feeders that will crash a bait or lure with explosive force. They're common around the wrecks and can reach impressive sizes—fish over 40 inches are regular catches. What makes Barracuda memorable is their aerial displays when hooked, often jumping multiple times and putting on a real show. They're also excellent on light tackle, making every hookup feel like a major event.
This extended half-day format gives you serious fishing time without the commitment of a full day charter, making it perfect for families, couples, or small groups looking to experience world-class fishing in the Florida Keys. Captain Regina's local knowledge and passion for the sport shine through on every trip, and with only 4 anglers maximum, you'll get plenty of personalized attention. The combination of offshore
This center console boat is built for serious fishing in the Florida Keys waters. With solid power and stable handling, she'll cut through the chop to get you out to the productive wrecks and reefs where the big fish live. The spacious layout gives all four anglers room to work without getting tangled up during the fight. Onboard you'll find everything needed for a successful day - GPS and fish finder to locate the hotspots, radar for those hazy morning runs, and VHF radio to stay connected. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. There's even a head onboard for convenience during those long offshore sessions. Captain Regina knows these waters and will put you on Wahoo, Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Snapper, and Grouper. Whether we're running offshore for pelagics or working the structure for bottom dwellers, this boat handles it all with ease. The combination of speed and stability means more time with lines in the water and less time getting beat up by the seas.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are small but mighty fighters that punch way above their weight class. These compact torpedoes typically run 10-25 pounds with that classic tuna build - dark back with a distinctive yellow stripe that fades after they're caught. They school up in blue water near the continental shelf, usually 100-300 feet deep, and they're most active during fall, winter, and spring months when the water cools down. What makes blackfins special is their non-stop fight on light tackle and excellent sashimi-quality meat - rich and flavorful like their bigger tuna cousins. They travel in schools with skipjacks and bonitos, so where you find one species, you'll often find others. The key to catching them is using light fluorocarbon leaders since they're sharp-eyed, and downsize your hooks to 5/0 or 6/0 circles. Chunk with pilchards or vertical jig when you mark them on the fish finder - they'll often stay down deep during the day.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - once they grab your bait, they'll try their best to drag it straight back into their hole. These guys average 20-30 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds when you find a real slab. They love structure - wrecks, ledges, rocky bottom, anywhere they can ambush prey and duck for cover. The bite's best during cooler months from fall through early spring when they're more active. What makes gags special is that powerful fight where they use every rock and crevice against you, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat that's perfect for grouper sandwiches. You'll need heavy tackle and a locked drag because once hooked, they'll bolt for the nearest hole. My go-to trick: fish with live pinfish or grunts on a circle hook, and the second you feel that thump, crank down hard and horse them up off the bottom before they know what hit them.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the neighborhood bullies of the reef - aggressive, curious, and built for speed with that long, torpedo body and mouth full of razor teeth. They typically run 2-4 feet long, though we catch some real monsters pushing 5-6 feet that'll give you a serious workout. You'll find them around coral reefs, grass flats, and mangrove edges, usually in that 10-50 foot range where they can ambush prey. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes barracuda fun is they're always ready to eat and they fight dirty - lots of head shaking and short, powerful runs. They're not great table fare due to potential ciguatera, but they're a blast to catch and release. Pro tip: they're attracted to shiny objects, so silver spoons and flashy lures work great, but watch your fingers when landing them - those teeth are no joke.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with their brilliant gold sides and electric blue backs that put on a color show when they come out of the water. They typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some real bulls pushing 50+. These fish love floating debris, weed lines, and anything drifting on the surface in that blue water beyond the reef. They're usually found in schools, so when you hook one, keep your lines in - there's likely more below. Peak season runs from spring through early fall when the water's warm. What makes mahi special is their crazy aerial fight and that sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect on the grill. Pro tip: once you boat the first one, immediately drop a live bait back down to the same spot. The rest of the school will often stick around feeding while you're fighting their buddy, and that's when you can really load up the cooler.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are pure speed demons - we're talking 50+ mph when they hit your bait. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish typically run 20-50 pounds, with that distinctive blue-striped silver body. You'll find them cruising the blue water edges and drop-offs, usually between 100-400 feet, especially around structure like wrecks or ledges. Peak action here runs July through November when they're thick. What guests love about wahoo is that explosive first run that'll scream line off your reel, plus they're fantastic eating - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The downside? They fight hard but burn out quick, so the battle's intense but short. Here's the key to landing them: use a wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through anything else, and troll fast - 12-15 knots minimum. Most guys fish too slow for wahoo. When you see that rod tip dancing at high speed, that's your fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Great experience. Capt and crew were knowledgeable and attentive! Would definitely go back.
We came for Mahi, and weren't disappointed. The captain was great, very knowledgeable and personable, you could tell she loved doi...
Islamorada, FL