Offshore Fishing Adventure in Islamorada
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target mahi, tuna, and reef species with Captain WillOffshore fishing charter accommodates up to four guestsSix to eight hour trip operated by Snap Em Up Fishing
Picture this: you're cruising out of Islamorada at dawn, rods rigged and ready, heading to some of the most productive offshore waters in the Florida Keys. Captain Will knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish that'll have you telling stories for years. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking 6 to 8 hours of serious fishing time, giving you the chance to target everything from blazing-fast mahi to hard-fighting tuna, plus work the reef for snappers when the bite is hot.
When you step aboard with Captain Will, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're getting decades of local knowledge and a captain who lives for putting clients on fish. We'll start by heading offshore to hunt for mahi and tuna in the blue water, where the real magic happens. The Gulf Stream brings in baitfish, and where there's bait, there's game fish. After working the offshore grounds, we'll swing by the reef structure to target snapper and whatever else is biting. With a maximum of 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from the captain. Don't worry about bringing lunch – this trip focuses purely on fishing time, so pack some snacks and drinks if you want to stay fueled up during the action.
Out here in Islamorada's offshore waters, we use a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. For mahi and tuna, we'll be trolling with a spread of lures – think colorful skirted ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and maybe some feathers if the conditions are right. When we mark fish on the sounder or spot a weed line, we might switch to live bait or start chunking to get them fired up. The reef fishing is a whole different game – we'll drop down with fresh cut bait or live pinfish to tempt those snappers and groupers hiding in the structure. Captain Will provides all the tackle, from the heavy spinning gear for the big pelagics to the bottom rigs for reef fishing. All you need to bring is your fishing license, some sun protection, and the desire to bend some rods.
Blackfin tuna are the bread and butter of Islamorada offshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are absolute rockets – when one hits your line, you'll know it instantly. They typically run 10 to 20 pounds out here, and they're most active in the cooler months from November through March. What makes blackfins so special is their incredible speed and the way they'll make screaming runs that'll test your drag and your arms. Plus, they're fantastic on the dinner table.
King mackerel are another top target that'll give you a fight you won't forget. These toothy critters can stretch over 40 inches and pack serious power. They're most active during the warmer months, and they love to patrol the edges of the reef and offshore structure. Kings are notorious for their blistering first run – they'll strip line off your reel faster than you can believe. The key is having your drag set just right and keeping steady pressure on them.
Mahi mahi are what dreams are made of out here. These gorgeous fish light up in brilliant blues, greens, and yellows when they're fighting, and they're known for their acrobatic jumps and determined runs. Mahi are most prevalent from spring through fall, and they love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. A good mahi bite can turn into a feeding frenzy where you'll hook multiple fish in quick succession – that's when the real excitement kicks in.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anytime and absolutely make your day. These brown sharks of the fishing world are curious fish that'll often cruise right up to the boat. They can grow massive – we're talking 30, 40, even 50-pound fish that'll give you a workout. Cobia are sight-fishing opportunities at their finest, and when you see that brown torpedo swimming toward your bait, your heart starts racing.
Black grouper represent some of the toughest fighting you'll find on the reef. These bottom-dwellers are built like tanks and know how to use every bit of structure to their advantage. When you hook a big gag grouper, the fight is all about power and leverage – they'll try to get back to their hole, and you've got to turn them before they succeed. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean.
This world-class offshore fishing experience in Islamorada delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – variety, action, and the chance to battle some of the most sought-after species in South Florida waters. Captain Will's local expertise combined with 6 to 8 hours of dedicated fishing time means you're getting maximum value for your fishing dollar. Whether you're after the speed of tuna, the beauty of mahi, or the power of reef fish, this trip covers all the bases. The intimate 4-angler capacity ensures everyone gets their shot at the fish of a lifetime. Don't let this top-rated fishing opportunity slip away – book your charter with Snap Em Up Fishing today and get ready to experience why Islamorada is considered one of the premier offshore fishing destinations in the world.
This sleek 2020 Sea Vee 29-footer is built for serious offshore fishing in Islamorada's deep waters. Twin 300HP Mercury Verados push her to 40 knots, getting you to the mahi and tuna grounds fast while maintaining a smooth, stable ride. The center console design maximizes fishing space for up to 4 anglers, with easy walk-around access to fight fish from any angle. Captain Will keeps this boat dialed in with top-notch electronics - GPS navigation, radar for those cloudy mornings, and a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure. The livewell keeps your bait fresh and frisky, while the icebox ensures your catch stays cold on the ride back to the dock. There's even a portable head onboard for those long days chasing pelagics. Whether you're trolling for mahi in the blue water or dropping down on the reef for snapper, this Sea Vee handles it all with style. The spacious cockpit gives everyone room to work, and the modern hull design cuts through chop like butter. Perfect setup for targeting multiple species during your 6-8 hour adventure in the Florida Keys.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the bulldozers of the reef system - thick, powerful fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push 100+ pounds. These olive-colored bruisers with dark rectangular blotches live around wrecks, ledges, and deep reefs from 30 feet all the way down to 300 feet depending on season. Cold weather brings them shallow, while summer pushes them deeper. What makes them exciting is the pure strength - they'll test every piece of your tackle trying to get back to their rocky hideouts. The payoff is some of the best table fare in the ocean with mild, firm white meat. You need heavy gear - 80lb braid minimum with 100lb leader because once hooked, they dive straight for the rocks. The trick is setting the hook hard and immediately cranking with maximum drag to turn their head up.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, usually running 15-30 pounds and known for their gorgeous golden stripes that fade once out of the water. These scrappy fighters prefer warm waters over 68°F and we find them year-round here, with peak action during fall, winter, and spring. They school up in open water near the continental shelf, typically 40-100 feet down. What makes them special is their incredible fight-to-size ratio - they'll test your drag and stamina way beyond what you'd expect from their size. The meat is top-notch too, perfect for sashimi or grilling. Pro tip: scale down your tackle with 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyes and spook easily from heavy gear.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the reef - stocky, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. These brown, shark-looking fish are loners most of the year, cruising around wrecks, reefs, and structures in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they're moving and feeding heavily before spawning. What makes them special is they're sight-fishing targets - you'll actually see them swimming near the surface, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat. During summer, find them holding around structure and current breaks. Here's the key: use bucktail jigs in the 4-8 oz range and don't worry about color - they'll eat anything if it's presented right near the bottom.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll make your reel scream - we're talking wahoo-level runs that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. These silver bullets average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds, with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through wire like butter. They cruise the 40-150 foot range along drop-offs and structure, especially active during our cooler months from November through March. What guests love most is the pure adrenaline rush - one minute you're trolling peacefully, next minute you're in a high-speed battle. The meat's excellent too, though watch the mercury if you're pregnant. My go-to setup uses two hooks on a wire leader - nose hook and a trailing stinger hook, because kings love to bite the tail section of live bait first.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold and electric blue colors that put on a light show when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds and rarely live past four years, but they make every minute count with spectacular jumps and strong runs. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water, usually within the first 100 feet of depth. They're active year-round here in South Florida, peaking during spring and summer months. Guests love them because they're beautiful, fight hard, jump often, and taste amazing - mild, sweet, and firm. The key trick is once you hook one, keep the boat moving and work the school because mahi travel in groups. Where there's one, there's usually several more waiting.
Islamorada