Charter Fishing Key West | 8HR Trip Offshore
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour charter targets MahiMahi, Sailfish, and Grouper offshoreProfessional captain provides guidance for offshore and nearshore fishingSingle guest capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Get ready for a full day on the water with Swan Charters, where we'll put you on some of the best fishing grounds around Key West. This 8-hour charter gives you the flexibility to hit the offshore blue water for pelagics or stay closer to the reef for bottom fish – it's your call, and we'll guide you based on what's biting and what you want to target. With just one angler on board, you get personalized attention and can fish at your own pace without worrying about sharing the action with a crowd.
Your day starts early when conditions are prime and the fish are most active. We'll head out from Key West harbor and make our way to either the offshore grounds or the nearshore reefs, depending on your preference and what the captain's seeing on the fish finder. The offshore bite typically means trolling the deep blue for mahi, tuna, and sailfish, while nearshore fishing puts us over structure where grouper, snapper, and other reef fish hang out. You'll be fishing with quality tackle suited for whatever we're targeting – from lighter spinning gear for mahi to heavy bottom rigs for big grouper. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while sharing local knowledge about tides, structure, and seasonal patterns that make Key West fishing world-class.
Offshore, we'll be trolling a spread of baits and lures at different depths to cover the water column. This means rigging ballyhoo, diving plugs, and feathers that imitate the baitfish these pelagics feed on. When we mark fish or hit a weed line, we might switch to live bait or casting lures to actively feeding schools. For nearshore fishing, we're talking about bottom fishing over ledges, wrecks, and coral heads where grouper and snapper set up shop. Heavy sinkers get your bait down to the strike zone, and circle hooks help with proper releases when needed. The captain will handle the boat positioning and help with rigging, but you'll be doing the fishing – setting the hook, fighting the fish, and bringing them to the boat. We carry a full selection of tackle sizes so whether you hook into a 5-pound mahi or a monster goliath grouper, you'll have the right gear for the fight.
Mahi-mahi are the crown jewel of Key West offshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are pure dynamite when hooked, jumping clear out of the water and making long runs that'll test your drag settings. They're most active from spring through fall, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks in 100-400 feet of water. What makes mahi special is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find one, there are usually more in the area, and they'll hit everything from live bait to bright-colored lures. A good mahi runs 10-20 pounds, but we see fish over 30 pounds regularly in these waters.
Lane snapper might be smaller than their yellowtail cousins, but they're scrappy fighters that'll keep your rod bent all day. These reef dwellers are most active during summer months and are perfect for anglers who enjoy consistent action. They school up over hard bottom in 40-120 feet of water and will hit small jigs, live shrimp, or cut bait. What's great about lane snapper is their willingness to bite – even when other species are being finicky, you can usually count on lanes to cooperate and put some bend in your rod.
Black grouper are the ultimate reef predators and offer some of the most challenging fishing in Key West waters. These fish are ambush feeders that hang tight to structure, and when hooked, they immediately try to get back to their rocky hideouts. The fight is typically short but intense – it's all about stopping that first powerful run before they cut you off on the rocks. Black grouper are most active during cooler months and can be found in 60-200 feet of water. A quality black grouper runs 5-15 pounds, though we occasionally see much larger specimens that'll really test your tackle and technique.
Goliath grouper fishing is catch-and-release only, but hooking one of these giants is an experience you won't forget. These massive fish can exceed 400 pounds and will absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. They're found around wrecks, ledges, and artificial reefs throughout the year, though summer tends to be most productive. What makes goliath grouper fishing special is the sheer power of these fish – they're like hooking into a submarine, and landing one requires teamwork between angler and captain. The fight is more about endurance than speed, and seeing one of these prehistoric-looking giants at boatside is always a highlight.
Blackfin tuna are the speed demons of Key West waters, offering lightning-fast runs and consistent pressure throughout the fight. These fish are available year-round but are most abundant during winter and spring months. Blackfins typically weigh 10-25 pounds and are found in offshore waters from 100-1000+ feet deep. They're excellent eating and provide great sport on medium tackle. What anglers love about blackfin tuna is their predictable behavior – when you find schools, they'll often feed aggressively on live bait, small lures, or trolled baits, giving you multiple shots at hookups.
Eight hours gives us plenty of time to explore different areas and techniques, whether you want to chase the offshore bite or work the reefs for bottom fish. With personalized service for just one angler, you'll get the full attention of an experienced captain who knows how to put you on fish in these legendary waters. Key West fishing is productive year-round, but each season offers different opportunities and target species. Don't wait too long to secure your date – the
Cast off in our 2019 SeaVee 33ft center console, perfectly rigged for serious Key West fishing adventures. This beauty cuts through the waters at up to 40 knots with twin Yamaha 300HP engines, getting you to the best fishing spots fast. Whether you're chasing Mahi-Mahi offshore or working nearshore reefs for Grouper and Sailfish, this boat handles it all. Built for 6 anglers with plenty of deck space to fight fish, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. GPS navigation and fish finder help locate the action, while the onboard head keeps everyone comfortable during those long 8-hour fishing days. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, guiding you to where the fish are biting. From trolling the blue water to bottom fishing the wrecks, this versatile fishing machine delivers the goods.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweight champions of the reef. These bruisers average 20-30 pounds but can push well over 50 pounds when you find the right spots. Look for them around wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 80-300 feet of water. They move shallow in winter and head deeper when it warms up. What makes blacks so popular is that first run - they'll test your drag and your arms with pure bottom-hugging power. The meat is top-shelf too, with that firm white flesh grouper are famous for. They're ambush predators that inhale whatever looks tasty, so live bait or big chunks work best. Key tip: once you feel that bite, crank hard and fast to get them off the bottom before they wrap you up in the rocks and cut you off.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the perfect size tuna for putting a serious bend in your rod without breaking your back. These beauties typically run 10-25 pounds and are absolutely gorgeous with their dark backs, silver sides, and distinctive yellow stripe. We find them in blue water from fall through spring, usually around structure or temperature breaks in 100-400 feet. They school up with skipjacks and travel fast, so when we find them, the action gets hot quickly. What guests love is their feisty fight and that amazing sashimi-grade meat. They've got sharp eyes though, so we scale down to lighter leaders - 30-pound fluoro works best. The trick is to use live pilchards for chum to draw them close, then drop a small jig or live bait down quickly before they spook.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our waters - true monsters that can hit 400+ pounds and live over 50 years. These prehistoric-looking fish hang around shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-150 feet. Summer months bring the best action when they gather for spawning. What draws anglers is the sheer power and size - that first pull can literally yank you off balance. They're protected species, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but the experience of battling one is unforgettable. You'll need heavy tackle - 80-pound braid minimum with 100-pound leader and big circle hooks. They'll eat anything: crabs, rays, even small turtles. My advice: anchor just close enough to the structure to draw them out, but far enough to have a fighting chance of turning them before they cave you up.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are those colorful pink and yellow striped fish that show up as bonus catches when we're working the reefs. They typically run 10-14 inches and weigh 3-7 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy areas with good structure, anywhere from 20 feet down to 200+ feet. They're most active at night and during their spawn from March through September. What guests love about lanes is they're scrappy little fighters that bend the rod good for their size, plus they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're not shy about taking bait either - shrimp, squid, or cut bait works great. Here's the trick: use lighter tackle and smaller hooks since they can be line-shy in clear water.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands down one of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here. These golden beauties with electric blue and green sides put on a real color show when they hit the boat. Most run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen some big bulls push 40+. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines offshore, usually in 100-600 feet of water. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and tail-walk like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that firm, mild white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lines in the water. Mahi travel in schools, and where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
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