3/4 Day Offshore Mahi and Tuna Charter
Private Trip
Fishing
Six-hour offshore charter targeting mahi and tuna beyond the coastFast 35-knot boat reaches fishing grounds 6-20 miles offshore efficientlyPremium equipment, licenses, bait, and filleting included for four guests
When you're ready to leave the shallows behind and chase some serious fish, this six-hour offshore adventure with Tailgator Charters puts you right in the action. We're talking about the real deal here – heading 6 to 20 miles out from Key Largo where the big boys hang out. At $900 for up to four anglers, you get a full morning and afternoon on the water starting at 8 AM, giving you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. This isn't your typical half-day quickie – we've got the time to really hunt down those trophy mahi, blackfin tuna, and whatever else wants to play in the deep blue.
You'll meet the crew bright and early at 8 AM, and we waste no time getting you to the fish. Our boat cruises at 35 knots, so we cover ground fast and get you fishing instead of just riding. The extended six-hour window is what makes this trip special – we can bounce between multiple spots, adjust our game plan based on what we're seeing, and really dial in on where the fish are holding. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or this is your first time chasing pelagics, our crew works with your skill level. We've got all the premium gear onboard, your fishing licenses are covered, and we provide live bait that gets these fish fired up. When it's time to head back, we'll fillet your catch so you're taking home dinner-ready fish. Don't forget to bring some snacks and lunch since we're out there through the day – we provide bottled water, but you'll want to fuel up for the action.
Out here in the blue water, we run a mix of trolling spreads and drift fishing depending on what the fish want. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and finding active schools – we'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, bonito strips, and artificials at different depths to see what triggers strikes. When we mark fish or hit a productive area, we'll often switch to drift fishing with live pilchards or goggle-eyes. The boat carries top-shelf tackle rigged and ready, from 20-pound spinning setups for smaller tunas to 50-pound trolling rigs for the bigger mahi and wahoo that patrol these waters. Our electronics help us read the bottom structure, mark bait schools, and track temperature breaks where predators like to hunt. Six hours gives us time to really work an area – if the trolling bite is slow, we can switch to live bait and vice versa. The crew knows these waters and will put you on fish using whatever technique is working that day.
Mahi mahi are the stars of this show, and Key Largo's offshore waters serve them up in impressive numbers and sizes. These fish are pure excitement – they hit hard, jump like crazy, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. School-size mahi run 5 to 15 pounds, but we regularly see bulls pushing 30 to 40 pounds, especially around floating debris or weed lines. Peak season runs from April through August, but you can find good mahi action almost year-round in South Florida waters. What makes them so special is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish before they scatter.
Blackfin tuna are another customer favorite, and these little rockets pack serious power for their size. Most blackfins we catch range from 5 to 20 pounds, but don't let the size fool you – pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fighters in the ocean. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, often mixing with mahi and other pelagics. Blackfins are excellent table fare, making perfect sashimi or seared tuna steaks. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, but we find them year-round in the deeper offshore waters.
Wahoo bring the speed and the teeth to this fishery. These silver bullets can hit 60 mph and will test your reflexes and your drag system. Most wahoo we encounter run 15 to 30 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 50-plus. They're ambush predators that love high-speed trolling, often hitting baits pulled at 12 to 15 knots. Winter months from December through March are prime time for wahoo, when they move through in good numbers. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious – many anglers consider it the best eating fish in the ocean.
Great barracuda add an element of surprise to every trip. These toothy predators lurk around structure and will absolutely demolish a bait when they decide to feed. Cuda can reach impressive sizes offshore – we see fish from 10 pounds up to 40-plus pound giants that look like submarines when they cruise by the boat. They're year-round residents but seem most active during warmer months. While many anglers release barracuda, smaller ones make decent table fare when prepared properly, and the big ones provide memorable photo opportunities.
This world-class offshore fishing experience gives you everything you need for a top-rated day on the water. Six hours of fishing time, premium equipment, experienced crew, and productive fishing grounds make this charter a customer favorite among serious anglers. The extended timeframe sets this trip apart – you're not rushed, you can adapt to conditions, and you have real opportunities to boat multiple species. At $900 for up to four anglers, you're looking at great value for a full day of offshore action. Key Largo's deep water fishing is trending for good reason – consistent action, variety of species, and the chance at legitimate trophy fish. Book your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best fishing the Florida Keys has to offer.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of the tuna family but don't let size fool you - these 20-40 pound torpedoes pack serious punch. They school up in the deeper water along continental shelf edges and current breaks, usually 10-20 miles offshore in our area. Fall through spring is when they're most consistent here in the Keys, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot around 70°F. What anglers love is their tenacious fight and that premium tuna meat that's perfect for sushi or searing. They've got sharp eyes, so you need to scale down your tackle - #30 fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks work best. The secret is chumming with live pilchards to get them fired up, then dropping back a live bait or small jig into the frenzy.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ambush predators that patrol our reefs and drop-offs, typically running 2-4 feet but occasionally pushing 6 feet of pure muscle and attitude. You'll find them around structure, wrecks, and reef edges where they can use cover to hunt. They're here year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them fun is that explosive strike and the acrobatic fight that follows - they'll jump, shake their heads, and make powerful runs. Most folks release them since the meat can be iffy, but the fight alone is worth it. They hunt by sight and love shiny lures, so chrome spoons and flashy plugs work great. Just remember to use a wire leader because those teeth will cut through anything else in a heartbeat.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter out here, with brilliant golden sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real color show when they come out of the water. They average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks 6-20 miles offshore. Peak season runs spring through fall when water temps climb above 70°F. What makes them special is their incredible fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, the meat is top-notch eating with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes peeled for others since they often travel in small schools. If you see birds working debris piles, that's where you want to be trolling.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters, clocking up to 60 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies and razor teeth that'll slice through mono like butter. These silver bullets with blue stripes typically run 3-5 feet and patrol the deeper blue water from 6-20 miles out. July through November is prime time here in the Keys when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked is that explosive strike and screaming first run - they'll peel line faster than almost any fish out there. The meat is fantastic too, white and flaky with a mild taste that's perfect for the grill. Here's the key: troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders and keep your lures skipping on the surface. When one hits, hang on tight because the first few seconds will tell you if your drag is set right.
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