Ready to get your rods bent and reels screaming? Our 6-hour private offshore charter takes you straight to the action-packed waters of the Florida Keys. Whether you're chasing hard-fighting pelagics or looking to tangle with a bucket-list billfish, we've got the local know-how to put you on the fish. Grab your crew, pack some snacks, and let's hit the blue water for an unforgettable day of Key West sportfishing.
We'll start the day early, loading up our 33-foot Mako with everything needed for a successful offshore run. As we clear the harbor, keep your eyes peeled for diving birds and surface activity – signs that often lead us straight to the fish. We'll mix it up between trolling spreads and running-and-gunning on schools of bait, giving you the full offshore experience. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so we'll adapt our tactics to target whatever's biting best that day. Whether it's pulling plastics for mahi, live-baiting for yellowfin, or sight-casting to a cruising sail, we've got you covered. And don't worry if you're new to big game fishing – we'll walk you through every step, from setting the spread to working the fighting chair when that big one hits.
Offshore fishing in Key West is all about versatility. We'll rig up a mix of trolling lures, skirted ballyhoo, and live baits to cover our bases. When the bite is on, we might switch to kite fishing or even break out the butterfly jigs for some vertical action on the deep wrecks. Our boat is decked out with top-notch Penn and Shimano gear, spooled with heavy mono and braid to handle whatever decides to eat. We provide all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle – just bring your game face and maybe a lucky hat. And don't sweat the paperwork; your fishing license is covered under our charter permit. From rigging baits to gaffing fish, our crew will be right there to lend a hand and share some local tips to up your offshore game.
"Captain Todd and Steve gave us an amazing experience.. besides having an epic day of shark fishing they had us laughing and bustin like we've been friends for years.. 100% recommend and will absolutely book another charter next time we're in town.. thank you for a great trip guys!!" - Jeff
"Beautiful day for fishing and complemented by big fish due to the knowledge and work ethic displayed by Captain Kevin. He had no hesitation to rig for mahi and sailfish per my request to spend the full day targeting species that just started up, in the case of the mahi, and sailfish which are hit and miss just recently. Burned fuel, bait and rigs which rewarded us with some nice mahi, including a 51 inch, 25lb bull and a slamming 21lb blackfin tuna to round out the day. No misses all day and lots of nimble seamanship on Fishizzle's 33 foot Mako. This outfit is the real deal." - Jeff
"What a great experience. Johnny Cakes and Captain Todd were amazing! Caught a ton of fish including a 7 ft sailfish. Johnny has a ton of energy and such a fun personality. Highly recommend" - Cheyenne
Atlantic Sailfish: These acrobatic billfish are the pride of Key West offshore fishing. Known for their stunning aerial displays and blistering runs, hooking into a sail is an experience you won't soon forget. They average 6-8 feet in length and can hit speeds over 60 mph. While we see them year-round, winter and early spring often bring the best sailfish action. When one crashes the spread, get ready for some serious reel-screaming fun.
King Mackerel: Don't let their snake-like appearance fool you – these toothy speedsters will put your drag to the test. "Smoker" kings, the big ones over 30 pounds, are prized for both their fight and their table fare. We target them by slow-trolling live baits or ripping wire-line spoons. Kings can show up any time of year, but fall and winter often see the biggest schools move through.
Mahi Mahi: Also known as dorado or dolphinfish, these neon-colored beauties are a favorite for both their acrobatics and their delicious fillets. We often find them around floating debris or weed lines, where they hunt smaller baitfish. Mahi are known for their spectacular aerial leaps and hard runs. They're great eating too, so be sure to keep a few for the grill. Summer and early fall are prime time for mahi in Key West.
Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast strikes, 'cudas are the perfect target when you want non-stop action. We often find them lurking around reefs and wrecks, ready to ambush anything that moves. While not known as table fare, their aggressive hits and powerful runs make for an exciting fight. Barracuda fishing is good year-round in the Keys, with some real giants showing up in the cooler months.
Yellowfin Tuna: When you're looking for a true test of stamina, yellowfin are hard to beat. These torpedo-shaped powerhouses can push 100 pounds in our waters, and they never seem to quit fighting. We target them by trolling, chunking, or run-and-gunning on bird piles. Yellowfin make for some of the best sushi and sashimi you'll ever taste. While we can find them year-round, spring and fall often see the best tuna bites offshore.
Listen, if you're itching for some world-class offshore action, Key West is the place to be. Our 6-hour private charter gives you the perfect mix of big game potential and steady action, all tailored to your group's experience and goals. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with a trophy sail or a family wanting to fill the cooler with tasty mahi, we've got you covered. With all gear provided and our expert crew at the helm, all you need to do is show up ready for some rod-bending fun. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give us a call, and let's get you out on the blue water for a Key West fishing adventure you'll be talking about for years to come. Tight lines!
March 5, 2023
Beautiful day for fishing and complemented by big fish due to the knowledge and work ethic displayed by Captain Kevin. He had no hesitation to rig for mahi and sailfish per my request to spend the full day targeting species that just started up, in the case of the mahi, and sailfish which are hit and miss just recently. Burned fuel, bait and rigs which rewarded us with some nice mahi, including a 51 inch, 25lb bull and a slamming 21lb blackfin tuna to round out the day. No misses all day and lots of nimble seamanship on Fishizzle’s 33 foot Mako. This outfit is the real deal.
April 29, 2022
Todd and company are wonderful!
December 12, 2021
What a great experience. Johnny Cakes and Captain Todd were amazing! Caught a ton of fish including a 7 ft sailfish. Johnny has a ton of energy and such a fun personality. Highly recommend
January 16, 2022
Sailfish are the speed demons of the ocean, reaching up to 68 mph. You'll find them in our warm Gulf waters, typically 30-65 feet deep but sometimes down to 650 feet. These beauties can grow up to 10 feet long but average around 7.5 feet and 50 pounds. Sailfish are a blast to catch - they put up an incredible fight, leaping and diving repeatedly. Best fishing is winter in the Keys, but "Sailfish Alley" between Miami and Fort Pierce is hot year-round. When you hook one, be ready for a battle. Let it run before trying to reel it in. Use heavy tackle - a 12-15 weight rod with 50-pound line. Bright pink and white lures or live bait like squid work well. Remember to tease them a bit before setting the hook. It's all about patience and timing with these acrobatic fighters.
Great Barracuda are the toothy terrors of the reef. These sleek predators can hit 5-6 feet long and 60+ pounds. You'll find them lurking around structure in shallow to mid-depth waters year-round. 'Cudas are ambush hunters, using bursts of speed up to 35 mph to catch prey. Anglers love targeting them for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. They'll hit just about anything shiny - lures, spoons, or live bait. A local trick: when you see one following, speed up your retrieve to trigger its predatory instinct. Be careful when landing them - those razor-sharp teeth are no joke. Use a landing net and heavy gloves. While not the best eating, barracuda put up one heck of a fight. Just be ready for some spectacular jumps and maybe even a boat-side chomp at your catch.
King Mackerel, or Kingfish, are hard-fighting speedsters that'll test your skills. These sleek predators average 30 pounds but can top 90. Look for them in 40-150 foot depths, with bigger ones often hanging around inlets. Kings love warm water, so late spring through fall is prime time here in the Keys. They're lightning fast, hitting 35 mph in short bursts, which makes for an exciting catch. Anglers love targeting them for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. To land a big one, try slow-trolling live bait like blue runners or menhaden. Use wire leaders - their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono. A local trick: when you see birds diving, there's a good chance Kings are feeding below. Get ready for some serious action when you hook into one of these speedsters.
Mahi Mahi, also called dorado, are a favorite target offshore. These colorful fighters typically run 15-30 pounds but can reach over 60. You'll find them near floating debris and weed lines in the warmer months. Mahi are known for their acrobatic jumps and hard runs when hooked. Anglers love targeting them for both the exciting fight and excellent table fare. Their meat is mild and firm - perfect for grilling. To catch mahi, troll with rigged ballyhoo or colorful lures near floating structure. A local tip: when you hook one, keep it in the water. Others will often follow, giving you a shot at multiple fish. These beautiful gamefish put up a great fight and make for some tasty fillets afterward. It's hard to beat a day chasing mahi in the deep blue.
Yellowfin tuna are hard-fighting powerhouses that'll test your stamina. These torpedo-shaped fish average 60-100 pounds but can top 400. You'll find them in the upper 100 meters of offshore waters, often following temperature breaks and bait schools. Spring through fall is prime time here. Yellowfin are prized for both their fighting ability and excellent sushi-grade meat. They're incredibly strong, making blistering runs and diving deep when hooked. To catch them, try trolling with skirted lures or cedar plugs. A local tip: when you see birds working, chunks of bait in the water can draw yellowfin to the surface. Be ready for a battle - these fish don't give up easily. The reward is some of the best-tasting tuna you'll ever have, whether as sashimi or grilled steaks.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Caterpillar
Maximum Cruising Speed: 13
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 350
Captain Todd and Steve gave us an amazing experience.. besides having an epic day of shark fishing they had us laughing and bustin like we’ve been friends for years.. 100% recommend and will absolutely book another charter next time we’re in town.. thank you for a great trip guys!!