Top Islamorada Fishing: Offshore & Reef Adventure

Published Date: July 3, 2025
Fishing

Islamorada, FL
$600 - $1,000 price range

Summary

Ready for a day of non-stop fishing action in the Florida Keys? Join Size Matters Charters for a 6-hour trip that covers all the bases. We'll start offshore, chasing after big game like Wahoo and Mahi Mahi. These fast swimmers put up a real fight, so get ready to work those arms! Once we've had our fill of the deep blue, we'll head back to the reefs. Here, you'll drop lines for tasty Snapper and Grouper - perfect for the dinner table. Don't worry about gear; the captain's got you covered. Just bring your shades, sunscreen, and a good attitude. Whether you're after the rush of battling big fish offshore or the steady action of reef fishing, this trip's got something for everyone. And hey, you'll even go home with a free Size Matters Charters shirt to remember your day on the water. It's the perfect mix of fishing styles, all packed into one fantastic day out on the beautiful waters around Islamorada.

Top Islamorada Fishing: Offshore & Reef Adventure

Reels and Keels

Scenic fishing view in FL

Scenic view of Islamorada, a popular fishing destination

Fishing adventure in FL

Catch of a red grouper fish in Islamorada

Reel in the Big One: Islamorada Fishing Charters

Get ready to chase some serious fish on this action-packed Islamorada charter. We're talking offshore runs for hard-fighting pelagics, then cruising back to the reefs for some steady bottom fishing action. With 6 full hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to battle it out with some real monsters and load up the cooler. The crew at Size Matters Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, so you're in for a top-notch day of fishing.

What to Expect on the Water

This trip is all about variety. We'll start by heading offshore to troll for some of the fastest fish in the ocean - Wahoo and Mahi Mahi. These guys put up one heck of a fight, so be ready to hang on tight! Once we've had our fill of the bluewater action, we'll cruise back to the reefs to drop some lines for tasty Snapper and Grouper. The captain provides all the gear you need, so just bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, and maybe a snack or two. And hey, you'll even score a free Size Matters Charters shirt to remember your epic day on the water!

Techniques & Gear Rundown

We'll be using a mix of techniques to target different species throughout the day. For the offshore portion, we'll be trolling with lures and rigged baits to entice those speedy pelagics. When we hit the reefs, we'll switch it up to bottom fishing with live and cut bait. The crew will have a variety of rods and reels suited for each fishing style, from light tackle for the reefs to heavy-duty setups for battling those big offshore bruisers. Don't worry if you're new to this - the mate will be there to show you the ropes and help you land that trophy fish.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"This is the first for me and my dad. We caught fish as soon as we got out there. Capt'n and Henry are great. If we come back we will be booking again! Thank you guys!!" - Tavis

"We had a great trip with Captain Regina! She is a very nice person and knows where to go to get the fish. We ended up with 17 yellow tail snappers that tasted wonderful. Her mate was also a great guy and very professional." - Scott

"Had a great time. Caught more than enough fish to feed four of us. Gina made sure we were taken care of. Will be back." - Rick

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi Mahi (Dolphinfish): These colorful acrobats are a favorite among anglers for their stunning looks and incredible fighting ability. Known for their aerial displays, Mahi can reach speeds up to 50 mph and grow to over 30 pounds in our waters. They're most abundant from April to September, and there's nothing quite like watching one light up in electric blue and green as it comes to the boat.

Wahoo: If you're after pure speed, Wahoo is your fish. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit speeds over 60 mph and are known for blistering runs that'll make your reel scream. They're a year-round target here, but peak season is from November to March. Landing a big 'Hoo is a real accomplishment, and their firm, white meat makes for some of the best fish tacos you'll ever taste.

Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast strikes, 'Cudas are the perfect target for anglers looking for an adrenaline rush. These ambush predators hang around reefs and structures, ready to attack anything that moves. They're most active in the warmer months and can grow to over 5 feet long. The fight is often punctuated by impressive aerial leaps, making them a blast to catch on light tackle.

Gag Grouper: These bottom-dwelling brutes are the heavyweight champions of the reef. Gags are known for their powerful first run, often trying to bust back into their rocky lairs. They're most active in cooler months, with the season typically running from January to April. Landing a big Gag is a true test of an angler's skill, and their flaky white meat is highly prized for the dinner table.

Blackfin Tuna: These speedy little cousins of the Yellowfin are a blast to catch on light tackle. Blackfins school up around offshore structures and can be targeted year-round, though they're most abundant from April to November. They're known for their hard fights and blistering runs, often going deep when hooked. At 15-30 pounds on average, they're the perfect size for both a good battle and some killer sushi afterward.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, this Islamorada charter has something for everyone. With a mix of offshore action and reef fishing, you're in for a day of non-stop excitement. The crew at Size Matters Charters knows how to put you on the fish, and they'll make sure you have a killer time doing it. So grab your buddies, book your spot, and get ready for some of the best fishing the Florida Keys has to offer. Trust me, once you feel that first big hit, you'll be hooked for life!

Customer Reviews

Hooked on Success

This is the first for me and my dad. We caught fish as soon as we got out there. Capt’n and Henry are great. If we come back we will be booking again! Thank you guys!!

Tavis Walker

September 30, 2024

Fishy Bliss Cruise

We had a great trip with Captain Regina! She is a very nice person and knows where to go to get the fish. We ended up with 17 yellow tail snappers that tasted wonderful. Her mate was also a great guy and very professional.

Scott Partington

March 16, 2023

Fishy Feast Success

Had a great time. Caught more than enough fish to feed four of us. Gina made sure we were taken care of. Will be back.

Rick Boarman

January 21, 2025

Learn more about the species

Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin tuna are the scrappy little cousins of the tuna family, usually topping out around 30 pounds. These fast movers hang out near the surface, often in big schools along the reef edges and offshore. We find them year-round, but autumn through spring is prime time in the Keys. Blackfins put up an impressive fight for their size, making them a blast on light tackle. Their rich, dark meat is excellent for sashimi or grilling. To target blackfins, we'll run offshore and look for birds working the surface - that's often a dead giveaway. Chunking with cut bait or live pilchards can get them fired up. Once we find a school, vertical jigging is deadly effective. I like to use fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks, as these fish have sharp eyes and can be leader-shy. Whether you're after a cooler full for the dinner table or just want to tangle with a hard-fighting fish, blackfin tuna are always a fun species to chase. They're a great option when the seas are calm enough to run offshore.

Gag Grouper

Gag grouper are a solid catch around Islamorada, typically hanging out near rocky bottoms and reefs. These guys can grow pretty big - we sometimes land 'em up to 50-60 pounds. They're ambush predators, so look for structure where they might be hiding. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can hook 'em year-round. Gags put up a mean fight, especially the bigger ones. They'll try to dive back into their holes, so keep that rod low and be ready to muscle 'em up. Live bait like pinfish or mullet works great, but cut squid or crab can do the trick too. What's cool about gags is they actually change sex as they get older - all start as females, with some becoming males later on. They grow slow and can live 30+ years, so landing a big one is always special. One local tip: keep an eye out for stone crab traps. Gags love crab, so they often hang around these areas. Just be careful not to snag the traps themselves. When you do hook one, get ready for some seriously good eating - gag meat is top-notch for the dinner table.

Great Barracuda

Great barracudas are the sleek speedsters of our waters, often stretching 5-6 feet long. These toothy predators cruise near the surface around reefs and mangroves, but you'll spot 'em offshore too. They're here year-round, but summer's when they're most active. Barracuda fishing's a blast - they hit hard and fight like crazy, though they tire out pretty quick. Anglers love 'em for the excitement, not so much for eating. They're known to be curious, so shiny lures work well. If you hook a big one, watch out for those jumps and teeth at the boat. I always tell folks to use a net and gloves for landing 'em safely. Here's a local tip: try trolling with tube lures near drop-offs. The flash gets their attention, and they can't resist chasing it down. Just remember, these fish are more bark than bite. Despite their fierce looks, attacks on humans are super rare. They're just part of what makes fishing the Keys so darn interesting.

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi Mahi are one of the most exciting fish we go after here in Islamorada. These colorful speedsters average 15-30 pounds but can top 80 pounds. You'll find them near floating debris and weedlines offshore, often in schools. Spring through fall is prime time, with summer being the peak. Mahi are known for their acrobatic fights and stunning colors that shimmer blue, green, and gold. They're fast growers, which makes them a sustainable choice. The meat is mild and versatile - great for grilling or fish tacos. When we're targeting mahi, I like to look for frigate birds working an area. Those birds often lead us right to the fish. We'll troll with ballyhoo or lures, making them skip on the surface to mimic flying fish. Once we find a school, it's non-stop action. My local tip: If you hook one, leave it in the water. The rest of the school will usually stick around, giving everyone a shot at landing their own mahi. It's an awesome fish that'll get your heart racing.

Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, hitting speeds up to 60 mph. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet long but can grow over 8 feet. You'll find them in deeper offshore waters, often near floating debris or structures. Late summer through fall is prime wahoo season here in Islamorada. That's when we run out to the Gulf Stream to troll for these speedsters. Wahoo put up an incredible fight - when they hit, be ready for screaming reels and acrobatic jumps. Their firm white meat is prized for its mild, sweet flavor. Many consider wahoo one of the best-eating fish in the sea. They make killer fish tacos or grilled steaks. For the best shot at hooking up, we'll troll fast at 12-15 knots using wire leaders (their teeth will slice right through mono). I like to use dark-colored lures on cloudy days to mimic the silhouettes wahoo are looking for. When you feel that distinctive bite, hold on tight - it's gonna be a wild ride!

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