Offshore & Deep-Sea Fishing Charters in Key West, FL
What We Do
Roughly twenty miles south of Key West, the bottom plunges past two thousand feet and the warm Gulf Stream sweeps in, carrying mahi, tuna, wahoo, and billfish with it. Florida Straits Sportfishing
runs offshore and deep-sea fishing charters into this blue water off Key West, FL, trolling and live-baiting the weed lines and color changes where these fast pelagics feed. Our US Coast Guard-licensed captains run tournament-ready boats rigged with premium tackle, hunting birds and current edges until the spread fires.
Where We Fish
Blue Water Where the Current Runs
Our offshore grounds start where the reef drops into deep water and reach out to landmarks like The Wall and the Marathon Humps, structure rising from hundreds of feet that concentrates tuna and blackfin. We run to the color change where the green inshore water meets the deep blue Gulf Stream, then work weed lines and floating debris that shelter mahi and their prey. Birds, current edges, and surface temperature breaks all tell us where life is stacked, and we cover water until the spread finally goes off.
Offshore Trips We Run
From a summer mahi frenzy to a winter billfish hunt, our deep-sea options target every pelagic that swims through Key West. Here is how we fish the blue water.
01
Mahi-Mahi Trolling
Bright, acrobatic, and delicious, mahi are the crowd favorite offshore. We troll ballyhoo along the weed lines and pitch baits to fish holding under debris, often filling the cooler fast when a hungry school lights up behind the boat.
02
Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna
Tuna mean speed and stamina. We chunk, live-bait, and troll the humps and deep edges where blackfin and the occasional yellowfin school, then hand you a bent rod and a burning drag for a true test of endurance.
03
Wahoo Trolling
Few fish hit harder or run faster than a wahoo. We troll high-speed lures and rigged baits near the drop-offs, especially around the winter and early-summer runs, for explosive strikes and blistering runs that empty a reel in seconds.
04
Sailfish and Marlin
Billfish are the ultimate offshore prize. We slow-troll live baits and set kite spreads for acrobatic sailfish, and keep heavier gear ready for a summer white or blue marlin, delivering the jumps and screaming runs anglers dream about.
05
Weed-Line and Debris Fishing
Mahi and their prey gather under floating grass, boards, and debris. We idle up to these blue-water oases and cast live baits and jigs, sight-fishing to visible schools for fast, exciting action right at the surface where you can watch it unfold.
06
Live-Bait and Chunking
When fish are finicky, natural presentation wins. We deploy live baits and cut chunks in a drifting slick to tempt tuna, mahi, and sailfish that ignore trolled lures, dialing in the technique that matches the mood of the day.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Customers Say
Features of a True Offshore Run
Deep-sea fishing rewards range, boat capability, and know-how. Here is what defines a serious offshore charter out of Key West and why it produces the ocean's hardest-fighting fish.
01
Access to the Gulf Stream
Key West sits remarkably close to deep blue water, so we reach the Gulf Stream current faster than most ports. That proximity means more time fishing the productive edges where pelagics feed and less time burning fuel to get there.
02
Tournament-Ready Boats
Chasing offshore fish demands capable, well-equipped vessels. Our boats carry premium tackle, GPS sonar, and full safety gear, so we can range far, fight big fish, and keep you comfortable and secure across open water all day long.
03
Fast, Powerful Fish
Offshore species are built for speed. Mahi cartwheel, wahoo scorch line off the reel, and tuna dig deep and never quit, delivering the drag-screaming, arm-testing battles that make deep-sea fishing so completely addictive, keeping anglers coming back season after season.
04
Trophy Potential
Out here, the next bite could be the fish of a lifetime. Billfish, big tuna, and bull mahi all roam these waters, so every trip carries real trophy potential alongside the steady action that fills the fish box.
05
Table Fare Worth the Trip
Mahi, tuna, and wahoo rank among the finest eating in the sea. A good offshore day sends you home with premium fillets, cleaned and bagged at the dock, ready for the grill or a local chef to prepare.
06
Hunting, Not Waiting
Offshore fishing is active pursuit. We read birds, current, and sonar, running until we find life rather than sitting and hoping. That constant hunt keeps the day engaging and stacks the odds in your favor when the spread finally erupts.
Who We Are
Offshore Hunters Who Chase the Current
Reading the open ocean takes time on the water, and we have spent years learning how Key West's currents, seasons, and weather push the pelagic bite around. We are a family-owned, locally operated crew that lives for the moment a reel screams offshore. Every trip runs on well-maintained tackle and a captain who never stops hunting. Veterans receive a discount with our gratitude. To chase blue-water trophies, visit our contact page and book your Key West offshore charter.
Why Choose Florida Straits Sportfishing
Built for Unforgettable Fishing Trips
01
Local Key West Expertise
We know the waters surrounding Key West, including its reefs, wrecks, deep-water structures, backcountry flats, and seasonal fishing patterns. Our experienced captains use that knowledge to select the most productive locations and techniques.
02
Personalized Charter Experiences
We tailor every trip to the group’s experience, interests, and fishing goals. Whether we’re hosting a family with children or experienced anglers pursuing trophy fish, we provide attentive, hands-on guidance.
03
Professional Boats and Equipment
We operate tournament-ready boats equipped with premium tackle, radar, GPS, sonar, and essential safety equipment. We provide the gear and preparation needed for productive inshore, reef, wreck, and offshore fishing.
04
Exceptional Variety and Convenience
We offer everything from family fishing and sandbar excursions to shark, sailfish, swordfish, and Dry Tortugas trips. We depart from A&B Marina in Key West, conveniently located near Duval Street.
Head Offshore Where The Ocean Shows Its Muscle
Beyond the reef, the deep blue water off Key West, FL holds the fastest, strongest fish in the sea, and there is nothing quite like the moment a mahi lights up or a sailfish clears the surface. At Florida Straits Sportfishing, we put years of offshore know-how and tournament-ready boats to work, hunting the current edges and weed lines until we find the bite, then coaching you through the fight of your life. Whether you dream of a cooler full of mahi or a shot at a billfish, we have the range and the gear to chase it. Book your offshore adventure through our contact page or online quote form.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
How far offshore do you go for mahi in Key West?
Mahi are often found where the reef drops into blue water and out along the Gulf Stream edges, sometimes within a dozen miles and sometimes farther. We run until we locate the weed lines, debris, or birds that mark feeding schools.
What is the best month for mahi-mahi here?
Mahi fishing peaks from April through July, when warm water and weed lines are thick with fish, then offers a solid secondary run into fall. Spring and early summer generally give the best shot at numbers and larger bulls.
Do you troll or live-bait for tuna and wahoo?
Both, depending on the fish and conditions. We troll lures and rigged baits to cover water and trigger wahoo strikes, and switch to chunking or live bait when tuna school up and clearly want a more natural, subtle presentation.
When can you catch marlin off Key West?
Marlin are most likely in the warmer summer months, when blue and white marlin roam the deep water offshore. They are a prized bycatch on billfish and tuna trips, so we keep heavier tackle rigged and ready for them.
What is the Gulf Stream and why does it matter?
The Gulf Stream is a warm, fast ocean current that sweeps close to Key West. It carries bait, weed lines, and floating debris that concentrate pelagic fish, so its edges and color changes are prime hunting grounds for mahi, tuna, and billfish.
What is the difference between deep-sea and reef fishing?
Reef fishing works structure a few miles out for bottom species like snapper and grouper. Deep-sea, or offshore, fishing runs into deep blue water to chase the fast, roaming surface pelagics such as mahi, tuna, wahoo, and leaping sailfish.
Is offshore fishing worth it for less-experienced anglers?
Yes, with the right crew. Florida Straits Sportfishing handles the technical work on our Key West, FL offshore trips, from setting the spread to gaffing the catch, so newcomers can jump straight into the fight and land impressive fish.
Can we keep the mahi and tuna we catch?
Absolutely, within current regulations for each species. Florida Straits Sportfishing cleans and bags your offshore catch at the Key West, FL dock, sending you home with premium mahi, tuna, or wahoo fillets ready for the grill or a local kitchen.
