Offshore Tuna Mahi Charter Key Largo Tailgator

What you will be catching:

Blackfin Tuna
Great Barracuda
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish
Wahoo Fish

Six-hour offshore charter targeting mahi-mahi and tuna in deep waters
All equipment, licenses, bait, and fish filleting services included
Accommodates up to four anglers with high-speed boat access

Trip Pricing and Availabilities:

Half Day Offshore Mahi and Tuna Charter

Looking for a top-rated fishing adventure that'll get your heart pumping? This six-hour offshore charter departing Key Largo at 8:00 AM is exactly what serious anglers have been waiting for. Captain and crew take up to four guests anywhere from 6 to 20 miles out into the deep blue, where the big fish live and the action never stops. At $900 for the group, you're getting premium access to some of Florida's most productive offshore waters, complete with all the gear, licenses, live bait, and expertise needed to make it happen. Plus, they'll clean and fillet whatever you bring back to the dock.

What to Expect on the Water

The boat hits a cruising speed of 35 knots, so you'll reach the fishing grounds fast and spend more time with lines in the water. Six hours gives you serious time to work different spots and techniques - no rushing, no cutting corners. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading conditions and fish signs to put you on the best action of the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, they'll match the approach to your skill level. Some days call for high-speed trolling along the reef edge, other days it's drifting live baits in deeper water where the big pelagics roam. The extended time frame means you can try multiple approaches and really dial in what's working.

Trolling Tips & Drift Tactics

This charter runs the full offshore playbook. Trolling is the bread and butter - pulling lures and rigged baits at various speeds to cover water and locate active fish. The crew sets up a spread of outriggers and flat lines, mixing colors and patterns that trigger strikes from mahi, tuna, and wahoo. When fish are marked on the finder or birds are working, it's time to switch gears. Live bait gets deployed on circle hooks, letting natural presentation do the work. Drift fishing opens up opportunities for bottom species like barracuda that patrol the reef systems. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, along with the fishing licenses you need to be legal. The crew handles the technical stuff - rigging baits, setting drags, and coaching you through the fight once a fish is hooked.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are the crown jewel of offshore fishing in these waters. These electric-colored fighters typically run 10 to 30 pounds, though bulls can push 50-plus. They're most active during warmer months from late spring through early fall, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or wherever baitfish concentrate. What makes mahi special is their aerial show - they jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that'll have you reaching for the camera. Plus, they're fantastic on the dinner table with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.

Wahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60 mph and stripping drag like nobody's business. These torpedo-shaped predators average 20 to 40 pounds in local waters, with their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast runs testing both angler skill and tackle quality. Winter months from November through March typically offer the best wahoo action, when cooler water temperatures bring them closer to the reef structure. Their distinctive zebra stripes and streamlined build make them unmistakable, and their firm, white meat rivals any offshore species for table quality.

Great barracuda patrol the reef edges and drop-offs, ambush predators that strike with explosive force. These toothy customers range from 10 to 40 pounds locally, with their muscular builds and aggressive nature making for exciting battles on lighter tackle. Barracuda are year-round residents, though they're most active during dawn and dusk periods. Their prehistoric appearance and fierce demeanor make every hookup memorable, even if many anglers choose catch-and-release for these apex predators.

Blackfin tuna are the workhorses of the offshore scene, schooling fish that provide consistent action when conditions align. Typically running 5 to 15 pounds, they make up for their smaller size with incredible speed and stamina. These tuna species are most prevalent during cooler months, often mixed with other pelagic species in feeding frenzies that create non-stop action. Their dark red meat is prized by sushi enthusiasts and makes excellent sashimi when handled properly from boat to table.

Time to Book Your Spot

Six hours offshore with experienced crew, premium tackle, live bait, licenses, and fish cleaning service - all for $900 split among up to four anglers. That's world-class fishing at a price that makes sense, especially when you factor in the 35-knot cruise speed getting you to the grounds faster than most operators. The extended time frame sets this charter apart from shorter trips, giving you real opportunities to locate fish and adapt techniques as conditions change. Key Largo's location puts you within range of the reef, the blue water, and everything in between. Book this customer favorite now and get ready for the kind of offshore action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.

Learn more about the species

Blackfin Tuna

Blackfin are the smallest tuna we target, but don't let that fool you - they pack serious fight into their 20-40 pound frames. These dark-backed speedsters with their distinctive yellow side stripes love warm water over 68°F, making our fall, winter, and spring months prime time here in the Keys. We find them in schools along the continental shelf edge, often mixed with skipjacks. What makes blackfin special is they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters out there, plus the sashimi-quality meat is outstanding. They've got sharp eyes, so we scale everything down - lighter leaders, smaller hooks, and natural presentations. My go-to method is vertical jigging with small spoons or chunking with pilchards. The secret is keeping your leader light - 30-pound fluoro max.

Great Barracuda

Barracuda are the neighborhood bullies of our reefs and offshore waters. These silver torpedoes grow 3-6 feet long and can hit 35 mph in short bursts. We encounter them everywhere from shallow coral heads to deeper water around structure and weed lines. They're here year-round but really light up during spring and fall when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the aggressive strikes and wild jumps - they're fierce fighters with serious attitude. Most folks release them since the meat can be risky, but the fight alone makes it worthwhile. Key tip: they're attracted to shiny lures and quick movements, so work your bait erratically. When landing one, use a net and gloves - those teeth are no joke and they'll try to bite right up to the boat.

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

These brilliant golden fish with electric blue and green backs are pure eye candy when they hit the deck. Average fish run 15-29 pounds, but we see bigger ones regularly out here in Key Largo waters. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks 6-20 miles offshore where we fish. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when water temps climb above 70°F. Mahi fight hard with lots of jumps and runs, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, firm white meat that's perfect grilled. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes peeled for more. They usually travel in small schools, so we'll often toss a second bait right back to the same spot for doubles.

Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are the speed demons of our offshore waters, hitting 60 mph when they want to. These torpedo-shaped fish average 3-5 feet but can push 8 feet and over 100 pounds. We find them in the same 6-20 mile range as mahi, cruising open water and hanging near floating debris. Peak season here runs July through November when they're moving through in good numbers. What makes wahoo special is that lightning-fast strike and the screaming runs they make - your reel will sing. Plus, the meat is top-shelf eating, white and flaky with a mild taste. Here's the key: use wire leaders because their razor teeth will slice through mono instantly. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or skirted ballyhoo works best around here.

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