If your impression of offshore fishing is that of Hemingway’s Santiago, or of “deep sea” fishing boats complete with fighting chairs, heavy tackle and mates…you may be a nostalgic angler but welcome to the future…today…offshore fishing is a sport on the leading edge of technology. State of the art, light tackle fishing equipment now levels the playing field between the denizens of the deep blue and the knowledgeable angler.
With Key West Pro Guides, anglers pursue the “Big Game” fish aboard modern center console light tackle vessels. Fast and efficient fishing machines completely equipped and outfitted to do one thing, provide the angler a “fighting chance” against the speedy Wahoo, Dolphin, Kingfish, Sailfish and Blackfin Tuna of the Atlantic Gulf stream.
Offshore fishing is an arena for battle unlike anywhere else. From the color change to the weed lines, to the deep wrecks, the light tackle angler’s armament of weapons consists of blue water trolling, controlled trolling, live bait drifting, to free lining live baits into the depths.
Free lining Live Bait…
One of the most productive ways to fish for just about all of our “Blue Water” species is by live chumming. We specifically use an awesome bait called Pilchards… Each morning you and your guide cruise the shallows, near the islands and look for diving Pelicans that are feeding on the Pilchards… After a few good throws of a 12’ cast net, your live wells should be “blacked out” and you’re ready to have the best day possible… This is the most productive way to fish, by far…
Once your anchored over a select deep wreck (180’ to 240’ deep), you and a few fellow fishing boats begin live chumming… You each throw a few dozen baits in and within a matter of minutes, they start to form a large bait ball… As this ball gets bigger and bigger, the fish start to show up, Barracuda, Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna and Bonita are usually the first to the party. As time goes on, they get closer to the boat and within casting range. Once the party is in full gear, look for Sailfish, Wahoo and maybe even a few Dolphin to show up…. It’s on now!!
This is a hands-on approach to hooking and fighting trophy fish of a lifetime. Offshore with its spectacularly visual strikes at the surface to the natural presentation and thrill of the “take’ way down deep, the adrenalin rush is unequalled.
Live Bait Drifting…
Another very productive technique is live bait drifting… This technique is very productive for Sailfish, Barracuda, Wahoo, Cobia and Dolphin. We use Threadfin Herring, Blue Runners and Speedos for bait… We look for a color change between the Gulfstream and Florida Bay waters that these predators use like a curtain to ambush their prey…
Slow Trolling…
When targeting the elusive Wahoo, live bait trolling is the ultimate! We use live Blue Runners or Speedos and slow troll around the many deep wrecks. Not only are you targeting Wahoo, but also big Barracuda, Sailfish, Kingfish and even Blue or White Marlin… Whatever hit a bait of that size is sure to be the big one! This is a seriously fun way to go after the big ones…
Blue water Trolling…
When targeting Dolphin, unlike the big slow diesel trolling boats, we use a technique called “Run-n-Gun” This is when you first look at the satellite water temps for that day and run past all the dead water (not Gulfstream water) that might be closer to Key West. What you are looking for is anything that might hold bait, therefore, hold Dolphin, Sailfish, Skipjacks, Wahoo or Blackfin Tuna. You’re looking for Frigate birds, Sargasso Seaweed, or anything floating in the water like a pallet, something to hold live bait. Once you find something, then you throw in a few lures and troll around what you found, one you hook up, say a Dolphin, you leave him in the water at the boat and the party begins! They usually hang in big schools and will stay close to the one caught, but in the water, so you can catch as many as you want to. It’s all hands-on deck at that point and the time of your life!!
Offshore fishing is an adventure like no other and there is no better location on the planet to experience it than Key West. This is world class angling at its finest!
LIGHT TACKLE GUIDES – 29-34Ft. Center Console (Yellowfin, Conch, Contender, Andros)
Ultimate Action Trips – Wreck, Reef & Offshore
Light Tackle Boat – 1 to 4 guests
1/2 Day $1000 (4 hours)
5/8 Day $1100 (5 hours)
3/4 Day $1300 (6 hours)
Full Day $1500 (8 hours)
Mutton Spawn Trip $1200 (5 hours) – (3-8pm) – April, May & June
Fuel Included on ALL Charters
Our Faithful & Generous Sponsors
