Offshore Fishing

From the reef out to the swift Gulf Stream current and lively Marathon Humps, the waters off Duck Key are rich with hard-fighting and delicious-tasting game fish.

Begin your Florida Keys offshore experience anchored up on the reef as you get acquainted with the techniques of deep sea fishing. Reel in delicious snapper and grouper that Hawks Cay chefs will prepare for you back at Tom's Harbor House Restaurant.

Then it’s off to test your strength on the deep wrecks as you bottom fish for powerful mutton snapper, black grouper, amberjacks and more.

When you’ve had your fill, it’s time to head out into the blue water to pursue the big game fish. Troll or live bait the upper water columns for sailfish, wahoo, tuna, dolphin (mahi mahi), kingfish and blue marlin. Or deep drop the ledge for the unique opportunity to fight a prized swordfish.

Hawks Cay Marina is home to a collection of the best Florida Keys deep sea charter boat captains and crews, and offers a full fleet of offshore and center console fishing boats that are perfect for venturing out into the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Offshore fishing is ideal for families, business travelers and experienced big game anglers. Each trip can be customized to target whatever species you desire.

Just a few of the offshore species you will catch in the Florida Keys:

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Most catches from 20 to 50 pounds. Recent Florida record 77 lbs, 12 oz. Caught year-round, best April through August.
Atlantic Sailfish
Atlantic Sailfish Common at 30-60 pounds. Recent Florida record 116 lbs, 10 oz. Best October through April.
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna Most catches 20 pounds and under. Recent Florida record 45 lbs 8 oz. Good year-round, weather permitting, run well offshore.
Kingfish
Kingfish Common up to 50 pounds. Recent Florida record 90 lbs. Best mid-November to late March/April.
Yellow Tail Snapper
Yellow Tail Snapper Common to 3 pounds. Recent Florida record 8 lbs, 9 oz. Caught year-round, best in summer.
Swordfish
Swordfish Common at 200 pounds but can be much larger. Recent Florida record 612 lbs, 12 oz. Caught year-round.
Black Grouper
Black Grouper Common to 40 pounds. May weigh up to 100 pounds. No Florida record due to common confusion with the Gag Grouper. Caught year-round.
Wahoo
Wahoo Common at 10-50 pounds; often grows to 80 or 90 pounds. Recent Florida record 139 lbs. Best June through August.
Cobia
Cobia Common to 30 pounds. Recent Florida record 103 lbs. 12 ozs. Best November through March.
Triple Tail
Triple Tail Common up to 15 lbs. Florida record 32 lbs. Caught in the spring near crab and lobster buoys.
African Pompano
African Pompano Common up to 40 pounds. Florida record 50 lbs. 8 oz. Plentiful year-round.

Our Boats

OffShore Boats Offshore Boats
Designed for fishing miles out in the Atlantic or at the reef near the Florida Keys, offshore boats for deep-sea fishing are spacious, smooth-riding sportfishing vessels equipped with interior cabins, air-conditioning, toilets, televisions, satellite radio and more – all the comforts you need while fishing for grouper, swordfish, sailfish, kingfish and tuna. Offshore boats range in length from 38 to 54 feet and can accommodate up to six anglers.
Light Tackle BoatsLight Tackle Boats
Light tackle center console boats are ideal for nearly every type of Florida Keys fishing. Light tackle charter boats can easily fish the bridges, channels, and calm waters of Florida Bay, and are seaworthy enough to venture out to the reef or head offshore for large pelagic game fish, shark, snook and snapper. Light tackle boats range in length from 22 to 36 feet and can accommodate four to six anglers.
Fish artwork courtesy of Cayaman Arts Inc.