Key Largo Deep Sea Fishing Charter

Deep sea fishing out of Key Largo starts closer than most people think. Just past the reef edge, the water turns deep blue, and the Gulf Stream is within easy reach. That's where mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo and sailfish come to feed. Our full day offshore charter gives your group eight hours out there on the Coastal Dreams, a 41' Luhrs Express. Captain Floyd "Bunky" Leach runs the boat. It's a private trip: just your group of up to six, plus the captain and crew.

Meet the captain running your day

Captain Bunky is a USCG-licensed (6-pack OUPV) Florida Keys captain and billfish specialist. He's spent years running sportfishing boats out of Key Largo and Ocean Reef, including Reef Relief, Hope, Lisa G and Hullabaloo. He's a regular in Ocean Reef's Reef Cup sailfish tournament. He placed third aboard Hope in 2020 and led Lisa G to seven sailfish releases in 2025. He usually fishes with experienced Keys mates, often including fellow captain Buddha of Salty Buddha Bait Co.

What's biting offshore, season by season

Mahi-mahi: prime time is March through September. Mahi here run from 20 to 60 inches and 3 to 50 pounds. The biggest bulls tend to show up early and late in the season.
Blackfin tuna and wahoo: they share the same warm months and often turn up while we're working the mahi.
Sailfish: best from November through March, starting at the reef edge 3 to 7 miles from the marina.

We hunt fish, we don't just troll

Most days start by catching fresh live bait. After that, Captain Bunky looks for the signs: birds diving, weed lines, floating debris and color changes in the water. We troll rigged ballyhoo, pitch live baits to fish we can see, and use chunk bait to keep a school of mahi next to the boat. When a school lights up, several rods can go off at once. The wide cockpit gives everyone room to fight their fish. On the ride out, the crew explains how the boat works, and everyone gets their turns on the rod.

Choose your offshore trip

Full Day Offshore: 8 hours, $2,000. Mahi, tuna, wahoo and sailfish.
3/4 Day Offshore: 6 hours, $1,700. Normally leaves at 7 AM.
Full Day Sailfish & Pelagic: 8 hours, $1,900. Kite and live-bait fishing, best in winter.
Only have the morning or the afternoon? Look at our Key Largo half day fishing charter (offshore half day: $1,400).

Prices are per boat, not per person. A $500 deposit holds your date, and you pay the rest in person on the day of the trip.

The boat and what's covered

The Coastal Dreams has one of the widest beams in the fleet. She has an air-conditioned salon, a bathroom and wrap-around couch below, a fridge, and a livewell that holds hundreds of baits. Rods, reels, tackle, live bait, your Florida fishing licenses and ice are all included. At the dock, the crew fillets and bags your catch. You bring lunch, drinks (no glass, please) and a cooler for your fillets.

FAQ

How far offshore do we go?

That depends on where the fish are. Deep water starts just past the reef, and Captain Bunky will run farther when the bite is better out there.

Can we keep what we catch?

Yes. Legal keepers like mahi, tuna and wahoo are filleted and bagged at the dock. Sailfish are always released after photos.

Full day or 3/4 day?

A full day gives Captain Bunky time to try more areas and chase a better bite. A 3/4 day is a good middle ground if your group wants the afternoon free.