Hatteras Offshore Test Trip Islamorada Poppa Wahoo

Offshore Fishing in Islamorada, Florida Keys

If you're looking for serious offshore action in the Florida Keys, you've found your boat. Poppa Wahoo Too isn't just another charter—this 53′ Hatteras sportfisher is built for the kind of deep water fishing that gets your blood pumping. We're talking about heading out where the Gulf Stream runs strong, where the bottom drops into thousands of feet of blue water, and where pelagic species roam in numbers that'll make your reel scream. Based out of Islamorada, we've got front-row access to some of the most productive offshore waters in the world, and our crew knows exactly where to find the fish when they're biting.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical half-day inshore trip—when you climb aboard Poppa Wahoo Too, you're signing up for a proper offshore adventure. We'll cruise out past the reef line where the water turns that deep cobalt blue that offshore anglers dream about. The ride out takes us over the famous Islamorada Humps, known staging areas where baitfish congregate and predators follow. Once we hit our fishing grounds, usually anywhere from 200 to 1,200 feet of water, it's game on. The boat handles beautifully in these conditions, staying stable even when we're fighting multiple fish at once. You'll have plenty of room to move around the spacious cockpit, and when you need a break from the Florida sun, the climate-controlled cabin provides the perfect escape. We keep the coolers stocked with ice, the engines purring, and the outriggers set just right to maximize your chances at hooking up with something special.

Trolling Tactics & Premium Gear

Offshore fishing in the Keys is all about covering water and presenting the right baits at the right speed. We run a spread of both artificial lures and live bait, depending on what the fish are telling us. Our go-to setup includes a mix of ballyhoo on circle hooks, diving plugs, and sometimes live pilchards or goggle-eyes when we can find them. The boat comes rigged with top-shelf Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and our rod selection covers everything from 30-pound class tackle for smaller tuna to 50-pound gear for those bruiser mahi bulls that show up in schools. We'll typically troll between 6 and 9 knots, adjusting based on sea conditions and what species we're targeting. When the bite is hot, we might switch to live bait fishing or even try some high-speed trolling for wahoo. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and deck work—your job is to hang on tight when that rod tip goes down and something big decides to make a run for the horizon.

Top Catches This Season

The variety of fish we see offshore keeps every trip interesting. Mahi mahi are probably our most reliable year-round target, especially from April through September when they show up in good numbers around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. These fish are pure energy when hooked, jumping and bulldogging all over the place. Wahoo fishing picks up during the cooler months, typically from November through March, and these speed demons will test your reflexes when they hit a high-speed lure at 40 mph. Both yellowfin and blackfin tuna patrol these waters, with blackfins being more common but yellowfins offering that extra size and fight that serious anglers crave. Atlantic sailfish are another highlight, especially during their winter migration when we'll sometimes see multiple sails in the spread at once. Each species brings its own personality to the fight, and our crew knows the little tricks that help you land more fish and make the most of every hookup.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi Mahi, or dorado as some folks call them, are the bread and butter of Keys offshore fishing. These brilliant green and gold fish travel in schools and put on an aerial show that's second to none. Most of the mahi we catch run between 10 and 30 pounds, but we see bulls pushing 40-plus pounds, especially around floating debris or sargassum patches. They're most active during the warmer months when water temperatures climb above 78 degrees, and they'll hit everything from ballyhoo to diving plugs. What makes mahi special is their aggressive nature—when you find one, there are usually more nearby, leading to those epic multiple-hookup scenarios that make offshore fishing so addictive.

Wahoo are the speed freaks of the offshore world, capable of swimming at nearly 50 mph and known for their blistering initial runs. These silver bullets typically range from 20 to 60 pounds in our waters, with larger specimens showing up during peak season from December through February. They're ambush predators that prefer the edges of the Gulf Stream where cooler and warmer waters mix. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth and a tendency to cut lines, so we use wire leaders and high-speed trolling tactics to trigger their predatory instincts. When a wahoo hits, you'll know it immediately—the rod doubles over and line starts melting off the reel like nothing you've ever experienced.

Yellowfin Tuna represent the holy grail for many offshore anglers, combining size, speed, and stamina into one incredible package. These fish can exceed 100 pounds in our waters, though most runs average between 30 and 80 pounds. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods and often require specific techniques like live bait fishing or chunk baiting to consistently hook up. Yellowfins are incredibly strong swimmers that will sound deep and fight you every inch of the way to the boat. The meat quality is outstanding, making them a favorite target for anglers who want both the fight and the feast.

Blackfin Tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, typically running 10