Caught a Trophy Mutton Snapper Fishing in Islamorada

Fishing Charter with Troy Warren – Rates & Booking

Captain Troy Warren of Miller Time Sportfishing on Tuesday November offers productive half-day and 3/4 day fishing charters in the waters around Islamorada. Our 3/4 day trips provide excellent value, giving you enough time to target multiple species using various techniques. All fishing gear, licenses, and basic tackle are included with your charter. We welcome anglers of all experience levels and can accommodate groups of up to six people comfortably.

For families and groups, our spacious, well-equipped vessel provides a stable fishing platform with safety equipment, shade, and comfortable seating. Early morning departures are recommended for the best fishing conditions, especially during fall when the snapper bite is most consistent. Book your Islamorada fishing adventure with Captain Troy Warren for a professional experience with a captain who knows these waters and the fish that call them home.

Highlights of This Fishing Trip

This Islamorada fishing trip focused primarily on bottom fishing and drift fishing techniques, which proved effective for targeting a variety of species. The highlight catch was several quality Mutton Snapper, prized for both their fighting ability and excellent table fare. Throughout the day, we also boated Yellowtail Snapper, Cero Mackerel, and some powerful Greater Amberjack that tested our tackle and stamina.

The partly cloudy conditions created ideal fishing weather, keeping temperatures comfortable while maintaining good visibility in the water. Our mixed approach of bottom fishing for snappers and occasionally drift fishing over productive areas allowed everyone to stay engaged and catch different species. The fall season in the Florida Keys offers some of the most consistent fishing of the year, with reef species especially active as water temperatures begin to cool slightly.

Local Species Insights: Mutton Snapper

Mutton Snapper are one of the most prized reef fish in the Florida Keys, known for their beautiful coloration, strong fights, and excellent taste. These snappers typically inhabit reef edges, patch reefs, and areas with mixed bottom structure in depths from 30-120 feet around Islamorada. When targeting Mutton Snapper, we often use fresh cut bait or live pilchards on bottom rigs with just enough weight to hold bottom in the current.

Fall is an excellent time for Mutton Snapper fishing in Islamorada as they congregate around specific structure and feed actively before winter. These fish are known for their intelligence and can be leader-shy, so we often use fluorocarbon leaders and natural presentations to fool them. A medium-heavy spinning setup or conventional reel with 30-40 pound test is ideal for handling these powerful fish and extracting them from their reef habitat before they can break you off.

Plan Your Fishing Charter Day

For your day with Miller Time Sportfishing, we recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing. Our boat is equipped with all necessary safety equipment, fishing gear, bait, and tackle. A cooler with ice is provided to keep your catch fresh. We typically depart early morning from our dock in Islamorada to maximize fishing time during the prime morning bite.

Most anglers find our 3/4 day trips (6 hours) provide the perfect balance of fishing time without becoming too exhausting. Bathroom facilities are available on board, and we recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks. Don't forget your camera to document your catches, and consider bringing a light jacket even on warm days as it can be cooler on the water, especially during morning runs.