Murrells Inlet Gulfstream Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Gulfstream offshore fishing targeting Tuna, Grouper, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi.All licenses, gear, bait, and catch cleaning included.First mate provides assistance throughout the fishing trip.
Get ready to experience some of the best offshore fishing the South Carolina coast has to offer. Aces Up Fishing Charters takes you straight to the productive waters of the Gulfstream, where warm currents bring in serious game fish year-round. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking deep water action where you'll go head-to-head with some of the ocean's most sought-after species. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to fish.
This Gulfstream trip puts you in the heart of where the action happens. We're heading out to deeper waters where the continental shelf drops off and the blue water holds everything from fast-moving pelagics to bottom-dwelling giants. The boat's equipped with top-notch electronics to locate structure and mark fish, plus all the tackle you'll need for both trolling and bottom fishing. Your first mate will be right there to help with everything from rigging baits to landing fish, so whether you're a seasoned angler or newer to offshore fishing, you're covered. The ride out gives you time to get your sea legs and watch the water change from the green inshore shallows to that deep blue that gets every angler's heart pumping.
We run a combination approach that maximizes your shots at different species. Trolling spreads with ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and various lures target the fast movers like wahoo, mahi, and tuna that cruise the open water columns. The captain adjusts trolling speeds and patterns based on water temperature, current breaks, and what the fish finder is showing. When we find good bottom structure or temperature breaks, we'll anchor up or drift fish with heavier tackle. Circle hooks with fresh bait get down to where the grouper and snapper live. The first mate handles all the rigging switches, so you spend more time with a rod in your hands instead of tying knots. Both techniques produce fish, and the variety keeps things interesting throughout the day.
Red Snapper are the bread and butter of bottom fishing out here, and these fish fight way harder than their size suggests. They typically run 5 to 15 pounds in these waters, with occasional monsters pushing 20-plus. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they're most active on the reefs and structure. What makes snapper special is their willingness to bite and the excellent table fare – there's a reason they're called the fish that made a thousand fishing trips memorable.
Gag Grouper are the heavyweight bottom dwellers that'll test your tackle and technique. These bruisers average 10 to 30 pounds and immediately head for structure when hooked, making the first few seconds of the fight critical. Spring and fall are prime times when they're feeding heavily before spawning migrations. Gags are notorious for their hard initial run and their ability to break you off in the rocks, which makes landing a good one feel like a real achievement.
Blackfin Tuna bring speed and endurance to the mix, typically showing up while trolling or around structure where baitfish concentrate. These 10 to 25-pound fish are pure muscle and make blistering runs that'll have your drag screaming. They're most common during warmer months when the Gulfstream pushes closer to shore. What anglers love about blackfins is their willingness to bite and the way they fight – it's like hooking onto a freight train that can change directions instantly.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are the crowd favorites for their colors, acrobatics, and cooperative nature. When you find a school, multiple hookups are common as these fish often travel together. They average 5 to 20 pounds in these waters, with bulls occasionally reaching 30-plus. Peak season is late spring through early fall when they follow the warm water. Mahi are special because they'll often stay with hooked fish, giving you multiple chances, and their aerial displays make for some of the best fishing photos you'll ever take.
Wahoo are the speed demons that'll humble any angler's reflexes. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 40 mph and are famous for their initial screaming runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. They typically range 15 to 40 pounds in these waters, with occasional giants topping 50. Fall and winter are prime wahoo time when they're most aggressive. Landing a wahoo means you've successfully battled one of the ocean's fastest fish, and their firm white meat makes them a prize both for the fight and the table.
Cobia are the curious bruisers that often show up when you least expect them. These brown sharks look-alikes average 20 to 40 pounds and are known for following the boat and investigating baits. Spring migration brings the best numbers as they move up the coast. Cobia are exciting because they're visual fish – you often see them before they bite, and their size and strength make every hookup a serious battle that can go either direction.
Broomtail Grouper represent the deep water giants that make offshore bottom fishing legendary. These fish can exceed 50 pounds and are the ultimate test of tackle and angler skill. They're less common than their gag cousins but grow much larger, making every hookup a potential fish of a lifetime. When you connect with a big broomtail, you're in for a straight-up power struggle that showcases why grouper fishing has such a devoted following among serious offshore anglers.
This Gulfstream trip delivers the complete offshore fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back to Murrells Inlet. With world-class fishing grounds right in our backyard and a captain who knows how
This 34' Hydra Sports cuts through the Atlantic waters off Murrells Inlet like it was built for serious fishing. With GPS navigation and radar keeping you on target even when visibility drops, you'll find those productive fishing grounds where the big ones bite. The VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the marina, while the onboard head means more time with lines in the water. Perfect for solo anglers or small groups looking to chase Gulfstream species like Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi without the crowd. The boat's size lets you get out to the deep water structure where Grouper hold tight to the bottom, and when the Tuna are running on top, you'll have the speed to chase them down. Your captain knows these waters and where the fish stack up season by season.
Mycteroperca XenarchaBroomtail Grouper are the rare gems of the grouper world, named for their distinctive fan-shaped tail that sets them apart from their square-tailed cousins. These robust, pale brown fish with dark lip markings average 30-60 pounds but can reach over 100 pounds. They prefer rocky continental shelves and deep reefs around 200 feet, making them a deepwater target species. While rare in our waters compared to South America, when they show up it's usually during warmer months around offshore structure. Anglers prize them for the incredible fight - they've got the power but not the stamina, so it's a short, brutal battle. The soft, white meat is excellent eating too. Heavy tackle is a must because once hooked, they'll make one powerful run for the rocks. Pro tip: use braided line and keep constant pressure - the moment you give them slack, they'll dive into a crevice and you'll never get them out.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bruisers of the grouper family, averaging around 20 inches but capable of reaching 4+ feet and 80 pounds. These gray, marbled fish live around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks where they can ambush prey. Adults prefer deeper offshore waters while juveniles stick closer to shore. The fishing stays consistent year-round, but spring and fall tend to be most productive when they're more active. What draws anglers to them? Pure strength - once hooked, they'll make one powerful run straight for the rocks trying to break you off. Their firm, white meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Since all gags start as females and change to males as they mature, you're seeing nature's unique side too. Here's the key: the second you feel that thump, crank down your drag and muscle them up fast. Give them any slack and they'll dive into a hole where you'll never get them out.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snappers are true fighters that'll test your gear and skills. These pink-to-red beauties average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but we've seen plenty bigger out here in the deeper water. They hang around structure in 30-620 feet, loving wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottoms where they ambush prey. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that sweet 50-70 degree range. What makes guests love targeting them? That initial run when hooked is something else - they'll head straight for cover trying to cut your line on anything sharp. The meat is outstanding too, with that mild, nutty flavor that's perfect grilled with just salt, pepper, and lemon. Pro tip: when you feel that bite, lock that reel down tight and don't give them an inch to run back to structure, or you'll be retying.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are pure eye candy with their gold sides, blue-green backs, and color-changing light show when you bring them boatside. These surface dwellers average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, and they're always around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in warm water. Summer through fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love them for the aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a real display when hooked. The meat is firm, mild, and sweet - perfect for the dinner table. They're fast growers that spawn frequently, so the population stays healthy. Best tip I can share: when you hook one, look around for others. Mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Keep a second rod ready with a small lure to capitalize on the school while you're fighting the first fish.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants that often get mistaken for sharks with their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These beasts average 30-60 pounds and can push 100+, cruising shallow waters around 30 feet near structure, buoys, and wrecks. Spring migration and spawning season offer the hottest action when they move inshore and become more aggressive. What guests love is the sight-fishing aspect - you'll often spot them just below the surface, making for visual, targeted fishing. They're powerful fighters and the meat is firm, white, and delicious. Being mostly solitary fish, each one feels like a trophy catch. The key is patience and accuracy - when you see one cruising, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slow. Color doesn't matter much, but presentation does. Get that jig to the bottom and work it just off the structure where they ambush prey.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of offshore fishing, hitting 60 mph and averaging 30-50 pounds with that distinctive blue-striped, torpedo-shaped body. These razor-toothed predators cruise open water but concentrate around drop-offs, current breaks, and floating structure. Fall through spring brings peak action when they move through our waters following bait schools. What makes them special? That blistering first run will smoke your drag, and the firm, flaky white meat rivals any fish on the table - think premium fish tacos. Their solitary nature means each one is a prize catch rather than just another fish in the box. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best, but here's the trick: always use wire leaders. Those razor-sharp teeth will slice through anything else in seconds, and losing a wahoo to a cut-off is heartbreaking when you've worked that hard to find them.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the scrappy underdogs of the tuna family, typically running 15-30 pounds with that classic tuna speed and fight. These dark-backed beauties with yellow side stripes cruise warm offshore waters above 68°F, usually near the surface around current breaks and floating debris. Peak season runs fall through spring when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special? They're fast, fierce fighters that'll test light tackle, plus the meat is outstanding - firm, clean, and perfect for sashimi or searing. Being smaller than their bigger tuna cousins, they're more manageable for most anglers but still deliver that classic tuna battle. The key to hooking up is scaling down your tackle - use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0-6/0 circle hooks. Their sharp eyesight means heavy tackle will spook them, so finesse beats brute force with these fish.
Murrells Inlet