Riviera Beach Trolling and Live Bait Charter
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Six-hour morning charter targeting multiple offshore speciesLive bait fishing and trolling techniques in Palm Beach watersAccommodates up to six guests with experienced captain guidance
When you're looking for a solid day on the water with Big Buford Sportfishing, this 6-hour morning charter delivers everything you want in a fishing trip. Running from 8 AM to 2 PM, you'll be working the productive waters off Palm Beach where the action stays consistent and the fish cooperate. Captain Buford has been running these waters for years and knows exactly where to put you on the bite. With a mix of trolling, live bait fishing, and some deep dropping, this trip covers all the bases to keep your lines tight and the cooler full. Perfect for up to six anglers, whether you're bringing the family or a crew of serious fishermen.
This charter kicks off bright and early at 8 AM when the bite is hot and the water's still calm. You'll be fishing the prime spots off Riviera Beach where the Gulf Stream runs close to shore, bringing in pelagic species that make for world-class fishing. The morning hours are money time – that's when the Mahi are most active and the Blackfin Tuna are cruising the surface looking for bait. Captain Buford runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed, so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about the details. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from top-shelf tackle to a comfortable fishing platform that gives everyone room to work. By the time you head back to the dock at 2 PM, you'll have put in a full morning of quality fishing time.
This trip combines three proven techniques that consistently produce fish in these waters. Trolling lets you cover ground and find active schools – you'll be pulling ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and small lures at different speeds to match what the fish want. When the bite gets hot, switching to live bait fishing with goggle-eyes, pilchards, or blue runners can turn a good day into a great one. The live bait gets rigged on circle hooks with just enough weight to get down to where the fish are holding. Deep dropping comes into play when you're targeting the bigger Grouper and Snapper holding structure in 80-150 feet of water. Captain Buford reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the day, so you're always fishing the most productive method for the situation.
Mahi Mahi are the bread and butter of this charter, especially during the warmer months from April through October. These fish are pure energy – when you hook into a bull dolphin, you're in for a fight that'll test your drag and your arms. They typically run 10-25 pounds in these waters, with the occasional cow pushing 40 pounds. Mahi love to hang around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. The best part about targeting them is they usually travel in schools, so when you find one, you've often found several.
Blackfin Tuna are another customer favorite that show up year-round but peak during the cooler months. These fish are built for speed and endurance – they'll strip line off your reel like it's nothing and keep you working the entire fight. Most Blackfins here run 5-15 pounds, perfect eating size with some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste. They respond well to both trolling and live bait, and they're often mixed in with other pelagic species, so you never know what else might hit your line.
Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anytime and turn your day upside down in the best way possible. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) are curious fish that'll come right up to the boat to investigate. They average 20-50 pounds and fight like freight trains once they realize they're hooked. Spring and fall are prime times, but you can encounter them throughout the year cruising the reefs and structure.
Mutton Snapper provide excellent bottom fishing action, especially around the deeper reefs and ledges. These fish are smart and finicky, but when you dial in the right bait presentation, they'll reward you with some of the best table fare in South Florida. Most Muttons caught on this trip run 3-8 pounds, with the occasional slab pushing double digits.
Goliath Grouper are the giants that make for legendary fish stories. These massive fish can exceed 200 pounds and provide a battle you'll never forget. While they're catch-and-release only, the experience of hooking into one of these prehistoric beasts is worth the trip alone. They hang around structure in 60-120 feet of water and will absolutely demolish your tackle if you're not prepared for the initial run.
At $1,050 for up to six anglers, this charter delivers serious value for a full day of top-rated fishing. Captain Buford's reputation speaks for itself – he's got the local knowledge and experience to put you on fish consistently. The 24-hour cancellation policy gives you flexibility if weather doesn't cooperate, and the 6-hour trip length means you'll have plenty of time to work different areas and techniques. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting into offshore fishing, this charter adapts to your skill level while maximizing your chances of success. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Step aboard our well-equipped 35-foot center console boat, your fishing platform for chasing tuna, cobia, and mahi off Palm Beach waters. This motorboat comes rigged with everything you need for a productive day on the water - GPS to mark the hotspots, radar for safe navigation, VHF radio for marine communication, and a quality fish finder to locate your targets below. With space for up to 6 anglers and an experienced first mate aboard, you'll have room to spread out whether you're dropping live bait on structure or pulling lines while trolling. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action, perfect for landing anything from blackfin tuna to goliath grouper during your 6-hour morning trip.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the perfect size tuna for our inshore waters - they average 20-30 pounds and are absolute rockets once hooked. You'll recognize them by their dark backs and that distinctive gold stripe along their sides. We find them in oceanic waters near the continental shelf, usually in 60-200 feet over structure or current breaks. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time when water temps are in that 68-75 degree range they love. What makes blackfins special is their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics - they fight way above their weight class. Plus, the sashimi-grade meat can't be beat. They school up with other tuna species, so when you find one, there's usually more around. The key is scaling down your tackle - use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0-6/0 circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyes. Live pilchards for chum will bring them right to the boat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are solitary hunters that anglers love for their size and fight. These dark brown, shark-looking fish average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them a serious challenge on medium tackle. We typically find them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, though they'll venture deeper to 300 feet around offshore structure. Spring migration and spawning season give us the best shot at them, especially when we're sight fishing in calmer conditions. What makes cobia exciting is that explosive first run when they realize they're hooked - they'll head straight for structure to try and break you off. The meat is excellent too, firm and flavorful like their cousins. Here's the key: when you spot one cruising near the surface, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of its nose. Color doesn't matter much, but presentation does.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - these massive fish can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds, making them a bucket-list catch for serious anglers. We find them around coral reefs, wrecks, and structure in shallow tropical waters, usually under 150 feet. They're year-round residents here, but summer months tend to be most productive when they're more active. What makes goliaths special is that bone-jarring initial pull that can literally drag you across the deck if you're not ready. It's pure power fishing. Remember, these fish are protected, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but the experience is unforgettable. You'll need heavy tackle - 50-80 class reel with 400-600 pound mono and a 20/0 circle hook. The secret is anchoring close enough to the structure to draw them out, but far enough to have a fighting chance of pulling them away before they break you off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll see out here - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green highlights that put on a real light show when they come out of the water. They average 15-29 pounds but can get much bigger. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 30-200 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are warm. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strike on trolled baits and their incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a show. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, don't bring it in the boat right away. Keep it in the water and look around - mahi often travel in small schools, so you might double or triple up if you cast to the area quickly.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are some of the best fighting fish in the snapper family, and they're beautiful too - olive-colored with distinctive blue lines behind their eyes and a small black spot on each side. Most run 15-20 inches, but they can push 30+ inches and over 20 pounds. We target them around reefs, rocky bottom, and structure in 80-300 feet of water, with the sweet spot being 130-230 feet. Year-round fishing is good here, but they really turn on during warmer months. What guests love about muttons is that strong initial run and how they'll try to get back into structure once hooked. The meat is top-shelf too - sweet and firm. The trick is using the freshest bait possible on a light sinker or knocker rig, and let it drift naturally in the current. When you see that pink color coming up through the water, you know you've got a good one.
Riviera Beach