5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Reef And Wreck Fishing Charter
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon charter targeting reef and wreck zonesSnapper and Grouper fishing with consistent bite actionFamily-friendly trip accommodating all experience levels
Get ready for four hours of solid fishing action out of Riviera Beach, where the reefs and wrecks hold some of South Florida's best-eating fish. Captain Ricky and his crew at Big Buford Sportfishing know exactly where to put you on productive bottom structure that consistently produces snapper, grouper, and whatever else is biting that day. This afternoon charter is perfect whether you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the cooler or bringing first-timers who've never felt a rod bend. The boat holds up to six anglers, so bring your crew and get ready for some steady action in crystal-clear waters just minutes from the inlet.
This trip kicks off from West Palm Beach and heads straight to the captain's favorite reef and wreck sites where fish stack up year-round. You'll be fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water over hard bottom structure that attracts everything from schooling snappers to hefty groupers looking for an easy meal. The afternoon timing works great since you'll hit prime feeding periods when fish are most active. Captain Ricky runs a clean, well-maintained boat with all the safety gear and fishing equipment you need, plus he's got the local knowledge to put you on fish even when conditions get tricky. The pace stays relaxed but productive - expect to drop lines within 20 minutes of leaving the dock and stay busy with steady bites throughout the trip. Families love this charter because there's always something happening, and experienced anglers appreciate the captain's willingness to target specific species or try different techniques.
You'll be fishing with conventional tackle over natural reefs and artificial wrecks that create perfect ambush spots for predatory fish. The captain provides quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line weights, plus a full selection of weights, hooks, and live or cut bait depending on what's working best. Most fishing happens with bottom rigs - either knocker rigs for snapper or heavier grouper setups when targeting bigger fish in the rocks. The wrecks hold amazing structure with swim-throughs and overhangs where goliath groupers and cobia cruise, while the natural reefs offer varied terrain perfect for mutton snapper and smaller grouper species. Captain Ricky adjusts techniques based on current conditions - sometimes that means drifting with live pilchards, other times it's anchoring up and fishing cut bait on the bottom. The depth finder stays busy locating the best structure, and the captain's not shy about moving spots if the bite slows down. You'll learn proper techniques for setting hooks, fighting fish in structure, and avoiding cut-offs on the rocks.
"Captain Ricky and Ali did an incredible job and we caught a ton of fish, just on a half day trip! Will definitely be booking future trips and would highly recommend them!" - Jeff. "We enjoyed our trip with this amazing captain who really knows the area and how to hook on to plenty of fish" - Felix. "Took some young kids out and they had us on fish immediately. We had a blast. Crew was awesome, boat was perfect. Couldn't ask for a better trip." - Erik.
Mahi mahi or common dolphinfish bring serious excitement to any reef trip, especially when they show up in small schools around floating debris or weed lines. These gorgeous fish hit hard and put on an aerial show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. They typically run 10 to 25 pounds in local waters, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40 pounds or more. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can find scattered fish year-round. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat almost anything - live bait, cut bait, or even small jigs worked around structure. Their bright colors and acrobatic fights make them a favorite with photographers and first-time anglers alike.
Cobia patrol the wrecks like submarines, often following rays or cruising just above the structure looking for crabs and small fish. These brown sharks of the reef grow big fast - anything over 30 pounds is a solid fish, and 50-pounders show up regularly around the better wrecks. Spring and early summer offer the best cobia action when they move through during their spawning migration. They're sight fishers that respond well to live bait presented near the bottom or even free-lined in the water column. Cobia fight like bulldogs once hooked, making long powerful runs toward the structure, which keeps things interesting right up to the boat.
Mutton snapper represent some of the finest eating fish in South Florida waters, with their distinctive black spot and reddish tint making them easy to identify. They school around reef edges and wreck sites, typically running 2 to 8 pounds with the occasional teenager pushing double digits. These fish get finicky during bright conditions but feed aggressively during dawn, dusk, and overcast periods. Live pilchards or properly presented cut bait work best, and you need to stay sharp since muttons have a tendency to grab the bait and head straight for the rocks. Their sweet, firm meat makes them highly prized by local restaurants and home cooks.
Goliath grouper bring the wow factor to any reef trip, with these gentle giants often exceeding 200 pounds around the bigger wrecks and ledges. They're catch-and-release only due to conservation regulations, but the experience of hooking into a fish the size of a small car never gets old. Goliaths are ambush predators that hang around structure waiting for prey to swim within range, then engulf their meal in one massive gulp. They're most active during summer months when baitfish concentrate around the reefs. Fighting a goliath tests both angler skill and equipment limits - these fish use their bulk and knowledge of the structure to try breaking you off on every run.
Blackfin tuna add spee
Jump aboard our well-equipped 35-foot center console motorboat, your floating base camp for exploring Riviera Beach's productive reef and wreck fishing grounds. Built for serious angling with up to 6 guests, she's loaded with everything you need to find and land fish – GPS to navigate precisely to the hotspots, radar for those hazy Florida afternoons, VHF radio to stay connected, and a reliable fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. The spacious center console design gives everyone room to cast, fight fish, and move around comfortably while your experienced First Mate keeps things running smoothly. Whether you're targeting snapper around the reefs or hoping to hook into grouper near the wrecks, this boat puts you right where the action is. Perfect for families, beginners, or seasoned anglers looking for a solid half-day on the water without the complications.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family but pack serious punch for their size. Most run 5-15 pounds and 20-30 inches, perfect for our nearshore reefs and wrecks. These fast-moving schooling fish cruise the edges of structure in 40-150 feet of water. Fall through spring offers peak action when they're most active in our area. What guests love is their speed and endurance - once hooked, they make blistering runs and fight way above their weight class. The dark red meat is rich and perfect for sashimi or blackening. They often school with skipjack, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leaders - these fish have sharp eyes and will spook easily. Vertical jigs and small live baits work best, and don't be surprised when they bite on the drop.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are impressive brown sharks lookalikes that can reach 6 feet and 100 pounds, though most we see run 20-40 pounds. These aggressive predators cruise around our reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best fishing when they're moving north to spawn. What guests love about cobia is their strong, determined fight - they'll make powerful runs trying to get back to structure. The meat is fantastic too, with a firm texture and clean flavor that rivals any fish we catch. They're usually loners, so you'll often spot them cruising near the surface. My advice: when you see one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose. Color doesn't matter much, but that presentation needs to be perfect. These fish have great eyesight and won't hit sloppy casts.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs, growing up to 8 feet and 800 pounds - true monsters that live around our wrecks and coral heads in shallow water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but what an experience. These ancient fish can live 50-100 years and have zero fear, often approaching divers and boats. Summer gives us the best shots when they gather on spawning aggregations. What makes them special is that first bone-jarring pull - it's like hooking a truck. They'll try to get back to structure immediately, so you need heavy tackle and a strong back. The fight is usually short but incredibly powerful. Here's what works: anchor close enough to the structure so they'll come out, but far enough that you can pull them away. Bounce your bait on the bottom to get their attention - these fish aren't shy about investigating.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter on our reefs. Mahi average 15-29 pounds and put on quite a show with their vibrant blues and greens underwater, then flash through a rainbow of colors when brought to the boat. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in 30-200 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're moving through our area. What makes them special? They fight hard with acrobatic jumps, and the meat is absolutely delicious - firm, white, and mild. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep your rod tip up and be ready for multiple jumps. They often travel in small schools, so once you find one, work the area thoroughly for more.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are the prize of our local reefs, with their distinctive olive color and blue streaks around the face. Most run 3-8 pounds, but the big ones can hit 20+ pounds and really test your skills. They hang around coral heads and rocky structure in 20-100 feet, often sitting just off the reef in sandy patches. Fall and winter give us the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is their combination of wariness and fight - they're smart fish that will make strong runs once hooked. The eating quality is outstanding too, with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use the freshest bait you can get and fish it on light tackle with minimal weight. Let your bait drift naturally in the current, and when you see that pink color coming up through the water, you'll know you've got a keeper mutton.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Ricky and Ali did an incredible job and we caught a ton of fish, just on a half day trip! Will definitely be booking fut...
We enjoyed our trip with this amazing captain who really knows the area and how to hook on to plenty of fish
Took some young kids out and they had us on fish immediately. We had a blast. Crew was awesome, boat was perfect. Couldn’t ask for...
Riviera Beach