12 Hour Guided Fishing Trip in Charleston
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing aboard spacious 40ft Ocean Yachts vesselTarget Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, and WahooCaptain Jason guides groups up to 6 guests safely
Get ready for a serious day on the water with BlackJack Fishing Charters. Captain Jason's got you covered with his 40ft Ocean Yacht – a top-rated vessel that's built for comfort and loaded with everything you need to land some serious fish. We're talking 12 hours of pure fishing action in Charleston's legendary offshore waters, targeting some of the hottest species swimming these parts. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this trip delivers the kind of day that gets people hooked on fishing for life.
This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're going full throttle with a 12-hour adventure that gives you real time to get into the fish. The 40ft Ocean Yacht handles Charleston's offshore waters like a dream, with plenty of deck space for up to 6 anglers to spread out and work their lines without bumping elbows. You'll find shaded areas when the Carolina sun gets cranking, and the panoramic views are something else – miles of blue water stretching to the horizon. Captain Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on the fish using GPS navigation and decades of local knowledge. The boat's equipped with live wells to keep your bait fresh and frisky, plus all the safety gear that lets you focus on what really matters – getting bent rods and screaming reels.
We'll be running a combination of trolling spreads and live bait techniques that have been proven in Charleston waters for years. The captain sets up multiple lines at different depths and distances, creating a deadly spread that covers water efficiently while you cruise at optimal trolling speeds. Live wells keep the bait active – nothing beats a frisky bait fish for drawing strikes from predators cruising the blue water. When fish are located, we'll often switch to casting or jigging techniques that put you right in the action. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels, but seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their own gear if they've got favorites. GPS and fish finder technology help locate structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools that hold the gamefish you're after. It's a methodical approach that maximizes your time in the strike zone.
Skipjack Tuna are the speed demons of Charleston's offshore scene, typically weighing 8-15 pounds and fighting like fish twice their size. These smaller cousins of the yellowfin are perfect for light tackle action and show up consistently from late spring through early fall. They school up in big numbers, so when you find them, you're in for fast action with multiple hookups. Skipjacks hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system – they're a customer favorite for good reason.
Blackfin Tuna step up the game with their 20-40 pound average and world-class stamina. These fish are built for speed and endurance, making long powerful runs that can take you well into your backing. Peak season runs from May through October in Charleston waters, with the biggest fish showing up during the cooler months. Blackfins are excellent table fare and put up the kind of fight that leaves your arms aching in the best possible way.
King Mackerel are the toothy predators that keep things interesting with their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps. These fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ when conditions are right. Kings are year-round residents in Charleston, but fall months bring the biggest fish as they migrate south. They're known for their initial screaming runs and tendency to jump when hooked – always exciting to watch and even better to experience firsthand.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and excitement with their brilliant gold and green sides that light up when they're fighting. These 20-40 pound gamefish are renowned for their aerial displays and bulldogging fights close to the boat. Mahi typically show up in Charleston waters from late spring through early fall, often around floating debris or weed lines. They're excellent eating and provide some of the most photogenic moments of any offshore trip.
Wahoo are the speedsters that can hit 60+ mph and strip line faster than you thought possible. These sleek predators average 30-60 pounds in Charleston waters and are famous for their initial blistering runs. Wahoo fishing peaks during the cooler months when these fish move inshore to feed. They've got razor-sharp teeth and a tendency to make long, sustained runs that'll have you wondering if you hooked a small marlin. The meat is outstanding – firm, white, and perfect for the grill.
Twelve hours with Captain Jason aboard this well-equipped Ocean Yacht gives you the real offshore experience that Charleston waters are famous for. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're investing in a day that could hook you on offshore angling for life. The combination of quality equipment, local expertise, and proven techniques puts the odds in your favor for landing fish that'll have you talking for years. Charleston's offshore fishery is world-class, and this charter gives you access to it all with a captain who lives and breathes these waters. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what serious offshore fishing is all about – book your spot and get ready for the kind of day that reminds you why people get addicted to saltwater fishing.
Meet the BlackJack, your floating fishing headquarters for serious offshore action in Charleston waters. This 40-foot Ocean Yachts sportfisher packs twin 420HP Caterpillar engines that'll get you to the productive fishing grounds at a solid 25 knots. Built for the real deal - chasing Blackfin Tuna, Mahi, Kings, and Wahoo in the deep blue. The boat's dialed in with everything you need for a full 12-hour adventure. Fish finder and GPS keep you on the fish, while the flybridge gives you that commanding view of the water. When the Charleston sun gets cranking, duck into the air-conditioned cabin or grab some shade on deck. Full kitchen and fridge mean fresh snacks and cold drinks all day, plus there's an icebox to keep your catch iced down proper. Captain Jason knows these waters inside and out, and with room for 6 anglers, you've got plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. The BlackJack handles the offshore chop like a champ, so you can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat and making the most of your time on Charleston's productive fishing grounds.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the perfect-sized tuna for our Charleston waters, typically running 20-30 pounds with beautiful dark backs and silver sides. These fish live near the continental shelf in 100-300 feet of water, and they're known for putting up one heck of a fight on medium tackle. Fall through spring is prime time here, especially when water temps stay above 68°F. What makes blackfin special is their incredible speed and acrobatics - they'll make long runs and jump like smaller tunas. The meat is top-notch, perfect for the grill or sashimi. They school with skipjack sometimes, which can make for non-stop action. My go-to trick is downsizing your leader to 30-pound fluorocarbon since these fish have sharp eyes and can be leader-shy in clear water.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of our Charleston offshore scene, averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of much more. These silver missiles patrol depths from 40-150 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Summer and early fall are peak seasons when they're feeding heavily on menhaden and blue runners. What guests love most is the blistering initial run - kings can strip line off your reel like few other fish. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat that grills beautifully. You'll often find the bigger fish closer to shore around inlets and harbors. Here's a local trick: always use a two-hook rig with wire leader since kings typically hit the tail section of your bait first, then come back for the head.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll encounter offshore, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that light up like Christmas when they're brought to the boat. These 15-30 pound beauties love floating debris and weed lines in warm offshore waters. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when Gulf Stream waters push close to Charleston. What makes mahi fishing so addictive is their aggressive nature - they'll attack trolled ballyhoo and lures with reckless abandon, plus they jump and tailwalk during the fight. The white, flaky meat is fantastic eating. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. Key tip: always keep one fish in the water on a light drag while you work the school - it'll keep the others around longer.
Katsuwonus PelamisThese small but scrappy tunas average 2-3 feet and about 20 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle action. You'll find skipjack in schools around Charleston's offshore waters, often mixed with juvenile yellowfin. They're surface feeders that love to chase baitfish, creating some exciting topwater action. Spring through fall gives us the best fishing when water temps hit that sweet spot above 70°F. What guests really love is how aggressive these fish are - they'll hit trolled feathers and spoons with authority, and their initial runs will test your drag. The meat's great for sashimi if you bleed them right away. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lures in the water because where there's one skipjack, there's usually a whole school ready to feed.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the Formula One cars of the ocean, hitting speeds up to 60 mph and averaging 30-50 pounds around Charleston. These torpedo-shaped fish with zebra-like stripes cruise the open water column, usually solo or in small groups. They're most active during cooler months when they move closer to our continental shelf. What gets anglers fired up is that lightning-fast strike - wahoo will absolutely demolish a high-speed trolled lure, often jumping clear of the water. The meat is premium white fish, mild and flaky like grouper. They're notorious for cutting leaders with razor-sharp teeth, so wire is essential. Local secret: troll at 12-15 knots with bullet-head lures in blue and silver - most guys fish too slow for these speed freaks.
Charleston