12 Hour Guided Fishing Trip in Charleston
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing adventure targeting premium species like Tuna and Mahi.Professional 40ft Ocean Yacht accommodates up to six guests comfortably.Captain Jason provides expert guidance with toptier equipment and safety gear.
Captain Jason's 12-hour offshore charter puts you right in the heart of Charleston's best fishing grounds aboard a solid 40-foot Ocean Yacht that's built for serious fishing. This isn't some tourist boat – it's a proper fishing machine with live wells, GPS fish finders, and everything you need to hook into the big ones. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish without tangling lines, while the shaded cabin keeps you comfortable during those hot summer days. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip delivers the kind of offshore action that keeps anglers talking all year.
Your day starts early – we're talking first light departure to maximize fishing time and hit the prime feeding windows. The run out to the fishing grounds takes about 45 minutes, giving you time to get your sea legs and watch the sunrise paint the Atlantic. Charleston's offshore waters are loaded with structure, from artificial reefs to natural ledges where baitfish stack up and predators follow. The boat's fish finder will be lighting up as we search for those telltale marks that signal feeding fish below. You'll spend the day moving between spots, adjusting techniques based on what's biting, and working everything from the surface down to 100 feet of water. The crew handles all the heavy lifting – rigging baits, gaffing fish, and keeping the deck clean so you can focus on the fight.
Most of your day will be spent trolling, which is the bread and butter of offshore fishing here. We'll have multiple lines out at different depths using a spread of lures, ballyhoo, and live bait when we can get it. The boat carries heavy tackle capable of handling anything from schoolie mahi to trophy-sized wahoo that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. When fish are located, we'll often switch to live bait fishing or chunking, especially if we mark a good concentration of tuna. The GPS and fish finder technology on board means we're not just fishing blindly – we're targeting specific structure, temperature breaks, and bait concentrations that hold fish. Everyone gets hands-on instruction on proper fighting techniques, and the crew will coach you through landing that fish of a lifetime.
Skipjack Tuna are the workhorses of Charleston's offshore scene, showing up in massive schools from late spring through fall. These fish fight way above their 8-15 pound weight class, making screaming runs and testing your drag system. They're perfect for beginners because they're aggressive biters, but they'll still give experienced anglers a workout. The best action happens when you find diving birds and breaking fish – it's pure chaos with tuna busting bait on the surface while you're trying to get lines in the water.
Blackfin Tuna step up the game considerably, running 15-30 pounds and fighting like they're twice that size. These fish are smart and can be finicky, often requiring light leaders and smaller baits when they're being picky. Fall months bring the best blackfin action around Charleston, especially when water temperatures start dropping and baitfish are thick. Landing a quality blackfin on light tackle is something every offshore angler should experience – they're pure muscle and endurance.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of our waters, hitting trolled baits at 40+ mph and making blistering runs that can empty a reel in heartbeats. Spring and fall migrations bring fish in the 20-40 pound range right to Charleston's doorstep, with occasional giants pushing 50+ pounds. Kings are notorious for their razor-sharp teeth and acrobatic jumps, making them both exciting and challenging to land. The key is keeping steady pressure while being ready for their signature head-shaking runs.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics that make offshore fishing special. These golden beauties average 10-25 pounds locally and put on an aerial show that'll have you scrambling for your camera. Summer months are prime time for mahi around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. Once you hook one, keep your other lines in the water – mahi typically travel in schools, and a hot bite can mean multiple fish in the box in minutes.
Wahoo represent the ultimate offshore prize, combining size, speed, and table fare into one package. These torpedo-shaped predators can exceed 50 pounds and hit baits at speeds that'll snap heavy line if your drag isn't set perfectly. Winter months often produce the best wahoo fishing around Charleston, when these fish move in to feed on the abundant bait. Catching a wahoo is like hooking a freight train – the initial run is so violent it'll make your arms shake, and the fight that follows tests every knot and connection in your tackle.
This 12-hour charter represents serious value for hardcore anglers who want to maximize their time on the water. Captain Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand, and the 40-foot Ocean Yacht provides the stability and fishability you need for a successful offshore trip. With space for up to six anglers, you can bring your crew without feeling crowded, and the professional-grade equipment means you're properly rigged for whatever swims these waters. Charleston's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and this trip puts you right in the middle of the action with a captain and boat that can deliver. Don't wait for the perfect weather window – book your dates now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that becomes the standard all others are measured against.
The BlackJack is a solid 40-foot Ocean Yachts sportfisher that'll get you out to the deep water where the big fish live. Built in 1998 with twin 420HP Caterpillar diesels, she cruises comfortably at 25 knots to put you on the fishing grounds fast. Perfect for up to 6 anglers, this boat comes loaded with everything you need for serious offshore fishing - advanced fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus live wells to keep your catch fresh. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting bird activity and working fish, while the air-conditioned cabin provides relief from the Charleston sun. With a full galley, fridge, and head onboard, you'll have all the comforts needed for a full day chasing tuna, mahi, kings, and wahoo in the blue water off the South Carolina coast.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of the true tunas, typically running 20-30 pounds with that beautiful golden stripe that fades after the fight. These fish prefer warm water over 68°F and hang around the continental shelf edges in 40-150 feet. Spring through fall are prime time here in Charleston waters. What guests love about blackfin is they're absolute scrappy fighters - pound for pound, they'll give you everything they've got. The meat is top-shelf quality, great for grilling or searing. They school up with skipjack often, so when you find one species, keep looking for both. They've got sharp eyes, so I always recommend scaling down to 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. Live pilchards work magic as chum to get them fired up and coming to the boat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are serious gamefish that'll average 20-40 pounds, though we see some pushing 60+ pounds during peak season. These silver rockets cruise the 40-150 foot depths along drop-offs and ledges. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What makes kings special is pure speed - they're built like torpedoes and will scream line off your reel faster than almost anything out there. The meat has great flavor when fresh, though it's got higher mercury levels. They're notorious for hitting the back half of live bait, so always rig with two hooks on a wire leader - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Live pogies or blue runners work best, but they'll smash a well-placed spoon too.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch, flashing gold and electric blue before fading after the fight. They typically run 15-30 pounds and live fast lives under floating debris, weed lines, or around any structure. We find them in warmer months when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What makes them special is that wild color show and acrobatic jumps - plus the meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore. They're not picky eaters but love flying fish. Look for frigate birds working floating debris - that's your best sign. I always tell guests to make their ballyhoo skip on the surface when trolling. Once you hook one, keep the boat nearby because mahi travel in schools, and you can often catch several from the same spot.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, usually running 2-3 feet and around 20 pounds. You'll spot them by those distinctive dark vertical bands on their silver sides. These fish live in big schools in the open ocean, often mixing with juvenile yellowfin. They're incredibly fast swimmers and stay in the upper water column, making them perfect for trolling at 4-6 knots with hoochie rigs or feathers. Summer through fall gives us the best action here off Charleston. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and non-stop fight - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is excellent for sashimi when fresh. Pro tip: when you find a school, don't drive right through it. Circle wide and let your lures work the edges first.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep, hitting 60mph with that distinctive zebra-striped silver body. They average 20-60 pounds and cruise open water along the shelf break. Summer and fall bring the best wahoo action to Charleston waters. What gets anglers excited is the lightning-fast strike followed by blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The white meat is incredibly sweet and flaky - some of the finest eating offshore. These fish are loners mostly, but they'll congregate around floating debris. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders is essential since their razor teeth will cut through anything else. I run minnow-style lures and bulletheads in the spread. Key tip: when you get a wahoo bite, don't slow down immediately - let the fish hook itself before you back down the throttles.
Charleston