Charleston Offshore Fishing: 10-Hour Deep Water Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore adventure targeting multiple premium fish speciesTrolling, bottom fishing, and jigging up to 40 miles offshoreCustomizable trip for up to 6 guests with BoSs Fishing Company
Ready to get serious about fishing Charleston's offshore waters? This 10-hour deep sea charter with BoSs Fishing Company takes you up to 40 miles out where the real action happens. We're talking about waters where mahi mahi crash baits, wahoo scream drag, and amberjack fight like bulldogs. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we've got the time to find fish, work different techniques, and put you on the species that make Charleston's offshore scene legendary. Pack your cooler, bring your appetite for adventure, and let's go chase some pelagics.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with 10 hours at our disposal, we're not rushing anything. We'll start the morning running out to prime fishing grounds, watching the fish finder and keeping an eye on water color changes that signal good fishing. The beauty of this trip is flexibility – want to spend more time trolling for mahi and wahoo? We can do that. Prefer to anchor up and work the bottom for grouper and amberjack? That's on the menu too. Most trips combine all three techniques since variety keeps things interesting and puts different species in the box. The Gulf Stream influence brings clean blue water close to Charleston, which means we don't have to run forever to reach productive fishing grounds. Expect to see flying fish, maybe some dolphins, and hopefully plenty of bent rods. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's room to spread out without feeling crowded, and everyone gets their shot at the action.
We're equipped to fish multiple ways, and that's what separates a good day from a great day offshore. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water – we'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs to entice mahi, wahoo, tuna, and king mackerel. When we mark fish or hit structure, out come the jigs and bottom rigs. Vertical jigging with butterfly jigs and speed jigs is deadly on amberjack, and when they're fired up, it's non-stop action. Bottom fishing means dropping baits to the deck for grouper, and these fish don't give up easy – it's a straight pull to get them off the bottom before they reach their holes. The boat carries quality tackle, but if you've got lucky rods or preferred gear, bring them along. Circle hooks are the standard for bottom fishing, and we'll rig everything properly. Learning to work different techniques makes you a more complete angler, and with 10 hours out there, you'll get plenty of practice.
Black sea bass are the workhorses of Charleston's offshore scene, especially around structure and ledges. These scrappy fish hit hard and fight tough for their size, typically running 12-16 inches with bigger specimens pushing 20-plus. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up tight. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – they'll hit everything from cut bait to jigs, and once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They're also excellent table fare, which makes them a favorite with anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Blackfin tuna bring the speed and power that makes offshore fishing addictive. These rockets typically run 15-25 pounds in our waters and fight way above their weight class. They show up best during spring and fall migrations, often mixing with dolphin schools or working bait near temperature breaks. When you hook a blackfin, get ready for screaming runs and acrobatic jumps. They're absolute suckers for small feathers, cedar plugs, and live bait, but they can be finicky. Find them feeding, though, and you might boat several before they sound. Their dark red meat makes them prized for sashimi and steaks.
King mackerel patrol Charleston's offshore waters like wolves, and when they're hungry, they'll attack anything that moves. These toothy predators average 15-30 pounds but can push 40-plus when conditions are right. Spring and fall bring the best action as they migrate along our coast. Kings are famous for spectacular jumps and blistering runs that test your drag settings. They're suckers for slow-trolled live bait, but they'll also smash spoons, plugs, and rigged ballyhoo. Wire leader is mandatory – their razor teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. When you find a good king bite, it's pure chaos in the best possible way.
Mahi mahi represent everything that's exciting about offshore fishing. These colorful bulldogs hit like freight trains, jump like tarpon, and change colors like neon signs. Charleston's mahi typically run 10-25 pounds, with bulls occasionally pushing 30-plus. They're most active during warmer months but can show up any time conditions are right. What makes mahi special is their curiosity – they'll follow hooked fish to the boat, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. They school around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. Once you find them, keep a few small ones in the water as decoys while you work the school. Their white, flaky meat makes them as good on the plate as they are on the end of a line.
Wahoo are the speed demons of Charleston's offshore waters, capable of runs that'll make your reel smoke. These missiles typically measure 20-40 pounds in our area and can reach speeds over 60 mph. They're most active during fall and winter when water temperatures drop, often relating to temperature breaks and current edges. Wahoo have mouths full of razor teeth and a bad attitude to match. They'll destroy high-speed trolled baits, especially wire-rigged ballyhoo and diving plugs. The key is trolling fast – 12-15 knots – which eliminates most other species but drives wahoo crazy.
This classic 1988 Post convertible is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in Charleston waters. Twin 550HP Detroit Diesel engines power you up to 40 miles out where the big fish roam. With room for 6 anglers, she's equipped with everything needed for a successful day chasing mahi, wahoo, tuna, and grouper. The air-conditioned cabin keeps you comfortable between hookups, while the full galley, fridge, and icebox handle your food and drinks. Navigation gear including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate the hottest spots and keep you safe in changing conditions. A private head and sleeping quarters mean you can fish hard all day without missing a beat. Whether you're trolling the blue water, dropping baits to the bottom, or working jigs over structure, this boat handles it all with the reliability of those bulletproof Detroit diesels pushing you through the swells.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are solid fighters that average 2-4 pounds, though we occasionally land bigger males up to 8 pounds from deeper water. These chunky grouper relatives love structure - wrecks, rocky bottom, and jetties in 40-120 feet of water. Spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What makes them special is their unique biology - they're all born female and change to male as they grow, with the big breeding males developing a distinctive hump on their heads. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to rig is a simple two-hook bottom setup with squid or cut bait, but here's the key - keep your rod tip up and feel for that telltale tap-tap before they try to dive back into the structure.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 15-25 pounds, but they make up for size with pure speed and stamina. These beautiful fish show off brilliant golden bands and blue-black colors when fresh from the water. We find them in warm offshore waters, usually 20-40 miles out, where they school with other tunas and chase baitfish. Fall through spring offers the best action here in Charleston waters. What guests love most is their relentless fight - they'll peel drag and test your endurance every time. Plus, the meat is outstanding - firm, mild, and perfect for searing or sashimi. Pro tip: scale down your tackle with 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. Their eyesight is razor sharp, so lighter gear means more bites when we're chunking or vertical jigging around schools.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are hands-down one of the most beautiful fish we target, flashing brilliant gold, green, and blue colors that change like a light show when they're brought boatside. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-29 pounds and are found around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in warm offshore waters. Summer months bring the best action as they follow the Gulf Stream closer to our coast. What makes them special is their aggressive nature - they'll often stay with hooked fish, giving us shots at multiple hookups. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. When we're trolling for them, I always keep an extra rod rigged and ready. Once we hook one, immediately toss out a second bait or jig - the rest of the school usually hangs around, and that's when the real fun starts with doubles and triples.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our waters, hitting lures at 40+ mph and making blistering runs that'll test your drag settings. Most fish run 15-30 pounds, but we regularly see 40+ pounders, especially the females. These silver bullets cruise open water from 40-150 feet deep, often following baitfish along temperature breaks and current edges. Peak season runs spring through fall when water temps hit that sweet spot above 68 degrees. What makes them so popular is that explosive strike and the way they'll strip line off your reel in seconds. The meat's great too - firm and flaky, perfect for the grill. Here's my best tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of live baits, so that second hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the ultimate speed machine - these sleek, torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run. They typically range 20-50 pounds with that distinctive zebra-striped pattern along their silver sides. We find them in open water, usually 30+ miles offshore where they patrol around current edges and floating debris. Fall and winter provide our best shots when they move through during their migration. What sets them apart is that explosive strike followed by a blistering run that can take 200+ yards of line in seconds. The meat is top-notch too - white, flaky, and mild-tasting. For wahoo, I always run wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono instantly. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or skirted ballyhoo works best - when one hits, hang on tight and enjoy the ride.
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