Expert Captain Scott's Offshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target snapper, grouper, mahi mahi, and cobia offshoreAll fishing gear included for up to six guestsSuitable for beginners and experienced anglers alike
Captain Scott knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish off Pompano Beach. This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're rushing around trying to find action. We're talking about a full day of targeting some of Florida's most prized offshore species, from hard-fighting cobia to table-fare grouper that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock. With room for up to six anglers, this trip works whether you're bringing the whole crew or just a couple of buddies who know their way around a rod and reel.
You'll meet Captain Scott at the marina bright and early, because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. The boat's rigged and ready with everything you need - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait that's proven to work in these waters. We're heading offshore where the water changes from that inshore green to deep blue, and that's where the magic happens. Expect to spend your day working different depths and structures, from mid-water columns where the cobia cruise to those deeper ledges where the grouper hang out. Captain Scott reads the conditions like a book - wind, current, water temp - and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days we're drifting live bait, other days we're working jigs or dropping baits to the bottom. The beauty of fishing with someone who knows what they're doing is that you get to focus on the fun part while he handles the strategy.
This offshore fishing trip covers a lot of ground, literally and figuratively. We'll be working everything from bottom fishing for grouper to sight fishing for cobia when conditions are right. The tackle setup varies depending on what we're targeting, but expect medium to heavy action rods that can handle the pull of a big fish without wearing you out. For the grouper, we're talking about fishing 80 to 150 feet of water using circle hooks and fresh bait - squid, sardines, whatever's working that day. The key with grouper is getting them up and away from structure before they can wrap you up in the rocks. When we're after cobia, it's a different game entirely. These fish are curious and aggressive, often coming right up to the boat to check things out. We'll have spinning gear ready with bucktail jigs and live bait for when they show up. Mahi fishing usually means covering water and looking for floating debris, weed lines, or birds working bait. Captain Scott keeps an eye on all the signs that indicate fish, and he's not shy about moving if the action slows down.
Snowy Grouper are the deep-water specialists that most anglers never get a crack at. These fish live in 200-plus feet of water and can weigh 20 pounds or more. They're not as common as their shallow-water cousins, but when you hook into one, you know it immediately. The fight is all about endurance - theirs and yours. Snowies are typically more active during cooler months, and they're absolute table fare champions. What makes them special is their rarity and the fact that most recreational anglers never specifically target them.
Cobia are the offshore bruisers that'll test your tackle and your patience. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) can push 40 pounds and they fight like fish twice their size. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia around Pompano Beach, especially when they're following rays and sharks in the shallows. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat, giving you a clear shot at a perfect cast. The fight is spectacular - long runs, head shakes, and they never give up until they're in the boat. Plus, cobia are fantastic on the dinner table with firm, white meat that's hard to beat.
Mutton Snapper are the smart ones that keep you honest. These fish have incredible eyesight and they're spooky as hell, but when you connect with a good one, it's worth all the effort. Muttons typically run 5 to 15 pounds around here, with bigger fish possible during the right conditions. They're structure-oriented fish that hang around wrecks, reefs, and ledges. Fall and winter are typically the best times for muttons, and they're considered by many to be the best eating fish in South Florida waters. Their fight is different from grouper - more finesse, less bulldogging - but they'll still test your drag settings.
Black Grouper are the workhorses of the grouper family around Pompano Beach. These fish are aggressive feeders that don't mess around when they eat your bait. Blacks typically run 10 to 30 pounds, and they're available year-round with peak action during warmer months. They're ambush predators that sit in holes and crevices waiting for an easy meal to drift by. The fight is classic grouper - straight down toward structure, testing your drag and your nerves. Black grouper are excellent eating with firm, flaky meat that works in everything from fish tacos to blackened fillets.
Gag Grouper are probably the most sought-after grouper species in these waters, and for good reason. They're typically more aggressive than other grouper species and they grow big - fish over 20 pounds are definitely possible. Gags are structure fish that love ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs. They're most active during the cooler months when they come into shallower water to spawn. The fight is classic grouper power, but gags tend to be a bit more acrobatic than their cousins. They're also considered premium table fare, which explains why they're so popular with serious anglers.
Look, great fishing with an experienced captain doesn't happen by accident. Captain Scott has put in the time
Jump aboard this sleek 2023 Yamaha 25-footer and get ready to chase some serious fish in Pompano Beach waters. With twin 180HP engines pushing you up to 42 knots, you'll cover ground fast whether you're hunting Mahi offshore or working the reefs for Grouper and Snapper. This center console handles beautifully in all conditions and gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the hot spots. Pack your lunch in the icebox and settle in for a productive day targeting Vermillion Snapper, Cobia, and Mutton Snapper with Captain Scott. Perfect setup for up to 6 anglers ready to get their lines wet in South Florida's prime fishing grounds.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack groupers are the bulldogs of the reef - olive-gray with dark rectangular blotches scattered across their body. Most average 10-20 pounds, but the bigger ones can push 50-plus pounds and really test your gear. They hang around offshore reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 80-200 feet, moving shallower during cooler months. What makes them special is the pure strength - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight down into the rocks. The meat is excellent with a mild flavor and firm texture that's great grilled or fried. These fish are ambush predators, so they hit hard and fast. My advice: use heavy tackle with at least 80-pound braid and 100-pound leader. When you feel that thump, start cranking immediately. Don't give them time to think or they'll bury you in the structure.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are loners that cruise shallow structure and wrecks, usually in 30-70 feet of water. They average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60-plus. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're moving through our area following bait schools. What guests love about cobia is the aggressive strike and strong runs - they fight dirty and use their broad body to pull hard. The meat is firm and tasty, often compared to shark but better. These brown, shark-looking fish are curious and will often approach the boat when you're sight fishing. My go-to technique is dropping a bucktail jig in 4-8 ounce range near structure or current breaks. Color doesn't matter much, but presentation does. Here's the key tip: when you see one, get your bait down quick because they move fast and won't stick around long.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag groupers are the gray ghosts of the reef - not flashy but solid fighters that make great table fare. They average 15-25 pounds with bigger ones reaching 40-plus. You'll find them around rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-180 feet of water. Spring and fall are best when they're more active and feeding heavily. What guests enjoy is the steady, strong fight and excellent eating quality - the meat's firm and sweet. These fish are structure-oriented, so look for any kind of hard bottom or artificial reef. Live pinfish or mullet work great, but fresh cut bait like squid and octopus produce too. Here's my tip: once you hook a gag, lock down that drag and keep your rod tip low. They'll try to get back to the rocks, so you need to muscle them up and away from structure right away.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are some of the best-eating fish we catch, with that distinctive pinkish color and blue lines around the face. They typically run 3-8 pounds inshore, but the bigger ones out on the reefs can hit 15-20 pounds. You'll find them around coral heads, wrecks, and sandy areas near structure in 30-150 feet. Summer months are prime time, especially when we get good weather and clear water. What makes them popular is they're strong fighters that make good runs, plus the meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for dinner. The key to catching muttons is fresh bait and light weights. I always tell guests to let the bait drift naturally in the current using a knocker rig. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure because they'll dive straight for the reef to cut you off.
Epinephelus These deep-water heavyweights live in 300-600 feet around rocky structure offshore. Most run 20-30 pounds, but we've seen them push 50-plus. They're open season May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit, so timing your trip matters. What makes them special is that coppery brown color with white spots - unmistakable when they come up. The fight's different from shallow groupers since you're cranking from way down deep. I recommend using electric reels with 50-pound gear because hand-cranking from that depth will wear you out fast. Fresh squid or whole bonito strips work best on a chicken rig. These fish eat anything that moves and hit hard, but getting them off the bottom before they hole up is the real challenge.
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