Full Day Offshore Charter New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore charter targeting bottom fish and trollingAccommodates up to four passengers with all gear includedAll skill levels welcome with professional captain guidance
Captain Doug Hicks knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard for a full day offshore charter from New Smyrna Beach, you're getting decades of local knowledge working in your favor. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a complete offshore experience where you'll target some of the Atlantic's most sought-after gamefish while enjoying the personalized attention that comes with a smaller boat. With everything from licenses to live bait included, you can focus on what matters most: fighting fish and making memories on Florida's Space Coast waters.
Your day starts early at the New Smyrna Beach inlet, where Captain Doug has everything rigged and ready to go. This top-rated charter accommodates just two anglers, which means you're not fighting for rod time or competing with a crowded boat. The intimate setting lets Doug tailor the trip to your experience level and preferences, whether you're a seasoned angler looking to boat a personal best or a newcomer who needs some coaching on technique. You'll head out through Ponce Inlet and make the run to productive offshore waters, where the Gulf Stream's influence creates prime conditions for pelagic species. The boat comes equipped with all US Coast Guard approved safety gear, quality tackle, and fresh live bait – Doug's got the technical side covered so you can concentrate on the fishing. Most trips combine both bottom fishing and trolling techniques, giving you the best shot at a variety of species throughout the day.
Doug runs a versatile operation that adapts to conditions and what's biting. For bottom fishing, you'll be working structure and reefs where cobia hang out, using circle hooks and live or cut bait to entice these bronze bulldogs up from the depths. The trolling spread is where things get exciting – Doug sets up a pattern of lures and baits that covers different zones in the water column. Ballyhoo on wire leaders for wahoo, colorful skirted lures for mahi, and the occasional live bait slow-trolled for sailfish. The captain reads the water constantly, adjusting speed, direction, and lure selection based on water color, temperature breaks, and bird activity. When a rod starts screaming, Doug's there to coach you through the fight, whether it's keeping steady pressure on a powerful cobia or managing the acrobatic runs of a hooked sailfish. All tackle is tournament-grade stuff that can handle whatever the offshore waters throw at you, and Doug maintains his gear meticulously because he knows a lost fish due to equipment failure ruins everyone's day.
The mahi mahi fishing off New Smyrna Beach has been nothing short of phenomenal, with Doug's guests regularly hooking into schools of these colorful fighters. These fish are pure excitement on the line – they'll jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. Mahi typically range from 10 to 30 pounds in these waters, though bigger bulls occasionally show up to test your drag system. They're most active during the warmer months when weed lines and floating debris concentrate closer to shore, creating perfect ambush spots for feeding fish. What makes mahi so special is their willingness to eat – they'll hit trolled lures, live bait, and even flies if you're into that kind of challenge. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Wahoo represent the speed demons of the offshore world, and New Smyrna's proximity to the Gulf Stream makes it prime wahoo territory. These fish are built for speed, with razor-sharp teeth and the ability to strip line faster than you'd think possible. Doug targets wahoo with high-speed trolling, pulling lures at 15-20 knots to trigger strikes from these aggressive predators. A typical wahoo runs 20 to 40 pounds, though 50-pounders show up often enough to keep things interesting. The bite is usually instantaneous – one second you're trolling along, the next your reel is singing and a silver torpedo is tail-walking across the surface. Wahoo are excellent table fare, with meat that's similar to king mackerel but milder in flavor.
Cobia season brings some of the most visual fishing you'll experience in these waters. These curious fish often cruise near the surface, following rays, sharks, or floating debris. Doug's got a keen eye for spotting cobia, and when he sees one, the game plan switches to sight fishing. You'll pitch live bait or jigs to individual fish, watching their reaction and adjusting your presentation accordingly. Cobia are powerful fighters that use their broad tails and stocky bodies to test your technique. They average 30 to 50 pounds, with fish over 60 pounds caught regularly during peak season from April through June. The meat is fantastic – often compared to shark but with a cleaner taste and better texture.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of New Smyrna's offshore scene, offering world-class light tackle fishing right in your backyard. These acrobatic billfish provide some of the most exciting fishing action you'll find anywhere, with their signature jumps and long runs that can empty a reel in seconds. Doug knows how to work the sailfish bite, whether it's slow-trolling live bait along temperature breaks or working schools of baitfish where sails are feeding. Most sailfish run 6 to 8 feet long and weigh 30 to 50 pounds, but their fighting ability far exceeds their size. The captain practices catch and release for sailfish, ensuring these magnificent gamefish remain available for future generations of anglers to enjoy.
Captain Doug Hicks has built his reputation one satisfied angler at a time, and this full day offshore charter represents the best value in New Smyrna Beach fishing. With all tackle, licenses, bait, and fish cleaning included, you're
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the ultimate gamefish - averaging 7 feet and 50 pounds with that signature sail dorsal fin. These speedsters hunt in 30-200 feet, usually near current breaks and temperature changes where baitfish gather. Winter months bring the best action as they move through our waters following warmer currents. What makes sailfish legendary is their aerial show - multiple jumps, tail walks, and that classic bill-shaking fight that can last 20 minutes. Most anglers release these beauties since they're not great eating compared to other billfish. The secret is in the tease: get them fired up with a hookless teaser, then drop back a rigged ballyhoo or live bait. When they light up with those electric blue stripes, you know they're ready to eat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these big, dark fish cruise solo and can easily hit 50-100 pounds. Look for them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet, though they'll roam shallower during spring migration. April through June is prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn. What makes cobia special is their curious nature and bulldogging fight once hooked, plus they're outstanding on the dinner table with firm, white meat. They're sight fishing at its best - you'll often spot them just under the surface looking like a small shark. Key tip: when you see one, don't rush the cast. They're curious fish, so take your time, get positioned right, and drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties average 15-29 pounds and put on quite a show with their bright blues and greens when hooked. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 30-200 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime time here off New Smyrna, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes mahi so popular is their aggressive strike, acrobatic jumps, and that sweet, firm white meat that's perfect grilled. They're fast growers that travel in small schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Pro tip: once you boat the first fish, keep a few lines in the water and work the same area quickly - the school often hangs around for a few more minutes.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. They cruise the blue water from 30-200 feet deep, often near drop-offs and current edges. Best fishing runs from summer into fall when they're most active in our waters. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is that blistering initial run and their reputation as premium table fare - the meat is white, flaky, and mild. They're usually loners, so it's often one and done, but that makes each hookup special. Here's the key: run your trolling spread fast, around 12-15 knots, and always use wire leaders. Those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono or fluorocarbon like butter, and you'll lose more fish than you land without proper rigging.
New Smyrna Beach