Pompano Beach Deep-Sea Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Mahi, Tuna, Sailfish on 38 hour offshore tripsAll fishing gear, tackle, bait, and licenses includedProfessional captain guides groups up to 6 guests
Captain Jonny's Epic Charters has been putting anglers on fish in the deep blue waters off Pompano Beach for years. We're talking serious offshore action here – the kind where you'll be fighting pelagics in 200+ feet of water while the coastline fades behind you. Our charters run anywhere from 3 to 8 hours, depending on how deep you want to go and how long you want to stay out there. With room for up to 6 anglers, this is perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate groups looking to get away from the desk and onto some real fish.
We're heading out to where the big boys live – the Gulf Stream edge where the water turns that deep cobalt blue and anything can show up. Captain Jonny knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the nearshore reefs at 80 feet to the blue water drop-offs where the current brings in schools of mahi and blackfin tuna. The boat is rigged and ready with everything you need: quality rods and reels that can handle whatever we hook into, a full spread of tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear to keep your catch fresh. We've got the fishing licenses covered, plus coolers, ice, and bottled water so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The live bait costs a little extra, but trust me, when the bite is on, those frisky pilchards and goggle-eyes make all the difference.
We fish smart out here, mixing up our approach based on conditions and what we're marking on the electronics. Most days we'll start with a full trolling spread – think ballyhoo on the outriggers, a couple of lures in the wash, and maybe a kite bait if the conditions are right. The gear is top-shelf: penn and shimano reels spooled with fresh line, rods that have the backbone to turn a cobia but the sensitivity to feel a wahoo pick up a bait 100 yards back. When we find a good piece of structure or mark fish on the bottom machine, we'll switch to live bait fishing – dropping baits back in the current or kite fishing if the wind is cooperating. The captain reads the water constantly, looking for color changes, bird activity, floating grass lines, or anything that screams "fish here." It's part science, part art, and a whole lot of experience.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter out here, especially from late spring through early fall. These fish are absolute bulldogs – when you hook into a bull mahi in the 20-30 pound range, you'll know it immediately. They'll green up those beautiful colors, jump clean out of the water, and fight you every inch to the boat. The great thing about mahi is they usually travel in schools, so when you find one, there are often more around. Blackfin tuna show up year-round but really turn on during the winter months. Don't let their size fool you – a 15-pound blackfin will smoke drag off your reel faster than you can blink. They're incredible table fare too, perfect for sashimi if you want to eat them raw or amazing on the grill.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) cruise the wrecks and reefs, often following rays or sharks around. When we spot one, it's game on – they're curious fish that will often eat a live bait dropped right in front of them. A big cobia in the 30-50 pound range is pure muscle and will test your arms and back. King mackerel are speed demons that patrol the edges, especially around bait schools. They'll hit a trolled bait so hard it'll nearly pull the rod out of your hands, then make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. Wahoo are the ghosts of the deep water – when one shows up, it's usually a violent affair. These silver bullets can hit 40+ mph and their initial run is something you'll never forget.
Look, I've been guiding these waters for years, and I can tell you that every trip is different. Some days we'll boat a mixed bag of species, other days we might get into a hot mahi bite that keeps you busy all day long. The beauty of fishing off Pompano Beach is the variety – you never know what's going to grab your bait next. Whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time in deep water, Captain Jonny and his crew will put you on fish and make sure you have a day to remember. The gratuity isn't required, but when you're holding up that citation-sized cobia for photos, you'll understand why our regulars take care of the crew. Book your charter now and get ready to see why Pompano Beach offshore fishing keeps people coming back trip after trip.
Captain Jonny's 25-foot Dusky center console is built for serious offshore fishing in Pompano Beach waters. Twin 115HP Evinrude engines push this fishing machine to 38 knots, getting you to the best fishing grounds fast. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish, with space for up to 6 anglers to spread out comfortably. This boat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing Mahi, Tuna, Cobia, and Sailfish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fights with big fish. GPS navigation helps locate productive fishing spots, while the multimedia system keeps the crew entertained between bites. When you need a break from the action, there's a bed for quick naps and a toilet for convenience during extended trips. The Dusky's solid construction handles offshore swells with ease, keeping you stable while working lures or fighting fish. Whether you're trolling for Wahoo or bottom fishing for Kingfish, this versatile fishing platform delivers the performance and comfort needed for productive 3 to 8-hour fishing adventures in South Florida's productive waters.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 15-30 pounds with that classic tuna fight that'll test your drag. We find them year-round in our deeper waters, usually 100-400 feet out, but they're most active during cooler months when bait moves closer to shore. These fish school up with skipjacks and love to feed on pilchards and small squid. What makes them special is that fierce tuna power in a manageable size - perfect for anglers wanting that tuna experience without the marathon battle. The meat is excellent eating too, with that rich red flesh that's great for searing. Here's a local trick: when we spot them feeding, scale down to lighter fluorocarbon leaders since blackfins are sharp-eyed and leader-shy compared to other tunas.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the sea - brown, muscular fish that average 30-50 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. We find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and reefs in 30-100 feet of water, often cruising just under the surface where we can sight-fish them. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their spawning run in late spring. What guests love is the combination of visual fishing and that stubborn, powerful fight - these fish don't give up easily. The meat is firm and white, some of the best eating you'll find. Cobia are curious fish that will often investigate the boat, giving us shots at fish we can actually see. Pro tip: when you spot one, cast past it and work your jig back slowly - they like to follow before they eat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or kingfish as we call them locally, are some of the fastest fish we target - hitting speeds that rival wahoo. These silver rockets typically range 10-40 pounds, though we see bigger ones during winter months when they move into our deeper waters around 60-150 feet. They're notorious for their explosive runs and razor-sharp teeth, making every hookup a real adrenaline rush. Peak season runs October through March when cooler water brings them closer to shore. The meat is firm and flaky, perfect for smoking or grilling. Kings love to ambush live bait, so we'll often slow-troll with goggle eyes or blue runners. Pro tip: always use a double-hook rig with wire leader - these fish typically hit the tail section of bait first, and that second hook back there will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are hands-down one of the most beautiful fish we catch, with that brilliant gold and green coloration that puts on a light show when they come boatside. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-1000 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months, April through October. What guests love is their acrobatic fight - these fish jump, tail-walk, and give you everything they've got. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the ocean. Mahi travel in small schools, so when you hook one, we usually find more. Local tip: when we spot frigate birds diving on floating debris, that's often a dead giveaway for mahi underneath feeding on the same baitfish.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep, hitting 60+ mph and averaging 20-60 pounds of pure muscle. These torpedo-shaped fish with distinctive blue stripes patrol our deeper waters beyond 200 feet, often around current edges and drop-offs. Peak season here runs November through April when they move through following bait migrations. What makes wahoo special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line faster than almost any fish in the ocean. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for fish tacos. We target them high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their razor teeth will cut through anything else. Here's the key: use bright-colored lures and don't slow down when you get a strike. Keep that boat moving until the fish is solidly hooked, or they'll throw the lure.
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