5.0(6 Reviews)Half Day Offshore Grouper and Tuna Fishing
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
Fourhour offshore charter targeting grouper, tuna, and kingfishAll skill levels welcome with gear and licensing includedSurface trolling and deep bottom fishing techniques covered
When you're ready to leave the inshore waters behind and test your skills against some serious fish, Charley's Fishing Charters has the perfect half-day offshore trip waiting for you. This four-hour adventure targets the heavy hitters that call the deeper waters off Jensen Beach home – think hefty grouper pulling drag from the bottom and fast-moving tuna that'll make your reel scream. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're picking up a rod for the first time, Captain Charley and his crew know exactly how to put you on fish and keep the action going all morning long.
Your day starts early at Jensen Beach, where you'll board a fully equipped charter boat that's built for offshore work. The crew handles all the licensing and gear, so you can focus on what matters – catching fish. This isn't just a trolling trip or just bottom fishing – you're getting both styles in one packed morning. The first part of the trip typically involves running lines for pelagic species like tuna and kingfish, letting you experience that heart-pounding moment when a fish hits at 6 knots and nearly pulls the rod out of your hands. Once the surface action slows, it's time to anchor up over productive reef structure and drop heavy tackle down for grouper and snapper. The beauty of a half-day trip is that you get maximum fishing time without burning a whole day, perfect for families or anglers who want to sample what these waters offer.
The boat comes rigged with everything you need for both trolling and bottom fishing success. For the surface work, expect to see medium-heavy spinning and conventional setups spooled with 30-40 pound test, perfect for handling fast tuna runs and the occasional sailfish that crashes the party. The crew sets up a proper trolling spread with a mix of ballyhoo, feathers, and spoons that have proven themselves in these waters. When it's time to target the reef fish, they break out the heavy bottom rigs – circle hooks, egg sinkers, and wire leaders that can handle the rocky structure and sharp teeth you'll encounter down there. The key to successful bottom fishing here is understanding the current and keeping your bait in the strike zone, something the crew teaches every angler on board. Don't worry about bringing your own tackle – these guys have been fishing these spots long enough to know exactly what works and when to use it.
"Amazing experience offshore fishing. Highly recommended, caught 7 blackfin tuna, two big sailfish, grouper, Bonita, and mahi. Charley and Kevin helped all six of us hook fish all day long." - AJ
"We had a great time fishing with Charley! There were 5 of us in our party, ages 13 to 75, and Everyone had a fantastic time! And we were able to catch dinner! Winds kept us closer to the shore, but there was no shortage of fish! Highly recommend!" - Cari
"Started the day hot tripling up on blackfin tuna within 10mins of setting up. Went 2 for 2 on sailfish. Ended the day bottom fishing with a solid red grouper and a few mahi mahi. Highly recommended." - Derrick
Mutton Snapper are the crown jewel of South Florida's reef fishing scene, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive red coloration and yellow fins typically run 5-15 pounds, though the occasional monster can push 20 pounds or more. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, when they school up over hard bottom and structure in 60-120 feet of water. What makes mutton snapper so appealing to anglers is their combination of fight and flavor – they're strong enough to give you a real battle on medium tackle, but not so aggressive that beginners can't handle them. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or making into fish tacos.
Black Grouper represent everything that's exciting about offshore bottom fishing. These powerful predators can reach impressive sizes, with fish in the 10-30 pound range being common, and the occasional beast pushing 50 pounds or more. They're year-round residents of the reefs off Jensen Beach, but they're most cooperative during the spring and fall months when water temperatures are stable. Black grouper are ambush predators that live in caves and ledges, so when you hook one, your first job is stopping their immediate run back to cover. The fight is all about power – they don't jump or make long runs like pelagic fish, but they'll test your drag and your back muscles as they try to cut you off in the rocks. Their excellent eating quality makes them a top target for anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Gag Grouper are the more aggressive cousins in the grouper family, and they're absolutely abundant in the waters off Jensen Beach. These fish are particularly exciting because they often suspend in the water column rather than hugging the bottom, which means they'll hit both live bait and artificials with surprising aggression. Most gags you'll encounter range from 5-20 pounds, with the occasional larger fish mixed in during peak season. They're most active from late fall through early spring, when cooler water temperatures trigger their feeding behavior. What sets gag grouper apart is their willingness to chase bait up in the water column, sometimes even hitting trolled baits meant for other species. Their light, flaky meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Grey Snapper, commonly called mangrove snapper in these waters, are the perfect species for keeping constant action throughout the trip. These scrappy fighters typically run 1-5 pounds, but don't let their size fool you – they're incredibly strong for
Jump aboard this well-equipped 2008 center console sportfisher for serious offshore action around Jensen Beach. Twin 150HP Suzuki outboards push this Bluewater rig to a solid 42 knots, getting you to the productive grouper grounds and tuna zones quickly. The boat handles six anglers comfortably with plenty of room to work the rails when fish are biting. GPS keeps you on the numbers while the fish finder marks bottom structure and schools. When nature calls during those long bottom fishing sessions, there's an onboard head so you don't miss any action. Whether you're trolling the surface for kings and tunas or dropping heavy tackle to the deep reefs for monster grouper, this boat's built for Florida's offshore fishery. The center console layout gives everyone clear access to the action and room to fight fish without tangling lines.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack groupers are the heavyweights of the reef - thick, powerful fish that average 15-25 pounds but can hit 50+ when you find the right spots. They love hanging around wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 60-300 feet, moving shallower in winter. What draws people to them is the raw power - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight down to the rocks. The meat is top-shelf too, with that mild grouper flavor everyone loves. They're ambush predators, so they'll hit anything that looks like an easy meal. The trick is getting them up fast once you set the hook. Don't give them time to think about it - lock that drag and start cranking immediately. If you let them get their head down and run back to structure, you're done. Heavy tackle is a must - 80lb braid minimum.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper might not win any beauty contests with their mottled gray look, but they're solid fighters that consistently produce good eating. Most run 18-24 inches around our reefs, though we see 30+ pounders regularly. They prefer rocky structure and drop-offs, often mixed in with kingfish when we're working the deeper edges. What's cool about gags is how they change from female to male as they age - all the big ones are males. They're suckers for live bait, especially pinfish and mullet fished near bottom around structure. The fight is classic grouper - straight down and dirty. Best tip I can give is to fish around stone crab traps when you see them. Gags love hanging there for the easy crab pickings. Keep your rod tip low when fighting them so you can horse them away from the rocks.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the monsters of our reefs - these giants can reach 400+ pounds and live over 50 years. They're protected, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but hooking one is a bucket-list experience. You'll find them around wrecks, ledges, and structure in 60-150 feet, often in the same spots year after year. What makes them special is the sheer power - that first run can literally pull you off balance. They're curious fish that will hit big baits like whole jacks or large crabs. The fight is short but intense - pure brute strength. Since they're protected, we use heavy tackle to get them up quickly and safely release them. Key tip: anchor close enough to the structure to draw them out, but far enough to pull them away before they break you off on the rocks. Circle hooks are a must for their massive jaws.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most folks know them, are some of the smartest fish on the reef. They're opportunistic hunters that typically run 12-16 inches inshore, but the offshore ones can push 4-5 pounds and fight like much bigger fish. You'll find them around any structure - docks, reefs, wrecks - in 20-100 feet. They're primarily night feeders, so late afternoon trips often produce the best action. People love targeting them because they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The challenge is their wariness - they spook easily. Best approach is live shrimp hooked through the tail, fished on light tackle near bottom. Don't jerk when you feel the bite - let them take it and swim off a bit before setting the hook. Patience pays off with these guys.
Lutjanus AnalisMuttons are some of the prettiest snappers you'll see, with that distinctive olive color and blue streaks around their face. Most run 15-20 inches, but we've pulled 25+ pounders that'll test your arms. They hang around sandy bottoms near reefs in 80-200 feet, often schooling up during cooler months. What makes them special is they're great fighters for their size and absolutely fantastic eating - sweet, firm white meat. They feed day and night on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Here's the key: use the freshest bait you can get and fish it light. Let your bait drift naturally in the current with minimal weight. When you hook one, be ready - they'll make a hard run for the bottom structure. Keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks.
5.0 out of 5.0Amazing experience offshore fishing. Highly recommended, caught 7 blackfin tuna, two big sailfish, grouper, Bonita, and mahi. Char...
We had a great time fishing with Charley! There were 5 of us in our party, ages 13 to 75, and Everyone had a fantastic time! And w...
Great experience. We were shown the safety features and the boat had a bathroom. The equipment was ample to catch tuna, snapper an...
Started the day hot tripling up on blackfin tuna within 10mins of setting up. Went 2 for 2 on sailfish. Ended the day bottom fishi...
My wife booked this capt. Charley for my 41st birthday. Took the whole family out (9/13 yo girls) and we had a blast. Told him our...
Third time out with Captain Charley and it was another great trip. Eight hour offshore. Fishing was great! Caught Black Fin Tuna...
Jensen Beach