Target Tuna & Snapper on Premium Guided Offshore Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 4hour offshore charter targets snapper and grouperSlow pitch jigging techniques with all lures providedExpert crew guidance for anglers of all skill levels
If you're looking to get away from the crowded inshore spots and into some serious fish, this 4-hour offshore charter with Chlophish Charters is exactly what you need. We're talking about productive blue water just off Boca Raton where the bottom drops away and the pelagics roam. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's a focused, private charter built around proven jigging and drifting techniques that consistently put fish in the boat. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're ready to step up your game from the pier, our crew knows exactly where to find the bite and how to help you land your personal best.
This charter is all about maximizing your time on productive offshore grounds where snapper, grouper, and fast-moving pelagics like kingfish cruise the structure. We keep the group small at just 3 anglers max, so you're not fighting for rod time or waiting around while someone else figures out their drag. The boat heads straight to proven spots where the depth and current create perfect conditions for vertical jigging and drifting presentations. You'll spend most of your time working lures through the water column, feeling for that telltale thump that means game on. The crew stays hands-on throughout the trip, adjusting your technique, retying leaders, and making sure your presentation is dialed in. This isn't about luck – it's about putting the right lure at the right depth with the right action, and our guides know these waters well enough to put you on fish consistently. Live bait is available at market price if conditions call for it, but the jig bite has been incredibly productive lately.
The magic happens with slow pitch and vertical jigging techniques that have revolutionized offshore fishing in South Florida. We're using specialized jigs that flutter and dart on the drop, triggering strikes from fish that might ignore traditional presentations. The slow pitch method involves working the jig with subtle rod movements, letting it fall naturally while maintaining contact with the lure. Vertical jigging is more aggressive – dropping straight down to the bottom and working the jig with sharp upward motions that imitate fleeing baitfish. All the lures are provided, and trust me, we've dialed in the colors, weights, and actions that work best in these specific waters. The crew will show you exactly how to work each style, when to vary your retrieve, and how to feel the difference between a fish, the bottom, and structure. The tackle is matched perfectly to the target species – heavy enough to pull fish away from structure but sensitive enough to feel every tick and tap. You'll learn to read the sounder, understand how fish relate to structure, and pick up techniques that will make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Albacore Tuna – These silver bullets are the perfect introduction to offshore tuna fishing. Albacore typically run 15-40 pounds in our waters and fight way above their weight class. They school up over structure and respond incredibly well to vertical jigs worked through the thermocline. The best action happens when water temps hit that sweet spot in the mid-70s, usually from late fall through early spring. What makes albacore so special is their willingness to eat lures and their sustained runs that test your tackle and technique. Once you hook into a school, you can often catch multiple fish before they move off.
Blackfin Tuna – The locals call these "football tuna" for good reason – they're built like linebackers and hit just as hard. Blackfin average 10-25 pounds and are absolute dynamite on medium tackle. They love structure and current breaks, making them perfect targets for our jigging techniques. These fish feed heavily in the early morning and late afternoon, and they're notorious for crushing jigs on the initial drop. The meat is outstanding – think sashimi-grade tuna that rivals anything you'd pay top dollar for at a restaurant. Peak season runs from November through March when water temperatures bring them in close to our offshore structure.
Atlantic Sailfish – Landing a sail on a jig is something special, and it happens more often than you'd think in these waters. Sailfish cruise the edges of structure looking for easy meals, and a properly worked slow pitch jig drives them crazy. These fish average 6-8 feet and put on an aerial show that's pure fishing magic. The bite typically peaks from December through April when cooler water brings them within reach of our half-day trips. What makes sailfish so exciting isn't just the jumps – it's the way they use their bill to stun prey, often resulting in multiple hookups when you find a pod feeding together.
King Mackerel – Kings are the quintessential South Florida offshore predator, and our jigging techniques are deadly on these toothy speedsters. Fish in the 20-40 pound range are common, with occasional monsters pushing 50-plus pounds. They patrol structure looking for schools of bait, and a well-presented jig perfectly mimics a wounded fish. Kings are most active when water temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s, making them a year-round target with peak action in spring and fall. The key with kings is the initial hookset – these fish have soft mouths and make blistering runs that can straighten hooks or break leaders if you're not prepared.
Mahi Mahi – Also called dolphinfish or dorado, mahi are the most colorful fighters in our offshore waters. They range from small "chicken" mahi around 5-10 pounds up to bull mahi exceeding 30 pounds. What makes mahi special is their curiosity – they'll often follow hooked fish to the boat, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. They're structure-oriented but also cruise open water, making them perfect targets for our drifting techniques.
The 2014 Steigercraft 255 is your ticket to Boca Raton's best offshore fishing grounds. This 26-foot sportfisher runs on twin 150hp Yamaha engines that'll get you to the productive waters fast and smooth. Built for serious angling, she's rigged with outriggers for trolling and has all the electronics you need - GPS to mark those honey holes and radar for safety when weather rolls in. The spacious cockpit gives you and two fishing buddies plenty of room to work your rods without bumping elbows. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. Whether you're dropping jigs for snapper or working live bait for kingfish, this boat's stable platform makes fighting fish a pleasure. The experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the bite.
Thunnus AlalungaThese bullet-shaped tuna are smaller than their cousins, typically running 20-45 pounds and 18-25 inches. You'll find them in deeper offshore waters where they travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles - when you find one, you've usually found hundreds. They're constantly on the move since they need steady water flow over their gills to breathe. Albacore hit best during warmer months when water temps climb above 60°F. What makes them special is the meat - it's the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat tuna" with that firm texture and mild flavor. The fight is solid and steady rather than explosive. Here's a local tip: when trolling, keep your lures 50-90 feet back and watch for that first hookup. If you lose that lead fish, the whole school often follows it away from your spread.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of our offshore fishing - these magnificent fish average 50-60 pounds and stretch 7-8 feet long. They cruise the surface waters from 30-150 feet deep, hunting baitfish with that iconic sail fully deployed. Winter is prime time here, especially December through March when they stack up along the coastal edges. What makes them special isn't just that spectacular dorsal fin - it's the fight. They'll leap, dive, and change colors from blue to black while battling. The speed and acrobatics are unmatched. Plus, they're catch-and-release only, so it's all about the experience. Here's what works: when a sail comes up on your spread, get that bait swimming naturally at the surface. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them run and tire themselves out with those jumps.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy little cousins of the tuna family, usually weighing 10-30 pounds with that classic dark back and silver belly. They cruise the continental shelf areas in 40-200 feet of water, often mixing with skipjack in big schools. These fish are short-lived but fast-growing, and they're absolute fighters pound-for-pound. Fall through spring is prime time here in South Florida when they move into warmer coastal waters above 68°F. What guests love is the nonstop action - they hit vertical jigs hard and put up a serious fight on lighter tackle. The meat is excellent, darker than albacore but perfect for the grill. Pro tip: scale down your tackle when targeting blackfin. Use 30-pound fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks - these fish have sharp eyes and will spook from heavy hardware. Chunk with pilchards to get them fired up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of our waters, commonly called kingfish around here. They average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds, with razor-sharp teeth and a need for speed that rivals wahoo. You'll find them from 40-150 feet deep, often around structure or baitfish schools. They love water temps between 68-84°F, making fall through spring our best season. What draws anglers is that explosive strike and blistering run - they hit trolled baits like a freight train. The meat is excellent too, though it's got higher oil content. These fish are built for the hunt, cruising constantly and striking hard. Local tip: always use a wire leader and set up with two hooks on live bait. Kings love to bite the tail end of baits, so that trailing treble hook saves a lot of missed fish. Keep your drag smooth - they'll test your equipment.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most beautiful fish we target - those golden sides and electric blues are something to see, especially when they light up during the fight. They average 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+ pounds, growing fast in their short 4-year lifespan. Look for them under floating debris, weed lines, or any structure in the surface waters. They're warm-water fish, so summer brings the best action when temps push above 75°F. What guests love is the combination - they fight hard with aerial displays, they're gorgeous, and the white, flaky meat is absolutely delicious. They travel in schools and feed aggressively during the day. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo or rigged squid around floating sargassum. Once you hook one, keep the boat moving - where there's one mahi, there's usually more, and the hooked fish will call in the school.
Boca Raton