Full Day Offshore Charter - Amelia Island
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting sailfish, mahi, wahoo, and snapperCaptain Kenny Crawford brings over 40 years of fishing experienceAccommodates up to six guests with all equipment provided
When you're looking for the real deal in offshore fishing, Captain Kenny Crawford's full-day charter out of Amelia Island delivers exactly what serious anglers are after. With four decades of experience reading these waters, Kenny knows where the fish are biting and how to put you on them. This 8-hour adventure takes you way past the nearshore stuff and into the deep blue where Atlantic Sailfish, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Great Barracuda, and Red Snapper are waiting. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so bring your crew and get ready for some serious rod-bending action.
Your day starts early at Amelia Island's marina, where Captain Kenny will have the boat rigged and ready to run. The offshore grounds are anywhere from 15 to 40 miles out, depending on where the fish have been showing up lately. Kenny's been working these same waters since the early 80s, so he's got a mental map of every productive ledge, wreck, and current break from here to the continental shelf. The boat's spacious enough that everyone gets their own fighting space, and there's plenty of room to move around when someone hooks into a screamer. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes with the trip - Kenny stocks everything from live bait to the latest lures that have been producing. You'll spend most of your time either trolling the blue water or anchored up on structure, depending on what's biting best that day.
Captain Kenny runs a mix of trolling and bottom fishing techniques to maximize your chances on every species. For the pelagics like sailfish and mahi, you'll be pulling a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and skirted lures at varying distances behind the boat. The outriggers keep your baits spread wide, and Kenny adjusts trolling speed based on conditions and what the fish want that day. When it's time to target the snappers and other bottom dwellers, he'll anchor up on productive reefs and wrecks where you'll drop whole squid, cut bait, and live pinfish down to the structure. The tackle is all top-shelf stuff - Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, matched to rods that can handle everything from 5-pound mahi to 100-pound tarpon that sometimes show up as bonus fish. Kenny's got the electronics to mark fish, find bait, and navigate to spots that most captains don't even know exist.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of this fishery, and Amelia Island sits right in their migration corridor. These spectacular billfish typically run 6 to 8 feet long and put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on the boat grabbing cameras. Fall through spring is prime time when they're moving through in good numbers, often traveling in small schools that can provide multiple hookups. Kenny's got the release technique down to keep these magnificent fish healthy for the next angler.
King Mackerel are year-round residents that love the structure and baitfish concentrations offshore. These smokers typically range from 15 to 40 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 50-plus. They'll absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you need wire leaders to land them consistently. Kings are fantastic table fare and one of the most reliable species you'll encounter on this trip.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish as the locals call them, are pure gold when they show up. These colorful fighters love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they feed aggressively on flying fish and smaller baitfish. They typically range from 10 to 30 pounds in these waters, though bull dolphins over 40 pounds do show up. Their brilliant colors and acrobatic fights make them a favorite with photographers, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Great Barracuda are the opportunistic predators that keep every fight interesting. These toothy missiles can reach 4 to 5 feet long and will absolutely destroy a trolled lure or live bait. They're incredibly fast and known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. While they're not always targeted specifically, they're always a welcome surprise that adds excitement to any offshore day.
Red Snapper are the bottom-dwelling prizes that make anchoring up on the right structure so rewarding. These deep-water fighters typically run 5 to 15 pounds and are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. They're found on hard bottom, artificial reefs, and natural ledges in 60 to 120 feet of water. Landing snappers requires precision - they're notorious for diving straight back to the rocks when hooked, so you need to get them up and away from structure quickly.
Captain Kenny Crawford's full-day offshore charter represents over 40 years of local knowledge combined with top-notch equipment and a genuine passion for putting anglers on fish. Whether you're after your first sailfish, looking to load the cooler with kings and snappers, or just want to experience what real offshore fishing is all about, this 8-hour adventure delivers the goods. The boat's comfortable for up to six anglers, all gear is provided, and Kenny's track record speaks for itself. Don't wait around - the best offshore days book up quickly, especially during peak season. Get your crew together and reserve your spot on one of Amelia Island's most productive offshore charters.
Step aboard our 33' Contender center console, the fastest offshore fishing machine on Amelia Island. This beast packs triple 250 HP Yamaha four-stroke outboards that'll get you to the fish fast and back to port when the action's done. Captain Kenny's got over four decades chasing everything from Atlantic Sailfish to trophy Mahi Mahi in these waters, and this boat gives him the edge to put you on the fish. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to six anglers, so bring the crew or make it a family affair. We've loaded her with Raymarine electronics and radar to find fish in any conditions, plus tournament-grade gear that can handle whatever decides to bite. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the 8-hour adventure. Whether you're after the acrobatic fight of a Sailfish, the speed of Wahoo, or the table fare of Red Snapper, this center console delivers the platform and performance to make it happen. The toilet means more time fishing, less time heading back to shore. All tackle's included – just show up ready to fish these productive Atlantic waters off Amelia Island.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the ultimate offshore trophy - these gorgeous fish can hit 10 feet and 100+ pounds with that signature sail fin fully extended. Around Amelia Island, we find them in 30-150 feet of water, especially near current breaks and temperature changes. Spring through fall gives us the best action when baitfish are thick. What makes sailfish special is their speed and acrobatics - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times during a fight, changing colors from blue to silver as they get excited. The meat's decent but most folks prefer catch and release for these beauties. Pro tip: when you get a bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds - sailfish often grab bait by the tail first, so give them time to turn it around and swallow properly.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's missile system - long, sleek, and built for pure speed. Around here they average 3-4 feet but can push 6 feet and 50+ pounds. You'll find them near reefs, grass beds, and structure from shallow water out to about 100 feet. They're year-round residents but spring and fall seem most active. What makes cuda fishing exciting is their lightning-fast strikes and initial run - they'll smoke line off your reel like nothing else. Most folks fish them for sport rather than dinner due to potential ciguatera in larger fish. They hunt by sight and love anything shiny or fast-moving. Here's what works: use a wire leader (their teeth will slice mono instantly) and work lures or bait with erratic, quick movements. When you see one following your bait, speed up rather than slow down - that sudden acceleration often triggers the strike.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings," are serious speed demons that'll test your gear and your arms. These silver bullets typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we've seen 60+ pounders that'll make you question your life choices. They cruise the 40-150 foot range, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Fall and winter are prime time when they're migrating through our waters following bait schools. Kings are popular because they hit hard, run fast, and make excellent table fare - firm, white meat that grills perfectly. They've got razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory. Here's the deal: when trolling, use a stinger hook setup with your ballyhoo. Kings love to bite the tail end of bait, and that second hook back there will save you from a lot of short strikes and cut-offs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands down the most colorful fish you'll catch out here - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green that light up like a disco when they're fighting. Most run 15-30 pounds, though bulls can push 50+. We target them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100-1000 feet of water. Summer months are peak season when they're thick offshore. What guests love about mahi is the explosive surface strikes and their willingness to stay near the boat - often where there's one, there's more. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. The males have that distinctive square head while females are more rounded. Best tip I can give: when you hook one, leave it in the water and keep trolling around it. Mahi are curious and will often follow their hooked buddy, giving everyone a shot at the action.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing - beautiful red fish that grow hefty and fight like bulldogs. Average catch runs 5-15 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly around good structure. We target them in 60-200 feet over hard bottom, wrecks, and rocky ledges. Summer season from June through August is when they're most active and legal to keep. Snapper are prized because they're scrappy fighters that'll try to cut your line on structure, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, flaky white meat. They're smart too, often requiring finesse to fool. My go-to technique: use just enough weight to hold bottom and fresh cut bait like sardines or squid. Keep your drag loose on the drop - when that rod tip bounces, reel fast and lift hard to pull them away from the rocks before they know what hit them.
Amelia Island