Private 10-Hour Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10-hour offshore fishing adventure targeting trophy deep-sea speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to 3 guests with Captain BradTrolling for Mahi Mahi and bottom fishing in open waters
Captain Brad's got something special waiting for you out there in the deep blue waters off New Smyrna Beach. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a full 10-hour commitment to serious offshore fishing that'll push your limits and reward your patience. When you book this private charter, you're getting exclusive access to some of Florida's most productive deep-sea fishing grounds, with just you and up to two buddies sharing the deck. No crowds, no rushing – just pure fishing from sunrise to sunset with one of the area's most experienced captains at the helm.
This top-rated charter kicks off early, and I mean early – we're talking about a pre-dawn departure to make the most of those prime fishing hours. Captain Brad will have you rigged and ready before the sun breaks the horizon, positioning the boat over structure and drop-offs where the big fish hunt. You'll spend your day alternating between trolling the blue water for pelagics and dropping baits to the bottom for reef dwellers. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is the flexibility – if the mahi are firing on the surface, we stay with them. If the bottom bite is hot, we anchor up and work the structure. With 10 full hours, there's time to adapt to what the fish are telling us, and that's what separates a good day from an epic one. Expect to cover serious ground, from the nearshore reefs in 60-80 feet of water all the way out to the deep blue in 200+ feet where the real monsters cruise.
Captain Brad runs a well-equipped boat with all the gear you need for both trolling and bottom fishing. For the trolling spread, we'll pull a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs to cover different depths in the water column. The key is variety – mahi love the surface baits, while kings often hit the deeper running lures. When we switch to bottom fishing, it's all about heavy tackle and strong drags. We're talking 6/0 to 8/0 reels spooled with 50-80 pound test, because when you hook into a big gag grouper or mutton snapper in 150 feet of water, there's no room for light tackle heroics. Circle hooks are the norm for bottom fishing – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth for better survival rates and fewer pulled hooks. The captain will have you rigged with everything from live pinfish and cigar minnows to cut bait and jigs, depending on what the fish are demanding that day.
Mutton Snapper are the crown jewel of New Smyrna's offshore scene. These beautiful fish with their distinctive red coloration and olive-green backs are notorious for their finicky nature and hard-fighting attitude. Most muttons in these waters run 5-15 pounds, but don't let their size fool you – they'll test your drag and your patience. Best fishing for muttons happens over hard bottom and ledges in 80-120 feet of water, typically during the warmer months from April through October. What makes them so special is their table fare – mutton snapper ranks among the finest eating fish in Florida waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Gag Grouper represent the power game in these offshore waters. These bruising bottom dwellers can exceed 20 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. Gags are structure-oriented fish, living around ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. They're most active during the cooler months from November through April when the water temperatures drop into the 70s. When a big gag hits your bait, there's no mistaking it – they'll head straight for the rocks and test every component of your tackle. Landing a keeper gag (24-inch minimum) requires heavy gear and quick reflexes to turn the fish away from structure.
Tarpon fishing off New Smyrna Beach is world-class, especially during the summer months when these silver kings migrate through in massive schools. While most tarpon are catch-and-release, hooking into a 100+ pound tarpon in deep water is something every angler needs to experience. These prehistoric fish will jump, run, and fight for hours, testing your endurance as much as your equipment. Peak tarpon season runs from May through September, with July and August offering the most consistent action.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of burning line off your reel faster than almost any other fish. These toothy predators are perfect trolling targets, often hitting baits at 6-8 knots and making blistering runs that can peel off 200+ yards of line in seconds. Kings are present year-round but fishing peaks during the spring and fall migrations. A good king mackerel in these waters will weigh 15-30 pounds, with some pushing 40+ pounds during peak season.
Permit are the holy grail for many serious anglers – these disc-shaped fighters are notorious for their intelligence and wariness. While they're more commonly associated with shallow water fishing, the deeper wrecks and reefs off New Smyrna hold some surprisingly large permit. These fish are incredibly strong for their size, with the ability to turn sideways in the current and use their body shape to multiply their fighting power. Permit are year-round residents but seem most active during the spring and early summer months.
This private 10-hour deep sea adventure represents the ultimate fishing experience for serious anglers visiting the New Smyrna Beach area. With Captain Brad's local knowledge, top-quality equipment, and access to the area's best fishing grounds, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that creates lifelong fishing memories. The combination of trolling and bottom fishing means you'll experience the full
This 25-foot 2012 Dorado center console is your ticket to serious deep-sea action off New Smyrna Beach. Built tough for offshore runs, she's powered by a 300HP Suzuki 4-stroke that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, cruising at 55 knots. The spacious deck gives you and two buddies plenty of room to work big fish, while the flybridge puts you above the action for better sight fishing. When you hook into those deep-water monsters, you'll appreciate the boat's solid construction and smooth ride. The fish finder helps locate schools of mahi and bottom structure where the big ones hide. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over productive spots. This center console is built for anglers who want to spend serious time chasing trophy fish in blue water.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the workhorses of our deep water trips. Most run 20-30 inches and 10-20 pounds, but we've seen some real bruisers hit 50+ pounds out here. They love hanging around wrecks, reefs, and any hard structure in 60-150 feet of water. The bigger fish usually stay offshore while juveniles hang closer to shore. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning season. Anglers love them for the hard fight and excellent eating - they're one of the best tasting fish in these waters. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that reel down tight and don't give them an inch. They'll try to dive straight into whatever structure they came from. Keep your rod low and muscle them up quick before they can get into a hole.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but 50+ pounders aren't uncommon when conditions are right. They cruise open water and structure edges in 40-150 feet, hunting schools of baitfish with impressive bursts of speed. Fall and winter months bring the best action as they migrate south along our coast. What makes them exciting? That initial run when hooked is absolutely blistering - they'll strip line faster than almost any fish in these waters. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flavorful meat. Here's my go-to setup: always use a wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. When trolling, watch for diving birds - where you see birds working bait, kings are usually feeding underneath.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snappers are one of the most prized catches we target out here. These beauties typically run 15-20 inches, though we've pulled up some monsters pushing 30+ inches and 20 pounds. You'll spot them by their olive coloring and distinctive blue streaks around the face. They hang around rocky bottoms and reefs in 80-200 feet of water, often mixed in with other snapper species. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're more active. What makes them special? They fight harder than most snappers and taste amazing on the dinner table. My tip: use the freshest bait you can get and keep that sinker light. When you hook one, get ready - they'll make a hard run for the bottom structure to try breaking you off. Keep that drag tight and work them up steady.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many anglers - incredibly challenging and rewarding to catch. They typically run 15-25 pounds with that distinctive tall, flat profile and deeply forked tail. Adults hang around offshore wrecks, reefs, and structures in 30-100 feet, while juveniles work the shallower flats. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities when they're most active. What makes them special? They're notoriously difficult to fool with exceptional eyesight and spooky behavior, making each hookup feel like a major victory. They fight hard too, using that flat body to leverage against the current. Live blue crab is hands down the best bait - rig it on a circle hook and let it move naturally. When you see one, move slow and quiet. These fish will bolt at the slightest disturbance, so patience and stealth are everything.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish experience - pure athletic power wrapped in silver. These ancient fish average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, but giants over 200 pounds cruise these waters. They roam from shallow flats to deeper channels, following baitfish and comfortable in 5-50 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area in good numbers. What sets them apart? When hooked, they'll launch 6+ feet out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart pounding. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're not great eating. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward them to keep slack in the line. Those jumps help them throw the hook, so keeping tension right is crucial for landing one of these silver kings.
Daytona Beach, FL