Private 6 Hour Deep Sea Fishing New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour deep sea fishing charter for up to three guestsTarget trophy Snapper, Kingfish, Amberjack, and Grouper offshoreOptional fuel upgrade available for deeper water fishing areas
When you want to get serious about deep sea fishing, this 6-hour private charter out of New Smyrna Beach is where the magic happens. We're talking about heading way out into the Atlantic where the water turns that deep blue and the fish get bigger, stronger, and a whole lot more fun to fight. This isn't your typical half-day trip – six hours gives us real time to work the structure, find the bite, and put you on fish that'll have your arms burning and your drag screaming. The waters off New Smyrna are loaded with world-class gamefish, and when you add that optional fuel upgrade to push even deeper offshore, you're entering trophy territory where the giants live.
Your day starts early at the New Smyrna Beach inlet, where we'll load up the boat with everything you need for a top-rated deep sea adventure. The first hour is all about getting out to the productive water – we're talking 15 to 25 miles offshore depending on where the fish are biting. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and has been tracking the bite reports, water temps, and current breaks to put you on the best action. Once we hit our first spot, it's game on. We'll be working ledges, wrecks, and drop-offs where the big predators hang out. The boat's rigged with quality tackle, and there's plenty of room for up to three anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up. Expect to move around throughout the day – that's how you stay on the bite in deep water fishing.
We run heavy conventional reels spooled with 50 to 80-pound test because when you hook into a goliath grouper or a big amberjack, you need the muscle to turn them. Most of our fishing is done with live bait when we can get it – nothing beats a frisky sardine or cigar minnow for getting the attention of kingfish and mahi. We also run plenty of cut bait for the bottom species like grouper and snapper. The techniques change based on what we're targeting – for kings and mahi, we'll troll with planers and downriggers to cover water and find the schools. When we're after grouper and amberjack, it's all about dropping baits to the bottom around structure and being ready for that thump when they pick it up. The key to success out here is being versatile and reading what the fish want on any given day.
The goliath grouper are the real showstoppers on this trip. These massive fish can weigh several hundred pounds and when you hook one, it's like being tied to a submarine. They'll head straight for the bottom and test every ounce of your strength and tackle. The best months for goliaths are typically summer through fall when they're most active around the wrecks and ledges. King mackerel are another customer favorite – these fish are built for speed and when they hit your bait, they'll peel line like there's no tomorrow. Kings are most productive during the cooler months and love to cruise the temperature breaks where the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as the locals call them, are pure excitement on light tackle. They jump, they run, and they're absolutely beautiful fish. Look for them around floating debris or weed lines, especially during the warmer months. Greater amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep – powerful fish that will give you a workout from the moment they grab your bait until you get them to the boat. They love structure and are available year-round, making them a reliable target species. Great barracuda add some variety to the mix with their lightning-fast strikes and impressive jumps. These toothy predators are always ready to eat and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size.
Goliath grouper are the ultimate bucket-list fish for any serious angler. These giants can live over 50 years and grow to massive proportions, with some specimens exceeding 400 pounds. They're incredibly smart and curious fish, often coming up to investigate the boat and divers. The best technique is using large live or dead baits near structure in 60-100 feet of water. Remember, goliaths are protected, so it's all about the experience and the photos before a quick release. King mackerel are speed demons that can reach up to 40 mph when chasing baitfish. They have razor-sharp teeth and a nasty habit of cutting through leaders, so we always use wire or heavy fluorocarbon. These fish are most active during temperature changes and love to hunt along drop-offs and current edges. Fall and winter are prime time for kings off New Smyrna. Mahi mahi are one of the most colorful fish in the ocean, changing from bright gold to electric blue and green when excited. They're fast-growing fish that can reach 30-40 pounds, and they often travel in schools, so where you catch one, there are usually more. The key is finding floating objects or weed lines where they like to hang out. Greater amberjack are notorious for their powerful runs and ability to find the nearest wreck or ledge to break you off. These fish can exceed 100 pounds and are available year-round in our waters. They're not picky eaters and will hit both live and dead baits, but be ready for a serious fight that can last 20-30 minutes. Great barracuda are the opportunists of the reef, always ready to grab an easy meal with their impressive set of teeth. They can grow up to 6 feet long and are surprisingly strong fighters, especially near the surface where they love to jump and tail-walk.
This 6-hour deep sea charter is your best shot at experiencing what New Smyrna Beach offshore fishing is all about. With
This 25-foot 2012 Dorado center console is your ticket to serious deep sea action off New Smyrna Beach. Built tough with a 300HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 55 knots, this custom boat handles both offshore runs and inshore spots with ease. The spacious layout comfortably fishes up to 3 anglers, giving everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up. You've got all the essentials covered - GPS and radar to navigate safely, fish finder to locate the hotspots, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure where the big grouper and snapper hang out. With the flybridge giving you elevated visibility to spot diving birds and bait schools, you'll have every advantage when targeting those hard-fighting kingfish and amberjack that call these deep waters home. This setup is built for anglers who want to get after the real deal.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive groupers are the giants of our reefs - we're talking fish that can hit 800 pounds and 8 feet long. They hang around shallow structure like wrecks, ledges, and artificial reefs in 40-150 feet of water. Since they're protected, it's strictly catch and release, but the fight alone is worth the trip. These fish are curious and not shy at all - they'll actually come check you out. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are warm. The initial pull will test your gear and your grip on the rod. Pro tip: use heavy tackle with 600-pound mono and big circle hooks. Bounce your bait off the bottom to get their attention, and be ready for that first massive head shake.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the silver bullets of the reef - sleek, fast, and armed with a mouth full of razor teeth. They typically run 2-4 feet, but the big girls can stretch to 5+ feet and really put up a scrap. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and grass flats in 20-80 feet year-round, though spring and summer offer the most consistent action. They hit hard and fast, then put on an aerial show with explosive jumps. Most folks target them for the sport since the meat can be risky due to ciguatera. Wire leaders are a must - those teeth will cut through mono instantly. Try trolling tube lures or casting spoons near structure. Once hooked, keep your hands clear when landing them - even a "dead" cuda can still bite.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjacks are bulldogs that'll give you a workout - these bruisers average 30-40 pounds but can push 60+ on the deeper wrecks and ledges. They love vertical structure in 60-200 feet, especially during spring spawning season when they school up tight. Fall and winter fishing is solid too when they're feeding heavy. Guests love the pure power - these fish make long, strong runs straight for the bottom. They're also good eating, though larger ones can carry ciguatera risk. I like fishing them with heavy jigs or live bait on stout tackle. Here's the trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let up. They'll try to wrap you in structure, so you've got to muscle them up and away from the bottom quickly.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your reflexes. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we see plenty of 40-50 pounders, especially when we head to the deeper water. They cruise the 40-150 foot range, often following bait schools and hanging near structure. Fall through spring is prime time here off New Smyrna - cooler water brings them in close. These fish make blistering runs and love to jump, which is why guests get hooked on targeting them. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to setup is trolling with two hooks on a wire leader - one through the nose of a ballyhoo, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of bait, so that back hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll find offshore - brilliant gold and green that puts on a light show when they're boat-side. Most run 15-30 pounds, but bulls can push 50+. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall is our sweet spot when the Gulf Stream pushes closer. They're aggressive feeders and fantastic table fare with sweet, firm white meat. Once you hook one, expect company - they usually travel in small schools. The key is trolling baits that skip on the surface to mimic flying fish, their favorite meal. When you find floating sargassum or debris, work it thoroughly - mahi use it as cover to ambush baitfish.
Daytona Beach, FL