9-Hour Port Canaveral Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
9hour offshore fishing adventure up to 35 miles outTarget Mahi, Sailfish, Wahoo, Grouper, and Snapper seasonallyProfessional captain guides to most productive fishing spots
Port Canaveral sits at the heart of Florida's Space Coast, where the Indian River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This creates one of the most productive fishing zones on the East Coast. When you book this 9-hour charter with Defiant Offshore Fishing Charters, you're getting access to waters that consistently produce trophy fish year-round. The deep blue Atlantic stretches endlessly before you, holding everything from hard-fighting pelagics to bottom-dwelling giants. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just as the bite picks up. Nine hours gives you the luxury of time to really work the water and adapt to what's happening out there. Your captain will make the call based on conditions, season, and what the fish are doing. Some days that means running 15 miles out to hit the nearshore reefs for snapper and grouper. Other days, you'll push 35 miles offshore to troll the blue water for mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. The boat carries up to six anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to fish without bumping elbows. Live bait stays fresh in the well all day, and your captain will have a selection of tackle ready for whatever species you're targeting. The flexibility is what makes this trip special – you're not locked into one style of fishing or one spot.
Slow trolling is the bread and butter for pelagic species out here. Your captain will pull ballyhoo, mullet, or other natural baits at just the right speed to trigger strikes from mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. When the conditions are right, you might switch to live bait fishing around weed lines or debris where mahi congregate. For bottom fishing, you'll drop down with live pinfish, grunts, or sardines to entice grouper, snapper, and amberjack up from the depths. Circle hooks are standard for most bottom fishing to improve survival rates for released fish. The captain will handle all the rigging and bait prep, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of tying knots. GPS and fish finder technology help locate structure and schools, but reading the water and understanding fish behavior is what separates good captains from great ones.
King mackerel patrol these waters year-round, but fall and winter bring the biggest smoker kings through Port Canaveral. These torpedo-shaped speedsters can stretch over 40 inches and put up a blistering fight on medium tackle. They love slow-trolled live baits and will often hit in spectacular fashion, clearing the water on their first run. The key is keeping steady pressure without pulling the hook from their soft mouths.
Mahi mahi show up consistently from spring through fall, with peak action during the warmer months. These colorful fighters rarely disappoint – they hit hard, jump repeatedly, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. Schools of smaller schoolie mahi often travel together, meaning once you find one, you'll likely find more. Larger bull mahi are solitary and can push 20-30 pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere baitfish are concentrated.
Greater amberjack are the bullies of the reef, using their broad tails and powerful shoulders to test your tackle and endurance. These fish can exceed 50 pounds and will immediately head for the bottom structure when hooked. The fight is all about leverage – they'll try to wrap you around coral heads or ledges. Port Canaveral's reefs and wrecks hold healthy populations of AJs that provide arm-burning action for anyone brave enough to target them with heavy tackle.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of reaching 60 mph when they want to. Their razor-sharp teeth can slice through light leaders, so wire or heavy fluorocarbon is essential. These sleek predators prefer deeper, cleaner water and are often caught while trolling for other species. A wahoo strike feels like you've hooked a freight train – the initial run is absolutely explosive.
Cobia cruise the waters around Port Canaveral, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These brown sharks (as they're often mistaken for) are curious fish that will often follow the boat or investigate baits. They're excellent table fare and put up a dogged fight characterized by powerful runs and head-shaking. Sight fishing for cobia when they're near the surface adds an extra element of excitement to the day.
Nine hours on the water gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Port Canaveral's offshore fishing has to offer. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or hoping to tangle with a trophy fish, this extended trip maximizes your opportunities. The variety of fishing styles and target species means every angler on board will find something to get excited about. Defiant Offshore Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish and creating memorable days on the water. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book your charter and let an experienced captain show you why Port Canaveral is considered one of Florida's top fishing destinations.
Step aboard this sharp 36' Calvin Beal and get ready for some serious offshore action out of Port Canaveral. This 2022 beauty packs a powerful 650HP Caterpillar engine that'll cruise you out to the fishing grounds at 22 knots, getting you to those prime spots 15-35 miles offshore where the big fish are waiting. The pilothouse design keeps you comfortable whether you're battling a sailfish or waiting for that grouper to hit your bottom rig. She's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to mark the good spots, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox and fridge to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Air conditioning keeps the crew comfortable during those hot Florida days, and the onboard head means no cutting trips short. With room for up to 6 anglers and live bait ready in the well, this boat is built for productive fishing whether you're trolling for mahi and wahoo or dropping lines for snapper and amberjack.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are curious brown sharks that aren't actually sharks at all. These 30-60 pound fish cruise shallow structure, wrecks, and even follow rays around in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action, though we see them year-round around local structure. What guests love about Cobia is how they'll come right up to the boat - often multiple fish will follow a hooked one up. They're phenomenal eating with firm, white meat that's like a cross between grouper and shark. The fight is strong and stubborn with lots of head shaking. Since they're usually alone or in small groups, each fish is special. My go-to technique: sight fishing with bucktail jigs around structure. When you see that brown shadow cruising near the surface, drop that jig right in front of it and hang on.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - thick-bodied bruisers that average 30-50 pounds and can push 80+. These bronze and silver fighters live around reefs, wrecks, and structure in 80-200 feet of water. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're really feeding hard. What makes AJs special is their raw power - they'll pull straight down toward structure trying to break you off. The meat is excellent, firm and white, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. Most guests are amazed by how hard these fish fight compared to their expectations. Here's the key to landing big AJs: use heavy tackle and don't give them an inch. Keep constant pressure and pump them up quickly before they can wrap you around structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are fast-moving predators that average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. These silver rockets with razor-sharp teeth cruise the 40-150 foot depths around our offshore structure and current breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes Kings special is their blistering speed - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost anything else out there. The meat is excellent grilled or blackened, though it's got higher oil content than some prefer. Here's a local trick: when trolling for Kings, use a wire leader and keep your baits skipping on the surface. They love to hit from below and behind, so that second stinger hook through your ballyhoo's belly is crucial.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch offshore - brilliant gold, green, and blue that shifts like a light show when they're brought up. These 15-30 pound fish love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best fishing when they're following the warm water north. What guests love about Mahi is how they travel in schools - hook one and there's usually more nearby. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, mild white meat that's perfect for tacos or grilling. The fight is strong but manageable for most anglers. Pro tip: when you hook your first one, keep it in the water on a short line while others cast around the boat. That hooked fish will often keep the school nearby for multiple hookups.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are pure speed - sleek, torpedo-shaped fish that can hit 60 mph and average 20-40 pounds. These blue-striped rockets patrol the deep blue water beyond 100 feet, often around current edges and temperature breaks. Fall through spring offers our best shot at them when they're moving through our area. What makes Wahoo special is that explosive strike - they'll hit a trolled bait so hard it sounds like a gunshot. The meat is absolutely premium - white, flaky, and mild, perfect for searing or fish tacos. The fight is fast and furious but typically shorter than other pelagics. Here's the secret to Wahoo success: troll fast (12-15 knots) with wire leaders. Their razor teeth will slice through anything else, and the high speed triggers their predatory instincts.
Port Canaveral