Full Day Offshore Charleston Tuna & Marlin Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour deep-sea charter targeting tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahiProfessional crew provides tackle, licenses, and fish cleaning servicesCustom 37-foot vessel accommodates up to six anglers
This is what serious offshore fishing looks like in Charleston. You'll head out 65 miles into the Atlantic aboard a custom 37-foot walkaround sportfisher, chasing the Gulf Stream where the big pelagics roam. It's a 12-hour commitment that separates the weekend warriors from the real deal anglers. Your captain and mate know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll test every ounce of drag you've got. The $3,250 rate covers everything – licenses, tackle, bait, and professional fish cleaning when you drag yourself back to the dock.
The day starts early because we've got serious ground to cover. You'll be running hard for the first couple hours, watching the water change from coastal green to that deep blue that gets every angler's heart pumping. Once we hit the Gulf Stream, everything changes – the water temperature jumps, baitfish start showing, and those temperature breaks start lighting up the fish finder. This isn't your typical near-shore trip where you're fighting 20-pound kings. We're talking heavy tackle, serious drag settings, and fish that can peel line like you wouldn't believe. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so there's room to fight fish without everyone getting tangled up. Your captain reads the water constantly – watching for birds, temperature breaks, weed lines, and all those little signs that separate productive water from empty ocean.
We run three main approaches out here, and your captain switches between them based on what the fish are telling us. Trolling is the bread and butter – we'll pull a spread of lures and rigged baits at different depths, covering water and looking for that telltale scream of a reel. When we mark fish or find structure, we switch to jigging with heavy metal jigs that drop fast and trigger reaction strikes from whatever's holding below. The real excitement comes with kite fishing, where we fly live baits on the surface using kites to keep them dancing naturally – it's visual fishing at its finest, and when a marlin comes up on a kite bait, you'll see every second of the attack. All the tackle is tournament-grade stuff that can handle whatever we hook. Circle hooks keep the fish healthy, and the drags are set properly so you can fight fish without breaking them off.
The Gulf Stream off Charleston is legendary for good reason, and each species brings its own challenge to the boat. Atlantic Sailfish are the acrobats of the offshore world, and they're most active during our spring and fall runs when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 75-80 degrees. These fish average 40-60 pounds and they'll jump, tailwalk, and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat grabbing cameras. They're notorious for their blistering first runs and aerial displays that can last several minutes. Blue Marlin are the apex predators out here, and Charleston's Gulf Stream sees some monsters – fish over 400 pounds aren't uncommon, and the world record came from not too far north of here. Summer months bring the biggest blues, and when one eats a trolled bait, you'll know it immediately. These fish dive deep, pull hard, and test every knot and connection on your tackle. Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish, are the most reliable action we see, especially around floating debris and weed lines. They travel in schools, fight hard for their size, and the colors on a fresh-caught mahi are absolutely spectacular – electric blues, greens, and golds that fade quickly once they're boated. Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep, using their broad sides and powerful bodies to wage war against the angler. They're structure-oriented fish that we target around bottom features, and a 50-pound AJ will test your lower back and forearms like nothing else. Cobia are the wildcards – they show up around floating debris, following rays and sharks, and they're curious enough to come check out the boat. These fish are excellent table fare and they fight with a stubborn, head-shaking style that keeps constant pressure on your tackle.
Charleston's offshore scene is world-class, and this full-day Gulf Stream trip puts you in the heart of it all. You're getting a custom sportfisher, professional crew, top-shelf tackle, and access to some of the best blue-water fishing on the East Coast. The 12-hour format gives you time to work different areas, adjust techniques based on conditions, and really get into the rhythm of offshore fishing. With everything included – licenses, tackle, bait, and fish cleaning – you just need to show up ready to fish. Six-angler capacity means you can bring the crew or book individual spots with other serious anglers. This is the kind of trip that reminds you why you started fishing in the first place, and Charleston's Gulf Stream delivers the goods year after year.
Meet "Ma Sheila," your ticket to serious offshore action in Charleston's legendary Gulf Stream waters. This custom 37-foot Billy Knowles walkaround isn't just another charter boat – she's a fully refurbished fishing machine built to handle whatever the Atlantic throws at you. Twin 380hp Cummins engines push her through the waves at 30 knots, getting you to the fish fast and keeping you comfortable on those long runs up to 65 miles offshore. When the bite gets hot, you'll appreciate the professional fighting chair and spacious deck layout perfect for battling tuna and marlin. Between fishing, cool off in the fully air-conditioned cabin or grab a cold drink from the onboard fridge. The enclosed head and comfortable sleeping area mean you can focus on fishing without sacrificing comfort during those epic 12-hour Gulf Stream adventures. Ma Sheila comes loaded with all the electronics you need – GPS, radar for those foggy mornings, and fish finders to locate schools of mahi and mark bait balls. The flybridge gives your captain the perfect vantage point to spot birds working and track those telltale signs of feeding gamefish. With space for up to six anglers, she's built for serious fishing while keeping everyone comfortable from first light until the final fish hits the deck.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are fast, acrobatic fighters that average 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds, though we've seen some push 100+. They cruise the Gulf Stream waters in small schools, usually in the top 30-65 feet where the water stays between 70-83°F. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they follow baitfish migrations. What makes them special is their lightning speed and aerial show - they'll leap repeatedly when hooked, flashing those brilliant colors from blue to silver. The meat's decent, but most folks release these beauties. Pro tip: when you see one come up on a teaser, have your live bait ready and drop it right in their path - they can't resist a wounded ballyhoo.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the heavyweight champions of billfish - females can reach 16 feet and over 1,000 pounds, while males top out around 350. They roam the deep blue water of the Gulf Stream, usually 100+ feet down but will come up to hunt. Peak season runs May through September when water temps hit 75°F+. These fish are pure power wrapped in cobalt blue, putting up brutal fights that can last hours. The meat's good eating, though many anglers prefer the bragging rights of a release. Here's the key: use heavy tackle (80-130 class) and big live baits like bonito or dolphin. When one hits, don't rush the fight - let them make their runs and tire themselves out, or they'll break you off.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - big, brown, and curious fish that can reach 6 feet and 100 pounds. They're loners that cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, often swimming right at the surface where you can sight-fish them. Spring migration from April through June is prime time, plus they stick around structure all summer. What makes them special is their approachable nature and outstanding table fare - firm white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. They eat almost anything but love crabs and small fish. Here's my trick: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig well ahead of where they're swimming, let it sink, then work it slowly back. They're curious and will often follow the bait right to the boat before striking.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are bottom bullies that'll test your tackle and your back - they average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ around here. You'll find them on hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 80-200 feet of water, especially during spring and fall when they move through our area. These fish are pure muscle with an amber stripe down their sides that gets darker when they're feeding. They fight straight down toward structure, so you need heavy gear and a strong drag. The meat's excellent when bled properly, though larger ones can carry ciguatera. Best technique is vertical jigging with 6-8 oz bucktails or dropping live bait. Key tip: when you hook one, turn up the heat immediately and keep them away from the bottom - they'll wrap you up in structure every time if you give them slack.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch out here - bright gold sides with electric blues and greens that light up like a neon sign when they're hooked. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+, growing fast in warm Gulf Stream waters. We find them year-round, but spring through fall is prime time around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and jump like crazy, plus they make some of the best table fare in the ocean - firm, white, and sweet. These fish travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep lines in the water. My go-to trick: toss out a handful of ballyhoo chunks to get them fired up, then pitch live or fresh dead bait right into the frenzy.
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