8 Hour Offshore Fishing Charter - Daytona Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8-hour offshore fishing charter targeting big game pelagic speciesAll tackle, bait, gear, ice and fish cleaning services includedFull-service trip accommodates up to 6 guests maximum
Looking to get serious about offshore fishing? This 8-hour charter out of Daytona Beach puts you right in the middle of some of Florida's best big game fishing action. We're talking about the real deal here - deep blue water where the pelagics roam and every cast could be the fish of a lifetime. Full Time Fish has this whole operation dialed in, from the gear to the guides who know exactly where to find the fish when they're biting.
You'll be fishing the Gulf Stream waters where the big boys hang out - sailfish, tarpon, kings, mahi, and wahoo all call these waters home. The boat can handle up to 6 anglers, which means you're not packed in like sardines and everyone gets plenty of room to fight their fish. We supply all the tackle, fresh bait, and ice, plus we'll clean and bag whatever you bring back to the dock. All you need to worry about is bringing your A-game, some sun protection, lunch, and drinks. Just remember - no coolers allowed, but trust me, you'll have your hands too full fighting fish to worry about lugging extra gear around anyway.
Out here in the blue water, trolling is king. We run a spread of baits at different depths and distances to cover maximum water and target whatever species are most active. The boat's rigged with outriggers and downriggers, letting us present everything from surface teasers to deep-running plugs. When the kings are running, we'll pull spoons and diving plugs along the reef edges. For mahi, it's all about working the weed lines and debris piles with colorful skirted baits. And when sailfish are in the area, we switch to a more technical spread with circle hooks and ballyhoo - these fish require finesse, not brute force. The captain reads the water conditions, bait activity, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish consistently.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here, and Daytona's waters see good numbers from November through April when cooler water pushes baitfish closer to shore. These acrobatic fighters average 6-8 feet and put on an aerial show that'll have you shaking with adrenaline. They're catch-and-release only, but landing one is a bucket-list experience that serious anglers travel across the country for.
Tarpon fishing peaks during the warmer months, typically May through September, when these "silver kings" roll through in massive schools. These prehistoric beasts can reach 200 pounds and are famous for their explosive jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your endurance. The sight of a 6-foot tarpon cartwheeling out of the water is something that stays with you forever.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore charters here, with fish ranging from 15-50 pounds available year-round. They're aggressive predators that hit hard and fast, making screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. Plus, they're excellent table fare, so you actually get to take home dinner after the fight.
Mahi Mahi bring the tropical vibe to Florida fishing, with their brilliant colors and acrobatic fights. These fish love structure and floating debris, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They typically run 10-30 pounds here, and their sweet, flaky meat makes them a favorite among anglers who like to eat what they catch.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of blistering 60+ mph runs that can empty a reel in seconds. These torpedo-shaped predators are most active during the cooler months and are prized for both their fighting ability and their excellent eating quality. Landing a wahoo over 50 pounds is considered a trophy catch that most anglers never forget.
This 8-hour charter gives you the time you need to really get into the fish and experience what offshore fishing is all about. Whether you're chasing your first sailfish, looking to boat a personal best king mackerel, or just want to spend a day on the water with friends, this trip delivers the goods. The Daytona Beach area consistently produces world-class fishing, and with Full Time Fish handling all the details, all you have to do is show up ready to fish. Book your charter today and find out why anglers keep coming back to these waters year after year.
Meet Tree Money, our 32-foot Regulator that's built for serious offshore fishing action! This fishing machine delivers a smooth ride through the Atlantic swells while you target those big pelagic species lurking in Daytona's deep waters. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without getting tangled up with your fishing buddies. The boat comes loaded with everything you need - GPS to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate schools below, radar for those hazy mornings, and VHF radio to stay connected. An icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long 8-hour trips, while the onboard shower and toilet mean you can stay comfortable all day. We've got all the tackle, bait, and gear covered, plus ice and fish cleaning services, so you just focus on hooking into those monster fish that call these offshore waters home.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are hands down one of the most spectacular fish you'll encounter off Daytona. These blue-gray beauties average 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds, but their famous sail-like dorsal fin makes them look even bigger when they're jumping. We typically find them in 30-65 feet of water during our offshore trips, especially from late fall through spring when water temps sit between 70-80°F. What makes sailfish so popular with my guests is their incredible fight - they'll leap repeatedly and make blistering runs that'll test your arms. Plus, they actually change colors when excited, flashing blues and blacks during the battle. Here's a tip from years of chasing them: when you see one "lit up" behind the boat, don't set the hook too early. Let them eat the bait completely before you lean into them, or they'll throw the hook on their first jump.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are some of the fastest fish you'll hook around here. These silver bullets typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've seen 90-pounders that'll smoke your drag in seconds. We find them in 40-150 feet of water, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit 68-84°F. Kings are popular because they fight hard and make excellent table fare - their firm, flaky meat is perfect for grilling or blackening. These fish hunt aggressively, feeding on everything from blue runners to squid. One thing I always tell my clients: use a wire leader or you'll get cut off every time. Their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Also, when trolling for kings, rig your bait with two hooks - one in the nose and a stinger hook in the back, because they love to bite the tail end of live bait.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are probably the most colorful fish we catch - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish usually run 15-30 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen them push 40+ pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water. Summer and fall are best when water temps warm up. What guests love about mahi is the package deal - they fight hard with multiple jumps, they're stunning to look at, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for tacos or grilling. Here's a pro tip: when you hook one, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and cast another line out - mahi travel in schools and the hooked fish will often keep the others around. We call it "fishing the school" and can sometimes catch 4-5 fish from one group.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon fishing is pure adrenaline - these silver giants can hit 6-8 feet and weigh over 100 pounds, with some monsters pushing 200+. Around Daytona, we find them in shallow coastal waters and inlets during their migration from spring through fall. What sets tarpon apart is their aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and can swim up to 35 mph. Most folks don't eat them due to their bony meat, so it's all about the fight and the photos. These prehistoric fish have been around for 125 million years and can live over 50 years, so we always practice catch and release. The key to landing one is patience - when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook. Also, don't try to horse them in; let them tire themselves out with their acrobatics first.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will absolutely scream line off your reel. They typically run 30-80 pounds and 4-5 feet long, with that distinctive zebra-striped pattern. We find them in open blue water, often around floating debris or oil rigs in 60+ feet. Summer through fall is peak season here off Daytona. What makes wahoo special is their combination of speed, fight, and incredible table fare. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - locals call it "poor man's lobster." These fish are loners mostly, unlike other pelagics that school up. The trick to catching wahoo is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - their razor teeth will cut anything else. I always run lures that skip and splash on the surface since wahoo love chasing flying fish. When one hits, hold on tight because the initial run will be the fastest thing you've ever felt on a fishing rod.
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