Full Day Offshore Fishing in Daytona Beach
When you're looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure in Daytona Beach, this full day guided trip with Go Fish Sportfishing delivers exactly what every angler dreams about. We're talking about heading straight into the legendary Gulfstream waters where the big pelagic species cruise year-round. This isn't your typical inshore redfish trip – we're going after the heavy hitters like sailfish, king mackerel, mahi mahi, amberjack, wahoo, and those prehistoric-looking great barracuda that'll test your drag system. With room for up to 4 anglers, you get that perfect balance of having fishing buddies along while still getting plenty of personal attention from your guide.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early because the best fishing happens when most people are still hitting the snooze button. We'll motor out past the inlet and into the deep blue Gulfstream current where the water changes from that greenish coastal color to that beautiful cobalt blue that gets every angler's heart pumping. The Gulfstream is like an underwater highway for migratory species – it's constantly moving fish up and down the coast, which means you never know what's going to slam your bait next. One minute you might be fighting a screaming king mackerel, and the next you could have a sailfish greyhounding across the surface. The captain knows exactly where to position the boat based on water temperature, current breaks, and structure. Some days we'll work the edges where the Gulfstream meets cooler inshore water, other days we'll run out to specific GPS numbers where wrecks and ledges hold bottom fish like those bruiser amberjacks.
Trolling and Bottom Fishing
This trip gives you the best of both worlds – high-speed trolling for pelagics and deep-dropping for bottom dwellers. When we're trolling, we'll have multiple lines out at different depths and distances behind the boat. The captain will set up a spread with everything from surface baits to deep-diving plugs, plus some ballyhoo on the riggers. Trolling speed matters big time out here – too fast and you won't get bit, too slow and your baits look dead. When we mark fish on the bottom machine or hit a productive wreck, it's time to break out the heavy tackle for some serious bottom fishing. We're talking about dropping baits down 80 to 120 feet where those monster amberjacks live. The key is getting your bait down fast through the smaller fish in the water column and right to where the big boys hang out. Circle hooks are the way to go for both conservation and better hookup ratios.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Daytona Beach offshore fishing. These fish are pure magic when they're lit up and feeding. Sailfish typically run 6 to 8 feet long and can weigh anywhere from 40 to 80 pounds. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, but we see them year-round in the Gulfstream. What makes sailfish so special is watching them work a bait – they'll light up like a neon sign, slash at the bait with that massive bill, then circle back to eat it. When hooked, they put on an aerial show that'll have you scrambling for your camera.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of these waters, and they hit baits like freight trains. Kings range from schoolie-sized fish around 10 pounds up to smoker kings pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer fishing can be outstanding too. These fish have razor-sharp teeth and zero patience – when they decide to eat your bait, it happens fast. The key to consistent king fishing is presenting live bait or fast-moving lures at the right depth where the fish are feeding.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish as the locals call them, are probably the most beautiful fish you'll ever pull over the gunwale. Their electric yellow, green, and blue colors are absolutely stunning when they're fresh out of the water. Mahi are structure-oriented fish, so we'll target floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They typically show up in spring and summer, with peak action from May through August. What's awesome about mahi is they're schooling fish – hook one and there's usually more around.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep wrecks and reefs. These fish are pure muscle and will test your arms, back, and tackle. Amberjacks commonly run 20 to 50 pounds, but the real bruisers can top 60 pounds. They're year-round residents on our deeper structure, and they're always hungry. The fight is straight down – no jumping, no running, just raw power trying to get back to their rocky home. Many anglers consider landing a big amberjack one of the toughest battles in offshore fishing.
Wahoo are the rockets of the offshore world, capable of speeds over 60 mph. These fish have a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and a bad attitude to match. Wahoo are most common during fall and winter months when water temperatures start dropping. They typically hit high-speed trolling lures or live baits fished near the surface. The initial run on a wahoo is absolutely blistering – your reel will scream like nothing else you've experienced.
Great Barracuda are prehistoric-looking predators that prowl the Gulfstream waters year-round. These fish can exceed 5 feet in length and 30 pounds, with a mouth full of teeth that looks like something from a horror movie. Barracuda are aggressive feeders and will often follow baits right to the boat before deciding to strike. They're known for their explosive surface strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. While some anglers target them specifically, they're often caught while fishing for other species
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Daytona Beach
Full
