West Palm Beach 10 Hour Game Fish Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Tenhour private offshore charter targets sailfish, wahoo, and mahi.Extended fishing time allows access to distant offshore grounds.All equipment, licenses, snacks, and crew guidance included onboard.
When you're serious about fishing and want to get after the big boys, this 10-hour charter with Hook'N Up is exactly what you're looking for. We're talking about a full day on the water off West Palm Beach, where the Gulf Stream runs close to shore and the fishing gets downright spectacular. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're going the distance to reach those offshore honey holes where the real monsters live. You'll have a private boat with just your crew (up to 6 anglers), which means no fighting for rod time or dealing with strangers who don't know a reel from a rod holder. Captain's got the local knowledge to put you on fish, and with 10 hours to work with, we can chase whatever's biting hardest that day.
This charter kicks off early – think sunrise departure – because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. We'll clear the inlet and make our way to the productive waters anywhere from 3 to 20 miles offshore, depending on where the fish are stacked up. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is flexibility. If the sailfish are lit up on the reef in 120 feet, we'll stay put and work them over. If the mahi are thick around floating debris in 400 feet of water, we'll make the run. Your captain reads the conditions daily – water temperature, current breaks, bait schools – and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days we'll spend the morning trolling for pelagics and switch to bottom fishing in the afternoon when the bite changes. Other days, we might find a wahoo bite so hot we stick with it all day. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: top-shelf rods and reels, a full spread of lures and live bait, plus snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up. All fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
We run a mixed bag of techniques on these longer trips, and that's what makes them so productive. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and finding active fish. We'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, diving plugs, and skirted baits behind the boat at different depths and distances. When we mark bait or structure, we might switch to live bait fishing with goggle eyes or pilchards. Bottom fishing comes into play when we're working wrecks and reefs for grouper, snapper, and cobia. The tackle is matched to the target – heavy spinning gear and conventional reels for the big stuff, lighter setups when we're working smaller baits for sailfish and mahi. Wire leaders are standard when wahoo and king mackerel are in the mix, but we'll drop down to fluorocarbon when the fish are leader-shy. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you stay focused on fighting fish instead of retying knots. They'll coach you through the fights, help with gaffing and netting, and make sure you get the hero shots with your catches.
The Atlantic Sailfish is the crown jewel of South Florida offshore fishing, and West Palm Beach sits right in the heart of their migration route. These acrobatic billfish show up in good numbers from November through April, with December and January being absolutely lights-out. They average 6 to 8 feet and put on an aerial show that'll leave you shaking. Sailfish love to hunt in schools, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. They're suckers for slow-trolled ballyhoo and will absolutely demolish a well-presented live bait. The fights are pure theater – multiple jumps, long runs, and enough attitude to keep your drag singing.
King Mackerel are year-round residents that really turn on during the cooler months. These toothy speedsters can stretch past 40 pounds and will smoke your reel on the initial run. Kings love structure – artificial reefs, wrecks, and ledges where baitfish congregate. They're not picky eaters, but nothing beats a live sardine or goggle eye fished near the bottom. The bite can happen fast, so stay alert when you're in king country. They've got razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through mono like butter, which is why we always use wire leaders when they're around.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and the action when they're thick from spring through fall. These golden beauties love floating debris, sargassum lines, and current edges where small fish gather. Schools of mahi can keep you busy for hours, especially when you find the smaller "chickens" mixed in with larger bulls and cows. They hit trolled baits hard and fight with bulldogging power that'll test your arms. Mahi are also fantastic table fare, so you'll go home with some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Cobia are the wild cards that can make any trip memorable. These brown submarines cruise the reefs and wrecks from March through June, often following rays and sharks. They're curious fish that will come up to investigate the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities with live bait or jigs. A big cobia can push 50 pounds and fights like a cross between a shark and a grouper. They're not always cooperative, but when you connect with a good one, it's a battle you won't forget.
Swordfish represent the ultimate offshore challenge, and West Palm's deep water gives us legitimate shots at these gladiators. Daytime swordfishing has exploded in popularity, and we've got the deep water close enough to make it happen on a 10-hour trip. These prehistoric predators live in 1,200 to 2,000 feet of water and can exceed 200 pounds. The technique involves dropping heavy baits to extreme depths and waiting for a bite that might take hours to develop. When it happens, you'll know – nothing
Step aboard this 50-foot offshore sportfishing machine designed to handle West Palm Beach's deep waters with serious style. The boat's built for those marathon fishing days with a comfortable flybridge for spotting fish, outriggers ready for trolling, and a proper fighting chair when you hook into something big. Below deck, you'll find air conditioning to escape the Florida heat, a full galley for meal prep, sleeping quarters for quick breaks, and a complete restroom. Modern electronics including GPS and fish finder help locate the best fishing grounds, while the live bait well keeps your bait fresh all day. With an icebox, refrigerator, and multimedia system onboard, you're set for a full 10-hour adventure chasing sailfish, mahi, wahoo, and whatever else is running. The spacious deck gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the star of our offshore trips - these gorgeous fish average 7-8 feet and 50 pounds, with that signature sail-like dorsal fin and brilliant colors that flash blue and silver when they jump. We find them in 30-100 feet of water, usually near the surface where they hunt baitfish. Winter through spring is prime time here in West Palm, when they migrate through our waters following the warm Gulf Stream. What makes them special is the fight - they'll jump repeatedly, strip line, and test your endurance for 20-30 minutes. The meat's decent too, though most folks release them. Pro tip: when you see that sail come up behind your bait, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Let them eat it and start their first run before you tighten up - you'll hook up more consistently that way.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers of our local waters - these chocolate-brown fish average 6 feet and 30-60 pounds, with some reaching 100+. They're loners that cruise reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet, often mistaken for sharks due to their dark color and single dorsal fin. Spring migration from March through May is prime time, plus summer around structure. What makes them special is the bulldogging fight and incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals grouper. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat, making sight fishing exciting. Here's my go-to technique: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live crab ahead of where it's swimming, then work it slowly along the bottom. Cobia are aggressive feeders and rarely refuse a well-presented bait near structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kings" as we call them, are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and gear. These olive-backed fish typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see 50+ pounders regularly. They cruise the 40-150 foot range, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Fall through spring is our best season when they migrate down from the north. What anglers love is that explosive first run - kings will scream off 100+ yards before you know what hit you. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Here's the key: always use a wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. When trolling, keep your baits skipping on the surface - kings love to smash a lively ballyhoo or strip bait that looks like fleeing prey.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when you bring them boatside. They average 15-30 pounds and 3-4 feet, though bulls can push 50+. We target them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall is peak season when they follow the warm water north. Anglers love them for the acrobatic fight and outstanding table fare - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. They often travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep the lines in because there's usually more below. My trick: once you boat the first fish, toss it in the livewell but leave a small piece of the carcass overboard. The scent and commotion will often keep the school around for multiple hookups.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge - these massive fish average 9 feet and 200+ pounds, with that unmistakable flat sword and dark grey-blue coloration. We target them in 1,000+ feet, usually at night when they rise from the depths to feed around 200-400 feet down. Year-round fishing here, but summer months produce the most consistent action. It's bucket-list fishing - the initial hookup, then a grinding battle that can last hours against a fish that might weigh more than you do. The meat is outstanding too, firm steaks perfect for grilling. This is serious deep-dropping with heavy tackle and lots of patience. Pro tip: use plenty of light sticks on your rig - swords hunt by sight in the dark depths, and that green glow will draw them in from a distance. Most bites come between 9 PM and 2 AM.
West Palm Beach