Full Day Offshore Fishing Charter in Myrtle Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting kingfish and seasonal speciesCaptain Mike guides trips with adaptive techniques based on conditionsSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
Captain Mike's 8-hour offshore fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Myrtle Beach's best kingfish action. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper full day on the water where you've got time to work different spots, adjust your approach, and really dial in on what's biting. With just 4 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish without bumping elbows. We head out to the deeper waters where the big kings cruise, plus you'll have shots at red snapper, gag grouper, albacore tuna, and queen triggerfish depending on the season.
Your day starts early – we're talking first light departure to maximize your time in the productive zones. Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to run to where the fish are holding. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and all the essentials, so you can focus on the fishing instead of worrying about gear. We'll hit multiple spots throughout the day, starting with the closer structure for some grouper action, then pushing out to the blue water where the pelagics roam. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if one area isn't producing, we've got time to relocate and find the bite. You'll experience everything from bottom fishing over hard structure to trolling the open water for kings and tuna. The Atlantic off Myrtle Beach offers incredible variety, and Captain Mike knows how to put you on whatever's feeding.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For kingfish, we'll pull a spread of live baits and spoons at varying depths – kings are notorious for being picky about presentation, so having multiple lines out at different levels is key. The boat's equipped with downriggers and planer boards to cover maximum water. When we're working structure for grouper and snapper, we switch to heavy bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh cut bait. Captain Mike provides all the tackle, but if you've got a favorite rod setup, feel free to bring it along. The key to success out here is reading the water – watching for bird activity, temperature breaks, and bait schools. We use quality fish finders and GPS to mark productive spots, but nothing beats having an experienced captain who can interpret what he's seeing and adjust the game plan accordingly.
King mackerel are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These fish are pure adrenaline – they hit hard, make screaming runs, and test your drag system to the limit. Most kings we hook range from 15 to 40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 50-plus. They're most active from late spring through early fall, cruising the temperature breaks and following bait schools. What makes kings so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're trolling peacefully, the next your reel is screaming and 30 pounds of muscle is heading for the horizon.
Red snapper are another crowd favorite when they're in season. These bottom dwellers hang around structure in 60-120 feet of water, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. A good red snapper weighs 8-15 pounds and fights with surprising strength for a bottom fish. They're smart too – if they feel resistance, they'll dive straight into the rocks and cut you off. The key is keeping steady pressure and getting them up quickly.
Gag grouper are the heavyweights of the bottom fishing game. These bruisers can top 30 pounds and they know every rock, ledge, and hole on the bottom. When a big gag hits, it's like hooking into a freight train – they'll make one powerful run straight down and try to get into their cave. The fight is more about pure strength than speed, and landing a trophy gag is something you'll remember forever. They're most cooperative in the cooler months when they move into shallower water to spawn.
Albacore tuna bring the speed factor to offshore fishing. These silver bullets rarely exceed 20 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure athleticism. Albies are built for speed, and when you hook one, you'll see why they're considered one of the best fighting fish pound-for-pound. They show up in late summer and fall, often mixed in with king mackerel schools.
Queen triggerfish might sound like an odd addition to the target list, but these colorful characters are fantastic table fare and surprisingly strong fighters. They've got a unique appearance with their compressed bodies and bright colors, and they're curious fish that often investigate the boat. Queens typically run 2-4 pounds but fight much bigger, and they're excellent eating with firm, white meat.
This full day offshore charter gives you the complete Myrtle Beach fishing experience – multiple species, varied techniques, and enough time on the water to really make it count. Captain Mike's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a top-rated choice for serious anglers. Whether you're chasing your first king mackerel or looking to add to your offshore fishing resume, this 8-hour adventure delivers. The small group size means personalized service, and the extended time frame means we can adapt to conditions and fish behavior throughout the day. Don't miss your chance to experience some of the best offshore fishing the South Carolina coast has to offer.
Your full-day kingfish adventure launches aboard our well-equipped 31-foot sportfish, perfectly rigged for serious offshore action in Myrtle Beach waters. Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have you targeting prime kingfish spots where the big ones cruise. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day - GPS navigation to hit the hottest fishing grounds, radar for those hazy morning runs, and a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure holding fish. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh from hook to dock. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without getting tangled up. This isn't a rushed half-day trip - you'll have 8 solid hours to fish multiple areas, adjust tactics as conditions change, and really dial in on what's biting. Captain Mike adapts the game plan based on weather, bait movement, and seasonal patterns to put you on the best kingfish action available. Whether you're trolling the nearshore reefs or working the deeper ledges, this sportfish handles the offshore conditions with ease, getting you to productive water quickly and comfortably so you can focus on putting fish in the box.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are the bullet trains of our offshore waters - fast, sleek, and always on the move. These smaller tunas average 18-25 inches and 20-45 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in speed and table quality. They're the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat" tuna, and it's some of the finest eating you'll find. We target them in deep subtropical waters during their spring through summer migration, typically March to July. They school up in massive groups that can stretch for miles, making for hot action when you find them. Trolling is your best bet with cedar plugs or tuna feathers positioned 50-90 feet behind the boat. Pro tip: when you hook the first fish, work fast - if it escapes, the whole school often follows it away.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bruisers that'll test your tackle and reward you with excellent table fare. These marbled gray fish average around 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds. You'll find juveniles inshore around structure, while the big adults hang around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms in deeper water. They're available year-round but fish best during cooler months when they're more active. What makes gags exciting is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll immediately try to drag your bait back to their hole and cut you off on the rocks. Live pinfish and mullet work great, but cut bait like squid and crab produce too. Keep your reel locked tight and your rod tip low - the second you feel the bite, it's a tug-of-war to get them up before they reach cover.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kingfish" as we call them locally, are the main attraction on our offshore charters and for good reason. These silver rockets average around 30 pounds but can push 90+, and they're built for speed that'll test your reflexes and tackle. We find them in 40-150 feet of water from spring through fall, with the bigger fish often coming closer to inlets and harbors. What makes kings special is their blistering runs and aerial displays - few fish can match their initial speed when hooked. They're also excellent eating with their rich, flaky meat. The key to success is trolling with live bait on a stinger rig - one hook in the nose, another trailing hook near the tail, because kings love to bite baitfish from behind. Use a strong wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When that rod bends over, hang on tight!
Balistes VetulaQueen triggerfish are some of the most colorful characters you'll encounter on our offshore trips. These oval-shaped beauties sport brilliant neon blue stripes, slate blue fins, and can change colors like a chameleon when stressed. They average around 12 inches but can reach nearly 2 feet and make for great table fare or trophy catches. You'll find them around reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 30-300 feet of water, usually traveling in small schools of 5-10 fish. They're available year-round but bite best during warmer months. What makes triggers fun is their quirky behavior - they'll wedge themselves in crevices using their dorsal spines when threatened, which is how they got their name. Small pieces of shrimp or crab work best on a Carolina rig. Fair warning though: during spawn season, these normally shy fish turn aggressive and will give you a nasty bite if you're not careful handling them.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing here off Myrtle Beach. These beauties grow from pink juveniles to deep red adults, averaging 1-2 feet but capable of hitting 35+ pounds. You'll find them hugging hard bottom structure in 30-200 feet of water, especially around wrecks and ledges. Peak season runs May through September when water temps hit that sweet 60-70 degree range. What makes snappers special is their incredible table fare - mild, nutty, and perfect for any cooking style. They're also scrappy fighters that'll try to cut your line on structure. My go-to tip: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and the second you feel that bite, lock down your reel and horse them up fast. Don't give them a chance to dive back into the rocks.
Myrtle Beach, SC, United States