Rate Card ID: 24

Offshore fishing charter boat with anglers learning to fish with Captain Mike in Myrtle Beach waters

Rate Card ID: 24

Half-day Learn, Cast, and Hook Up with Captain Mike — A Hands-On Offshore Adventure

Knotty Sea Fishing Charters LLC Captain: Capt Mike

Hands On Offshore Fishing Charter with Captain Mike

Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

Private Trip

Offshore Fishing

What you will be catching:

About This Trip:

Four
hour offshore charter with hands
on fishing instruction from Captain Mike
Educational approach teaches independent angling techniques for active participation
Small group experience accommodates maximum four guests per trip

Offshore Action Shots

"Angler enjoying fishing in Port Orange"

"Anglers enjoying a fishing trip in Orange Park"

"Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, a 36-inch catch in Orange Park"

"Mutton Snapper, a 26-inch fish caught in FL"

"Pair of king mackerel fish caught in Orange Park"

"Large group of anglers posing with their impressive catch at Orange Park"

"4 king mackerel fish caught in Orange Park"

Half-Day Offshore Charter with Captain Mike

Captain Mike's hands-on offshore charter is where real anglers sharpen their skills while hauling in some serious fish. This isn't your typical "sit back and watch" fishing trip – you'll be working the lines, learning the ropes, and getting dirty from the first cast to the last fish in the cooler. Operating out of Myrtle Beach, this 4-hour adventure puts you on prime offshore waters where red snapper, king mackerel, and gag grouper call home. With just 4 spots available, you get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time without fighting crowds for the best fishing spots.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Mike runs a tight ship focused on education and action. From the moment you step aboard, you're part of the crew – not just a passenger. He'll walk you through rigging techniques, explain how to read the electronics, and show you the subtle differences between working bottom structure versus open water trolling. The boat heads to proven offshore spots where the water depth and structure create perfect ambush points for hungry pelagics and bottom dwellers. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish pickup and bottom contact, how to work a jig properly, and when to let a fish run versus when to apply pressure. This is real fishing education that pays off long after you head back to the dock.

Gear and Techniques

Captain Mike provides top-shelf tackle matched to the target species and fishing conditions. You'll work with both conventional and spinning setups, learning when each excels. Bottom fishing involves heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh bait to target grouper and snapper holding tight to structure. For the pelagic species like kings and albacore, you'll troll with planers, downriggers, and surface baits to cover water and locate active fish. Live bait fishing is a major focus – you'll learn to hook pilchards and cigar minnows properly, adjust your drag settings, and read fish behavior on the sonar. The captain breaks down each technique step-by-step, so you understand the why behind every decision, not just the how.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Red snapper are the offshore prize that keeps anglers coming back. These crimson fighters average 3-8 pounds and inhabit hard bottom structure in 60-120 feet of water. They're notorious for their quick bite and bulldogging fight, diving straight for the rocks when hooked. Peak season runs May through August when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. Captain Mike knows the productive ledges and wrecks where snapper stack up, and he'll teach you to work the bottom precisely without losing expensive tackle to the structure.

Albacore tuna bring the speed and power that makes offshore fishing addictive. These silver bullets range from 10-30 pounds and feed in temperature breaks and current lines miles offshore. They hit trolled baits with authority and make blistering runs that test your drag system and fighting technique. Summer and early fall offer the best albacore action when baitfish concentrate offshore. Learning to fight tuna properly – using the boat's momentum and managing line angles – is a skill that translates to battling any large pelagic species.

Gag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, ambushing prey from rocky hideouts and immediately diving for cover when hooked. These hefty bottom dwellers can exceed 20 pounds and require precise boat positioning and quick reflexes to extract them from structure. They're most active during cooler months when they move to shallower reefs to spawn. Captain Mike will show you how to work baits right along the bottom without hanging up, and how to turn a big grouper's head before it reaches the rocks.

Queen triggerfish add excitement with their unique appearance and challenging bite. These colorful characters have small mouths and finicky feeding habits that require finesse and patience. They average 2-4 pounds but fight with surprising strength for their size. Triggers are most cooperative during spring and fall when water temperatures moderate. They're excellent table fare and provide great practice for developing light-tackle skills and bait presentation techniques.

King mackerel are the speed demons that can turn a quiet trolling spread into chaos in seconds. These toothy predators range from schoolie kings around 10 pounds to smoker kings pushing 40+ pounds. They're notorious for spectacular jumps and blazing runs that can empty a reel in seconds. Peak king fishing runs from spring through fall when they follow baitfish migrations along the coast. Captain Mike will teach you proper wire leader rigging, trolling speeds, and fighting techniques for these razor-toothed speedsters.

Time to Book Your Spot

This educational offshore charter delivers real fishing skills you'll use for years while putting quality fish in the box. Captain Mike's teaching approach and small group size ensure personalized attention and maximum learning opportunities. The combination of hands-on instruction, productive fishing grounds, and diverse target species makes this a top-rated choice for serious anglers. With only 4 spots available, prime dates fill quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book now to secure your spot on this customer-favorite charter that's building a reputation as one of Myrtle Beach's best offshore fishing experiences.

Vehicle

Drop Hook

Get ready to hit the waters off Myrtle Beach aboard a well-equipped 31-foot sportfisher that's built for serious offshore action. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need to find and fight fish - from advanced GPS and radar systems to keep you on course, to a reliable fish finder that'll help locate where the action is happening below. Captain Mike's boat handles the Atlantic swells like a pro, giving you a stable platform whether you're learning new techniques or battling your catch. The spacious cockpit gives all four anglers plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh for the trip back to shore. This isn't about sitting back while someone else does the work - you'll be hands-on with every aspect of the fishing process. The boat's setup makes it perfect for learning proper offshore techniques while staying comfortable during the 4-hour adventure. With radar for those hazy coastal conditions and navigation gear to hit the best fishing spots, you're set up for success on the water.

Length

31 ft

Capacity

6 passengers

Engines

Type

boat

Features:

Ice Box
GPS navigation system
Radar for low-visibility conditions
Fish finder for locating targets

Target Species

Thunnus Alalunga

Albacore Tuna

Albacore are built for speed with that bullet-shaped body and oversized pectoral fins. These smaller tunas typically run 18-25 inches and 20-45 pounds, but they never stop moving since they need constant water flow over their gills to breathe. You'll find them in deeper offshore waters during warmer months, often traveling in massive schools that can stretch for miles. What guests love about targeting albacore is the non-stop action once you find a school - hook one and you'll usually boat several more. They're also the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat tuna" at the market. Trolling works best since they're always on the move, and they feed during daylight hours. My go-to trick is positioning lures 50-90 feet behind the boat and watching for that first strike - land that lead fish quickly because if it gets away, the whole school often follows.

Mycteroperca Microlepis

Gag Grouper

Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - once they grab your bait, they'll try to drag it straight back to their rocky hideout. These guys average around 20 inches but can grow past 4 feet and 80 pounds. The females are lighter gray with wavy patterns while males get much darker as they mature. You'll find them around offshore reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom in 40-120 feet of water year-round, though they're most active during cooler months. What makes them a favorite target is that bone-jarring strike followed by a bulldogging fight straight down. They're also excellent table fare with firm white meat. Look for them around stone crab traps since they love feeding on crabs and shrimp. Here's the key once you hook one: lock that reel down tight and keep your rod low - give them any slack and they'll dive into a hole where you'll never get them out.

Scomberomorus Cavalla

King Mackerel

King Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are pure adrenaline on the water. These speed demons typically weigh around 30 pounds but can top 90, with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through anything. They cruise offshore waters from 40-150 feet deep, following baitfish and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when they're migrating along our coast. What gets anglers fired up is that initial screaming run - they'll peel line off your reel faster than almost any fish in the ocean. They're also great eating with that rich, flaky meat, though high in mercury so enjoy in moderation. Trolling with live bait works best - rig with two hooks on a wire leader since they love hitting the back half of the bait. My secret: when you get that first strike, don't set the hook right away - let them run with it for a few seconds before engaging the drag.

Balistes Vetula

Queen Triggerfish

Queen Triggerfish are some of the most colorful characters you'll encounter offshore. These oval-shaped beauties sport bright neon blue stripes and can actually change colors when stressed or trying to blend in. They average about 12 inches but can reach nearly 2 feet and 12 pounds. You'll find them around reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 30-300 feet of water, usually in small groups. They're most active during morning hours when they're feeding on sea urchins, crabs, and shrimp. What makes them fun to target is their unique behavior - they'll wedge themselves into crevices using their dorsal spines when threatened, which is how they got their name. They're shy most of the year but can get aggressive during spawning season. Try a Carolina rig with small crabs or shrimp as bait. Pro tip: be patient with the bite - they'll often nibble and test your bait before committing.

Lutjanus Campechanus

Red Snapper

Red Snapper are the prize fish that make every angler's day out here. These bottom-dwellers typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh under 10 pounds, though the big ones can push 35+ pounds. They love hanging around structure in 30-200 feet of water - think reefs, ledges, and rocky bottoms. The fish start pink when young and turn that beautiful red color as they mature. What makes them special is the fight they put up once hooked - they'll run straight for cover and try to cut your line on anything sharp. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that mild, nutty flavor. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're most active. Here's a tip from years of chasing them: keep heavy pressure on right from the hookset and don't let them get back to the rocks.

Half-day Learn, Cast, and Hook Up with Captain Mike — A Hands-On Offshore Adventure