Private 10 Hour Offshore Fishing Trip
Captain Matt Graves and his crew at Limitless Fishing Charters know how to make the most of a full day on the water. This 10-hour offshore adventure gives you the complete deep sea fishing experience – starting with high-speed trolling for pelagic species in the morning, then switching gears to bottom fishing for reef dwellers as the day progresses. With up to 6 anglers aboard, you'll have plenty of room to move around and take turns on different rods without feeling cramped. The extended trip duration means we can hit multiple fishing spots and adjust our game plan based on what the fish are telling us.
What to Expect on the Water
We'll start the day early, heading out to the deep blue water where the big players roam. The first half of your trip focuses on trolling – we'll spread out a variety of lures and baits behind the boat as we cruise prime fishing zones. This is when you'll have shots at mahi-mahi, sailfish, wahoo, and king mackerel. These fish are fighters, and when something hits your line, you'll know it immediately. Once we've worked the trolling bite, we'll anchor up over productive bottom structure for the second half of the day. Here's where we break out the heavy tackle and drop baits down to grouper, snapper, amberjack, and other bottom dwellers. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and fish cleaning – your job is simply to fish hard and have a good time. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you can travel light and focus on the action.
Trolling and Bottom Tactics
Trolling offshore is all about covering water and presenting the right baits at the right speed. We'll run a spread of ballyhoo, diving plugs, and skirted lures at different depths to target whatever species are active. The key is varying your presentation – some fish want baits running deep, others prefer something skipping on the surface. When we transition to bottom fishing, it's a completely different game. We'll use circle hooks with live or cut bait, fishing tight to structure where the big grouper and snapper live. Bottom fishing requires patience and technique – you need to feel the difference between a fish picking up your bait and your sinker bouncing on the rocks. The crew will coach you through both techniques, whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time offshore. With 10 hours on the water, there's plenty of time to master both styles and put some serious fish in the boat.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, and these ruby-colored fighters are as smart as they are beautiful. They typically run 5-15 pounds in most areas, with occasional bigger fish pushing 20 pounds or more. Red snapper are structure-oriented, hanging tight to ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're notorious for their quick, sharp bites and their ability to wrap your line around anything they can find. The best action usually happens during their peak feeding times in early morning and late afternoon. What makes red snapper so special is their incredible table fare – firm, white, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling, frying, or making into fish tacos.
Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, using their powerful bodies and big mouths to vacuum up anything that looks edible. These fish commonly range from 10-30 pounds, though trophy gags can exceed 40 pounds. They're ambush predators that hide in caves and under ledges, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When a big gag hits your bait, the fight is immediate and brutal – they'll try to pull you straight back to their hole. Gag grouper are most active during cooler months and provide some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Their mild, sweet flavor and firm texture make them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.
Atlantic Sailfish are the acrobats of the offshore world, known for their spectacular aerial displays and lightning-fast runs. These billfish typically weigh 30-60 pounds and are built for speed, capable of reaching 60+ mph when hooked. Sailfish are most active during the warmer months and often travel in small schools, so where you find one, there are usually more nearby. They're primarily caught while trolling with ballyhoo, diving plugs, or rigged baits. The real excitement comes when a sail hits your bait – they'll often jump multiple times, tail-walking across the surface in an incredible display of athleticism. Most captains practice catch and release with sailfish, allowing these magnificent fish to fight another day.
King Mackerel, or "kings" as locals call them, are razor-toothed speedsters that provide some of the most explosive strikes you'll experience offshore. These fish range from 10-50 pounds, with smoker kings (20+ pounds) being the most sought after. Kings are structure and bait-oriented, often found around wrecks, reefs, and temperature breaks where baitfish congregate. They're typically caught while trolling with live bait, spoons, or diving plugs. When a king hits your bait, the initial run is blistering fast – they'll peel line off your reel like it's nothing. Kings are excellent eating when properly bled and iced, with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for smoking, grilling, or making into fish dip.
Mahi Mahi, also called dolphinfish, are the most colorful and acrobatic fish you'll encounter while trolling offshore. These fish typically run 10-30 pounds, though bull mahi can exceed 50 pounds. They're known for their brilliant golden-yellow coloration and their habit of traveling in schools around floating debris, sargassum weed, or other structure. Mahi are incredibly aggressive feeders and will often stay with hooked fish, giving you multiple hookups from the