8 Hour Private Murrells Inlet Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 8hour offshore charter targeting wahoo, mahi, and grouperDeparts 6 AM, travels 4060 miles to deep water groundsAccommodates 46 anglers with all equipment and bait provided
If you're looking for a serious day of fishing without the crowds, this 8-hour private offshore charter from Murrells Inlet is exactly what you need. Departing at 6 AM sharp, we'll take you 40 to 60 miles out into the deep blue where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a full commitment to finding and catching fish in some of the most productive waters off the Carolina coast. With space for up to 6 anglers and a minimum of 4 required, it's perfect for families who want to fish together or groups of friends ready to spend quality time on the water without strangers tagging along.
When you step aboard at Murrells Inlet, you're starting what many anglers consider the best fishing experience on the Grand Strand. The early morning departure gets us to the fishing grounds while the bite is hot, and that long run offshore opens up opportunities you just can't get closer to shore. Depending on what's biting and what you want to target, we'll mix up our approach – sometimes we're trolling for pelagics like wahoo and mahi, other times we're anchored up over structure working the bottom for grouper and snapper. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility. If one spot isn't producing, we've got time to move and find the action. Your captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means hitting the edge for wahoo or working deeper drops for big grouper. All your rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, so you just need to bring yourself and get ready to fish.
Out here in the deep water, we fish three main ways depending on what we're after. Trolling is our go-to for wahoo and mahi – we'll pull a spread of lures at different depths and speeds, covering water until we find fish. When we locate schools of mahi or mark bait balls, we'll stop and cast to them with lighter tackle for some real fun. For bottom fishing, we're talking heavy conventional reels with electric assists for those deep drops. Grouper and snapper live in 120 to 300 feet of water, and pulling them up from that depth takes the right gear and technique. We use circle hooks, fresh bait, and heavy sinkers to get down fast and stay in the strike zone. Deep dropping takes this even further – sometimes we're fishing in 400 to 600 feet targeting bigger grouper, golden tiles, and other deep water species. The electric reels do most of the work, but you'll still feel every fish. Your captain will match the tackle to the target species and teach you the techniques that work best for each situation.
Scamp Grouper are one of the most prized catches on these offshore trips. These fish live around rocky bottom and structure in 80 to 200 feet of water, and they're known for their excellent table fare and hard-fighting nature. Scamps typically run 3 to 8 pounds, with bigger ones pushing 15 pounds or more. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though we catch them year-round. What makes scamps special is their willingness to bite and their incredible taste – many anglers consider them the best eating fish in these waters. When you hook one, expect a strong initial run followed by bulldog fights as they try to get back to their rocky homes.
Grey Triggerfish have become a customer favorite over the past few years as populations have rebounded. These fish are found around hard bottom, wrecks, and live bottom areas in 60 to 150 feet of water. Triggers are known for their powerful jaws and aggressive strikes, but they're also notorious bait stealers. They typically weigh 2 to 6 pounds, with larger fish reaching 8 to 10 pounds. The best action happens from May through September when they're most active. What excites anglers about triggers is their fight – they use their flat, disc-shaped bodies like a sail underwater, making them much harder to bring up than their size suggests. Plus, they're excellent on the dinner table with firm, white meat.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish represent the ultimate offshore experience. These gorgeous fish with their bright gold, blue, and green colors are found around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in blue water. Mahi school up and when you find one, there are usually more. They range from small schoolies around 5 pounds to big bulls and cows that can reach 30 to 50 pounds. Peak season runs from May through October, with the biggest fish typically showing up in late summer. Mahi are special because they're aggressive, acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly when hooked, and they're one of the best eating fish in the ocean. Finding a school of mahi and watching multiple rods go off at once is what offshore fishing dreams are made of.
Greater Amberjack are the powerhouses of these offshore waters. These fish live around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 80 to 300 feet of water, and they're known for long, powerful runs that test both angler and tackle. AJs commonly weigh 20 to 60 pounds, with bigger fish reaching 80 pounds or more. They're most active during warmer months from April through October. What makes amberjack fishing exciting is the sheer power of these fish – they'll take line and dive for structure, testing your drag and your arms. The initial run of a big amberjack is something every angler remembers. While regulations limit keeping smaller fish, the experience of fighting these bruisers is worth the trip alone.
Wahoo Fish are the speed demons of the offshore world. These torpedo-shaped predators are built for speed, reaching up to 60 mph, and they're typically caught while trolling in
Your private offshore adventure starts aboard a solid 30' Grady-White center console that's built to handle the Carolina waters with confidence. This fishing machine carries up to 6 anglers comfortably while running 40-60 miles out to where the real action happens. The boat comes loaded with GPS, radar, and fish finders to put you on the fish, plus all the quality rods, reels, and tackle you'll need for whatever's biting. Whether you're trolling for wahoo and mahi or dropping bottom rigs for grouper and snapper, this center console gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. The early 6 AM departure gets you to the deep water grounds while conditions are prime, and with 8 hours on the water, there's time to work different spots and target multiple species based on what the captain's seeing that day.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjacks are the bulldogs of the offshore world - pure power that'll put serious hurt on your back and shoulders. These bruisers typically run 20-40 pounds but can reach 100+ pounds, with that distinctive amber stripe and muscular build. They patrol deep structure like wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs, usually in 80-200 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily. What guests love is the non-stop fight - no jumping, just raw power and deep runs that'll test your tackle and endurance. The meat is excellent when properly handled, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My advice: use heavy tackle and be ready for a long fight. Keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure, because once they wrap you up, it's game over.
Balistes CapriscusThese tough, leather-skinned fish are scrappy fighters that'll test your patience and technique. Triggers average 12-17 inches but can hit 2 feet, and they're notorious bait stealers with those sharp, beak-like mouths. You'll find them around hard bottom structure, reefs, and wrecks in 60-180 feet of water. They're year-round residents but fish best in warmer months when they're more active. What makes them fun is their attitude - they're aggressive, curious, and will inspect your bait before committing. The meat is excellent, firm and sweet when prepared right. Here's the key trick: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them mouth it for a second, then reel fast and steady. They're notorious for dropping baits, so patience pays off with triggers.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the acrobats of offshore fishing - fast, colorful, and absolutely beautiful when they light up those electric blues and golds. These fish average 15-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds, and they're built for speed with that distinctive high forehead on mature bulls. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water, usually near the surface. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they move through our waters following baitfish. What makes mahi special is the aerial show they put on - multiple jumps and blazing runs that'll test your drag. The meat is firm, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you hook one, look for more - they travel in schools, so keep another rod ready. Once you boat the first one, get back to the same spot quickly.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp grouper are some of the tastiest fish you'll find out there, often called "captain's meat" for good reason. These chocolate-brown beauties with darker blotches typically run 4-6 pounds, though we've seen them up to 30+ pounds. They hang around structure like wrecks and ledges in 75-300 feet of water, making them perfect targets on our deep water runs. What makes them special is that slow, powerful fight - they're not fast but incredibly strong, so expect a real battle once hooked. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallower to spawn. My tip: use a heavy braided line because once you hook one, they'll try to wrap you around any structure they can find. The meat is firm, white, and beats any restaurant grouper you've ever had.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - one of the fastest fish in the ocean hitting 60+ mph. These sleek predators average 20-50 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and a torpedo-shaped body built for speed. You'll find them in blue water around 40-100 feet deep, often near temperature breaks and current edges. Fall through early winter is prime time off the Carolinas when they're migrating through. What makes wahoo special is that initial screaming run - they'll take 200+ yards of line in seconds, then make several powerful runs before tiring. The meat is white, flaky, and considered some of the best eating in the ocean. Key tip: use wire leaders because their teeth will slice through anything else. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or rigged ballyhoo works best.
Murrells Inlet, SC