Port Canaveral Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Ninehour offshore charter ventures 30 miles into deep watersTarget Mahi Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Sailfish seasonallyAllinclusive package covers equipment, expertise, and fishing license
When you're looking for serious offshore action, Port Canaveral delivers the goods. This nine-hour deep sea charter takes you up to 30 miles out where the real fish live. We're talking about waters that hold some of Florida's most prized catches – from screaming Mahi runs to the acrobatic show of a hooked Sailfish. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and with top-rated equipment plus your fishing license covered, you just need to show up ready to fish. Six anglers max means everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention from the crew.
Your day starts early at Port Canaveral, where you'll meet the crew and get the safety briefing before heading out. The boat cruises through the Canaveral inlet as the sun comes up, and within an hour you're in blue water where the continental shelf drops off. The crew sets up a spread of outriggers and flat lines, covering different depths and speeds to target whatever's biting. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing – the mate will show you how to work the reel and fight fish properly. Between bites, you'll see dolphins riding the bow wake, sea turtles cruising by, and maybe even a whale during migration season. The captain adjusts tactics throughout the day based on what the fish finder shows and where the action is happening.
This charter runs a professional trolling spread using heavy-duty Penn and Shimano reels matched with 50-80 pound tackle. The crew rigs a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures to cover the water column from surface to 40 feet down. When the bite is hot, they'll switch to live bait or chunk dead bait to keep fish around the boat. The outrigger setup lets you cover maximum water while keeping lines separated – crucial when you hook multiple fish at once. Circle hooks are standard for conservation, and the crew handles all the rigging so you can focus on fighting fish. If conditions call for it, they'll anchor up and bottom fish structure for Grouper and Snapper using heavy jigs and live pinfish.
Goliath Grouper are the heavyweight champions of these waters, growing over 400 pounds and putting up bulldozing fights that'll test your muscles. These gentle giants hang around wrecks and ledges in 60-100 feet of water. Summer through fall gives you the best shot at hooking one, and the experience of watching a Goliath surface next to the boat never gets old. They're catch-and-release only, but the photos will last a lifetime.
King Mackerel are speed demons that hit trolled baits like freight trains, often jumping clear of the water on their first run. Spring and fall migrations bring schools of "Smoker Kings" – fish over 30 pounds with enough meat to fill the cooler. They're excellent eating and fight hard right to the boat, making them a customer favorite for good reason.
Mahi Mahi are the acrobats of the offshore world, famous for their brilliant colors and aerial displays when hooked. These fish travel in schools around floating debris and weed lines, often providing non-stop action when you find them. Peak season runs late spring through early fall, and their sweet, flaky meat makes them one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Cobia are the curious giants that often swim right up to the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities you won't find with other species. These brown sharks-lookalikes can exceed 50 pounds and are phenomenal table fare. Spring brings the best Cobia action as they migrate along the coast, and their powerful runs will have your drag screaming.
Red Snapper are the prize of bottom fishing, with their bright red color and excellent eating quality making them highly sought after. When Snapper season opens, the crew targets specific wrecks and rock piles where these fish school up. Their strong bite and determined fight makes them exciting to catch, plus they're world-class on the dinner table.
Port Canaveral's offshore waters offer some of Florida's most consistent fishing, and this charter gives you the best chance to experience it. With professional crew, quality equipment, and prime fishing grounds just minutes from port, you're set up for success. The nine-hour trip length means you're not rushed – there's time to work different areas and adjust tactics based on what's biting. Whether you're after trophy photos or a cooler full of fillets, this charter delivers the goods. Book now to secure your spot on one of the area's most popular boats.
Meet The Patriot, your 36-foot ticket to serious offshore fishing out of Port Canaveral. This Harris-built beauty runs on reliable John Deere diesel power and cuts through Atlantic waters like she was born for it. Captain's got her rigged with premium marine electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finders that'll put you right on top of the action up to 30 miles out. The flybridge gives you perfect sight lines for spotting birds working baitfish, while the spacious cockpit provides plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to work their lines. When you need a break from battling Mahi or Wahoo, grab a cold drink from the icebox, use the onboard facilities, or catch some rest on the comfortable bed. Built tough in the Northeast, The Patriot handles whatever the offshore waters throw at her while keeping you safe with full USCG equipment. This isn't just transportation - it's your floating fish-catching headquarters designed for serious anglers who want comfort and results in equal measure.
Rachycentron CanadumBrown, shark-looking fish that average 6 feet and 100 pounds. These loners cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and structures in 30-70 feet, though you'll find them deeper around oil rigs too. Spring migration and spawning season from June through August offers prime fishing. They're sight-fishing targets - we spot them cruising just under the surface. Guests enjoy the visual aspect and their excellent eating quality with firm, white meat. Strong fighters that make powerful runs. Bucktail jigs work great, but color doesn't matter much - it's all about presentation. Pro tip: when you see one, cast well ahead of where it's swimming and work the jig back into its path.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive fish can reach 8 feet and 800 pounds - true ocean giants that live around reefs and structures in 30-150 feet of water. Protected by law, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but the experience is worth it. They're curious fish that will actually follow divers around. Found year-round near wrecks and ledges, with better action during warmer months. Guests love the raw power - that first pull can literally drag you across the deck if you're not ready. Use heavy tackle with 20/0 circle hooks and fresh bait like cobia or jack. Pro tip: anchor just far enough from structure so you can muscle them away from the reef before they break you off in the rocks.
Scomberomorus CavallaFast, aggressive fish averaging 30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+. They patrol the 40-150 foot range along temperature breaks and current edges. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when water temps hit 68-84°F. Kings are pure speed - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish can. Great eating with firm, flaky meat. We target them trolling with ballyhoo or live bait, plus spoons and diving plugs. The key trick here is rigging with a dual-hook setup on wire leader - kings love hitting the back half of baitfish, so that trailing treble hook back by the tail saves a lot of missed fish when they short-strike.
Coryphaena HippurusThese colorful fighters average 15-29 pounds and put on a real light show when hooked - bright gold sides with electric blue and green that flash and change as they jump. Found around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in open water. Spring through fall brings the best fishing when they follow the warm water north. Guests love their acrobatic fights and excellent table fare - mild, sweet white meat that grills perfectly. We troll ballyhoo or hit floating objects where they school up. Local tip: when you hook one, keep it in the water and work the area hard - mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Lutjanus CampechanusBeautiful red fish that grow to 35+ pounds, though most we catch run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds. Bottom dwellers living on hard structure in 30-620 feet of water. Summer months during spawning season (May-October) provide consistent action. Guests love them for the fight and outstanding table fare - mild, nutty flavor that's restaurant-quality. They'll make strong runs toward cover when hooked, trying to cut your line on structure. We use heavy weights and multiple hook rigs with fresh squid or live pinfish. The trick is getting your bait right to the bottom and being ready - when they bite, you need to pull them up and away from the rocks immediately.
Fort Pierce