Private 8 Hour Offshore Fishing Trip In St. Marys
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targeting King Mackerel and Red Snapper.Venture up to 40 miles offshore with expert captain guidance.Private boat accommodates up to 6 guests with equipment included.
When you're ready to leave the crowds behind and head out where the big fish live, this private 8-hour offshore charter is exactly what you need. We'll take you up to 40 miles off the St. Marys coast, where the Gulf Stream brings in some of the best fishing on the East Coast. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. Pack your cooler with snacks and drinks because we're going to be out there all day chasing whatever's biting – and trust me, something's always biting out here.
This isn't your typical inshore trip where you're casting at docks and oyster bars. Once we clear the inlet and start making our way offshore, you'll see the water change from that murky coastal green to the deep blue that holds the fish you came for. The ride out takes about an hour depending on where we're setting up, but that gives you time to rig up and get your game face on. We're targeting structure and temperature breaks where the fish stack up – artificial reefs, natural bottom, and wherever the bait shows up on the fish finder. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from tackle to fighting belts, so all you have to worry about is hanging on when something big decides to eat your bait. Summer's prime time for this kind of fishing because the water's warm and the fish are active, plus you'll dodge those afternoon storms that roll through the coast.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's working that day. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and finding active fish – we'll pull a spread of planers, diving plugs, and live bait to target whatever's moving through. When we mark fish or hit structure, we'll switch to bottom fishing with heavy tackle and fresh bait. Circle hooks are the way to go for most of what we're after, and we'll be fishing anywhere from 60 to 120 feet of water depending on the bite. The captain's got all the electronics you need to stay on the fish – GPS, fish finder, and years of numbers stored away. When a fish hits, you'll know it. These aren't the little guys you catch from the pier – offshore fish fight hard and they fight long, so be ready to work for your dinner.
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These fish are pure excitement from the moment they hit your line. They'll jump, they'll run, and they'll put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat grabbing cameras. Mahi travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They love floating debris and weed lines, and in summer they're thick from 20 miles out to the edge of the Gulf Stream. A nice bull mahi will go 15-20 pounds, but don't be surprised if we hook into something bigger. The meat's as good as it gets – firm, white, and perfect on the grill.
Greater Amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef. These fish will test your drag system and your back muscles in equal measure. They hang around structure and they don't give up easy – plan on a long fight that'll have your arms burning by the time you get them to the boat. Amberjack can push 40-50 pounds out here, and they use every ounce of that weight to try and get back to their hole in the rocks. Spring through fall is prime time, and they'll eat live bait, jigs, or anything else you drop down to them. Just make sure your drag is set right because these fish don't mess around.
Cobia are the wildcards that make every trip interesting. You never know when one's going to show up – they might be cruising the surface looking like a shark, or hanging around a piece of structure 80 feet down. They're curious fish that'll often come up to check out the boat, giving you a shot at sight fishing that's hard to beat. Cobia fight dirty – they'll wrap you around anything they can find and they've got the power to break you off if you're not careful. They're excellent eating and they're always a prize catch when you manage to boat one.
Red Snapper are what most people think of when they picture offshore fishing. These fish are smart, they're structure-oriented, and they know how to use that structure against you. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom in 60-100 feet of water. The key is getting your bait down fast before the smaller fish strip it clean. A nice red snapper will go 8-15 pounds, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The season and regulations change, so we'll make sure you're legal on everything you keep.
Black Sea Bass round out the mixed bag and they're always fun to catch. They're aggressive biters that'll hit cut bait, squid, or small jigs, and they're perfect for keeping the action going when the bigger fish are being finicky. They hang around the same structure as the snappers, and while they're smaller, they make up for it in numbers. Black sea bass are excellent table fare and they're usually the first fish in the cooler on most trips.
This private offshore charter gives you everything you need for a day of world-class fishing without the crowds and hassles of party boats. You'll fish proven spots with a captain who knows how to put you on fish, and you'll have the whole boat to yourselves to fish your way. Whether you're looking to check some bucket list species off your list or just want to get bent on some serious fish, this trip delivers. The offshore fishing around St. Marys is some of the
This classic 1993 23' Mako center console has been getting anglers to the best fishing grounds off St. Marys for decades. The boat got a major boost in 2020 with a brand new 300HP Yamaha that'll push you out to those productive waters 40 miles offshore at a solid 37 knots - perfect for chasing King Mackerel, Cobia, and Red Snapper before the afternoon storms roll in. The GPS keeps you on track to the hotspots while the fish finder helps locate schools holding underneath. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work multiple lines and land those keeper-sized Vermilion Snapper and Black Seabass. The center console layout gives everyone easy access to the action, whether you're fighting fish or helping with the net. Built tough and built to last, this Mako has proven itself season after season in these Georgia waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the workhorses of our bottom fishing, with most running 1-3 pounds but the occasional 5-6 pounder mixed in. These dark, chunky fish love structure - wrecks, reefs, rocky bottom - anywhere from 40-120 feet deep. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. Guests appreciate the consistent action and how good they are on the table with sweet, flaky white meat. They're not huge fighters but they're scrappy and fun on medium tackle. The trick with sea bass is using a simple two-hook bottom rig with squid or cut bait. Drop it down, bounce it off the bottom a few times, and hold on. They'll usually hit as soon as it settles.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, torpedo-shaped fish often cruise just under the surface and get mistaken for something toothy. They average 30-50 pounds but can push 60-plus. We spot them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-100 feet, especially during their spring and summer runs. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish that'll come right up to the boat for a look, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's prized at the table. The sight-fishing aspect gets everyone excited. My trick is always having a bucktail jig ready when we see one cruising. Drop it right in front of them and work it back slowly - they'll usually hammer it on the fall.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bruisers of the offshore world, averaging 30-40 pounds but capable of hitting 60-plus. These bluish-grey fish with that distinctive amber stripe pack serious muscle and will take you straight to school on heavy tackle. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet, particularly during spring and fall when they're most active. What guests love is the raw power - these fish will peel line and test your endurance like few others. The meat is excellent too, firm and white when prepared right. My go-to tip is to use heavy jigs or live bait and be ready to turn them away from structure fast. Once they get their head down toward a wreck, you'll likely lose them to a cutoff.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real light show when you bring them to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we've seen them push 40-plus. They love floating debris and weedlines in that 30-70 foot range, especially during summer months when they're most active. What makes them special is the combination - they fight hard with lots of jumps, they're absolutely delicious on the table with that firm white meat, and they're just stunning to look at. The key trick I always share is to make your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish. Once you hook one, keep that drag tight because they're strong swimmers and will test your tackle.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of bottom fishing, with their bright red color and scrappy attitude making every trip worthwhile. Most range 2-8 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water around structure. We target them on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet during their summer season. What guests love is the steady action and excellent table fare - red snapper has that sweet, nutty flavor that's hard to beat. They'll fight all the way to the surface and make great photo fish too. Key tip: use fresh cut bait or live pinfish and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that tap-tap bite, give them a second to really take it, then set the hook hard and reel fast to get them away from structure.
St. Marys