Offshore Fishing Cape Canaveral - AM/PM Trips
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target sailfish, kingfish, mahi mahi, tuna, and wahoo offshoreHalfday morning or afternoon fishing charters availableSmall group experience accommodating up to six guests
Cape Canaveral's deep blue waters are calling your name, and there's no better way to answer than with Reaper Fishing Charters Florida. Picture yourself 20+ miles offshore where the continental shelf drops into some of the most productive fishing grounds on Florida's east coast. This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – we're talking serious blue water action where pelagic species cruise the current lines and anything can happen. Whether you choose the morning bite or afternoon session, you'll be targeting trophy fish that most anglers only dream about. With room for up to 6 anglers, this charter gives you the space to fish comfortably while chasing sailfish, kingfish, mahi, tuna, and wahoo in waters that have made Cape Canaveral famous among offshore enthusiasts.
Your day starts at Port Canaveral, where you'll meet the crew and get briefed on the game plan. The ride out takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on where the fish are biting, giving you time to rig up and get your sea legs. Once we hit the fishing grounds, it's game on. The captain will be watching the fish finder, looking for bait schools, temperature breaks, and structure that holds fish. You'll be working different depths and techniques throughout the trip – sometimes we're pulling baits in 80 feet, other times we're working the 200-foot contour where the big boys hang out. The Gulf Stream's influence brings warm, clear water packed with baitfish, and that means predators aren't far behind. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing – the crew will get you dialed in on proper technique and help you fight whatever decides to eat your bait.
We fish Cape Canaveral waters primarily by trolling, which means we're constantly moving and covering water to find active fish. The boat will be rigged with multiple lines running at different depths – surface baits for mahi and sailfish, deeper lines for kings and wahoo. We use a mix of live bait when available and proven artificials like ballyhoo, cigar minnows, and high-speed lures. The tackle is heavy enough to handle anything that bites – think 30 to 50-pound class gear that can stop a screaming wahoo or put the pressure on a stubborn sailfish. Circle hooks are standard for conservation, and we practice proper catch and release techniques for billfish. The boat's outriggers spread the lines wide, and downriggers get baits down to where the tuna are holding. When something hits, lines come in fast and everyone focuses on getting that fish to the boat. It's controlled chaos at its finest, and that's exactly what makes offshore fishing so addictive.
Blackfin tuna are the bread and butter of Cape Canaveral offshore fishing, and these fish are absolute rockets. Running anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds, they school up over structure and provide some of the most consistent action you'll find. Best time to target them is early morning or late afternoon when they're actively feeding on small baitfish. What makes blackfins special is their fight – pound for pound, they're one of the strongest fish in the ocean. They make blistering runs and never quit until they're at the boat. Plus, they're fantastic eating if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here, and Cape Canaveral sees excellent numbers during the winter months from December through April. These fish average 6 to 8 feet long and put on an aerial show that'll leave you speechless. When a sail eats your bait, get ready for jumps, tail walks, and runs that'll test your drag system. Most anglers choose to release these magnificent fish, and watching one swim away healthy is something you'll never forget. The key to hooking sailfish is patience – let them eat the bait before setting the hook, and be ready for a fight that could last 20 minutes or more.
King mackerel are year-round residents that love structure and bait schools, making them perfect targets for Cape Canaveral charters. These toothy predators range from schoolie-sized fish around 10 pounds to true smoker kings pushing 40+ pounds. They're known for their initial screaming run when hooked, often taking 100+ yards of line before you can slow them down. Kings are excellent table fare and one of the most popular fish to take home. Wire leaders are essential because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Look for them around wrecks, reefs, and anywhere baitfish are concentrated.
Mahi mahi bring the color and excitement that offshore fishing is famous for, with their brilliant gold and green sides that light up when they're fired up. These fish travel in schools and when you find one, there are usually more around. They're ambush predators that love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat – they're aggressive feeders that will often stay with the boat if you keep one hooked. They're also phenomenal table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling. Size ranges from small schoolies around 5 pounds to bull dolphins over 20 pounds.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60+ mph and making runs that'll smoke your reel. These fish are built for speed with their torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth. They typically show up during the cooler months and are often caught while trolling high-speed lures for other species. When a wahoo hits, you'll know it – the initial run is absolutely violent and they don't give up easily. They're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for searing or grilling. Most wahoo caught off Cape Canaveral run 20 to 40 pounds, with
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly suited for targeting the deep waters off Cape Canaveral. This vessel comes loaded with GPS navigation to get you to the best fishing spots and a fish finder to locate schools of Sailfish, Kingfish, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo lurking beneath the surface. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work the lines without getting tangled up. The boat's reliable engine will get you out to the productive offshore waters where the big game fish roam, while the onboard electronics help you stay on top of the action. Whether you're dropping baits in the morning or working the afternoon bite, this setup gives you everything needed to make the most of Florida's legendary fishing opportunities.
Istiophorus AlbicansThese are the crown jewel of our offshore trips - nothing matches the sight of a sailfish coming up behind your bait with that massive dorsal fin cutting the surface. They average 6-8 feet and around 50 pounds, but it's not the size that gets you, it's the acrobatics. We target them in 30-65 feet over structure and temperature breaks. Winter months are prime time here in Florida, when they migrate through in good numbers. What guests love most is the fight - these fish will jump, dive, and tail-walk like nothing else out there. The colors are amazing too, flashing blue and silver when they're fired up. Here's a local trick: when trolling, keep your baits skipping on the surface and watch for that distinctive bill slashing at the spread. Once one shows up, slow down and work the area - where there's one, there's usually more.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest tuna you'll encounter out here, but don't let that fool you - these fish are serious fighters. Blackfins typically run 15-30 pounds with that classic tuna build and beautiful golden side stripe. We find them in 40-150 feet of water, especially around structure and temperature breaks. They're most active during cooler months, fall through spring, when they school up tight. What makes them special is that incredible initial run - pure tuna power in a smaller package. The meat is fantastic too, perfect for sashimi or searing. My tip: scale down your tackle and use fluorocarbon leaders since they've got sharp eyes. When we're chunking, I like to use smaller hooks and let that bait drift naturally - they can be finicky but once hooked, they'll give you a fight you won't forget.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are what put many anglers on the map down here - fast, aggressive, and built for speed. These fish typically run 10-30 pounds, though we see some real giants pushing 50-plus pounds during peak season. You'll find them in 40-150 feet, often around ledges, wrecks, and bait schools. Fall through spring is prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot between 68-84 degrees. What makes them special is that blistering initial run - they're one of the fastest fish in the Atlantic. Plus, they're excellent table fare with that firm, flaky meat. The key to landing kings is using wire leaders since they've got razor-sharp teeth. When live baiting, I always rig with two hooks - one through the nose and a stinger hook back by the tail, because these fish love to bite from behind.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands down one of the most exciting fish we target - gorgeous golden colors, incredible fight, and some of the best eating you'll find. These fish average 15-29 pounds and grow incredibly fast, living only 4-5 years. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in open water. Spring through fall is peak season when water temps warm up and they move in close. What guests love is the visual fishing - you can often see them coming up on the bait, changing colors from blue-green to bright gold. They're also fantastic on the table with that firm, sweet white meat. My go-to technique is trolling around any floating debris or sargassum beds. Once you hook one, keep the boat in the area and switch to spinning gear - where there's one mahi, there's usually a whole school waiting.
Acanthocybium SolandriPure speed demon of the deep - wahoo are among the fastest fish swimming, hitting speeds up to 60 mph. These sleek predators typically run 3-5 feet and can push well over 100 pounds. We find them in open water, often around structure or temperature breaks, usually in the first 100 feet of water column. Best fishing is during cooler months when they're most active, though we see them year-round. What makes them special is that lightning-fast strike and bulldogging fight - plus the meat is absolutely premium, mild and flaky like the best white fish you've ever tasted. The challenge is their razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through anything but wire. When high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots, I run wire leaders and fast-moving lures. The bite happens so quick you'll miss it if you blink, but once hooked, you're in for a battle with one of the ocean's ultimate predators.
Fort Pierce