8-Hour Offshore Trip - Port Orange, Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore fishing adventure with Captain John's guidanceTarget kingfish, red snapper, and mahimahi in deep watersAll fishing gear provided for up to four guests
Ready to get serious about offshore fishing? Captain John's 8-hour deep-sea adventure from Port Orange puts you right where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a full day on blue water where kingfish, red snapper, mahi-mahi, and more are just waiting to test your skills. With all tackle provided and room for up to 4 anglers, this customer favorite gives you the real deal offshore experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back season after season.
Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing his best spots with you. We'll head out from Port Orange into the Atlantic, where the Gulf Stream brings in the kind of action that makes for legendary fishing stories. The 8-hour window gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots – from nearshore reefs where snapper hang out to the deeper waters where kings and mahi cruise. Don't worry about gear; we've got everything covered from heavy tackle for the big boys to lighter setups when the bite calls for finesse. Just bring your snacks, drinks, and get ready to put some muscle into it when that rod bends over.
Out here, we're playing the trolling game most of the day. We'll pull a spread of lures and rigged baits at different depths to cover the water column where these pelagic species feed. Captain John runs a variety of setups – from surface baits that'll drive mahi crazy to deeper presentations that king mackerel can't resist. When we mark fish on the bottom machine over structure, we'll switch gears to bottom fishing with circle hooks and fresh bait. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels, and we keep a good selection of live bait when available. You'll learn to read the water, watch for bird activity, and understand why certain areas hold fish while others don't.
Black drum might not be the flashiest fish in the sea, but they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These bruisers hang around structure in 30-80 feet of water and can push 40-50 pounds. Spring and fall are prime time, and they're notorious for that initial run that'll make your drag scream. What makes them special is their fight – it's all power and endurance.
King mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters. These silver rockets typically run 15-30 pounds, with bigger fish showing up in late summer and fall. They're ambush predators that'll hit a trolled bait at 25 mph, and their razor-sharp teeth mean we're using wire leaders. The initial run is pure adrenaline, and they're great eating if you bleed them right away.
Mahi-mahi bring the color and acrobatics to your day. These golden beauties love floating debris and weed lines, especially during summer months. Bulls can hit 30 pounds, but even smaller fish put on a aerial show that'll have you reaching for your phone. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around.
Cobia are the gentle giants that'll surprise you with their size and fight. These brown bombers can exceed 40 pounds and are most active from April through October. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat, giving you a shot at sight fishing. Their white meat rivals any fish in the ocean.
Red snapper are the prize of the bottom fishing game. These crimson beauties live around hard structure in 60-100+ feet of water. Summer is peak season, and a good day can produce limits of 16-24 inch fish. They're smart, so fresh bait and sharp hooks are essential. The fight is steady and strong, and they're hands-down some of the best eating in the Gulf.
This world-class offshore experience with Captain John delivers everything you want in a deep-sea fishing trip – knowledgeable guidance, quality gear, and access to some of Florida's best fishing grounds. Whether you're after your first kingfish or looking to add to your snapper count, this 8-hour adventure gives you the time and expertise to make it happen. The boat fills up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around. Book your spot with Reel-Axing Fishing Charters and get ready to see what Port Orange offshore fishing is all about.
Get ready to chase some serious fish aboard our fully-equipped offshore fishing boat! This motorboat is built for Port Orange's deep waters, featuring a fish finder to locate your targets and GPS navigation to get you to the hottest fishing spots. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on wary fish, while the VHF radio ensures safe communication on the water. Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on kingfish, red snapper, and mahi-mahi. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with an ice box to keep your catch fresh, plus a toilet for those long 8-hour trips. All fishing gear is included – just bring your appetite for adventure and some snacks for the journey. Whether you're after your first big fish or looking to add to your trophy collection, this boat has everything you need to make it happen in Florida's productive offshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but can push 90 pounds. These dark, stocky fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. You'll find them around inlets and creek mouths in brackish water, sometimes just a few feet deep. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is their drumming sound underwater - you can actually hear them! They put up a solid fight, but keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since big ones get tough and lose flavor. My tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom where they're feeding.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the offshore world - big, brown, shark-looking fish that cruise solo near structure. They average around 30-50 pounds but can reach 100+ pounds. You'll spot them just under the surface around buoys, wrecks, and oil rigs in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration and spawning season offer the best action when they're moving through. What guests love is the sight fishing aspect - you actually see the fish before you cast. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but determined. My trick is using a 4-6 ounce bucktail jig in any color and working it near the bottom around structure. They're curious fish, so sometimes just dropping a bait near them is enough to get their attention.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch - brilliant gold, green, and blue that puts on a light show when they come to the boat. These surface feeders average 15-30 pounds and love floating debris, weed lines, and anything that creates shade. They're found offshore in blue water and are most active during daylight hours. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and how they change colors constantly. The meat is firm, white, and excellent eating. They often travel in small schools, so where you find one, you'll usually find more. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo or squid skipping on the surface - they can't resist something that looks like a flying fish. Once you hook one, keep a few baits in the water because the school will stick around.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system. These silver bullets average around 30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds, with females growing much larger. We find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, wrecks, and temperature breaks. They're most active in warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the initial run - these fish can strip line faster than almost anything in the Gulf. They're also great eating when fresh. The key trick is using a wire leader with two hooks on your live bait - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to bite the tail end of baitfish, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of heartbreak when a big one shows up.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of deep water bottom fishing - beautiful red fish that grow up to 35 pounds and live over 20 years. We target them in 60-200 feet around hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges. Season runs during summer months when regulations allow. These fish are famous for their strong fight and tendency to head straight for structure to break you off. The meat is outstanding - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect for any cooking style. What makes them challenging is they're smart and structure-oriented. My best advice is to use circle hooks with fresh squid or cigar minnows, keep steady pressure, and don't give them slack to run back to cover. Heavy tackle is essential because you need to muscle them up quickly before they wrap you around something.
Port Orange, FL