Offshore Trips - Port Orange, Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing adventure with experienced Captain JohnAll fishing gear provided for groups up to 4Guests bring snacks and drinks for the trip
When you're looking for serious fishing action off the Florida coast, Captain John at Reel-Axing Fishing Charters delivers exactly what you came for. His offshore trips from Port Orange put you right in the heart of some of the Atlantic's best fishing grounds, where the big boys swim and the action never stops. With over two decades of experience reading these waters, Captain John knows exactly where to find the fish when other boats come back empty-handed.
Your day starts early at the Port Orange marina, where Captain John has everything rigged and ready to roll. The boat's loaded with top-shelf tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need to land whatever's biting out there. You don't need to bring anything except your snacks, drinks, and maybe some sunscreen - Captain John's got the rest covered. The trip takes you 15-20 miles offshore where the water turns that deep blue color and the real fishing begins. You'll be targeting structure, weed lines, and temperature breaks where gamefish congregate. With a maximum of four anglers on board, everyone gets plenty of room to fish and personal attention from the captain. The smaller group size means you're not fighting crowds at the rail, and Captain John can spend time with each angler to make sure they're hooked up and having a blast.
Captain John runs a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll be trolling with heavy tackle when covering water for kings and mahi, then switching to bottom rigs when working structure for snapper and cobia. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and Captain John matches the tackle to the target species. When trolling for pelagics, he'll have you running ballyhoo, spoons, and diving plugs at different depths to cover the water column. For bottom fishing, it's all about fresh cut bait and circle hooks to maximize your hookup ratio. The captain reads the electronics constantly, marking bait schools and structure that hold fish. He's not afraid to move around if the bite slows down - that's the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. GPS coordinates are locked and loaded for his proven honey holes, and he adjusts his approach based on current conditions, bait movement, and what the fish want that day.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the nearshore waters, and Port Orange's waters hold some real monsters. These bruisers can push 40-50 pounds and provide arm-burning fights that'll test your stamina. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, hanging around structure and feeding heavily on crabs and shellfish. What makes black drum so special is their sheer power - they don't jump or run like other gamefish, but they dig deep and bulldoze their way around the bottom. Landing one feels like you're connected to a freight train, and the satisfaction of bringing a big drum to the boat never gets old. Captain John targets them around artificial reefs and natural bottom structure using fresh crab and shrimp.
King Mackerel are the speed demons that get everyone's adrenaline pumping. These silver rockets can hit 30+ mph and make blistering runs that'll strip line off your reel before you know what hit you. The best king fishing typically runs from April through October, when the water warms up and baitfish move inshore. Kings average 15-30 pounds in these waters, but 40+ pounders show up regularly to keep things interesting. What anglers love most about king fishing is the explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, tailwalk, and make multiple screaming runs before you get them to the boat. Captain John trolls live bait and spoons to trigger strikes, and he knows exactly where to find the schools when they're moving through.
Mahi Mahi bring the tropical flavor to Port Orange fishing, showing up in their brilliant gold and green colors that light up the boat. These fish are pure excitement from the moment they hit - jumping, diving, and putting on an aerial display that's second to none. Mahi season peaks during the warmer months, typically May through September, when they follow the Gulf Stream and gather around floating debris and weed lines. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. What makes mahi special is their beauty, their fight, and their excellent table fare - they check every box for the perfect gamefish. Captain John looks for birds, floating grass, and debris lines where mahi congregate and feed on flying fish and small baitfish.
Cobia are the laid-back bruisers that provide some of the most satisfying fights in these waters. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) can reach impressive sizes, with 30-50 pounders being common catches. They're curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, giving you a chance to sight-cast to them - one of the most exciting ways to catch fish offshore. Cobia are most abundant during their spring and fall migrations, typically March through May and September through November. What makes them special is their intelligence and wariness - they'll check out your bait carefully before committing, and once hooked, they use their broad tails and strong bodies to wage a determined battle all the way to the boat.
Red Snapper are the crown jewels of bottom fishing, prized for their beautiful red coloration and outstanding table quality. These reef dwellers are smart and structure-oriented, requiring precise boat positioning and fresh bait presentations to consistently catch them. Red snapper fishing follows federal regulations with specific seasons, but when they're open, the action can be phenomenal. What anglers love about snapper fishing is the technical challenge - you need to get your bait down quickly through the bait stealers and present it naturally near the bottom. When a good red snapper hits, there's no mistaking it - they dive straight for the rocks and use every bit
Captain John's motorboat is your ticket to the productive offshore waters around Port Orange. This well-equipped fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing fish beyond the inlet. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure while the GPS keeps you on the hottest spots. Stay connected with other anglers and marina via VHF radio, and when you need to move quietly near spooky fish, the wireless trolling motor won't spook them. Your catch stays fresh in the spacious ice box, and there's a head onboard for convenience during those long offshore sessions. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work multiple lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain John provides all the tackle and gear, so just pack your cooler with snacks and cold drinks. Whether you're targeting kings, grouper, or whatever's biting in the Atlantic, this setup puts you in prime position to boat some serious fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow flats, oyster beds, and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll find them in brackish waters and estuaries, from super shallow creeks to depths around 100 feet. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and become much easier to target. Guests love the strong, steady fight these fish put up - they're bulldogs that will test your drag. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds as the bigger ones get tough and less tasty. My tip: use fresh crab on a weighted rig and keep it right on the bottom where they feed. The bite can be subtle, so watch your rod tip closely.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push over 100. These loners cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet of water, though they'll venture much deeper. Spring migration and spawning season offer the best shots, when they move through in good numbers. What makes cobia special is they're sight-fishing targets - you actually see them swimming near the surface. They fight hard with powerful runs and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. We usually spot them cruising and cast bucktail jigs or live bait their way. My tip: when you see a cobia, don't get too excited and spook it with a splashy cast. Lead them like you're duck hunting, place the bait ahead of where they're swimming, and let them find it naturally.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch offshore, flashing brilliant gold, green, and blue until they fade after landing. These 15-30 pound acrobats live around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water. Peak season runs spring through fall when they're most abundant. What guests love is the aerial show - mahi jump repeatedly when hooked, putting on a real spectacle. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. We typically troll ballyhoo or cast jigs once we find them. Here's the key: when you hook one, leave it in the water while rigging another rod. Mahi are curious and travel in schools, so that hooked fish will often keep the others around, letting you catch several from the same spot.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll hook, typically weighing 15-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These silver speedsters patrol depths from 40-150 feet, often found around structure, ledges, and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when baitfish are thick and kings are actively feeding. What makes them special is that blazing initial run - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. The meat is decent on smaller fish, but it's really about the fight. We usually troll with live ballyhoo or dead bait, covering water until we find them. Here's a local trick: always use a wire leader with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind. Kings often bite the tail end of baitfish, and that second hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of deep water fishing, typically running 2-8 pounds but capable of reaching 35+ pounds. These bright red bottom dwellers live around hard structure, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200+ feet of water. Summer months offer the best fishing when they're most active and regulations allow targeting them. What guests love is the strong, determined fight and the fact that snapper are some of the finest eating fish in the ocean - mild, sweet, and perfect for any recipe. We fish with heavy tackle and multiple hook rigs, using cut bait or live pinfish dropped right to the bottom. Here's the trick: when you hook a snapper, get them up and away from the structure quickly. They'll try to run back into the rocks and break you off, so keep steady pressure and pump them up without giving them slack line.
Port Orange, FL