Reel Contender Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target monster Swordfish offshore with electric LP reelsCatch Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Wahoo, and Yellowfin TunaAccommodates up to 6 guests with professional gear
When you're looking for serious offshore action out of Delray Beach, Reel Contender Fishing Charter delivers the goods. Captain and crew know these South Florida waters like the back of their hand, and they're not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. This is a 6-angler max operation, so you're getting personal attention and plenty of elbow room at the rail. We're talking deep water fishing here – the kind where you drop lines in 400+ feet and never know if the next bite might be a monster swordfish or a screaming yellowfin tuna.
Your day starts early because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. We'll cruise out past the reef line where the real magic happens – that's where the continental shelf drops off and the big pelagics cruise the blue water. The boat's rigged with electric LP reels, which is huge when you're fighting something that wants to take 500 yards of line in the first run. You're not cranking dead weight from 600 feet down by hand, trust me on that. The crew runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – they want you catching fish, not stressing about tackle or technique. Whether you're a weekend warrior or fish every chance you get, they'll adjust the program to match your skill level. On the ride back inshore, we'll work the ledges and wrecks for grouper, amberjack, and whatever else is biting in shallower water.
Offshore fishing out here is all about covering water and presenting baits at different levels of the water column. We're trolling spread patterns with ballyhoo, rigging live bait when we mark fish on the finder, and dropping vertical jigs when we find structure that's holding bottom species. Those electric reels I mentioned? Game changers for deep dropping. You can work multiple baits at precise depths without your arms falling off, and when something grabs your bait at 800 feet, you've got the muscle to bring it up. The boat carries everything from 30-pound spinning tackle for mahi and smaller tunas up to 80-pound stand-up gear for the bruisers. Circle hooks are the standard for live and dead baits – better hook-up ratios and way easier on the fish if you're doing catch and release. When we're working the swordfish bite, we'll set up a spread of deep baits during the day, then move to different techniques as conditions change.
Blackfin tuna are the workhorses out here, and they'll test your drag system in a hurry. These fish typically run 10 to 25 pounds, but don't let the size fool you – they fight like they're twice as big. Best action usually happens early morning or late afternoon when they're feeding on the surface. You'll see them busting bait, and that's when things get crazy fast. Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of South Florida offshore fishing. When one lights up behind your bait with that electric blue and silver, your heart rate spikes. They're acrobatic fighters that'll jump, tail-walk, and generally put on a show that makes every other angler on the boat stop what they're doing to watch. Peak season runs from December through April, but we see them year-round in good numbers.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish if you want to get technical, are pure fun on appropriate tackle. They travel in schools, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. They're also great table fare, which makes them a customer favorite. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere the water changes color. Wahoo are speed demons that'll smoke your drag and test your knots. They cruise the deep water edges and hit trolled baits like freight trains. Their razor-sharp teeth mean wire leaders are mandatory, and their blazing runs will have you wondering if your reel is going to hold together. Yellowcheek wrasse might not sound sexy, but they're solid fighters on bottom rigs and excellent eating. They hang around structure in deeper water and provide steady action when the pelagic bite slows down.
Here's the deal – Reel Contender runs a quality operation that books up fast, especially during peak fishing months. You're getting professional-level equipment, experienced crew, and access to some of the most productive offshore waters on the East Coast. The 6-angler limit means you're not fighting crowds, and the captain's local knowledge puts you on fish instead of just burning fuel looking for them. Whether you're after bragging rights, dinner, or just want to feel what a 40-pound mahi does to your drag system, this is the charter that delivers. The offshore bite here is legendary for good reason, and every trip is different depending on conditions, season, and what the fish are doing. Book your spot now and get ready to see why Delray Beach offshore fishing keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
Captain Jordan Stilley's 33' Contender center console cuts through South Florida waters like a knife, built for serious offshore fishing adventures. This sleek motorboat handles the Atlantic swells with confidence, taking up to 6 anglers into the deep blue hunting grounds where monster Swordfish roam. GPS navigation keeps you locked onto the hottest fishing spots while electric LP reels do the heavy lifting when you hook into something big. The spacious center console design gives everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up. On the way back to Delray Beach, drop lines for Grouper and Wahoo over the reef, or try your luck with Yellowfin Tuna and Tilefish. The boat's open layout means you can move around freely whether you're battling a Tiger Shark or netting fresh Mahi. Captain Jordan knows these waters inside and out, putting you on fish that'll test your skills and fill the cooler.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are what offshore dreams are made of. These blue-water beauties average 7-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, with that signature sail dorsal fin and speed that'll peel line off your reel. We target them 3-8 miles offshore in 80-200 feet of water, especially around structure and current edges. Winter months are prime time here in South Florida - that's when they migrate through in good numbers. Guests love them because they put on a show, jumping and tail-walking when hooked. The fight is pure adrenaline with their long runs and acrobatic displays. They're catch-and-release fish, so it's all about the experience. Pro tip: when teasing them up to the boat, let the fish eat the bait completely before setting the hook. They'll often slap at it first, so patience pays off big time.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest in the tuna family, typically running 15-30 pounds and up to 39 inches. They're beautiful fish with dark backs, silver bellies, and that distinctive yellow stripe that fades once they're out of the water. We find them in warm offshore waters, usually within 20 miles of shore around weed lines and temperature breaks. Best fishing is fall through spring when water temps stay above 68°F. These fish are scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare - firm, red meat that's perfect for sashimi or seared. They school up with skipjacks, so when you find one, there's usually more. My tip: scale down to 30lb fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks since they've got sharp eyes. Vertical jigging works great when you mark them on the fish finder.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are one of our most popular offshore targets, and for good reason. These golden beauties average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, with males showing that distinctive blunt forehead. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges, usually 5-15 miles offshore. We catch them year-round, but spring through fall is peak season when they're most abundant. What guests love is the spectacular color show - brilliant gold, green, and blue that flashes when they jump, then fades after landing. They're strong fighters and absolutely delicious eating with firm, white meat. They travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo or small tunas at 8-12 knots around floating objects. Once you hook up, keep some baits in the water - the school often stays around.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are pure speed demons, hitting 60 mph and making blistering runs that'll test your drag system. These streamlined torpedoes average 3-5 feet and 20-50 pounds, with razor-sharp teeth and zebra stripes along silver sides. We target them in open blue water, usually 10-30 miles offshore in depths from surface to 200 feet. Best action runs from July through November when they're most active in our area. Guests love the heart-stopping strikes and screaming runs - nothing else fights quite like a wahoo. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best with wire leaders since they'll cut through anything else. My tip: use smaller lures than you'd think - wahoo often prefer 6-8 inch baits over the big stuff. Keep your drag smooth because that initial run is brutal.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusYellowcheek Wrasse are colorful little reef fish that top out around 11 inches. They've got bright blue-green bodies with yellow markings and make great targets for kids or light tackle enthusiasts. You'll find them in 65-300 feet of water around coral reefs and rocky bottom structure. They're year-round residents here, but spring and summer seem most productive when they're more active. What makes them fun is they're scrappy fighters on light gear and perfect for teaching young anglers the basics. While they're small, they're aggressive feeders and will readily take fresh mussels or marine worms. Skip the shrimp - they'll just nibble it to pieces. Use size 4-6 hooks with light leaders since they're pretty sharp-eyed. These fish are better released since they help keep our reefs healthy by cleaning parasites off other fish.
Palm Beach