Private 4 Hour Morning Trolling & Bottom Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore fishing trip targeting prime reefs 79 miles outCombines live bait trolling and bottom fishing techniquesSuitable for all experience levels with potential trip extensions
Picture yourself heading out in the early morning light, watching the coastline fade as we motor 7 to 9 miles offshore to some seriously productive reefs. This isn't your typical half-day charter packed with a dozen strangers – it's just you and our experienced captain on a focused fishing mission. We're talking about a proper offshore adventure where you'll learn the ropes of both trolling and bottom fishing, targeting some of the area's most sought-after species. The best part? You don't need any experience. Whether you've been fishing for decades or this is your first time holding a rod, we'll make sure you're set up for success.
Your morning starts with us heading straight to the live bait spots if conditions allow. There's something special about watching your captain work the sabiki rigs to fill the live well with frisky baitfish – it sets the tone for everything that follows. Once we've got our bait situation sorted, we'll set the trolling spread and make our way to the fishing grounds. The ride out gives you time to soak in the offshore environment and get comfortable with the boat's rhythm. When we reach those prime reef structures, we'll spend a solid hour working the bottom with both live and cut bait. Don't worry about the regulations requiring most fish to go back – that's just good stewardship, and trust me, the action itself is what hooks most people on offshore fishing. We keep enough for a quality meal and release the rest to fight another day.
We run a clean trolling spread designed to cover water efficiently while heading to our bottom spots. Depending on conditions, we'll pull a mix of spoons, small feathers, and live bait on the flat lines. The key is matching our speed to what the fish want that particular morning – sometimes they're aggressive and we can motor along at 6 knots, other days we need to slow it down and let the baits swim more naturally. Once we reach the reefs, it's all about reading the bottom structure and positioning ourselves over the productive spots. We'll use both conventional tackle and spinning gear depending on what we're targeting. The bottom fishing setup is straightforward but effective – enough weight to get down in the current, circle hooks to improve release survival, and fresh cut bait or live offerings depending on what's biting best.
Lane Snapper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing efforts out here. These scrappy little fighters typically run 12 to 16 inches and have this habit of showing up in schools when conditions are right. They're most active during the warmer months and have zero problem hitting both live and cut bait. What makes them special is their willingness to bite even when other species are being finicky – plus they're absolutely delicious on the table. Spanish Mackerel are our main trolling target, and when they're around, you'll know it. These speed demons hit the trolled baits with authority and put on a jumping show that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. They're most reliable from spring through fall, and their aggressive nature makes them perfect for first-time offshore anglers.
King Mackerel represent the big game potential of this trip. While we're not specifically targeting the giants, the 20 to 40-pound fish that cruise these reefs will absolutely crush a properly presented live bait. When a king takes off on that first run, stripping line against a tight drag, you'll understand why people get obsessed with offshore fishing. Atlantic Bonito round out our target list and are pure fun on light tackle. These members of the tuna family are built for speed and endurance, often showing up in feeding frenzies that create some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience. They're excellent on the dinner table too, with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect for grilling.
This private 4-hour morning trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality time on productive water without the crowds or rush of larger charters. You'll learn proven techniques, experience the rush of offshore fishing, and likely head home with enough fresh fish for dinner. The fact that you can extend the trip if things are going well just shows how confident we are that you'll want to keep fishing once you see what these reefs have to offer. Morning conditions are typically the most comfortable, with calmer seas and active fish, making this the perfect introduction to offshore angling. Ready to see what's been biting out there? Let's get your trip on the books and get you out on the water where the real action happens.
Step aboard our restored 46' Hatteras Sportfishing classic and head out to prime fishing grounds 7-9 miles offshore. This beauty runs on twin 315HP Detroit engines that'll get you to the fish fast and smooth. Start your morning catching live bait before trolling to the reefs, then settle in for some serious bottom fishing action. The boat's got everything you need for a comfortable day on the water - air conditioning to beat the heat, a full kitchen with Green Egg grill for cooking your catch, plus a restroom and refrigerator. The fish finder and GPS will put you right on top of the action, while the flybridge gives you perfect views of the water. With space for six anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work the lines. Most of what you hook will need to go back due to regulations, but you'll keep enough for a great meal. Perfect for beginners or seasoned anglers looking to get into offshore fishing without committing to a full day trip.
Sarda SardaBonito are the acrobats of our trolling trips - silver rockets with dark stripes that'll jump clear out of the water when hooked. They run 12 pounds and 30 inches on average, built like small tuna with serious speed. You'll find them in large schools feeding on the surface around our offshore waters, usually following baitfish. Look for diving birds - that's your signal. They're most active when water temps hit the 60s and above. What makes them fun is their aggressive schooling behavior and willingness to hit almost anything when they're feeding. They fight way above their weight class with long runs and aerial displays. While they're oily for eating here, the sport is fantastic. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lure in the water - the school stays fired up and everyone can get in on the action.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the prize of our trolling trips and for good reason. These olive-backed speedsters average around 30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds if you're lucky. They cruise our 40-150 foot waters year-round, with larger fish often moving closer to shore. What makes them special is their blistering speed and powerful runs that'll have your reel screaming. They're opportunistic feeders, hitting everything from live bait to spoons and jigs. The fight is what brings people back - pure adrenaline from hookup to boat. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked or grilled. Here's my secret: rig two hooks on a wire leader when using live bait. Kings often grab the tail first, so that back hook saves the day when they come around for the head.
Lutjanus SynagrisThese colorful snappers are a real treat when bottom fishing our reefs. They're easy to spot with their pink-red bodies and distinctive yellow-striped "lanes" running along their sides. Most run 10-14 inches and weigh 3-7 pounds, making them perfect table fare. You'll find them hanging around coral reefs and sandy bottoms in 69-230 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders and not shy about taking bait, so they're great for beginners. Shrimp, squid, and cut bait work best. They feed more actively at night, but we catch plenty during our day trips. Pro tip: once you hook one, expect more nearby - they school up and where there's one, there's usually a dozen more waiting.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, flashy fighters that make our trolling runs exciting. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 8-11 pounds. They're speed demons, hitting 18 feet per second when chasing bait. You'll find them in large schools near the surface around our offshore reefs, especially when the water warms up. They're most active spring through fall when they follow baitfish through our waters. Guests love their aggressive strikes and strong runs - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is mild and flaky, perfect grilled or smoked. When we spot diving birds, that's where the action is. My tip: use a wire leader because those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Montgomery