Gulf Stream Tuna & Mahi Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Tenhour offshore charter targeting Gulf Stream tuna and mahi mahiPremium 2024 Contender boat with radar and advanced GPS navigationAll gear, licenses, and fish filleting included in weekend trips
Looking for a serious fishing trip that'll put you on some of the best offshore action around St. Augustine? This full-day Gulf Stream charter is what you've been waiting for. Captain at Ridin Dirty Charters runs a top-rated operation that takes dedicated anglers 50+ miles offshore into the deep blue where the big fish live. We're talking ten solid hours on the water targeting tuna, mahi, and whatever else wants to eat in some of the most productive waters off the Florida coast. This isn't your typical half-day trip - we're going where the weekend warriors can't reach, and trust me, the fish know the difference.
This is a weekend-only charter that kicks off at 7:00 AM sharp, so bring your coffee and be ready to run. We'll be burning fuel for a good hour before we even start wetting lines, but that journey to the Gulf Stream is what separates the real fishing from the inshore stuff. Once we hit that blue water, you'll see why anglers talk about the Stream like it's fishing heaven. The 2024 Contender is built for this kind of work - equipped with radar and advanced GPS that'll keep us safe and on the fish even when we're way out there. With space for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows when multiple fish hit the spread. All your premium tackle, licenses, and fish cleaning are covered, so just bring yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this one.
We'll be running a mixed bag of techniques depending on what the fish are telling us. The trolling spread is where most of the mahi and tuna action happens - we'll have ballyhoo, lures, and teasers working behind the boat as we cover water looking for birds, debris, or temperature breaks that hold fish. When we mark good bottom structure or find schools on the fish finder, we'll switch gears to bottom fishing for cobia, barracuda, and whatever reef species are hanging around. The captain knows these offshore grounds like the back of his hand and carries all the heavy-duty gear you need for Gulf Stream fishing. We're talking 50-80 pound tackle that can handle anything from a 20-pound mahi to a triple-digit tuna. The boat's electronics will keep us on productive water, and the radar means we can fish safely even if weather moves in during our long day offshore.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of this fishery and honestly one of the most fun fish swimming. These common dolphinfish are absolute rockets when hooked, jumping clear out of the water and putting on a show that'll get your heart pumping. They typically run 10-30 pounds out here, though bulls can push 40+ if you're lucky. Best part about mahi is they usually travel in schools, so when you find one, there are probably more around. They love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks where baitfish congregate. Spring through fall is prime time, but we see them year-round in the Stream. The meat is world-class eating, and watching them light up in neon colors during the fight never gets old.
Great barracuda are the speed demons of the reef, and these toothy predators will test your drag system in a hurry. They average 15-25 pounds but can stretch over 40 inches of pure muscle and attitude. Cuda are ambush predators that hang around structure and wrecks, waiting to slash at anything that moves. They'll hit trolled baits but really shine when we're bottom fishing around reefs. The initial run when you hook a big cuda is something else - they'll peel line like a freight train and jump like a tarpon. While some folks don't eat them due to ciguatera concerns in larger fish, smaller ones are excellent table fare when prepared right.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world and probably the hardest fighting fish pound-for-pound you'll encounter on this trip. These brown sharks (though they're not sharks at all) cruise around structure, floating debris, and even follow rays and sharks looking for an easy meal. They average 20-40 pounds but can push 50+ in the right conditions. Spring migration brings the best cobia action, but we see them throughout the warmer months. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat, giving you a shot at sight fishing with live or cut bait. Once hooked, they dive hard and fight dirty all the way to the boat. The meat is outstanding - some say it's the best eating fish in the ocean.
White marlin are the holy grail for many offshore anglers, and the Gulf Stream holds some of the best white marlin fishing on the East Coast. These billfish are smaller than their blue marlin cousins, typically running 40-80 pounds, but they're pure adrenaline when they eat a trolled bait. Whites are acrobatic jumpers that will dance on their tails and put on an aerial show you'll never forget. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with July and August being consistently hot months. While we practice catch and release with these magnificent fish, the experience of fighting a marlin in the deep blue Gulf Stream is something every serious angler needs to check off their bucket list.
Atlantic sailfish bring their own brand of excitement to the mix, with their massive dorsal fins and lightning-fast runs. These billfish are built for speed and will test your reflexes when they crash a trolled ballyhoo or lure. Sails typically run 30-50 pounds but make up for their smaller size with incredible jumps and blistering runs that'll have you wondering if your drag is set right. Winter months often produce the best sailfish action, though we see them year-round. Like marlin, these are primarily catch-and-release fish, but getting a sail to the boat for photos and a quick release is
Captain Rick's 2024 25' Contender is built for serious Gulf Stream fishing. Twin 150HP Yamahas power this center console through 50+ miles of open water to reach the productive blue waters where tuna and mahi mahi roam. The boat handles four anglers comfortably with plenty of room to fight fish and work the deck. Advanced GPS and radar keep you safe in deep offshore waters, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. Outriggers are rigged for trolling spreads, and the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over bottom structure. This fishing machine is equipped to handle the long run to the Gulf Stream and the big fish that live there.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are pure magic on the water - that massive dorsal fin and lightning speed make them every angler's dream fish. These beauties average 7.5 feet and 50 pounds, with their trademark sail they flash when excited. We find them in the Gulf Stream's warm water, usually in the top 65 feet where they hunt schools of baitfish. Winter through spring is prime time, especially when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 70-83°F. The fight is legendary - expect multiple jumps, long runs, and that famous tail-walking across the surface. They change colors while fighting, flashing brilliant blues and blacks. We release most sailfish since they're not great table fare. Pro tip: when one comes up behind your bait, resist the urge to reel fast. Let it eat, count to five, then set the hook.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - their single dorsal fin and dark coloration fool a lot of people at first glance. These solitary fish average around 40-60 pounds but can push 100-plus pounds. We typically find them cruising near the surface around floating debris, buoys, and structure in 30-300 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they migrate through our waters, especially during spawning season from June through August. They're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that tastes similar to shark. What makes them special is their curious nature - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. Bucktail jigs work great, but here's the trick: when you spot one, don't spook it with the boat. Cast ahead of where it's swimming and work the jig back slowly.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the missiles of the sea - sleek, fast, and built for speed. These apex predators can hit 35 mph and grow up to six feet, though most we see run 2-4 feet. They patrol the edges of reefs, wrecks, and current breaks, often hanging just below the surface where their silver sides blend perfectly with the water. You'll find them year-round in our Gulf Stream waters, but they're most active during warmer months. Anglers love them for their explosive strikes and initial runs, though their stamina fades quickly. They're curious fish that often follow boats and lures before deciding to strike. My advice: use a wire leader - those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When landing one, watch those teeth and use a net.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter out here - bright gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a real light show when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds but can reach 87 pounds. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in the Gulf Stream's blue water, usually within the top 30 feet. They're incredibly aggressive feeders, especially on flying fish, making them perfect for trolling with ballyhoo or artificial lures. The fight is explosive with lots of jumps and runs. Plus, they're absolutely delicious eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep trolling - mahi often travel in schools and you might double or triple up.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are the ultimate prize in the Gulf Stream - sleek billfish that can reach 9 feet and 180 pounds, though most run smaller. These apex predators cruise the deep blue water hunting flying fish, small tuna, and mahi. You'll find them in the warmer Gulf Stream waters, often around temperature breaks and current edges. Summer months are best when bait concentrations draw them closer to our waters. What makes them special is that incredible fight - they'll leap, dive, and make long runs that test your tackle and stamina. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating and populations need protection. The key to hooking one is patience: when trolling ballyhoo, watch the area around your baits, not just the baits themselves. They often appear like ghosts before striking.
Flagler Beach, FL