Half Day Offshore Fishing in Fort Pierce
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Five-hour afternoon offshore fishing targeting sailfish and tuna speciesCaptain Rob provides all gear, licenses, and fish cleaning servicePrivate charter accommodates up to four anglers of all skill levels
Captain Rob knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this 5-hour afternoon charter puts you right where the fish are biting. Starting in the afternoon when the bite often heats up, you'll head offshore from Fort Pierce to target some of the Atlantic's hottest species. We're talking Sailfish, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Wahoo, Cobia, and those hard-fighting Little Tunny that'll test your arms. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – it's a private charter for up to 4 anglers, which means more fish per rod and personalized attention whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet.
Fort Pierce sits right in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast, and there's good reason they call it that. The continental shelf drops off quickly here, putting you in blue water fast without burning half your fuel getting there. Captain Rob will have you rigged and ready before you clear the inlet, because when you're only working with 5 hours, every minute counts. The afternoon bite can be phenomenal – especially when the bait schools are thick and the predators are feeding. You'll be running and gunning between productive spots, reading birds, watching the electronics, and putting baits where the fish want them. The beauty of an afternoon trip is you often hit that prime feeding window when the sun starts getting lower and the fish get more aggressive.
Captain Rob's got you covered gear-wise – quality rods, reels, tackle, and lures are all included, plus your fishing licenses and bottled water to keep you hydrated. We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. Trolling with ballyhoo and artificial lures covers ground fast and triggers those reaction strikes from Wahoo and Mahi. When we mark fish on the bottom machine, we'll switch to live bait or vertical jigging to get down to those Blackfin Tuna and Cobia. If the Sailfish are around, we'll set up a proper spread with outriggers and teasers – there's nothing like watching a Sail come up hot on a bait and light up before it eats. The tackle is matched to the target species, so you'll feel every head shake and run without being under-gunned when a big fish decides to test your drag.
Skipjack Tuna are the perfect starter fish for anyone new to offshore fishing. These guys run 3-8 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They school up in big numbers and aren't too picky about baits, making them a blast on light tackle. You'll find them around bait schools and temperature breaks, often mixed in with the Blackfin Tuna. Blackfin Tuna step it up a notch – typically running 5-15 pounds with some reaching 20-plus. They're strong, fast, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These fish love structure and current, and when you find a good school, you can wear your arms out if you want to.
King Mackerel are Fort Pierce legends for good reason. These toothy speedsters can hit 40+ pounds and will absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run. They're ambush predators that love to cruise the reef edges and drop-offs, especially when there's good bait around. The Kingfish bite can be steady throughout the afternoon, and landing a big smoker king is a memory that sticks with you. Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics – these brilliant gold and green fish love to jump and are absolute table fare champions. They show up around weed lines, floating debris, and current edges. When you hook into a school of chicken Mahi, the action can be non-stop.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the bunch, capable of hitting 60+ mph and stripping line like it's going out of style. They're not always cooperative, but when they are, hang on tight. These fish prefer the deeper, clearer blue water and often hit trolled baits without warning. A good Wahoo makes some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
This isn't your typical party boat experience where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. With only 4 spots available, you get the personal attention and prime fishing real estate that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. Captain Rob handles the fish cleaning at the end, so you walk away with a cooler full of fillets ready for the dinner table. The afternoon timing works perfect for families or anyone who doesn't want to deal with those early morning departure times. Just remember to call Captain Rob before booking to confirm availability and trip details – the best captains stay busy, especially during prime fishing seasons. Your deposit locks in your spot, and with Fort Pierce's year-round fishing opportunities, there's never a bad time to get out there and bend some rods.
Captain Rob's 2017 25-foot Dusky center console is built for serious offshore fishing in Fort Pierce waters. This reliable fishing machine packs a 300HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the tuna grounds quickly, cruising at speeds up to 45 knots. The spacious center console design gives up to four anglers plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Essential fishing electronics include GPS navigation to mark productive spots and a quality fish finder to locate schools of blackfin tuna, mahi, and kingfish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot afternoon runs. Built tough for offshore conditions, this Dusky handles the Atlantic swells with ease while you target sailfish, wahoo, and cobia along the Treasure Coast. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to offshore fishing, this setup gives you everything needed for a productive day chasing pelagic species in blue water.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the perfect-sized tuna for our half-day trips - typically running 15-30 pounds with that classic torpedo shape and beautiful golden stripe along their sides. These fish hang around the continental shelf edge where the deep blue water meets structure, usually in 100-400 feet of water. They're year-round residents here off the Treasure Coast, but really turn on during fall, winter, and spring when water temps drop into the 70s. What makes blackfin special is they fight like fish twice their size - long, powerful runs that'll make your drag sing. Plus, the meat is outstanding - firm, mild, and perfect for searing or sashimi. They travel in schools with skipjack sometimes, so when you hook one, get ready for multiple bites. Here's the key: scale down your tackle. Use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks - these fish have sharp eyes and will shy away from heavy gear.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons that'll put a serious bend in your rod and strip line like nobody's business. Most fish we see range from 20-40 pounds, but the big females can push 60-plus and really make you work. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths along our reefs and drop-offs, hunting everything from blue runners to ballyhoo. The bite really heats up from late fall through spring when they migrate through our waters following baitfish. What anglers love about kings is that explosive initial run - they'll peel off 100 yards before you know what hit you. The meat's excellent too, though it's got a bit more oil than other species. Kings have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory unless you want to lose expensive lures. My go-to setup is a stinger rig with two hooks on a wire leader - hook the bait through the nose and let the trailing hook swing free. Kings love to grab prey from behind.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most beautiful fish in the ocean with their electric blues, greens, and gold that light up like a neon sign when they're hooked. Most run 15-25 pounds and about 3 feet long, but bulls can hit 50-plus with those distinctive square heads. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where baitfish gather. They're most active during warmer months when water temps hit the upper 70s and 80s. What makes mahi special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that gets everyone excited. The meat is top-shelf too - firm, white, and mild enough for even picky eaters. They often travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep other lines out because his buddies are likely nearby. Best advice I can give: look for frigate birds working over floating sargassum or debris. Get your ballyhoo or dolphin jigs ready and make the bait skip on the surface like a flying fish.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the workhorses of the tuna family - smaller but incredibly fast with their torpedo-shaped bodies. Most fish we catch run 15-25 pounds and about 2-3 feet long, though they can hit 75 pounds if you're lucky. You'll recognize them by those distinctive dark vertical stripes along their silver sides. These fish travel in big schools and love warm surface waters, making them perfect targets during our afternoon trips when they're actively feeding. They're absolute rockets when hooked - no fancy moves, just pure speed and endurance that'll test your arms. The meat's excellent eating too, mild and versatile. Pro tip: when you spot birds diving or see schools on the fish finder, get your hoochie rigs ready and troll through at 5 knots. They spook easily, so circle wide and let your bait drift naturally into the school.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the Ferraris of the fishing world - built for pure speed with that torpedo body and razor-sharp teeth. These fish average 30-50 pounds and can stretch 4-5 feet, with the occasional monster pushing 80-plus pounds. They patrol the deep blue water from 100-400 feet, often around structure or temperature breaks where baitfish collect. Peak season runs from late summer through fall when they're moving through our area. The initial strike is what gets everyone hooked on wahoo fishing - they'll hit a trolled lure at 15 knots and still outrun your boat. That first screaming run can peel off 200 yards in seconds. The meat is absolutely premium - white, flaky, and mild with a texture that's perfect for grilling or fish tacos. Wire leaders are non-negotiable with these toothy critters. My secret weapon is high-speed trolling with bullet-head lures in the 12-15 knot range. Most fish hit within the first few seconds, so keep those drags tight and hang on.
Fort Pierce