Half Day Offshore Fishing Adventure in Fort Pierce
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
5hour afternoon offshore fishing trip targeting sailfish and tunaAll equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services includedPrivate charter accommodates up to 4 guests with Captain Rob
Looking for some serious action on the water? Captain Rob's afternoon offshore charter out of Fort Pierce puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's hottest fishing grounds. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading out to the deep blue where the big boys play. Fort Pierce sits perfectly positioned along the Treasure Coast, giving us quick access to the Gulf Stream's edges where pelagic species cruise year-round. You'll spend five solid hours targeting everything from screaming fast wahoo to hard-fighting blackfin tuna, all while soaking up that perfect Florida afternoon sun.
Captain Rob knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the boat rigged and ready for whatever's biting. We're talking about a private charter here – just you and your crew, no strangers crowding your fishing space. The afternoon departure is perfect timing because it lets you sleep in and still get out there when the fish are active. Fort Pierce's offshore waters are legendary for holding resident populations of pelagics, plus we get those seasonal migrations that can absolutely light up the fishing. The captain's got all your gear sorted – premium rods and reels spooled with the right line weights, a tackle box full of proven lures, and the local knowledge to put you on fish. Whether you've been fishing your whole life or you're just getting started, Rob adapts his approach to make sure everyone on board has a shot at some quality fish.
Out here in the blue water, trolling is king. We'll be running a spread of lures designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics – think ballyhoo rigged behind colorful skirts, diving plugs that mimic fleeing baitfish, and those deadly circle hook rigs that hook fish clean in the corner of the mouth. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels matched to medium-heavy to heavy action rods that can handle everything from 15-pound mahi to 40-pound kingfish. Captain Rob reads the water constantly – watching for color changes, temperature breaks, birds working, and those telltale signs that fish are around. We'll hit structure like reefs and wrecks where ambush predators like cobia hang out, then move to open water where the tunas and wahoo patrol. The GPS and fish finder are constantly working to keep us on productive water, and when we mark bait or fish, that's when things get interesting.
The skipjack tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but don't let that fool you – these little torpedoes fight way above their weight class. They typically run 5-15 pounds and they're absolute rockets when hooked. Best part? They're around Fort Pierce waters pretty much year-round, though spring and fall see the heaviest concentrations. When you hook one, get ready for screaming runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag system.
Blackfin tuna are the local favorites for good reason. These gorgeous fish average 10-25 pounds and they're built for speed and endurance. The meat is absolutely premium – think sashimi quality if you handle them right. Peak season runs from late fall through spring, but we see them throughout the year. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, and when you find them, you can often load the cooler.
King mackerel are the wolves of the offshore waters around Fort Pierce. These toothy predators can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 30+ pounds, and they'll absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and they love to ambush baitfish around the reef line. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, head shakes, and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping.
Mahi mahi bring the color and the acrobatics to offshore fishing. These stunning fish with their electric blues, greens, and yellows are peak entertainment when hooked. They average 10-20 pounds locally, though bigger bulls show up regularly. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when we find floating debris or sargassum lines. They jump repeatedly when hooked and they're fantastic eating – firm white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Wahoo are the speed demons of Fort Pierce's offshore scene. These streamlined missiles can hit 60+ mph and they'll test every knot and connection on your rig. They typically run 20-40 pounds locally, and their initial run is absolutely blistering. Fall and winter are peak seasons, and they love those high-speed trolled lures. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious – like a cross between tuna and mahi.
This is exactly the kind of fishing trip that sells itself once you're out there. Captain Rob's got the local knowledge, the right gear, and the patience to put both beginners and seasoned anglers on quality fish. Five hours gives you real time to work different areas and techniques, and that afternoon departure timing hits the sweet spot when many of these species are most active. The all-inclusive setup means you just show up ready to fish – everything else is handled. Fort Pierce's offshore waters are some of the most consistent in Florida, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action. Don't sleep on this one – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Give Captain Rob a call to check availability and get your dates locked in.
Captain Rob's 2017 25-foot Dusky center console cuts through Fort Pierce waters with serious authority, powered by a 300HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 45 knots. This isn't just any boat – it's built for offshore action with plenty of deck space for up to four anglers to work the lines without bumping elbows. The GPS keeps you locked onto productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below, whether you're hunting sailfish in deeper water or tracking schools of blackfin tuna. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot afternoon runs. The center console design gives everyone easy access to fighting fish from any angle, perfect for when multiple lines go off on a good bite. This setup handles the Atlantic swells like a champ while giving you the speed to cover water and find where the fish are feeding.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of the true tunas but don't let size fool you - they pack serious fight into their 20-30 pound frames. These beautiful fish show off bronze and gold sides with that characteristic tuna build, averaging around 3 feet. They love the continental shelf waters, usually 40-150 feet deep, and are most active here from fall through spring when water temps hit that sweet spot. What guests love about blackfin is their table quality - the meat rivals any tuna for sashimi or searing. They're also fierce fighters that'll test your drag. Here's the key: scale down your tackle. Use 30-pound fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. Their eyesight is sharp, so heavy gear will spook them. Live pilchards work magic for chumming them up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll give you a smoking reel and sore arms. These silver bullets average 30 pounds but the big females can push 50-plus pounds, stretching 4-5 feet long. They patrol our nearshore waters from 40-150 feet, cruising around structure and temperature breaks. Peak season runs fall through spring when they migrate through our area following bait schools. What makes them special is that explosive first run - pure adrenaline when one hits. The meat's excellent smoked or grilled, though watch the mercury with the big ones. My go-to setup uses two hooks on wire leader: one through the nose of a live bait, second hook free-swinging near the tail. Kings typically bite the back half of baitfish, so that trailing hook saves a lot of missed strikes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter offshore - brilliant gold and green that puts on a light show when they're boat-side. Bulls average 25-40 pounds with those distinctive blunt heads, while females stay smaller with rounder profiles. Look for them around floating debris, weedlines, or current edges in blue water. They're most abundant during summer months when water temps climb. What guests love is the aerial show - these fish jump, shake, and never give up easy. Plus the eating quality is outstanding with that firm, mild white meat. The secret is making your bait skip and dance on the surface like a flying fish - that drives them crazy. Once you hook one, leave it in the water because the school will often stay with their hooked buddy.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the workhorses of the tuna family - smaller but scrappy fighters averaging 20 pounds and 2-3 feet long. You'll find them in schools near the surface in our warm offshore waters, often mixed with juvenile yellowfin. They're built for speed with that classic torpedo shape and distinctive dark stripes on their silver sides. These fish are most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them fun is their aggressive feeding - when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The meat's great for sashimi or grilling. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your speed between 4-6 knots with small feathers or hoochies. If you spook the school, circle wide and let them settle before making another pass through.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed kings of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60 mph and stripping line like nothing else. These silver missiles typically run 20-50 pounds and 4-5 feet, with razor-sharp teeth and that distinctive beak-like snout. They cruise the blue water edges and drop-offs, usually staying in the top 60 feet. Best action happens July through November when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is that explosive strike and blistering first run - pure excitement. The meat is premium table fare, white and flaky like a delicate white fish. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders is key because those teeth will cut anything else. My favorite setup uses small lipped diving plugs or bullet-head lures. Keep your spread tight and be ready for instant chaos when one hits.
Fort Pierce