3.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Offshore Fishing with SWF Charters
3.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing adventure with SWF Charters.Trolling, bottom fishing, and big sport game fishing included.Expert crew guides up to 6 guests per trip.
Looking for a serious day on the water? SWF Charters' full-day offshore adventure puts you right where the action happens. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just as the bite picks up. With a full day ahead, Captain Nick and his crew have the time to work the water properly, moving from spot to spot until you find what you're after. You'll be targeting everything from hard-fighting kings and colorful mahi to bottom-dwelling grouper and powerful amberjack. With space for up to six anglers, it's perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone wanting to experience what real offshore fishing is all about.
Your day starts early, but that's when the fish are most active and the water's at its calmest. SWF Charters runs a well-maintained vessel equipped for both near-shore and offshore fishing, meaning you can hit the closer reefs and wrecks or push out to the deeper blue water depending on what's biting. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not afraid to put in the work to find fish. Some days you'll spend time working structure for grouper and amberjack, while other trips might focus on trolling the open water for pelagic species like mahi and kings. The beauty of a full-day charter is the flexibility – if one technique isn't producing, there's plenty of time to switch gears and try something different. Don't expect to be fishing the same hole all day; successful offshore fishing means staying mobile and adapting to conditions.
SWF Charters comes prepared with a variety of techniques to match whatever the fish are doing. Trolling is a big part of the program, especially when targeting kings, mahi, and cobia. You'll be pulling a spread of baits and lures at different depths and distances behind the boat, covering water efficiently while the crew watches for birds, debris, and temperature breaks that hold fish. When it's time for bottom fishing, expect to drop heavy tackle down to structure where grouper, amberjack, and other reef species hang out. The crew provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, though experienced anglers are welcome to bring their own gear if they prefer. Live bait, dead bait, and artificial lures all have their place depending on the target species and conditions. The captain and crew will handle rigging and re-rigging throughout the day, so you can focus on fishing rather than tying knots.
"Overall, I enjoyed the trip. The fishing started and ended pretty good, but the majority of the day was super slow. No fault of Nick. He worked hard to get us on fish, just a bad day for catching. The info about the trip I received through Fish Booker did not match what we got (did not specifically target Mahi or Kings), so I learned a lesson to go straight to the source when booking a charter. Still an enjoyable day on the water, good price point, and Nick will work hard to provide you with a good experience." - Loren
Gag Grouper are one of the most sought-after bottom fish in these waters, and for good reason. These chunky fighters can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing even bigger. Gags are structure-oriented fish, living around reefs, wrecks, and rock piles in 60 to 200 feet of water. They're known for their powerful initial run straight back to the bottom when hooked, testing both your drag and your backbone. The best action typically comes during cooler months when they're more active and feeding aggressively. What makes gag grouper special is their excellent table fare – firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
King Mackerel, or "smoker kings" as many anglers call them, are pure speed and aggression. These pelagic predators cruise the offshore waters looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find them, the action can be fast and furious. Kings can range from schoolie-sized fish around 10 pounds up to genuine trophies exceeding 40 pounds. They're typically caught trolling, and their initial run is something every angler should experience at least once – pure acceleration that can strip line off a reel in seconds. Spring through fall offers the best king fishing, with the larger fish often showing up during cooler water periods.
Mahi Mahi, also known as dolphin fish or dorado, are the most beautiful fish you're likely to catch offshore. Their brilliant gold, green, and blue colors are stunning when they first come out of the water, though they fade quickly once the fish expires. Mahi are found around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water. They're schooling fish, so where you find one, there are usually more. Most mahi caught offshore range from 10 to 25 pounds, though larger bulls can push 40 pounds or more. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live and artificial baits, making them a favorite target for offshore trolling.
Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of the reef. These powerful fish can exceed 50 pounds and are known for long, sustained fights that will test your endurance. AJs live around structure in deeper water, often suspending in the water column above reefs and wrecks. They're aggressive predators that will hit large live baits, jigs, and even trolled baits. The key to landing big amberjack is having enough drag and being prepared for a long battle. They're not the prettiest fish, but they make up for it with sheer fighting ability.
Cobia are unique fish that often behave more like sharks than typical gamefish. These brown, elongated fish are curious by nature and will often approach the boat to investigate. They
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are sight-fishing gold - these chocolate-brown fish cruise near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris. They average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+ pounds. You'll find them in 20-100 feet of water, often mistaken for sharks due to their dark color and single dorsal fin. Spring migration and summer months offer prime fishing when they're moving and feeding actively. Guests love the visual aspect - actually seeing the fish before casting to it. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that rivals any fish in these waters. Being solitary hunters, they're aggressive when they see an easy meal. Best approach is sight-casting with bucktail jigs or live bait. Pro tip: when you spot one, stay calm and lead them with your cast - they're curious but spook easily if you splash the bait right on their head.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese guys are some of the best fighters you'll find around reefs and wrecks. Gag grouper average 20 inches but can reach up to 4 feet and 80 pounds. They love hanging around rocky bottoms, ledges, and structure in 40-150 feet of water. The bigger males are darker with that distinctive reticulated dorsal fin pattern. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What makes them special is that powerful fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole in the rocks. The meat is top-shelf too, firm white fillets that grill beautifully. Pro tip: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any slack, or they'll wrap you around the structure and cut you off every time.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the reef - powerful, stubborn fish that'll give you a real workout. These brutes average 30-40 pounds but can exceed 100 pounds around deeper structure. Find them on wrecks, reefs, and oil rigs in 60-200 feet of water. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they're most aggressive. That amber stripe down their sides gets darker when they're fired up and feeding. What makes them popular is the sheer power - it's like being hooked to a freight train. The meat is excellent too, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. We target them with heavy jigs or live bait fished near the bottom. Key tip: use at least 50-pound tackle and be ready for a long fight. They'll sound straight down and try to wrap you in the structure, so pump and wind steadily to keep them coming up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are pure speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. These silver bullets typically run 20-40 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds when you get lucky. Look for them in 40-150 feet of water, especially around temperature breaks and current lines. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is that blistering initial run - nothing quite like watching line scream off your reel. They're also excellent eating with that firm, flaky meat. We usually troll with live bait or spoons, but here's the key: use a wire leader and rig two hooks on your live bait. Kings have razor teeth and love to bite the tail end of baits, so that trailing hook will save you from a lot of cut-offs and missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are probably the most beautiful fish we catch - bright gold sides with electric blues and greens that light up like a rainbow when they're brought to the boat. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds and live in open water around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges. Spring through fall offers the best fishing when they're feeding actively on flying fish and squid. Guests love them because they jump, fight hard, and make outstanding table fare with sweet, firm white meat. They're also curious fish that often travel in small schools. My go-to technique is trolling colorful lures or rigged ballyhoo near any floating structure. Once you hook one, leave your other lines in - where there's one mahi, there's usually more waiting nearby.
3.0 out of 5.0Overall, I enjoyed the trip. The fishing started and ended pretty good, but the majority of the day was super slow. No fault of Ni...
Carolina Beach, NC, USA