Private 8-Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing targeting multiple premium speciesAll equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services includedProfessional crew accommodates up to six guests maximum
Ready to spend a full day chasing trophy fish in some of the most productive waters around? This private 8-hour charter with Singing Reel Charters puts you and up to 5 friends in prime position to battle everything from hefty grouper to blazing-fast wahoo. We're talking about a serious fishing day here – the kind where you'll be swapping stories for years afterward. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with dinner or land that wall-hanger you've been dreaming about, this trip delivers the goods every single time.
Your day kicks off early – we're usually clearing the dock between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. when the bite is hot and the seas are calm. That's fishing 101 right there: early bird gets the fish. You'll have the boat to yourselves for the entire 8 hours, which means we can chase whatever's biting without worrying about other anglers' preferences. The beauty of this charter is the variety – depending on what Mother Nature's serving up, we'll hit reefs loaded with snapper and grouper, explore productive wrecks that hold big fish, or steam offshore to tangle with pelagics like tuna and sailfish. We've got all the bases covered with top-shelf tackle, fresh bait, and enough ice to keep your catch restaurant-fresh. Your fishing licenses are included for up to 6 guests, so all you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks if you want them, and the desire to bend some rods. At the end of the day, we'll clean and package your catch so it's ready for the grill or your favorite local restaurant.
We run a mix of techniques depending on where the fish are hanging out. When we're working the reefs, it's all about bottom fishing with circle hooks and live or cut bait – think whole sardines for the snapper or fresh squid strips for grouper. The wrecks call for a bit more finesse since you're dealing with structure, but that's where the biggest fish live. Offshore, we'll troll high-speed lures and ballyhoo rigs to cover water and locate schools of tuna or mahi. When we mark fish, we'll switch to live bait or chunk baits to get them fired up. All our rods are matched to the technique – medium-heavy spinning gear for reef work, conventional reels with serious drag for the big boys offshore. We keep multiple rods rigged and ready because when the bite turns on, you want to maximize every minute. The first mate will be right there coaching you through the fights, adjusting drags, and making sure you land every fish that eats. Don't worry about experience level – we've taught plenty of first-timers how to work a big fish, and seasoned anglers always pick up a new trick or two.
Mahi Mahi are absolutely electric when they're feeding – these fish hit like freight trains and put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. They school up around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks, usually in 200+ feet of water. What makes mahi special is their aggressive feeding behavior and those stunning colors that light up when they're fighting. Prime season runs spring through fall, and a good day can produce multiple fish in the 10-30 pound range. The meat is fantastic – firm, white, and perfect for grilling or blackening.
Hogfish are the smart guys of the reef – they've got excellent eyesight and can be picky eaters, which makes landing one even more satisfying. These coral-dwelling beauties prefer live shrimp or small crabs presented near the bottom around rocky structure. They're not huge fighters, but what they lack in power they make up for in table fare. Hogfish are widely considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for ceviche or simply sautéed with butter and lemon.
Mutton Snapper are the heavyweights of the snapper family, and when you hook into a big one over a wreck or deep reef, you'll know it immediately. These fish have serious shoulders and will test your drag system on the initial run. They're structure-oriented fish that love live pilchards or goggle eyes fished near the bottom. The bigger muttongs – we're talking 10-15 pounders – are typically found in deeper water and require heavier tackle. They're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot and pink coloration, and they make outstanding table fare.
Black Grouper are the bulls of the reef – pure power wrapped in a prehistoric package. These fish live in caves and ledges, ambushing anything that swims by. When a big black grouper eats your bait, the fight is immediate and intense as they try to get back to their hole. You've got to turn them quick or they'll cut you off on the coral. They're opportunistic feeders that love live bait, but they'll also crush a well-presented dead sardine or grunt. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for grilling or frying, and a good-sized black grouper will feed the whole crew.
Blackfin Tuna are speed demons that travel in schools and provide non-stop action when you locate them. These fish are typically found offshore in 100+ feet of water, often mixed with bonito or small mahi. They respond well to live bait, chunk baits, or small trolling lures, and they fight way above their weight class. A 15-pound blackfin will peel line off your reel and make multiple runs before you get it to the boat. They're also fantastic eating – the meat is darker than other tunas but incredibly flavorful when prepared as sashimi or seared steaks.
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The Singing Reel II cuts through offshore waters with purpose, her twin 485HP Detroit engines pushing this classic 42' Hatteras Convertible toward the best fishing grounds. Built in 1971 and lovingly restored, she's equipped with everything serious anglers need - radar and GPS to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate the action below, and plenty of space for up to 6 fishermen to work the rails. When the Florida sun gets intense, duck into the air-conditioned salon for a cold drink from the onboard fridge, or grab a snack from the full kitchen. The icebox keeps your catch fresh while you're still hunting for more. After hours of battling yellowtail, grouper, or whatever's running that day, stretch out on the comfortable berths or use the private head. This sportfisher handles both reef fishing and blue water runs with equal skill, giving you access to snapper one moment and sailfish the next. Whether you're trolling for mahi or bottom fishing for hogfish, the Singing Reel II delivers the platform and comfort you need for a full day on the water.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are powerful bottom dwellers with dark rectangular blotches covering their olive-gray bodies. Most average over 2 feet, but they can reach 5 feet and 125 pounds. These ambush predators hang around wrecks, ledges, and reefs from 30 feet in winter up to 300 feet during warmer months. They're not built for speed but make up for it with incredible strength - expect a brutal fight once hooked. Heavy tackle is essential: 80lb braid, 100lb leader, and a reel with serious drag. They'll eat anything you put down there, dead or alive. The meat is excellent - mild flavor with firm texture. Here's the key: when you feel that bite, start cranking immediately. They don't nibble - they inhale their prey whole, then head straight back to the rocks to break you off.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, averaging around 20-30 pounds with that classic tuna build and distinctive yellow lateral stripe. They're fierce fighters that school up in offshore waters near continental shelves, usually in depths over 100 feet. Peak season here is fall through spring when water temps stay above 68°F. These fast-growing fish have sharp eyesight, so scale down your tackle - use 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0-6/0 circle hooks. Vertical jigging and chunking work best, especially with live pilchards for chum. The meat is outstanding - rich and flavorful like their bigger cousins. They often school with skipjacks, so when you find one species, work the area hard. Watch for diving birds - that's usually your best sign of feeding fish below.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are easily recognized by their pig-like snouts and bright orange coloring. They reach up to 3 feet and 22 pounds, living around coral reefs and hard bottom areas in 10-100 feet of water. These wrasse use their snouts to dig for crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Males have a distinctive black spot behind their fins. They're tricky to hook due to their mouth shape, so many anglers prefer spearfishing. When using rod and reel, live mud crabs or shrimp work best on a good rig with quick reflexes. The meat is incredibly sweet - even better than grouper according to many. Look for them around ledges, coral heads, and structured areas. They're curious fish that respond to noise, so don't be too quiet when targeting them.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are stunning fish that put on a real light show with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs. They average 15-29 pounds but can hit the 87-pound mark. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in warm offshore waters. These aggressive feeders love flying fish, so make your bait skip on the surface when trolling with 30-50 pound tackle. They're fierce fighters that'll test your gear, plus the meat is fantastic - firm, white, and sweet like swordfish. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps are warm. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep working the area since they usually travel in schools.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are beautiful fish with olive coloring and distinctive blue lines around their eyes, plus a small black spot on each side. They typically run 15-20 inches but can reach 37 inches and 34 pounds. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and sandy areas in 130-230 feet, though they move shallower near mangroves and inlets with good tidal flow. They're known as solid fighters that'll make strong runs to the bottom when hooked. The key is using fresh bait on light tackle - let it drift naturally in the current. Adults prefer deeper structure while juveniles hang in sandy grass beds. Great table fare with firm, white meat. When you see that pink color coming up through clear water, you know you've got one. Chumming brings them up where you can sight-fish them.
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