8 HR Swordfish/Deep Drop Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8-hour offshore adventure targeting prized swordfish in deep watersMultiple techniques including jigging, trolling, and bottom fishing methodsSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests per charter
Picture this: you're 30+ miles offshore before sunrise, setting up electric reels over 1,000 feet of water, waiting for that telltale thump of a billfish hitting your bait. That's what you're signing up for with Southern Sons Charters' 8-hour deep drop adventure. We're not talking about your typical half-day trip here – this is serious offshore fishing where the big boys live. You'll spend the day working the deep water column using time-tested techniques that put fish in the boat. With space for up to 6 anglers, this top-rated charter gives you plenty of room to work without feeling crowded when the action heats up.
Your day starts early – we're talking pre-dawn departure to maximize our time over the best structure. The ride out gives you time to grab coffee, rig baits, and watch the sun come up over open ocean. Once we hit our marks, you'll be fishing depths that most weekend warriors never see. The captain knows these offshore grounds like the back of his hand, positioning the boat over seamless mounts, ledges, and drop-offs where swordfish and deep water grouper set up shop. Don't expect constant action – deep drop fishing requires patience, but when something grabs your bait 800 feet down, you'll know it. The boat stays positioned perfectly while you work fish up from the abyss, and our crew keeps fresh bait going down while you're fighting. This world-class fishery demands respect, and we fish it the right way.
We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what we're marking on the fish finder. Deep dropping is the bread and butter – electric reels spooled with heavy braid, dropping whole squid, cut bait, and live offerings down to 500-1,500 feet. You'll also see us pull spreads when traveling between spots, trolling high-speed lures and rigged ballyhoo for anything cruising the upper water column. Bottom fishing comes into play when we're working specific structure for grouper and tilefish. Jigging is deadly when we mark fish suspended off the bottom – heavy metals and butterfly jigs worked vertically can trigger aggressive strikes. The tackle is heavy-duty stuff: 50-80 pound class rods, reels that can handle serious fish, and terminal tackle built for the deep. Our crew handles all the rigging and bait prep, so you focus on fishing, not knots.
Swordfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing, and these waters hold some serious specimens. We're targeting fish that range from 50-200+ pounds, with the occasional giant pushing 300. Swords are most active during low-light periods – early morning, late afternoon, and nighttime – but daytime fishing can be productive when conditions align. They're ambush predators that cruise along temperature breaks and structure, feeding on squid, mackerel, and whatever else moves through their territory. What makes them special isn't just their size – it's the fight. A big sword will sound deep, run hard, and test every piece of your tackle. The bill makes them one of the most recognizable catches in sportfishing, and landing one is a milestone for any serious angler.
Snowy Grouper live in depths from 300-1,500 feet, making them perfect targets for our deep drop techniques. These fish average 10-30 pounds but can push 50+ in these offshore waters. They're structure-oriented, hanging around rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs where they ambush baitfish and crustaceans. Snowies are renowned for their pure white meat and excellent table fare – many consider them the best-eating grouper species. They fight hard initially but tire quickly coming up from depth due to barotrauma. The best fishing happens year-round, though winter months can be particularly productive. They're a customer favorite because they're relatively cooperative once you find them, and a cooler full of snowy grouper fillets makes the long ride home worthwhile.
This isn't your average fishing trip – it's a full-day commitment to serious offshore angling. You'll cover miles of open ocean, fish depths most people never experience, and target species that separate weekend anglers from dedicated fishermen. The 8-hour format gives us time to work multiple spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and put you on the fish that make these offshore waters famous. Southern Sons Charters has built their reputation on consistent results in challenging conditions, and this deep drop adventure showcases exactly why anglers keep coming back season after season. Ready to see what's living in the deep water? Give us a call and let's get your trip on the books.
Get ready to chase swordfish and deep water giants aboard this brand-new 38-foot Fountain center console! Built in 2022, this fishing machine packs serious power with triple 300HP Mercury engines that'll cruise at 44 knots, getting you to the offshore fishing grounds fast. The spacious center console layout gives all six anglers plenty of room to work the lines, whether you're dropping deep for tilefish and snowy grouper or trolling for the ultimate prize – swordfish. She's loaded with everything you need: GPS to find the hot spots, radar for those early morning runs, fish finder to locate the schools, and VHF radio to stay connected. The stable platform handles offshore swells like a dream, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the box during your 8-hour deep drop adventure.
Epinephelus Snowy Grouper are deep-drop favorites that average 30 pounds and 3 feet, though they can reach 70 pounds. These copper-brown fish with white spots live on rocky bottoms in 300-600 feet of water. Season runs May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit. They're ambush predators that love deep water crabs and will hit hard once you find them. Guests love the challenge of pulling them up from the depths - it's a real arm burner even with electric reels. The fight is solid and the meat is sweet and flaky. Pro tip: use chicken rigs with whole squid or bonito strips, and don't be shy with the lead weight. A 5-pound sinker on 30-pound test gets you down to where they live.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate offshore trophy - these massive predators average 9 feet and 400 pounds, with that distinctive flat sword they use to slash through schools of squid and smaller fish. They live in deep water around 1,500 feet, feeding near 300 feet at night and going deeper during the day. Peak season runs April through September when they're spawning and more active. What makes them special is their raw power and speed - they can hit 60 mph and will test every ounce of your tackle. The meat is fantastic too, firm and meaty. My tip: always use multiple lights on your rig, even during the day. Squid is their favorite bait, but fresh barracuda chunks work great too. Expect a long fight with these fish.
Marathon