Full Day Offshore Fishing Trip - Fernandina Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting Mahi, Cobia, Red Snapper31foot vessel accommodates up to six guests comfortablyAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses provided by crew
If you're serious about offshore fishing, Captain Tony Peeples and Southern Sport Fishing Charters will put you on the fish. This full-day charter takes you into the deeper waters off Fernandina Beach, where the big boys swim and the action never stops. We're talking Mahi Mahi, Cobia, Red Snapper, and whatever else is biting that day. With a full day on the water, you've got time to really dial in on the bite and make the most of your trip. The 31-foot vessel gives you and up to five buddies plenty of room to spread out, fight fish, and enjoy the ride without stepping on each other's toes.
Captain Tony runs a tight ship but keeps things fun and relaxed. You'll head out early to beat the crowds and get to the productive water while the fish are still feeding. The boat is set up perfectly for offshore work - plenty of rod holders, a good electronics package, and all the space you need to handle multiple lines. Don't worry about bringing gear because everything's included: rods, reels, bait, tackle, and even your fishing license. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts the game plan based on what's happening that day. Maybe we're trolling for Mahi, maybe we're bottom fishing for snapper, or maybe we're sight-casting to Cobia cruising the surface. The beauty of a full day is having the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best.
Out here in the deeper water, we use a mix of techniques to stay on the fish. Trolling is the bread and butter for pelagics like Mahi and King Mackerel - we'll run a spread of baits at different depths and distances to cover water and find the schools. When we mark fish on the bottom, we'll anchor up or drift and drop down some serious bottom rigs loaded with cut bait or live offerings. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano gear that can handle whatever decides to eat your bait. Captain Tony will coach you through the fight, whether it's a bulldogging Cobia or a jumping Mahi that's trying to throw the hook. The deck layout makes it easy to move around during a fight, and there's plenty of room for multiple anglers to fish without getting tangled up.
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around here, and for good reason. These fish are absolutely gorgeous with their bright gold and green colors, and they fight like crazy - jumping, running, and putting on a show the whole time. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Best fishing is typically spring through fall when the water warms up. The meat is fantastic too, some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Cobia are another fan favorite and one of the most exciting fish to target. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) cruise the surface and you can actually see them coming. They're curious fish that will follow the boat, and sight-casting to them gets your heart pumping every time. They're strong fighters that will test your drag and your arms. Spring and fall are prime time when they're migrating along the coast, and a good-sized Cobia will easily feed the whole family.
King Mackerel are speed demons that will absolutely scream line off your reel. When a King hits a trolled bait, you'll know it immediately - the rod doubles over and the fish takes off like a rocket. They're one of the fastest fish in the ocean and they've got razor-sharp teeth to match their attitude. Fall is typically the best time when they're thick along the coast, and they make excellent table fare when prepared right.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the sea, but they're bulldogs that will give you a serious workout. These bottom dwellers can get huge - we're talking fish that can weigh 30, 40, even 50 pounds or more. They use their size and strength to try to get back to the bottom, and you'll feel every pound during the fight. They're around year-round but tend to bite better in the cooler months.
Crevalle Jack are the scrappy underdogs that punch way above their weight class. These silver bullets fight harder than fish twice their size and never give up. They're aggressive feeders that will hit just about anything, and when you hook into a school, the action can be non-stop. They're around most of the year and always willing to play, making them perfect for keeping the rods bent when other species are being finicky.
A full day offshore with Captain Tony is your ticket to some of the best fishing the Atlantic has to offer. You're getting an experienced captain who knows where the fish live, quality gear that won't let you down, and enough time on the water to really make it count. The 31-foot boat handles the offshore conditions with ease, and with everything included, all you need to bring is your appetite for adventure and maybe some snacks and drinks for the day. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your crew is committed before you book. With only six spots available, these trips fill up fast, especially during the prime seasons. Don't wait around thinking about it - the fish are out there waiting, and Captain Tony knows exactly where to find them.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around pier pilings using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning in 30-70 feet of water. What makes them special is their distinctive drumming sound they make underwater - you'll actually hear them before you see them. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom - these guys rarely feed up in the water column.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants that often swim right up to the boat like curious puppies, but don't let that fool you - they're 30-60 pound powerhouses with serious pulling power. These chocolate-brown fish cruise around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris in 30-100 feet of water, often solo or in small groups. Spring migration from March through June offers prime sight-fishing opportunities. Anglers love them for two reasons: they're one of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, white meat, and they provide a strong, steady fight. The trick is sight-casting with bucktail jigs or live bait when you spot them cruising just under the surface - they're often mistaken for sharks at first glance.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the ocean - pure muscle and attitude in a 3-8 pound package that fights like they're twice that size. These brassy-colored bruisers hunt in aggressive packs, pushing baitfish to the surface around reefs, wrecks, and inlet areas. Year-round action with peak times during mullet runs and when you spot diving birds working the surface. What anglers love is their never-quit attitude and willingness to slam topwater plugs or fast-moving jigs. They're not great eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. Watch for bird activity and cast fast-moving lures like spoons or poppers past the school, then retrieve aggressively - jacks can't resist the chase.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system and fighting skills. These silver bullets typically weigh 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, roaming the 40-150 foot depths offshore. Summer and fall bring the best bite as they follow bait schools along temperature breaks and current edges. What gets anglers hooked is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they're built for speed just like their wahoo cousins. The meat's decent eating on smaller fish, but it's really about the fight. My go-to setup is trolling large spoons or rigging live bait with a wire leader and dual hook setup - always use that stinger hook near the tail since kings love to bite the back half of baits.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter offshore, flashing gold, green, and electric blue as they battle. These 15-30 pounders love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in deeper water, often traveling in small schools. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them crowd favorites is their aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a real spectacle. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, mild white meat. The key is finding floating sargassum or any debris line and working the edges. Once you hook one, keep others in the school interested by leaving hooked fish in the water while rigging up fresh baits.
Fernandina Beach, FL