5.0(3 Reviews)Premier 6-8 Hour Nearshore Wreck Fishing Adventures
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Private 68 hour nearshore fishing charters up to 15 miles offshoreTarget kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia using live bait trollingFully equipped 26' Pathfinder accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably
When you're ready to leave the crowded party boats behind and experience what Cedar Point's nearshore waters really have to offer, Captain John's private charters deliver the goods. These 6- or 8-hour fishing trips take you up to 15 miles offshore aboard a spacious 26' Pathfinder that's built for comfort and rigged for serious fishing. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to land your first king mackerel or an experienced angler chasing trophy cobia, these Crystal Coast waters hold plenty of surprises. With room for up to six anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows, and Captain John's local knowledge means you'll be fishing the right spots at the right times.
These nearshore trips strike the perfect balance between accessibility and adventure. You're not stuck in the shallows throwing at the same old spots, but you're also not burning half your fuel getting to the fishing grounds. Captain John runs a tight ship with quality tackle and fresh bait, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the cooler. The 26' Pathfinder handles the Atlantic swells with ease, giving you a stable platform whether you're working a live bait slow-troll or casting at structure. Expect to cover water and adapt to conditions throughout the day. If the Spanish mackerel are thick on one reef, you might spend extra time there. If the cobia are cruising the nearshore wrecks, that's where you'll head. This isn't a cookie-cutter trip – it's fishing the way it should be done.
Captain John runs a versatile operation that adapts to what's biting and what you want to target. Slow trolling with live bait is the bread and butter for king mackerel and cobia, letting you cover ground while presenting natural baits that big fish can't resist. When you mark fish on structure or around wrecks, it's time to break out the jigs and get vertical. The boat comes equipped with quality spinning and conventional tackle, but if you've got favorite rods you want to bring, there's plenty of room. Live bait wells keep your menhaden and cigar minnows lively, which makes all the difference when kings and cobia are being picky. Casting gear stays ready for when you spot cruising fish or need to work around structure. The key is staying flexible – some days call for finesse, others reward aggressive presentations.
"It's not every day you encounter a true expert, but Captain John is just that. When the fish are hard to find, his skill and experience ensure you won't leave empty-handed. John and his crew are passionate, hardworking, and fully committed to creating an unforgettable fishing experience. With sharp instincts, extensive knowledge, and great conversation, every trip is enjoyable and rewarding. Book with Captain John for a fishing adventure that's guaranteed to be both successful and memorable!" - Tyler
"Captain John was incredibly personable and extremely knowledgeable about all things on the water. We caught several cobia and then moved on to amberjack until we were completely worn out. If a line snapped, Captain John had another one ready in no time. Absolutely a 10/10 experience—highly recommend and would book again!" - Paul
"John was an incredible captain! Despite challenging wind and tide conditions, he worked hard to ensure all six of us had a fantastic time and made some great catches. We ended up catching plenty of fish and had an amazing experience. Thank you again for an unforgettable trip!" - Caroline
Spanish Mackerel are the workhorses of these nearshore trips, showing up in good numbers from late spring through fall. These aggressive feeders hit hard and fight above their weight class, making them perfect for getting kids and new anglers hooked on saltwater fishing. They school up around structure and baitfish, often betraying their location with surface activity. While they average 2-3 pounds, don't let their size fool you – a fresh Spanish mackerel on light tackle will give you a real scrap. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
King Mackerel are what most anglers dream about when they book these trips. These apex predators cruise the nearshore waters from spring through early winter, with the best action typically happening during the warmer months. Kings average 15-30 pounds in these waters, but 40-pounders are always possible. They're notorious for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, testing both your drag and your nerve. Slow trolling with live bait or pulling spoons behind planers is the most effective approach. When you hook a big king, everyone on the boat knows it – they're simply one of the most exciting gamefish in the Atlantic.
Atlantic Bonito bring pure speed and athleticism to your fishing day. These smaller tunas show up in the fall and winter months, often when other species have moved on. Don't mistake them for Spanish mackerel – bonito are built differently, with more muscle and stamina. They travel in schools and feed aggressively on small baitfish, making them susceptible to both trolled baits and cast lures. Their meat is darker and richer than other mackerels, prized by anglers who know how to prepare them properly. When bonito are around, you can often catch them as fast as you can get lines back in the water.
Great Barracuda are the wildcards of these trips – you never know when one might show up to crash the party. These prehistoric-looking predators lurk around structure and wrecks, using their impressive speed and razor-sharp teeth to ambush prey. They can reach impressive sizes in these waters, with 4-6 footers being common. The fight is explosive but brief –
Get ready to hit the wrecks aboard our 26'2" Pathfinder HPS – a solid fishing machine built for the Atlantic waters off Cedar Point. This boat cuts through the chop with ease thanks to its reliable Yamaha 300 HP 4-stroke that'll get you to those productive nearshore spots up to 15 miles out. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish around the wrecks where kingfish, cobia, and Spanish mackerel like to hang out. Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether you're slow trolling live bait or working jigs around the structure. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those 6 to 8-hour runs. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up. This Pathfinder handles the offshore conditions well, giving you a stable platform for fighting fish and a comfortable ride back to the dock with your cooler full.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are the speed demons of our nearshore waters, hitting 40 mph in short bursts. These silver bullets with dark stripes typically weigh 3-8 pounds and school up in huge numbers during summer and fall. They're pelagic fish found in 30-100+ feet, often feeding on the surface where you'll see birds diving. What makes them fun is the non-stop action - when you find a school, every cast can produce a fish. They fight hard for their size with blistering runs. While they're oily and not great table fare here in the States, the action is addictive. Look for diving birds and surface commotion. Once you locate a feeding school, almost any small lure will work - metal jigs, small spoons, or plastics. Keep your lures moving fast since these fish are built for speed and won't chase slow-moving baits.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that are among the best eating in our waters. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds and can hit 60+ pounds, living around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-100 feet. Prime time is late spring through early fall during their migration and spawning. They're mostly solitary, so it's often one-and-done, but what a fish to catch! They fight like bulldogs with powerful runs and are absolutely delicious - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. We sight-fish for them around structure or work bucktail jigs near the bottom. The key is being ready when you see one - they can be finicky. Here's what works: when you spot a cobia, don't cast right at it. Lead the fish and let your jig sink naturally in front of it. They like to inspect before they eat.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are apex predators that cruise our nearshore waters, typically running 3-6 feet long with some monsters hitting 40+ pounds. These silver torpedoes with razor teeth patrol reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet of water. They're around year-round but most active in warmer months. What makes them exciting is their explosive strikes and wild fights - they'll jump, tail-walk, and make searing runs. They're curious fish that'll follow lures right to the boat. While the meat can cause ciguatera poisoning, so most folks release them, the fight alone makes them worth targeting. They'll crush spoons, tubes, and live bait. Here's the key: use a heavy wire leader and keep your lures moving erratically. When one follows your lure, don't speed up - let it sink and jerk it a few times. That often triggers the strike.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the heavyweights of the mackerel family, averaging 15-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds off our coast. These olive-backed bruisers patrol depths from 40-150 feet, cruising along drop-offs, ledges, and structure. Peak season runs May through October when they migrate through our waters. What draws folks to target them is the screaming runs - they'll peel drag like few fish can, often jumping and tail-walking. The meat's good eating too, though it's got higher oil content. We primarily troll with live bait or dead baits on wire leaders since their teeth are like razors. Pro tip: use a stinger hook setup with your live bait - kings often attack from behind, so that trailing treble hook back by the tail will save you from a lot of short strikes and lost fish.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. You'll find them in schools near the surface, especially around structure and baitfish in 20-80 feet of water. They're most active from late spring through fall when water temps hit the 70s. What makes them popular is their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics - plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat. These silver speedsters with yellow spots will hit spoons, jigs, and live bait like menhaden or shrimp. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds, get there fast and cast small silver spoons into the feeding frenzy. They've got razor teeth, so use a short wire leader or you'll lose more lures than you catch.
5.0 out of 5.0It’s not every day you encounter a true expert, but Captain John is just that. When the fish are hard to find, his skill and exper...
Captain John was incredibly personable and extremely knowledgeable about all things on the water. We caught several cobia and then...
John was an incredible captain! Despite challenging wind and tide conditions, he worked hard to ensure all six of us had a fantast...
Greenville