Private 10-Hour Offshore Fishing - Sebastian, FL
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, this 10-hour charter with Stick Marsh Charters puts you right where the action is. We're talking about heading up to 20 miles offshore from Sebastian, where the water turns that deep blue color and the fish get bigger. This isn't your typical half-day trip – you've got a full day to work the waters and chase down some of Florida's most prized gamefish. Captain Rick and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while you focus on what matters most: setting the hook and bringing dinner home.
What to Expect on the Water
This charter is built for anglers who want the real deal. You'll launch from Sebastian and make the run offshore where the continental shelf drops off and the big fish roam. With 10 hours on the water, there's no rushing – you can work different spots, try various techniques, and really dial in what's working that day. The boat comes fully rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your Florida fishing license and plenty of food for the day. The trip handles up to six people, making it perfect for a group of buddies or a family fishing adventure. Just remember to budget around $150 per mate for gratuity – these guys work hard to put fish in the boat.
Techniques and Tackle
Out here in the blue water off Sebastian, we're talking about serious offshore fishing techniques. You'll be trolling with outriggers for fast-moving pelagics, dropping live bait down to structure for grouper and snapper, and working the mid-water column for cobia and amberjack. The captain switches up tactics based on conditions – maybe you're pulling ballyhoo behind the boat one hour, then dropping down heavy jigs to the bottom the next. The gear is all heavy-duty offshore stuff that can handle fish in the 20 to 50-pound range without breaking a sweat. When something big hits, you'll feel the difference that quality tackle makes. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and net work, so you can concentrate on fighting fish instead of retying leaders.
Customer Stories
"Captain Rick and his deckhand Brianna were fantastic—knowledgeable, helpful, and truly made the trip enjoyable! They even had a Bluetooth speaker so we could play our own music on the way out, which was a great touch. Everything was prepped and ready, so we could focus on fishing while they handled all the hard work. If you're serious about catching fish, this is the charter to book. Highly recommend!" - Brianna
"Had a great day on the water with Capt. Rick! Wasn't the best of conditions but he put us on the fish! Got 4 beautiful bass...personal bests!....and a bunch of other catfish,, gars,, etc.. Was very courteous and entertaining. Learned alot about the Stick Marsh history. Such a fun day...beautiful place....wish I could go back tomorrow. Thank you Rick...see you next time!" - Lynn Gliem
Species You'll Want to Hook
Mahi Mahi are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around Sebastian, and for good reason. These fish are absolute rockets when they hit your trolled bait, often jumping clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Mahi are most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, and they love to hang around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. What makes them so special is their incredible colors – that electric green and gold that fades after they're boated. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Cobia are another top target that gets anglers fired up. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) are curious fish that will often come right up to the boat to investigate. They're powerful fighters that make long runs and can reach impressive sizes – anything over 40 pounds is a real trophy. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia as they migrate along the coast. They're sight fishing opportunities too, since they cruise near the surface and you can spot them from a distance. When you hook into a big cobia, you better have your drag set right because they don't give up easily.
Red Snapper represent the bread and butter of bottom fishing offshore. These reef dwellers are smart, spooky, and absolutely delicious on the table. They hang around hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 60 to 120 feet of water. The key to catching red snapper is getting your bait down quickly before the smaller fish steal it, and being ready for that distinctive tap-tap bite. During snapper season, which varies based on regulations, these fish provide consistent action and fill the cooler. A good day on the snapper grounds can mean limits of quality fish for the whole crew.
Mutton Snapper are the red snapper's bigger, stronger cousin. These fish have more attitude and fight harder pound for pound. They're typically found in slightly deeper water and around more structure. Muttons are notorious bait stealers – they'll grab your bait and head straight for the rocks if you don't set the hook immediately. The reward is worth it though, as they grow larger than red snapper and have excellent table fare. Look for them around wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 80 to 200 feet of water.
Gag Grouper are the heavyweights of the reef, and landing one is always a battle. These fish live in caves, under ledges, and around structure where they can ambush prey. When you hook a gag, the first thing they do is try to get back to their hole, so you need to turn them quickly with heavy tackle. They're available year