10 Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore fishing trip targets multiple species including CobiaAll equipment and gear provided with snacks available onboardSmall group experience accommodates maximum of four guests
Picture this: you're 20 miles offshore with the sun just breaking the horizon, your line screaming as a bruiser cobia makes its run. That's what you're signing up for with Straw Hats Fishing Charters' 10-hour offshore trip. This isn't your typical half-day inshore jaunt – we're talking about a serious blue water adventure that puts you in the heart of some of the best fishing grounds around. With everything provided and only four anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our crew.
When you step aboard for this 10-hour marathon, you're committing to a real fishing day. We'll head out before dawn to make the most of prime feeding times, running 15-25 miles offshore depending on where the fish are biting. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need – from heavy spinning setups for bottom fishing to lighter rigs for working the mid-column. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the currents, structure, and bird activity to put you on fish. Expect to hit multiple spots throughout the day, from deep drops where the kingfish patrol to nearshore reefs where cobia cruise. Snacks and cold drinks keep you fueled between battles, because trust me, you'll need the energy.
This trip is all about versatility. We'll start with bottom fishing over structure using circle hooks and heavy weights to get down to where the black drum and flounder hang out. As the day progresses, we'll switch to trolling spreads with live bait and lures to cover water for pelagics like kingfish and mackerel. When we mark bait schools on the fish finder, we'll break out the sabiki rigs to load up on fresh bait, then deploy it on slow-trolled or drift presentations. The crew will coach you through fighting techniques – how to pump and wind on the big ones, when to adjust your drag, and how to work a fish away from structure. We run Penn and Shimano reels spooled with braided line, paired with medium-heavy to heavy action rods that can handle anything from 5-pound mackerel to 40-pound cobia.
Crevalle jack are absolute bulldogs that'll test your arms and your gear. These silver torpedoes typically run 10-25 pounds in our area, though we've seen some real monsters push 35-40 pounds. They're most active during the warmer months when baitfish are thick, and they travel in schools that can turn a quiet morning into pure chaos. What makes jacks so special is their fighting spirit – pound for pound, they're one of the hardest pulling fish in the ocean. They'll make long, powerful runs and dog you all the way to the boat. The best part? They're year-round residents, so whether we're fishing in spring, summer, or fall, there's always a chance of hooking into a school.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore-to-nearshore transition zone, and the bigger specimens love deep structure and shell bottom. These bruisers can easily hit 30-50 pounds, with true giants reaching 60-plus. They're bottom huggers that feed on crabs, shrimp, and shellfish, so we'll target them with cut bait fished tight to structure. What's cool about big drum is how they fight – it's not flashy, but it's pure power. They'll sit down deep and just pull, testing your drag and your back muscles. Fall through early spring tends to be prime time for the real slabs, when they're feeding heavy before and after their spawning runs. Landing a big black drum is like wrestling with a truck tire – slow, steady, and satisfying when you finally get them boatside.
A 10-hour offshore trip with Straw Hats isn't something you do every weekend – it's a real fishing adventure that delivers memories and fish stories for years to come. With our small group size and experienced crew, you're getting quality time on prime offshore grounds without the crowds you'll find on bigger head boats. Whether you're chasing personal bests, filling the cooler, or just want to experience what serious offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers. The combination of species variety, fishing techniques, and sheer time on the water makes it a customer favorite among anglers who want the full experience. Ready to find out what's swimming out there beyond the horizon? Give Straw Hats a call and let's get your offshore adventure on the books.
This well-equipped fishing boat takes up to 4 anglers into prime offshore waters for a full 10-hour adventure targeting Cobia, Flounder, Kingfish, and Mackerel. The vessel comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - a reliable fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation to hit the best spots, and a spacious ice box to keep your catch fresh. Between fighting fish, you can grab snacks and cold drinks from the onboard supply or kick back with the multimedia system. The captain provides all tackle and gear, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Perfect setup for small groups who want to spend a full day chasing pelagic species without the crowds of larger charter boats.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, averaging 5-30 pounds with giants pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom huggers that love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 10-100 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time - they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. What draws people in is the surprising fight from such a chunky fish, plus they're great eating when kept under 15 pounds. Bigger ones get tough and stringy. These fish have powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh crab or cut clam works best. Here's the key: use enough weight to stay on bottom and fish slow. They're not chasers - let that bait sit still and wait for the steady pull that means you've got a drum mouthing your offering.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bullies of the water - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll test your gear. Most run 3-5 pounds, but we see plenty in the 12-24 inch range with occasional bruisers hitting 20+ pounds. They cruise both shallow flats and deeper offshore structure, often schooling around oil rigs and wrecks. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that raw power - they'll make screaming runs and never quit fighting. The meat's decent on smaller fish, but most folks target them purely for the fight. Pro tip: watch for diving birds - Jacks push bait to the surface and create a feeding frenzy. Cast silver spoons past the school and reel fast. They love the chase and aggressive retrieves trigger vicious strikes.
Port Charlotte, FL