12-Hour Private Offshore Wahoo & Tuna Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore charter targeting Wahoo and Blackfin Tuna in Gulf StreamProfessional 40-foot Wellcraft vessel with bathroom and cooking facilities includedMaximum 4 guests for premium fishing experience with heavy tackle
Looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure? This 12-hour private charter with Sunseeker Hilton Head puts you right where the big fish live. We're talking about a full day on the water targeting some of the most sought-after pelagic species in the Atlantic. With only 4 spots available per trip, you'll get the personalized attention and prime fishing real estate that makes all the difference when you're chasing trophy fish. This isn't your typical half-day tourist trip – we're heading out to the Gulf Stream where the wahoo run fast and the tuna fight hard.
Your day starts early with a 3-hour cruise to reach the Gulf Stream, where the magic happens. The ride out gives you time to rig up, grab some coffee, and watch the sunrise paint the horizon. Once we hit those blue waters, it's game time. Our 40-foot Wellcraft sportfishing vessel is built for comfort and performance, complete with a bathroom, optional AC for those scorching summer days, and even a microwave and cooktop if you want to heat up lunch. The boat's designed to handle the offshore conditions while giving you stable platforms for fighting fish. With the trip running from March through November, you'll catch the prime seasons for multiple species. The $2,500 rate covers up to 4 anglers, and we offer free cancellation up to 3 days out because we know weather can throw curveballs.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we mark fish. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and locating schools – we'll pull a spread of lures and ballyhoo at different depths to trigger strikes from wahoo and blackfin tuna. When we find structure or mark fish on the bottom machine, we switch to jigging and bottom fishing for grouper, snapper, and cobia. Heavy tackle is standard for this trip because these fish don't mess around. We're talking 50-80 pound class reels with serious drag systems. The Gulf Stream current can be strong, so we use appropriate weights and techniques to stay in the strike zone. Live bait, when available, can be deadly for king mackerel and cobia. Dead bait works great for grouper and snapper around structure. No fishing license required – we've got you covered on the paperwork side.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, and they're what many anglers dream about when they book this trip. These fish can hit 60+ mph and make screaming runs that'll test your drag system and your nerves. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, but we see them throughout our fishing season. Most wahoo we catch range from 20-50 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 60-70 pounds. They're ambush predators that love to hit fast-moving lures, and their razor-sharp teeth can slice through wire leaders like butter. The fight is explosive but relatively short – they either break you off quickly or come to the boat within 10-15 minutes.
Blackfin tuna are the workhorses of our offshore trips, and they're available pretty consistently from spring through fall. These fish typically run 10-25 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can often catch several before they disappear. Blackfin love to feed around structure, current edges, and temperature breaks. They're excellent eating and perfect for sashimi if you're into that. The key with blackfin is light tackle and small baits – they can be finicky, but once you dial in the pattern, they'll eat all day.
King mackerel are another crowd favorite, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These fish range from 15-40 pounds typically, with the occasional smoker king pushing 50+ pounds. They're known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Live bait is king for targeting big kings, but they'll also hit trolled spoons, planers, and cigar minnows. The bite can be very temperature dependent, so we watch our surface temps closely to stay on the fish.
Red snapper season brings some of the most consistent action when it's open. These bottom dwellers typically range from 5-20 pounds, with plenty of keeper-sized fish around offshore structure. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're smart and can be picky about baits. Fresh cut bait works best, and you need to stay tight to structure without hanging up constantly. The limit and season dates change, so we stay current on all regulations.
Southern flounder might seem like an odd target for an offshore trip, but the big doormat flounders that live in deeper water are a different beast entirely. These fish can push 5-8 pounds and are some of the best eating you'll find. They're typically caught while targeting other species, making them a nice bonus fish. Grouper round out our target list with several species available depending on season and regulations. Gag grouper, red grouper, and black grouper all call the offshore waters home, and they provide some of the strongest fights pound-for-pound.
This world-class offshore experience books up fast, especially during peak season. With only 4 spots per trip, serious anglers know to reserve early. The combination of targeting multiple species, using varied techniques, and spending a full day in prime Gulf Stream waters makes this a top-rated charter option. Whether you're after a personal best wahoo, a cooler full of blackfin tuna, or just want to experience what offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers. The boat, crew, and fishing grounds come together for consistently great fishing. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days sell out first, and you don't want to miss your shot at the fish of a
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the Gulf Stream's speed demons - sleek, dark-bodied fish that'll test your tackle and stamina. These smaller tunas typically run 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+ pounds, with that distinctive yellow stripe that fades fast once they're boated. They cruise warm offshore waters over 68°F, usually near the continental shelf and around floating debris. Peak action happens fall through spring when they school up tight. What makes them a favorite? Pure speed and fight - they'll make blistering runs and never give up. Plus, the meat is top-shelf sashimi quality with that deep red color. We target them with vertical jigs and chunk bait, but here's the key: scale down your tackle. Use 30lb fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks - their eyesight is sharp and they're leader-shy. Live pilchards for chum really fires them up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are built for speed and built to fight. These silver bullets with razor-sharp teeth typically weigh around 30 pounds, though the big females can push 50+ pounds and really bend the rod. They cruise 40-150 feet of water along the coast, with bigger fish often found around inlets and harbors. Peak season runs spring through fall when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What makes kings special? Pure acceleration - they'll smoke drag like few other fish, plus they're solid eating if you bleed them right away. We troll with heavy tackle and wire leaders since those teeth will slice through anything else. Pro tip: rig your live bait with two hooks on a steel leader - one through the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of bait fish, and that stinger hook saves the day.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are true bottom dwellers that put up a serious fight when hooked. These pink-to-red beauties typically run 1-2 feet and weigh under 10 pounds, though we've seen some monsters hit 35+ pounds. They hang around structure in 30-620 feet of water, loving rocky bottoms, reefs, and any kind of hard cover. Peak season runs May through October when they're spawning and most active. What makes them special? That fight - they'll head straight for cover trying to cut your line, plus they're hands down one of the best eating fish in the gulf. Sweet, mild flesh that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: use fresh squid or live pinfish on a heavy weight rig, and when you hook one, keep steady pressure to pull them away from structure before they wrap you up.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval-shaped bottom dwellers with both eyes on their left side that can change color to match the bottom. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see some pushing 30+ inches and weighing up to 20 pounds. They bury themselves in sand and mud in shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal waters, waiting to ambush prey. Best fishing happens during cooler months when adults move offshore. What guests love about flounder is the challenge - you're sight fishing or feeling for that subtle bite, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They hit live bull minnows, mullet, and shrimp. My go-to tip: use a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce jig head and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that "thump," count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed kings of the offshore world - long, sleek missiles that can hit 60 mph and make reels scream. These zebra-striped torpedoes typically run 3-5 feet and 30-50 pounds, though giants over 100 pounds show up. They cruise open blue water and around floating debris in the Gulf Stream, usually in the top 60 feet. Best fishing happens when water temps are warm - we see them peak from spring through fall. What makes wahoo special? That initial run is pure adrenaline, plus they're some of the finest eating fish in the ocean - white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos. We high-speed troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their teeth are like razors. Key tip: use a planer to get your lures down 20-30 feet - wahoo often hunt just below the surface action where the bait schools are thickest.
Hilton Head Island, SC