Nearshore & Offshore Trolling Adventures
Captain Phillips knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard the Tail Chaser, you're in for a day of serious fishing action. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trolling trip delivers the kind of nonstop action that keeps folks coming back season after season. We're talking King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Mahi, Cobia, and Amberjack – basically everything that makes your drag scream and your heart race. With room for up to 6 anglers, it's perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate outings where everyone wants to get their hands dirty.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical sit-and-wait fishing trip. We're covering serious ground, running both nearshore and offshore depending on where the fish are biting. Captain Phillips and his crew know exactly when to push out to the blue water for those trophy Kings and Mahi, or when to work the nearshore structure for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and all the terminal gear. Just bring yourself, some snacks if you want them, and get ready for a workout. When we're on the fish, it's all hands on deck, and that's when the real fun begins. You'll see dolphins playing in our wake, maybe some sea turtles cruising by, and if we're lucky, some serious gamefish crashing the spread.
Trolling Tactics That Work
We run a spread of lures and live bait that's dialed in for whatever's running. Depending on the season and conditions, we might pull diving plugs for Kings, feathers and spoons for Spanish, or switch it up with ballyhoo rigs when the Mahi are thick. The captain adjusts our trolling speed based on what we're targeting – sometimes we're cruising at 6 knots for Kings, other times we'll bump it up when we're looking for that aggressive Cobia bite. The boat's rigged with outriggers to spread our lines wide, and we're constantly watching the fish finder and adjusting our course to stay on the productive water. When something hits, you'll know it – the rod tip loads up, the reel starts singing, and it's game on.
Customer Stories
"My husband and the guys he took with him had a wonderful time!! The experience was great and he will definitely book another trip!" - Susan "Our family of 6 (our adult kids and their girlfriend & boyfriend) all had a great time! Action was pretty much non- stop from the time the first line was dropped in the water! Great boat and both Captain Brandon and his first mate were Fantastic. We enjoyed our catch that evening at a local restaurant and then also two days later when we cooked them up at home. Great trip!" - Tracey "Had a great time on the Tail Chaser with Brandon & Dave!! Great weather and beautiful views of the coastline. Caught some fish and saw some dolphins and sea turtles too. Highly recommend this professional crew!" - Molly
Species You'll Want to Hook
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These silver bullets can stretch anywhere from 15 to 40+ pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 50. They're most active during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall, and they'll absolutely destroy a well-presented bait. What makes Kings so special is their initial run – when a big one hits, it's pure adrenaline as they peel line off your reel at breakneck speed. They're also fantastic eating, especially the smaller "eating size" fish in the 15-25 pound range.
Mahi Mahi are pure eye candy both in the water and on the dinner table. These golden beauties average 10-30 pounds in our waters, though bull Mahi can push 40+ when conditions are right. They're most abundant during the summer months when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore, bringing that blue water bite within range. What anglers love about Mahi is their aerial show – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that'll have everyone on the boat reaching for their phones. Plus, they're hands-down one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Cobia are the bruisers of the bunch, averaging 20-50 pounds with the potential for much larger fish. These brown sharks (as some folks call them) are most active during their spring and fall migrations, when they're cruising the nearshore waters in good numbers. What makes Cobia fishing so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll often come right up to the boat, following hooked fish or checking out our spread. When a big Cobia hits, it's a straight-up brawl with powerful runs and dogged determination.
Spanish Mackerel might be the smaller cousins of the Kings, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and attitude. These 2-5 pound speedsters are perfect for keeping the action constant, especially when the bigger fish are being finicky. They're most active during the warmer months and they'll hit just about anything you throw at them – spoons, feathers, small plugs. Kids absolutely love Spanish Mackerel because they're almost guaranteed action, and they're excellent in the pan.
Bluefish are the vacuum cleaners of the ocean, and when they're feeding, it's mayhem. These 3-15 pound fighters are known for their sharp teeth and aggressive feeding habits. They show up in big schools during their seasonal migrations, and when you find them, you can often catch them as fast as you can get your line back in the water. Bluefish are perfect for novice anglers because they're not picky about what they eat, and they put up a