5.0(1 Reviews)4-Hour Private Offshore Trip – Jacksonville, FL
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
4-hour private offshore fishing trip for up to 4 guestsTarget King Mackerel, Sailfish, Cobia, and Bull Sharks offshoreModern 27' boat with twin engines and professional equipment
Looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure that won't eat up your whole day? Team Buck Rogers Charters has you covered with this top-rated 4-hour private trip that gets you out to the productive waters off Jacksonville and back before lunch. Captain Matt runs a tight ship with his 27-foot Polar center console – twin 200HP Yamaha engines mean you'll spend more time fishing and less time getting there. This isn't some crowded party boat situation either. You'll have the entire vessel to yourself and up to 3 buddies, making it perfect for families, couples, or a small group of anglers who want to fish at their own pace without dealing with strangers hogging the rail.
Your day kicks off at 7:00 AM sharp from the dock, and Captain Matt wastes no time getting you to where the fish are biting. The boat's loaded with all the essentials – GPS and radar for navigation, a solid fishfinder to locate structure and baitfish, plus a live bait well to keep your offerings fresh and lively. You'll also have an ice box to keep your catch fresh and yes, there's a head onboard (though one recent guest mentioned you might want to mentally prepare for the "bucket option" if nature calls at an inconvenient moment). The beauty of this trip is the variety of techniques you'll use depending on what's running. Some days you'll be slow trolling live bait for kings and sailfish, other days you might find yourself drifting behind shrimp boats where the sharks congregate. Captain Matt reads the water and adjusts the game plan accordingly, which is exactly what you want in an experienced guide.
This charter really shines when it comes to adapting to conditions and what's biting. The bread and butter technique here is slow trolling live bait – usually cigar minnows, blue runners, or whatever's available at the bait shop that morning. You'll pull these baits behind the boat at just the right speed to keep them swimming naturally while covering water to find active fish. When targeting pelagics like kings, bonito, and sailfish, this method is absolutely deadly. The captain also knows when to switch gears and head over to the shrimp boats, where the real action can happen. These commercial vessels attract massive amounts of baitfish with their lights and activity, which in turn draws in hungry predators – especially sharks. You'll drift live or cut bait in the current behind these boats, and when a bull shark decides to eat, you better hold on tight. The boat's fishfinder becomes crucial for locating structure, drop-offs, and bait schools that hold cobia and other bottom-oriented species.
"We had an awesome time with Captain Matt on our first deep sea fishing trip out of Jacksonville! He was knowledgeable, patient, and made sure we had a great experience from start to finish. The fishing was exciting, the weather was perfect, and we couldn't have asked for a better introduction to deep sea fishing. Just a heads-up for anyone booking the same boat; if nature calls, be ready to use the bucket!" - Amerigo
Great Barracuda are one of those fish that'll get your heart pumping the second they hit. These silver missiles can reach 4-6 feet long around Jacksonville's offshore waters, and they're pure aggression with fins. Barracuda love to ambush live bait, especially when you're trolling cigar minnows or blue runners. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, and what makes them so exciting is their explosive strike followed by blistering runs and aerial displays. Plus, they're actually great eating when prepared right – the smaller ones make excellent fish cakes or can be grilled whole.
Cobia are the bruisers of the offshore scene, and Jacksonville's waters produce some real giants. These brown sharks (as they're sometimes called due to their coloration and shark-like appearance) can push 40-50 pounds or more, and they fight like freight trains. Look for them around structure, floating debris, or even following rays and sharks. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're migrating through, but you can find resident fish year-round. What anglers love about cobia is their willingness to eat just about anything – live bait, jigs, even topwater lures – and once hooked, they make powerful runs and refuse to give up easily.
Bull Sharks are the ultimate adrenaline rush for any angler brave enough to tangle with them. Jacksonville's offshore waters, especially around the shrimp boats, hold some absolute monsters that can exceed 8 feet and several hundred pounds. These apex predators are active year-round but really turn on during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. What makes bull sharks so special is their raw power – when one decides to eat your bait, you'll know it immediately. The initial run can strip line off your reel faster than you thought possible, and the fight that follows will test both your tackle and your endurance.
Red Snapper represent the holy grail of bottom fishing in these waters. While regulations can be strict and seasons limited, when they're open, these deep-water dwellers provide some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Jacksonville's offshore structure holds quality snapper that average 5-15 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 20-plus. They're typically found in 60-200 feet of water around hard bottom, artificial reefs, and wrecks. What makes red snapper so prized isn't just their exceptional table fare – their bright red coloration and the satisfaction of pulling one up from the depths makes every fish a trophy.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Jacksonville's offshore fishery and the reason many anglers book these trips. These magnificent billfish can reach 6-8 feet long and are famous for their spectacular aerial displays when hooke
This 27' Polar center console cuts through Jacksonville waters at speeds up to 40 knots, thanks to twin 200HP Yamaha engines that get you to the fishing grounds fast. Built for serious offshore action, she's loaded with everything you need – GPS and radar for navigation, fishfinder to locate the bite, and a live bait well to keep your offerings fresh. The spacious center console layout gives all 4 anglers room to work, whether you're slow trolling for Kings and Sailfish or pulling lines behind shrimp boats targeting Bulls and Blacktips. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and catch fresh, while the onboard head means no cutting trips short. Perfect for morning runs when the bite is hot – you'll be back at the dock before the afternoon heat hits, with enough time to take your catch to a local spot for a fresh fish lunch.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing, averaging 7-8 feet and 40-60 pounds with that signature massive dorsal fin. These blue-gray speedsters cruise the surface in 30-65 feet but will dive to 200+ feet chasing bait. Winter months, especially December through March, bring the best action here off Jacksonville when they migrate south. What makes them special is the acrobatic fight - they'll jump, dive, and make long runs that'll have your drag screaming. Most anglers release them since they're better fighters than table fare. Look for them around temperature breaks and current lines where baitfish concentrate. They hunt in small groups, often working together to corral schools of sardines and mackerel. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your spread tight and use bright colors like pink and white - and be patient on the hookset since they like to play with the bait first.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull Sharks are the heavyweight champions of our local waters, commonly running 8-12 feet and 200-300 pounds. These thick-bodied bruisers love the murky water around Jacksonville, especially near river mouths and inshore structure where fresh and salt water mix. Summer months bring the best action when they're actively feeding in warmer water. What makes them special is the pure power - once you hook one, you're in for a serious battle that'll test your gear and your arms. We typically find them behind shrimp boats or working cut bait near structure. They're not great table fare, so it's all about the fight and the bragging rights. Here's the key: use fresh eel when you can get it - the high oil content drives them crazy, and the tough skin stays on the hook better than most baits.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the best fighting fish you'll encounter, averaging 20-50 pounds with some reaching 100+ pounds and 6 feet long. They're loners that hang around structure like wrecks, buoys, and reefs, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time here off Jacksonville - that's when they're moving north and feeding heavy. What guests love most is the fight and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Firm, white meat that rivals any table fare. These dark brown fish cruise just under the surface, so we often sight fish for them. They're aggressive predators that'll hit bucktail jigs, live bait, even topwater lures. My go-to trick is using a 4-6 oz bucktail jig in any color - they're not picky, just make sure you work it near structure.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are lightning-fast predators that average 2-4 feet, though some reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds. These silver torpedoes can hit 35 mph in short bursts, making them serious fighters once hooked. You'll find them near the surface around reefs, wrecks, and structure, but they also cruise open water hunting baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action here off Jacksonville when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the wild runs they make - plus they're curious fish that will often follow lures. Fair warning though, their stamina runs out quick, so expect a hot fight that doesn't last too long. Pro tip: use a wire leader and don't wear anything shiny - they're attracted to flash and those razor teeth can do damage.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are bottom-dwelling favorites that average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though they can reach 3 feet and 35+ pounds. These bright red fish live around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water, preferring temps between 50-70 degrees. Best fishing is typically summer through early fall when they're most active. What guests love is the solid fight they put up and the fact they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Sweet, mild flavor that's perfect for any cooking style. They spawn from May to October, so check current regulations before targeting them. These fish are true warriors - once hooked, they'll run straight for cover to try cutting your line on structure. My advice: keep steady pressure and get them up quick. Use live or fresh-cut bait on the bottom with enough weight to stay down.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an awesome time with Captain Matt on our first deep sea fishing trip out of Jacksonville! He was knowledgeable, patient, an...
Jacksonville