6-Hour Private Offshore Drop Plan Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour private offshore fishing trip aboard 27-foot center consoleTarget multiple species including Red Snapper, Grouper, and SailfishAll fishing licenses, gear, and equipment included for groups
Captain Chad's 27-foot center console "Drop Plan" gives you the freedom to fish your way, whether you're an early bird hitting the water at 7 AM or prefer the afternoon bite starting at 1:30 PM. This isn't your typical party boat deal – it's a private charter built around what you want to catch and how you want to fish. With twin 150HP Yamahas pushing this rig, we'll get you to the productive water fast and keep you there all day. The boat's rigged with everything serious offshore anglers expect: outriggers for trolling, a quality fishfinder to mark structure, live well for keeping bait frisky, and radar for those days when weather tries to sneak up on us.
Your six-hour window opens up a world of possibilities depending on what's biting and where the fish are stacked up. Captain Chad doesn't follow a script – he reads conditions, checks recent reports, and puts you on the species that are most likely to bend your rod that day. You might start the trip pulling baits behind the boat for kings and Spanish mackerel, then transition to bottom fishing over structure for snapper and grouper. If conditions are right and the fish are cooperating, we could chase cobia around markers or even get into some sailfish action. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if something's working, we stick with it. If the bite slows down, we move and try something different. Groups up to four anglers get plenty of elbow room, though the boat can squeeze five if needed. All your fishing licenses come with the trip, along with quality tackle that can handle whatever we hook into.
The Drop Plan's outrigger setup lets us cover serious water when we're pulling baits for pelagic species like kings, Spanish mackerel, and sailfish. We'll typically run a spread of lures and live or dead baits at different depths and distances to see what triggers strikes. The fishfinder becomes crucial when we're marking bottom structure for snapper, grouper, and amberjack – these fish relate to hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges where baitfish congregate. Bottom fishing means dropping baits right into the strike zone and feeling for that telltale thump of a quality fish picking up your offering. The live bait well keeps pilchards, cigar minnows, or whatever bait we're running fresh and lively, which often makes the difference between a slow day and a fish-filled cooler. Captain Chad's got the local knowledge to put you on structure that produces consistently, and the electronics to fine-tune our approach once we're there.
Great Barracuda bring pure excitement to offshore trips with their explosive strikes and blistering runs. These silver torpedoes can stretch over four feet and hit lures with enough force to nearly rip the rod from your hands. They're ambush predators that patrol reef edges and structure, often following hooked fish right to the boat before deciding to attack. Barracuda fishing stays productive year-round, though they tend to be more aggressive during warmer months. What makes them special is their unpredictability – you might catch one while targeting something completely different, and their aerial displays rival any gamefish in these waters.
Cobia are the bruisers that test your tackle and your stamina. These brown sharks with attitude can push 40-50 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. Spring and early summer bring the best cobia action as they move inshore to spawn, often hanging around markers, buoys, and floating debris. They're curious fish that will follow the boat, giving you multiple chances to get a bait in front of them. Live bait works best, though they'll crush large jigs and soft plastics when they're fired up. Cobia are also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who want both the fight and the feast.
Red Snapper represent the gold standard of bottom fishing, with their bright red coloration and excellent eating quality making them a must-catch species. These fish live around structure in 60-200 feet of water, and they're not shy about biting when you find a good concentration. Summer months offer the best red snapper action, particularly during their open season when regulations allow harvest. They're smart fish that require precise presentations – drop your bait right on the structure where they live, and be ready for that distinctive snapper bite. A good red snapper day means dinner is sorted, as few fish taste better coming off the grill.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller than their king mackerel cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and willingness to bite. These schooling fish provide non-stop action when you find them, with multiple hookups and constant bites keeping everyone busy. They're perfect for newer anglers or kids because they're relatively easy to catch but still put up a respectable fight. Spanish mackerel run best during fall and winter months, often feeding in large schools near the surface. Small spoons, jigs, and live bait all produce well, and they're surprisingly good eating when prepared fresh.
Atlantic Sailfish bring big-game excitement to offshore trips with their spectacular jumps and long runs. These billfish are built for speed, capable of stripping hundreds of yards of line in seconds while putting on an aerial show that'll have you reaching for your camera. Sailfish action peaks during cooler months when they migrate through local waters, though opportunities exist year-round. They're typically caught while trolling with live bait or lures, and the fight is unlike anything else you'll experience on a fishing rod. Most sailfish are released to fight another day, making them a true catch-and-release trophy that creates memories lasting far beyond the trip.
Captain Chad's Drop Plan offers the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Six hours gives you enough time to try different techniques,
The 27-foot "Drop Plan" center console is your ticket to serious offshore fishing action. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines push this Polar-built boat to 40 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to dock with plenty of daylight left. Captain Chad knows these waters inside and out, targeting everything from King Mackerel and Red Snapper to Cobia and even the occasional Sailfish based on what's biting and where the conditions look best. The boat's loaded with all the right gear - GPS and radar keep you on course, the fishfinder shows you what's swimming below, and outriggers give you the spread you need for trolling. Live bait well keeps your bait fresh, while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Even has a private 5-gallon bucket toilet for those longer runs. Perfect setup for up to 4 anglers who want to fish hard without the crowds.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the ultimate trophy fish, averaging 7-8 feet long and 40-60 pounds with that signature sail-like dorsal fin. These blue-water speedsters cruise the 100-400 foot depths, following warm currents and baitfish schools. Winter through spring offers the best action when they migrate through our offshore waters. What makes them legendary is the aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display you'll never forget. Most anglers release these magnificent fish since they're not great table fare. The fight can last 30+ minutes on proper tackle. My go-to technique is slow-trolling live bait or rigged ballyhoo behind the outriggers. When one shows up behind the bait, don't get excited - let it eat before setting the hook, or you'll pull it right out of their mouth.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ocean's bulldogs, averaging 30-60 pounds with some pushing 100+. These brown, shark-looking fish cruise alone around reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-200 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they move through our area following baitfish. What guests love most is the visual fishing - you'll often spot them cruising just under the surface, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. They fight hard and steady, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the gulf with firm, white meat. The key to landing one is patience - when you see a cobia, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of its nose and be ready for that aggressive strike. They don't spook easily, so take your time with the presentation.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are one of the ocean's top predators, reaching 5-6 feet and hitting speeds up to 35 mph. These silver torpedoes patrol nearshore reefs and deeper offshore waters, using their razor-sharp teeth to ambush schools of baitfish. You'll find them year-round in our waters, but they're most active during warmer months. What makes them special is the explosive strike and blistering runs - they'll test your drag system for sure. Their curious nature means they often approach the boat to investigate, giving you multiple shots. The meat's decent but most folks release these beauties. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your hands clear when landing - those teeth can do serious damage even after the fish is boated.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, averaging 2-8 pounds with trophy fish pushing 20+. These bright red beauties live on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. Summer is prime season when they're most active and regulations allow harvest. Guests love them for two reasons - they fight like crazy, diving straight for cover when hooked, and they're absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, flaky meat. You'll find them stacked up on structure where they ambush passing baitfish. The trick is getting your bait down fast before other fish grab it - use a heavy sinker and fresh cut bait like squid or cigar minnows. Once hooked, keep steady pressure to prevent them from reaching the rocks and cutting you off.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that travel in large schools, typically running 1-3 pounds with their silvery bodies covered in yellow spots. These fast swimmers stick to the upper water column near piers, reefs, and open water from spring through fall. What makes them fun is the non-stop action - when you find a school, you can catch them one after another. They hit hard and make screaming runs, plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Look for diving birds or surface activity to locate feeding schools. The secret is using small, fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs - they can't resist anything shiny that moves quickly through the water. Light tackle makes the fight even more exciting on these aggressive little fighters.
Jacksonville