6-Hour Private Offshore Trip – Jacksonville, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour private offshore charter for up to four guestsTarget King Mackerel, Red Snapper, Grouper, Sailfish and sharksMorning and afternoon departure options with experienced captain
Picture this: You and your crew rolling out of Jacksonville's inlet on a pristine 27' Polar center console, heading to the deep blue where the real action happens. Captain Chad's got 6 full hours planned for your group, and trust me, that extra time makes all the difference when you're hunting trophy fish offshore. Whether you're an early bird who wants to catch the morning bite at 7 AM or prefer the afternoon session starting at 1:30 PM, this private charter is designed around what works best for you and up to 3 of your fishing buddies.
Captain Chad doesn't mess around with cookie-cutter trips. He reads the water conditions, checks the seasonal patterns, and adjusts the game plan to put you on the hottest bite available. Some days that means working the ledges for Red Snapper and Grouper, other times you'll be trolling the blue water for Sailfish and Cobia. The 27' Polar is rigged with everything you need – GPS and radar to find the fish, a quality fishfinder to mark them below, and even a head on board for those longer days. All your gear and licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat handles 4 anglers comfortably, though they can squeeze in a 5th if your group needs it.
Out here in Jacksonville's offshore waters, versatility wins the day. Captain Chad switches between trolling spreads for pelagics and bottom rigs for structure fish depending on what's biting. When the Sailfish are running, you'll be pulling lures and live bait behind the boat, covering water until you find that telltale bill slashing at your spread. For the bottom dwellers like Red Snapper and Amberjack, it's all about finding the right structure and dropping heavy tackle down to where these bruisers live. The boat's fishfinder becomes your best friend, marking schools of bait and the predators following them. Circle hooks and heavy leaders are the norm when you're dealing with Amberjack that'll test every ounce of drag on your reel.
Greater Amberjack are the true bulldogs of Jacksonville's offshore scene. These powerful fish hang around wrecks and hard bottom in 80 to 200 feet of water, and when one grabs your jig or live bait, you'll know it instantly. They'll make long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning, often weighing 30 to 60 pounds with occasional monsters pushing 80-plus. Spring and fall are prime time, when they're most active and feeding aggressively. Great Barracuda cruise the same waters but hunt differently – they're ambush predators that'll slam a trolled lure or live bait with explosive strikes. These toothy critters can stretch 4 feet long and provide heart-stopping action with their acrobatic jumps. Cobia are the wild cards that show up when you least expect them, often following rays or cruising near the surface. These bronze bruisers fight dirty, using their broad tails and stocky bodies to test your tackle. Red Snapper remain the bread-and-butter bottom fish, holding tight to structure in 60 to 120 feet. They're scrappy fighters that taste even better than they fight, making them a favorite target for groups planning a fish fry. Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here, showing up in good numbers during their seasonal migrations. These acrobatic billfish turn a fishing trip into a lifetime memory with their spectacular jumps and blistering runs.
Six hours offshore with Captain Chad gives you the real Jacksonville fishing experience – enough time to work multiple spots, adapt to changing conditions, and put together the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. The morning trips catch the early bite when fish are most active, while afternoon charters often hit the evening feed that can be absolutely lights-out. With free cancellation up to 14 days out, there's no risk in blocking your dates. This top-rated charter books up quick during peak season, especially for weekend slots. Your crew of 4 will have plenty of room to fish comfortably, and Captain Chad's local knowledge puts you on fish that weekend warriors never find. Ready to get after some real offshore action? Book this world-class charter and see why anglers keep coming back to fish Jacksonville's productive waters.
Hit the offshore waters around Jacksonville aboard this well-rigged 27' Polar center console that's built for serious fishing. Twin 200HP Yamahas push her up to 40 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds fast and keeping more time for lines in the water. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably with plenty of deck space to work multiple rods. Captain Chad knows these waters and adjusts tactics based on what's biting – whether you're targeting kings and Spanish mackerel, working structure for grouper and snapper, or chasing cobia and sailfish in blue water. The fishfinder marks bait and structure while GPS keeps you on productive spots. Live bait well keeps your offerings fresh, and the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. With radar for weather and a head onboard, you're covered for a full day of offshore action from dawn to dusk.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the ultimate trophy fish—pure speed and acrobatics wrapped in one beautiful package. These bills typically run 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, with that signature sail fin they flash when excited. They cruise blue water from 30-200 feet, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Winter months from December through March give us our best action when they migrate through. What makes them legendary is the aerial show—they'll jump, tailwalk, and put on a display you'll never forget. While most are released, the fight alone is worth the trip. They hunt in small packs and can change colors when feeding. My go-to technique: slow-troll live bait or big lures around current edges and temperature changes. When one hits, let them run initially—trying to muscle them early just fires them up more and leads to thrown hooks.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of my favorite targets because they're smart, strong fighters that also happen to be some of the best eating fish in these waters. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+ pounds and 4-5 feet long. They're loners that cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and reefs in 20-100 feet of water, often right at the surface where you can sight-fish them. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their spawning runs from June to August. What makes them special is their curiosity—they'll come check out the boat—and their bulldogging fight. The meat is firm, white, and rivals any restaurant fish. My advice: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait ahead of where they're swimming, not right on top of them. They spook easy but once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the neighborhood bullies of the reef, and they'll give you a wild ride. These silver torpedoes typically run 2-4 feet long but can hit 6 feet and 40+ pounds. They cruise near the surface around structure, wrecks, and drop-offs, usually in 20-80 feet of water. You'll find them year-round here, but spring and summer offer the most consistent action. What guests love is their explosive strike and blistering runs—they'll hit 35 mph in short bursts and jump like crazy. They're curious fish that'll often follow the boat, checking out anything shiny. While they're not great table fare due to potential ciguatera, the fight is pure adrenaline. Pro tip: use wire leaders and keep baits moving fast. When you hook one, watch out for those teeth during the fight and definitely use a net when landing.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjacks are bruisers that'll test your gear and your arms. These thick-bodied fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds around here. You'll spot them by that amber stripe running down their sides and their habit of hanging around structure—wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 60-200 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is the pure fight they put up, diving hard and using their bulk against you. They're solid eating too, though bigger ones can carry ciguatera. My tip: use heavy tackle with at least 50-pound line and drop live bait or large jigs right to the bottom. When you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure where they'll cut you off on the rocks or wreck.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard of bottom fishing—beautiful fish with that classic red color and some of the finest eating you'll find. Most run 2-8 pounds, though we catch plenty in the 10-15 pound range around good structure. They live on rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs in 60-200+ feet of water where they school up tight. Summer months during federal season give us our best shots, though we target other snapper species year-round. What guests love is the steady bite when you find them and that firm rod bend when they dig toward structure. They're true warriors that'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking your line. Fresh dead bait like cigar minnows or live pinfish work best. Key tip: use enough weight to stay tight to bottom and keep steady pressure when fighting them—let them run to structure and they'll cut you off every time.
Jacksonville