Offshore Trolling Adventure - Private 6-Hour Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 6hour offshore trolling adventure for up to 4 guestsMultiple fishing techniques including jigging, bottom fishing, and heavy tackleEarly 7 AM departure targeting diverse reef and wreck species
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, The Jig is Up Charters delivers exactly what you're looking for. This private 6-hour trip kicks off at 7:00 AM, giving you and up to three buddies the entire boat to yourselves. We're talking about a full day of targeting trophy fish in some of the most productive waters around, using every trick in the book to put you on the fish. Whether you've been chasing pelagics for years or you're new to the offshore game, this trip is built to deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute. We'll have lines in the water while the morning bite is still hot, giving you the best shot at connecting with hungry fish. This isn't just a trolling trip - we're mixing it up with whatever technique is working best on the day. One minute you might be pulling spreader bars for mahi, the next you're dropping jigs on a wreck or working poppers over a reef. The beauty of having a private charter is flexibility. If the bite is hot on the bottom, we stay put. If the trolling bite is going off, we keep the lines moving. With six solid hours on the water, we've got time to hit multiple spots and try different approaches until we find what's working. The boat stays busy with four different fishing setups, so everyone gets plenty of chances to hook up. We're not just looking for any fish - we're after the good ones that'll make for great photos and even better fish stories.
Here's where things get interesting. We run the full spectrum of offshore techniques because different fish want different presentations. Our trolling spread typically includes a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and maybe some larger lures if we're targeting bigger kings or cobia. When we hit structure, we switch gears completely - bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh cut bait for the snapper and amberjack living down there. The jigging setup is where things get really fun - vertical jigs in 40-200 gram sizes depending on depth and current. We also keep popping gear ready because when you find a school of feeding fish on top, there's nothing like the visual excitement of surface strikes. Heavy tackle comes out when we're targeting the big boys, while light tackle keeps things sporty on smaller fish. Drift fishing lets us cover water efficiently, especially when we're working edges and drop-offs where different species hang out. All gear is top-rated and maintained, so you're not dealing with equipment failures when that fish of a lifetime shows up.
King mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore trolling, and for good reason. These silver bullets can stretch the tape anywhere from 15 to 40+ pounds, with the bigger fish showing up more consistently in cooler months. They're ambush predators that love structure edges and temperature breaks, hitting trolled baits with authority that'll test your drag system. What makes kings special is their combination of speed and fight - they'll make blistering runs and throw in some jumps for good measure. The bigger fish are renowned for their stamina, often taking 15-20 minutes to boat even with proper tackle.
Mahi mahi bring the color and acrobatics that make offshore fishing so addictive. These brilliant green and gold fish are customer favorites because they fight as pretty as they look, jumping clear of the water multiple times during the battle. School-size mahi run 5-15 pounds and travel in groups, so when you find one, you've usually found several. Bull mahi are the real prize - fish over 20 pounds that fight with incredible power and aerial displays. They're most active during warmer months and love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. The meat is world-class, making them perfect for the dinner table.
Greater amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef. These thick-bodied bruisers live around wrecks and hard bottom, typically running 20-50 pounds with fish over 60 pounds always possible. They're trending as one of the most challenging fish to catch because they fight straight down toward structure, testing both angler skill and tackle limits. Amberjack hit both jigs and live bait aggressively, then immediately head for the bottom. The first few minutes of the fight determine success - you either turn them away from structure or they win. Their powerful shoulders and stubborn attitude make them a top target for anglers who want to test their skills.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from nearshore to deep water. These brown sharks lookalikes are incredibly curious fish that will often swim right up to the boat, giving you shots with sight fishing techniques. They average 15-30 pounds but can exceed 50, fighting with a combination of power and endurance that surprises many anglers. Spring and fall migrations bring the best numbers, but resident fish are around year-round. Cobia are notorious for eating just about anything - live bait, jigs, even topwater lures. They're also excellent table fare, making them a best trip target for many charter customers.
Red snapper represent the gold standard of bottom fishing. These crimson beauties live around structure in deeper water, typically weighing 3-15 pounds with occasional larger fish. They're seasonal in many areas, making trips during open seasons highly sought after. Snappers are smart and can be finicky, requiring fresh bait and light leaders to get bites consistently. But when you find a good school, the action can be steady and rewarding. They're considered the top-rated eating fish by most anglers, with firm white meat that's perfect for any preparation. The fight isn't spectacular, but the satisfaction of putting quality fish in the cooler makes them a must-target species.
This private 6-hour offshore trip gives
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary hunters average 30-50 pounds and can top 100. They cruise shallow waters around buoys, wrecks, and reefs, often just under the surface where you can sight-fish them. Spring migration and summer months offer the best action, especially June through August during spawn. What's cool about cobia is they're curious - they'll actually swim up to the boat to investigate. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but determined. Table fare doesn't get much better - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. These fish are smart and can be picky, so presentation matters. My go-to trick: pitch a bucktail jig or live eel right in front of their nose as they cruise by. Don't cast behind them - they rarely turn around. Lead them like a duck.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the bruisers of the reef, commonly reaching 40+ pounds and capable of hitting 100. These bluish-grey powerhouses with that signature amber stripe live around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. April through September is prime time, especially during their spring spawn when they're most aggressive. What makes them a favorite is that bulldogging fight - they'll pull straight down and test your drag like few fish can. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. You'll need heavy tackle because they're not giving up without a serious battle. The trick is getting them up quickly before they wrap you around structure. Live bait works best - pinfish, blue runners, anything lively. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't give them an inch, or they'll head straight for the nearest wreck.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average around 30 pounds but can hit 90+. These silver speedsters with olive backs love trolling waters from 40-150 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. They're voracious feeders hitting ballyhoo, squid, and anything that moves fast. Spring and fall migrations offer the best action when they're moving through in schools. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish out there. The meat's great too, though watch the mercury if you're pregnant. Pro tip: always use a wire leader with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing. Kings love to hit baits from behind, and those razor teeth will cut mono in a heartbeat.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the golden beauties of offshore waters, averaging 15-30 pounds with that brilliant color show when they come boatside. You'll find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in warm blue water. They travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when water temps hit 70+ degrees. What guests love is their acrobatic fight - they jump, tailwalk, and put on a real show. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. These fish mature fast and spawn year-round, keeping populations healthy. Here's the key: when you hook one, leave it in the water while you get more lines out. The school will often stick around their hooked buddy, giving you multiple shots.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the holy grail of bottom fishing, averaging 5-15 pounds but growing to 35+ in deeper waters. These bright red beauties live on structure - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet. Summer season brings the best bite, especially during spawning from May through October. What anglers love is that they're both a great fight and outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're true bottom huggers and will try to cut your line on structure when hooked. Heavy tackle and strong drag are essential because you need to muscle them up fast. Fresh squid and cigar minnows work great, but live pinfish will get you the biggest fish. Key tip: when you feel that thump, set the hook hard and immediately start pulling - don't give them time to think or they'll wrap you up in the rocks below.
Fort Walton Beach, FL