5.0(2 Reviews)Port Orange Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day 8 or 10-hour deep sea fishing charters availableTarget mahi mahi, grouper, snapper, and amberjack offshoreExperienced crew guides trips to prime fishing grounds
Looking for a serious offshore fishing trip that goes beyond the typical half-day charter? Top Notch Adventures out of Port Orange has you covered with their full-day deep sea fishing charters that run 8 to 10 hours. These aren't your run-of-the-mill nearshore trips – we're talking about getting way out there where the big fish live. Captain Aaron and his crew know exactly where to find the hot spots, and with that much time on the water, you'll have plenty of opportunities to fill the cooler with premium eating fish and maybe even land that trophy you've been dreaming about.
When you book one of these extended charters, you're signing up for the real deal. We're not just heading out to the closest reefs and calling it a day. With 8 to 10 hours at our disposal, we can run way offshore to where the water turns that deep blue color and the fish get bigger and more aggressive. The boat leaves Port Orange early in the morning, usually around sunrise, so we can maximize our fishing time. You'll spend the day switching between different techniques – trolling the open water for fast-moving pelagics like mahi and king mackerel, then anchoring up over structure to drop baits down deep for grouper and snapper. The crew handles all the heavy lifting when it comes to rigging baits and getting you hooked up, so all you need to worry about is fighting fish and enjoying the ride.
These full-day trips give us the flexibility to really mix up our approach based on conditions and what the fish are doing. We'll start the morning trolling ballyhoo and artificials behind the boat, covering water and looking for birds or bait schools that indicate feeding fish. When we mark fish on the sounder or see surface activity, we'll stop and work the area with live bait or jigs. For the bottom fishing, we're talking heavy tackle – 50 to 80-pound setups that can handle those big grouper trying to get back to their holes. The boat is rigged with all the gear you need, from the rods and reels to the tackle and bait. We keep a good supply of live bait when available, plus plenty of cut bait and artificials. The key to these longer trips is being able to adapt – if the trolling bite is hot, we'll stay on it. If the bottom fishing is producing, we'll anchor up and grind it out.
"The ocean turned out to be much rougher than forecasted. Aaron did a great job in adjusting to give us a great outing. We plan on going again." - Ken
"Aaron has the right attitude for a great guide He has us on the fish the whole time!!! I'd recommend and go back. Ryan and sons" - Ryan
King Mackerel are one of the most popular targets on these offshore trips, and for good reason. These fish are absolute missiles when they hit your trolled bait, often launching themselves clear out of the water in spectacular jumps. Kings typically range from 20 to 40 pounds in our area, though bigger fish over 50 pounds show up regularly. They're most active during the cooler months from fall through spring, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes them so exciting is their incredible speed and acrobatic fighting style – they'll make long runs and multiple jumps, testing both your drag system and your reflexes.
Mahi Mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are arguably the most beautiful fish you'll catch out here. Their brilliant gold, green, and blue colors are absolutely stunning, especially when they're fresh out of the water. These fish are known for their aggressive feeding behavior and willingness to eat just about anything you put in front of them. They typically show up in spring and summer when the water warms up, often traveling in schools around floating debris or weed lines. Mahi are fantastic table fare and put up a great fight with lots of head shaking and aerial displays. They usually run 10 to 30 pounds, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40 or more.
Great Barracuda are the apex predators of the reef, and hooking into a big one will definitely get your attention. These fish are built for speed, with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They can reach impressive sizes offshore, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon. Barracuda are visual feeders that rely on their incredible speed to ambush prey, so they'll often follow your bait right up to the boat before deciding to strike. When they do hit, it's usually explosive. They're most active during the warmer months and can be caught both trolling and bottom fishing around structure.
Cobia are one of the most underrated fish in Florida waters. These brown sharks, as they're sometimes called, are curious fish that will often approach the boat and follow baits for long distances before committing. They're excellent eating and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 50 pounds caught regularly. Cobia are most common from spring through fall, often found around floating debris, buoys, or even following rays and sharks. They're strong fighters that use their broad tails and stocky bodies to make powerful runs toward structure.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of Florida's bottom fishing scene, and these deeper trips give us access to some of the better grouper grounds offshore. Gags are ambush predators that live around hard bottom, rocks, and artificial reefs. They're known for their bulldogging fight style, immediately trying to get back to their holes when hooked. A good-sized gag will test your tackle and your technique, especially on the initial hook-up when they make their run for cover. These fish are excellent eating and highly sought after by both recreational and commercial fishermen. They're typically most active during the cooler months when they move inshore to
Our 24-foot Carolina Skiff is built for serious offshore fishing adventures in the Atlantic waters off Port Orange. Powered by twin 135HP Honda engines, this reliable fishing machine cuts through the waves to get you to those deep-water hotspots where mahi mahi, grouper, and snapper are waiting. The boat features dual coolers to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when the fish are finicky. GPS navigation and fish finder technology help locate productive structure and bait schools miles offshore. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out when the action heats up. A restroom is available when nature calls during those long 8-10 hour trips. The open deck layout gives everyone clear casting lanes and easy access to the gunwales for fighting big fish. This setup handles the offshore conditions you'll encounter while chasing pelagic species and bottom dwellers in Florida's productive fishing grounds.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world - dark brown, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+. They're loners, usually found around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet during spring migration and spawning. Best action runs March through June when they're moving through. What makes them special is the sight-fishing - you'll actually see these fish cruising just under the surface like brown logs. They fight hard and steady, plus they're some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with that firm, white meat. The key is approaching quietly and dropping a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of their nose. Color doesn't matter much - just get it close enough and they'll usually eat it.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldozers of the deep - thick-bodied fish with mottled gray patterns that can reach 50+ pounds. They live around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200+ feet, always looking for structure to ambush prey from. Fall and winter are prime seasons when they're feeding heavy before spawning. What anglers love is the tug-of-war battle - once hooked, they immediately dive for cover trying to cut you off on the rocks. They're also top-tier table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is using heavy tackle with locked drag and keeping your rod low when fighting them. Circle hooks are required in Florida, and live pinfish or cut bait works great. The second you feel that thump, set hard and don't give them an inch or they'll win every time.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the ocean's missiles - built for speed with that torpedo body and razor teeth. Most run 2-4 feet, but the big ones can hit 6 feet and 100 pounds. They patrol shallow reefs, weed lines, and structure from 10-100 feet, often hanging near the surface. Year-round fishing here, but spring and summer are hot when they're more aggressive. Guests love the pure adrenaline rush - these fish explode on lures and can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Fair warning: they're not great table fare due to potential ciguatera. My advice? Use wire leaders and watch your fingers at the boat. When sight-fishing, cast past them and retrieve the lure right by their nose - they can't resist that flash. Just be ready for a wild ride when they strike.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter off Port Orange, hitting speeds that rival wahoo. These silver torpedoes typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen monsters over 50. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths along temperature breaks and current edges, especially around structure. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're chasing bait schools. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs and aerial shows - they'll strip line faster than most fish twice their size. The meat's decent if you bleed them right away. Pro tip: use a wire leader with stinger hooks since they love to hit bait from behind with those razor teeth. When you hook one, keep that drag locked tight or they'll find the nearest wreck to cut you off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the showstoppers of offshore fishing - those electric blues and golds are something else when they light up. Most run 15-30 pounds out here, though we get bulls pushing 50+ in summer. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water. Warmer months are prime time, especially when the Gulf Stream pushes closer. What guests love most is their crazy fight - they jump, dive, and change colors like a light show. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The trick is keeping your bait skipping on the surface since they love chasing flying fish. Once you hook one, keep others around by leaving a hooked fish in the water while you pitch baits to the school.
5.0 out of 5.0The ocean turned out to be much rougher than forecasted. Aaron did a great job in adjusting to give us a great outing. We plan on ...
Aaron has the right attitude for a great guide He has us on the fish the whole time!!! I’d recommend and go back. Ryan and sons
Thank you Ryan! I hope we get to do it again!
Port Orange