Sebastian Inlet Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore charter targeting snapper, grouper, and pelagic speciesAccommodates up to 6 guests with all gear, bait, and cleaning includedDeparts 6 AM for experienced anglers and beginners seeking blue water
If you're looking to get out into the deep blue waters off Sebastian Inlet, this full-day offshore charter with Zookeeper Charters is exactly what you need. We're talking about a proper 12-hour fishing adventure that starts at 6:00 AM and takes you to where the big fish live. At $1,200 for up to 4 anglers, with room for 2 more at $150 each, this trip gives you the best bang for your buck when it comes to offshore fishing on Florida's east coast. Whether you're a seasoned angler who knows their way around a fighting belt or a complete beginner ready to learn what blue water fishing is all about, this charter delivers the goods.
This isn't your typical half-day inshore trip. We're heading out to the deep water where the current lines form and the pelagic species cruise. The day kicks off early because that's when the fish are most active, and trust me, you'll want every minute of that 12-hour window. Sebastian Inlet provides perfect access to the Gulf Stream's western edge, where warm water meets cooler coastal currents. This mixing zone is like a highway for migrating fish, and that's exactly where we'll be setting up shop. You'll spend your day working everything from the mid-water column for kings and mahi to dropping down to the bottom structure for grouper and snapper. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you'll need. Captain and crew handle the fish cleaning, provide ice for your catch, and keep you hydrated with bottled water throughout the day. This trip works great for friend groups who want to split the cost and families looking to create some serious fishing memories together.
We run a mix of fishing styles depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. Most of the day starts with trolling spread - we'll have ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks behind planers and wire line, plus some high-speed lures working the surface. When we mark fish or hit a current edge, we'll stop and work the area with live bait or switch to bottom fishing if we're over structure. The tackle setup includes conventional reels spooled with 30-50 pound test, and we've got everything from light spinning gear for smaller reef fish to heavy tackle for those big kings and cobia that show up. Don't worry if you've never used a downrigger or don't know how to work a live goggle-eye - the crew will get you dialed in. Bottom fishing means dropping chicken rigs and knocker rigs down to 60-120 feet of water where the grouper and snapper live. We're talking about working artificial reefs, ledges, and natural bottom structure that holds fish year-round. The key to offshore success is staying mobile and adapting to conditions, which is exactly what this charter does best.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of Sebastian Inlet offshore fishing. These silver rockets typically run from 15-40 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 50-plus. Kings are most active during the warmer months from April through November, and they love trolled baits like ballyhoo, cigar minnows, and high-speed spoons. What makes them so exciting is their initial run - when a big king takes off, it's going to peel line like you wouldn't believe. They're also excellent eating when handled properly, making them a favorite for anglers who want both the fight and the table fare.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish, are what dreams are made of in offshore fishing. These brilliant gold and green fish are pure excitement from the hookup to the boat. Most mahi in our waters run 10-25 pounds, but bull dolphins over 40 pounds show up regularly. They're most common from late spring through early fall, and they love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. Mahi are known for their acrobatic fights and their tendency to travel in schools, so where you find one, you'll often find more. Plus, they're arguably the best eating fish in the ocean.
Red Snapper represent the holy grail of bottom fishing. These bright red beauties typically run 3-15 pounds in our local waters, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Red snapper are structure-oriented fish that live around artificial reefs, ledges, and hard bottom areas. They're most active during summer months when the season opens, and they require precise bottom fishing techniques to target effectively. What makes them special is their combination of fighting ability and incredible table quality - there's nothing quite like fresh red snapper on the grill.
Gag Grouper are the ultimate bottom fish challenge. These bruisers range from keeper size at 24 inches up to true giants over 30 pounds. Gags are ambush predators that live in holes and under ledges, making them tough to extract once hooked. They're most active during cooler months from October through April, and they require heavy tackle and quick reflexes to keep them out of the rocks. The excitement comes from never knowing if you've hooked a 5-pounder or a 25-pounder until it's in the boat.
Black Sea Bass might be the most underrated fish we target. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 1-5 pounds, but they make up for size with numbers and eating quality. Sea bass are year-round residents of our offshore structure, and they're often the saving grace when other species aren't cooperating. They're perfect for beginners because they bite readily and don't require specialized techniques, but they're also prized by experienced anglers for their sweet, flaky meat.
Sebastian Inlet offshore fishing doesn't get much better than this full-day charter experience. You're getting 12 hours on proven fishing grounds with a crew that knows
Head out to Sebastian Inlet's prime offshore fishing grounds aboard our 2018 Avenger 26 Bay Boat. This 26-footer is built for serious fishing, powered by a reliable Suzuki 300 that'll get you to the fishing spots fast – we're talking up to 60 MPH when conditions are right. The boat's designed with anglers in mind, offering plenty of deck space to work the rods and land those trophy fish. You'll have everything needed for a productive day on the water: fish finder to locate the best structure, GPS to hit those productive spots, and a wireless trolling motor for quiet positioning over the fish. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and there's even a shower to rinse off the salt spray. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting birds and bait schools that signal feeding fish below. Whether you're targeting snapper and grouper on the reefs or chasing pelagic species like mahi, cobia, and wahoo in the blue water, this boat handles it all with stability and comfort for up to 6 anglers.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters that typically run 1-4 pounds, with bigger males reaching 6-8 pounds in deeper water. They love hanging around structure - wrecks, jetties, rocky bottom - usually in 30-120 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What makes these fish fun is their aggressive attitude and solid fight for their size. They'll hit almost anything and battle hard until they break the surface. They're also some of the best eating fish around with sweet, flaky white meat. Interesting fact - they all start as females and change to males as they get bigger. My tip: use a two-hook bottom rig with squid or cut bait. They're not picky eaters, but that second hook doubles your chances when they're schooled up.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are chunky, powerful fish that average 3-8 pounds, with some bruisers reaching 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators living around rocky structure, ledges, and wrecks in 40-120 feet. Fall and winter are our best seasons when they move closer to shore to feed. What makes gags exciting is their bulldogging fight - they'll try to drag your bait straight into the rocks the second they feel the hook. They're also fantastic table fare with firm white meat that's perfect for any cooking style. The tricky part is winning that initial battle before they reach cover. My advice: use heavy tackle and keep your rod tip low when fighting them. The moment you feel the bite, lock down that drag and horse them up and away from structure. Give them any slack and they'll disappear into a hole.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish we target, averaging 20-40 pounds with occasional giants pushing 60+ pounds. These silver rockets cruise the 40-150 foot depths around structure and baitfish schools. We find them year-round here, but spring through fall offers the most consistent action when water temps hit that 68-84°F sweet spot. What makes kings special is their blazing speed - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. My go-to trick is rigging two hooks on a wire leader when using live bait - one through the nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section of their prey, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the most colorful fish you'll encounter out here, flashing gold, green, and blue until they hit the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some push 40+. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in the blue water. Spring through early fall gives us the best shots when they're abundant. What guests love most is watching that color show when they're hooked - it's like fishing for a rainbow. They fight hard on the surface with lots of jumps and long runs. The meat is fantastic too - mild, sweet, and perfect for grilling. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, leave it in the water while you get more baits ready. They travel in schools, and that hooked fish will keep the others around for multiple hookups.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our bottom fishing, with most running 2-8 pounds though we regularly see fish pushing 15-20 pounds. They live around structure in 60-200 feet - wrecks, reefs, and ledges where they can ambush prey. Summer and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. These fish are pure fighters - once hooked, they'll bulldoze straight for the bottom trying to cut your line on structure. That's what makes them so exciting to catch. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. My key tip: use a stout rod and don't give them an inch once you set the hook. Keep steady pressure and reel fast to get them away from cover before they can wrap you up.
Sebastian Inlet