10 Hour Deep Sea Fishing - New Smyrna Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10-hour offshore fishing trip targeting Mahi Mahi and deep-sea speciesSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests aboardExperienced crew provides guidance for optimal catch opportunities
Captain Brad's 10-hour deep sea charter puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive offshore waters. New Smyrna Beach sits perfectly positioned where the Atlantic's deep blue meets incredible structure, creating a fishing paradise that locals have been keeping to themselves. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a serious day on the water where you'll have time to work multiple spots, try different techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. With just three anglers max, you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with dinner.
We'll meet before sunrise and head out to where the real fish live – anywhere from 15 to 40 miles offshore depending on conditions and what's been producing. Captain Brad knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not the type to waste time on dead water. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but if you've got your own favorites, bring them along. We'll start the day trolling for mahi and kings, then switch it up based on what we're marking on the fish finder. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is flexibility – if the bite's hot in one spot, we can stay put. If it slows down, we've got time to move and find the action. Expect to cover some serious ground and learn a thing or two about reading water and finding fish in the process.
We run a mixed bag approach that keeps things interesting all day long. Morning usually starts with trolling spread – ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs that cover different depths and attract everything from mahi to kings to cobia cruising the surface. Captain Brad sets up the spread based on current conditions, but don't worry if you've never trolled before – he'll walk you through everything. When we hit structure or wrecks, we'll switch to bottom rigs targeting amberjack and whatever else is hanging around those spots. The key is staying adaptable – offshore fishing changes by the hour, and the best captains know when to switch tactics. We carry live bait when available, and Captain Brad ties his own rigs, so you know everything's set up right for these specific waters.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of New Smyrna's offshore scene, and for good reason. These fish run anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds out here, with the occasional smoker that'll test your drag and your patience. They're most active during the cooler months, roughly October through March, but we see them year-round when conditions are right. Kings love trolled baits, especially when there's bait schools around, and they'll absolutely smoke a properly rigged ballyhoo. The fight's fast and furious – they'll make several blistering runs before you get them to the boat. Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep, hanging around wrecks and structure in 80 to 150 feet of water. These things are pure muscle, averaging 25 to 50 pounds, and they'll head straight for the bottom the second they feel the hook. It's a tug-of-war that'll leave your arms burning, but that's exactly why people love targeting them.
Mahi Mahi are probably the most fun fish we catch out here – they're beautiful, they taste amazing, and they put on a show like nothing else. These common dolphinfish love floating debris and weed lines, and they're incredibly aggressive when they're feeding. Most run 10 to 25 pounds, but we see bigger ones regularly. The best part about mahi is they often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They'll absolutely destroy trolled baits and put on an aerial display that makes for great photos. Cobia are the wildcards that can show up anywhere from the beach to 30 miles out. These things are curious as cats and will sometimes just cruise up to the boat to check us out. They're fantastic eating and strong fighters that use their broad tails to make powerful runs. Great Barracuda add some teeth to the mix – they're lightning fast predators that will absolutely destroy anything that looks like an easy meal. Most run 10 to 30 pounds out here, and they're surprisingly good eating despite what some people think.
A 10-hour deep sea charter with Captain Brad isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in offshore angling with one of New Smyrna Beach's top-rated captains. You'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler, see some of Florida's most productive waters, and have a legitimate shot at multiple species that most people only dream about catching. With the small group size, you get personal instruction and plenty of rod time, plus Captain Brad's years of local knowledge that you simply can't get on a crowded party boat. The offshore bite has been consistently strong this season, and there's no better time to experience world-class fishing in some of the Atlantic's most productive waters. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Captain Brad's center console is built for serious offshore fishing in New Smyrna Beach waters. This well-equipped boat features a flybridge for better visibility when spotting fish, plus GPS navigation and radar to keep you on course even when conditions get rough. The fish finder will help locate those deep-water schools, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly without spooking the catch. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your fish fresh, and the multimedia system provides entertainment during slower periods. The toilet and other amenities mean you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about comfort during those long 10-hour adventures chasing Mahi Mahi and whatever else the Atlantic depths have to offer.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks, running 20-60 pounds with their distinctive dark coloring and shark-like appearance. We spot them cruising reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-100 feet, often right at the surface. Spring migration from March to May is prime time, but we catch them through summer around structure. What makes cobia fishing special is the sight-fishing aspect - you'll actually see them swimming and cast right to them. They're tremendous table fare with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. The fight is bulldogging power straight to the bottom. Here's my go-to technique: pitch a bucktail jig or live crab right in front of their nose. Keep it moving naturally - they're curious but spooky, so one shot is usually all you get.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the acrobats of the ocean, averaging 15-30 pounds with brilliant gold and green colors that light up when they're hooked. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in 100-800 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime season, especially when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What makes mahi special is their aerial show - they'll jump and dance across the surface like nothing else. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, firm white meat. The key is trolling ballyhoo or rigged squid right on the surface to mimic flying fish. When you see one, there's usually more around, so keep a bait in the water. Fresh mahi on the dock makes any trip worthwhile.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat Barracuda are the silver bullets of the shallows, typically running 3-5 feet long and 10-25 pounds. They patrol reefs, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet, often hanging just under the surface. We see them year-round, but spring and summer offer the most consistent action. What draws anglers to 'cudas is their explosive strikes and lightning-fast runs - they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. They're curious fish that will follow the boat, giving you multiple chances. While the meat isn't always table fare due to ciguatera risk, the fight is pure adrenaline. Here's the deal: use wire leaders and tube lures or spoons with erratic retrieves. When you see one following, stop the lure completely - that pause often triggers the strike.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep, averaging 30-50 pounds with some monsters pushing 80+ pounds. These bruisers hang around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavily, though we catch them year-round in our Florida waters. What guests love about AJs is the raw power - they'll test your arms and your drag system. The fight is straight down, no fancy jumps, just pure muscle. The meat is excellent eating with a firm, white flesh that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and pump-and-wind technique. If you let them get back to the bottom structure, they'll wrap you up every time. Heavy tackle is essential - 50-pound class minimum.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are fast-moving predators that typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some push 50+ pounds off New Smyrna. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, often following baitfish along temperature breaks and current edges. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line like crazy when hooked. The meat is excellent when fresh, with firm white flesh that's great grilled or blackened. Here's a local trick: use a dual-hook rig with your live bait. Kings love to grab the tail end of a bait fish, so that second treble hook back by the tail saves a lot of missed strikes. Wire leaders are a must with their razor-sharp teeth.
Daytona Beach, FL, United States