11 HR Gulf Stream Trip with Wasabi Sportfishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore adventure targeting tuna, mahi, wahoo, and billfishProfessional captain and mate guide guests through Gulf Stream watersSmall group experience with maximum six anglers per charter
When you're serious about offshore fishing and want to chase the big boys in their own backyard, this 11-hour Gulf Stream adventure is what you've been looking for. We're talking about heading way out where the water turns that deep cobalt blue and the current brings in everything from screaming tuna to trophy billfish. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll test your tackle and your stamina. This isn't a half-day trip where you're just getting started when it's time to head home – you'll have all day to work the best spots and really dial in on what's biting.
Your day starts before sunrise, which means we're clearing the inlet while most folks are still hitting the snooze button. The ride out takes about an hour and a half depending on where the fish have been showing, but that's prime time to get your gear sorted and grab some coffee. Once we hit the Stream, you'll see why this place is legendary – the water color changes from green to blue to that deep purple that means serious depth and serious fish. We're talking 600 to 1,800 feet of water where the Gulf Stream current creates highways for pelagic species moving up and down the coast. The boat can handle up to 6 anglers comfortably, so everyone gets plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. The captain and mate will be working non-stop to keep you on fish, so remember that 20% tip – these guys earn every penny of it during an 11-hour grind.
We'll be running a spread of lines using multiple techniques to cover all the bases out there. Trolling is the bread and butter – we're pulling a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures at different depths to target everything from surface feeders to fish hanging deeper in the water column. The boat's rigged with outriggers and downriggers, so we can spread lines out wide and keep them at the right depth. When we mark fish on the finder or see birds working, we'll switch to live bait fishing with goggle eyes or blue runners if we can catch them. The tackle varies depending on what we're targeting – 30 to 50-pound class gear for most of the trip, but we've got heavier stuff ready if the big marlin show up. Circle hooks are mandatory for billfish, and the crew will handle all the wire leaders and rigging. If you've got your own gear, bring it along, but make sure your reels are serviced and your drag is smooth – nothing worse than having a fish of a lifetime spool you because your reel wasn't ready.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of our offshore fishery and the reason many anglers become addicted to blue water fishing. These acrobatic billfish average 6 to 8 feet and put on an aerial show that'll have you shaking with adrenaline. Peak season runs from December through April when they stack up in good numbers along the Stream edges. Sailfish love live bait presented just right – not too fast, not too slow – and they'll come up behind the boat with that dorsal fin cutting the surface before they eat. The fight is pure electricity with jumps that seem to go on forever. We practice catch and release with these magnificent fish, and getting one to the boat for a quick photo before release is a bucket list moment for any angler.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate prize fish and what dreams are made of when you're fishing the Gulf Stream. These powerful billfish can range from 100 pounds to well over 500, and even a smaller blue will test every piece of gear you've got. Summer months from May through September give you the best shot, especially when we find temperature breaks and current edges. Blues are ambush predators that often follow the boat for what seems like forever before making up their mind to eat. When one does commit, you'll know it – the initial run can peel 200 yards of line before you even get the fish on the reel properly. The fight is a marathon of deep runs and bulldogging, and landing one is a team effort between angler, captain, and mate.
Mahi Mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are probably the most fun fish swimming and definitely the best eating you'll find offshore. These bright gold and green speedsters love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they hunt in schools. Spring through fall is prime time, but we catch them year-round when conditions are right. Mahi are aggressive feeders that'll eat just about anything you throw at them, from trolled lures to live bait to jigs. A good-sized bull mahi will go 20 to 40 pounds and fight like it's twice that size with blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. School fish run smaller but make up for it in numbers – sometimes you can catch them as fast as you can get lines in the water.
Cobia are the brown sharks of the fishing world – they look prehistoric and fight like they're angry about it. These powerful fish cruise around floating debris, following rays, or just roaming the blue water looking for an easy meal. Spring migration from March through May is when we see the biggest numbers, but they're around all season. Cobia average 20 to 50 pounds with the occasional bruiser pushing 60 or more. They're curious fish that will come up to check out the boat, and sight fishing for them with live bait or jigs is some of the most exciting fishing you'll do. The fight is all power and endurance – no jumping, just a bulldog battle that'll leave your arms burning.
An 11-hour Gulf Stream trip isn't something you do every weekend, but when you want to experience what offshore fishing is really about, this is your ticket. You'll cover more water,
This 34' Downeast cruiser is your ticket to serious Gulf Stream fishing action. Built in 2003 and powered by a reliable 550HP Unforgettable engine, she'll get you to the deep water at 30 knots where the big pelagics live. Perfect for up to 6 anglers who want to chase tuna, mahi, wahoo, and billfish in blue water. The boat comes equipped with everything you need for a productive day - fish finder to mark bait and structure, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. When you need a break from fighting fish, there's AC to cool off, a multimedia system for tunes, and even a bed for a quick rest during the long haul back. The onboard head means no cutting trips short. This is a working fishing machine designed for anglers who want to spend serious time in productive waters. The captain knows where to find the fish, and with 11 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of opportunities to put something impressive in the box.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the speedsters of the Gulf Stream, averaging 7-8 feet and 50 pounds. These blue-gray beauties with their signature sail-like dorsal fin cruise the upper water column between 30-65 feet, though they'll dive deeper when hunting. We see them year-round, but winter months bring the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot of 70-80°F. What makes them special? They put on a show like no other - leaping, tail-walking, and changing colors from blue to black during the fight. Their speed and stamina will test your endurance. Pro tip: when you see that sail light up bright blue, get ready - they're about to make their move. Keep steady pressure but let them run on that first screaming drag-peeling burst.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlins are the ultimate trophy fish - females can reach 16 feet and over 1,000 pounds (we call those "granders"). Males stay smaller around 350 pounds, but both pack serious power. These cobalt-blue giants roam the deep blue water along current breaks and temperature changes in the Gulf Stream. Summer through fall gives us the best shots when warm water pushes in close. What draws anglers? The incredible fights - they're pure muscle and attitude, throwing their weight around with aerial displays that'll leave you breathless. The meat's good eating too, though many prefer catch-and-release for these apex predators. My advice: use heavy tackle and stay patient. When a blue marlin takes your bait, don't rush the hookset - let them eat it good before you lean into them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary hunters average 6 feet and 100 pounds with that distinctive dark brown color and single dorsal fin. They're structure lovers, hanging around wrecks, reefs, and floating debris in 30-70 feet of water, though they'll go deeper to 300 feet around rigs. Spring migration and summer months are prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them special? They're sight-fishing targets that cruise just under the surface, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. They fight like bulldogs once hooked, making strong runs and testing your tackle. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast ahead of where they're swimming and work a bucktail jig slowly - they're curious and will often follow before committing to bite.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the colorful crowd-pleasers of offshore fishing, averaging 15-30 pounds with that distinctive golden-yellow body and blunt head. Males get the pronounced forehead, females stay more rounded. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in the upper water column. They're here year-round in the Gulf Stream, but spring through fall brings the best numbers when water temps climb above 75°F. What makes them special? Those amazing color changes when hooked - flashing gold, green, and blue like a light show. Plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm white meat. They fight hard for their size and often travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Local trick: once you hook one, keep a second rod ready with a small jig - the school often sticks around to investigate.
Greenville