7-Hour Offshore Fishing Trip – 25 to 35 Miles
When you're ready to leave the crowds behind and get into serious fishing waters, this 7-hour deep-sea adventure is exactly what you need. We'll run 25 to 35 miles offshore aboard our reliable 26' Sea Fox, putting you right in the heart of some of the best fishing grounds off Myrtle Beach. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a full day where you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, try various techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers, so you'll have room to move around and everyone gets their fair share of rod time.
What to Expect on the Water
Once we clear the inlet and make our run offshore, you'll notice the water color change from that murky inshore green to the deep blue that holds the good fish. The ride out gives us time to talk strategy and get you familiar with the tackle we'll be using. This trip is all about versatility – we'll spend time trolling for pelagic species that cruise the open water, then anchor up over structure and drop baits down for the bottom dwellers. The 26' Sea Fox handles these offshore waters beautifully, and with seven hours on the water, we're not rushed. If one spot isn't producing, we've got time to move and find where they're feeding. The mix of techniques keeps things interesting, whether you're a seasoned angler or someone looking to learn different ways to catch fish in deep water.
Trolling and Bottom Tactics
We'll start most days pulling spreads of lures and live baits, covering water to locate schools of King Mackerel and Cobia. The trolling setup lets us work large areas efficiently, and when fish are marked on the sounder or we see bird activity, that's when things get exciting fast. For bottom fishing, we'll position over reefs, wrecks, and ledges where Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack hold tight to structure. The key is using enough weight to get your bait down quickly in 80 to 120 feet of water, then working it properly once it hits bottom. Circle hooks are the way to go for most bottom species – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce deep hooking. When we're anchored up, you'll feel every tap and bump transmitted up through the rod, and setting the hook on a big Grouper or Amberjack in deep water is something every angler needs to experience.
Customer Stories
"Hello, Captain! We just wanted to say we had an amazing time yesterday. Thank you for giving us an unforgettable experience—it was truly an awesome day!" - Eric
"I highly recommend Captain Matt! He knew exactly where to go to put us on the fish." - Kyle
Species You'll Want to Hook
King Mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, and they'll test your drag system and fighting skills. These silvery missiles can stretch anywhere from 15 to 40+ pounds, with the bigger fish typically showing up during the cooler months of spring and fall. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and trolled lures, and their initial runs are absolutely blistering. What makes Kings so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and the way they fight – long runs, jumps, and that distinctive head-shaking action that can throw hooks if you're not careful with your drag settings.
Cobia are probably the most underrated fighting fish we have out there. These brown, shark-looking fish are curious by nature and will often follow the boat or check out anything unusual. They average 20 to 50 pounds, with fish over 60 pounds caught regularly during peak season from April through June. Cobia are sight-fishing opportunities when they cruise near the surface, but they also hold around structure where we bottom fish. Their fight is bulldogged and powerful – they'll pull straight down and use their broad tail to maximum advantage. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Red Snapper and other deep-water snappers are what most people think of when they picture offshore bottom fishing. These red-colored fighters typically run 3 to 15 pounds, though bigger fish are always possible. They're structure-oriented fish that live around reefs and wrecks, and they can be picky eaters. The key is getting your bait to them quickly before the smaller fish strip it off. Snapper have excellent eyesight and can be line-shy, so lighter leaders often produce more bites. Their fight might not be as flashy as a King Mackerel, but they're scrappy and great tablefare.
Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, and hooking one in deep water means you're in for a tug-of-war. These bottom dwellers can range from schooling Black Seabass in the 1 to 3-pound range all the way up to monster Goliath Grouper that can exceed 100 pounds. The mid-sized Gag and Red Grouper in the 5 to 20-pound class are what we encounter most often. They're ambush predators that sit tight to structure, and once hooked, their first instinct is to dive straight back to their hole. You've got to turn their head quickly and get them coming up, or they'll wrap you around the reef and break you off.
Amberjack are the strongest fish pound-for-pound that we regularly encounter offshore. These golden-sided bruisers live around wrecks and deep reefs, and they'll give you a workout that'll have your arms burning. AJ's commonly run 20 to 60 pounds, and their fight is all about power and endurance. They'll make multiple deep runs, and just when you think you have them whipped, they'll find another gear.