Ready to chase some serious pelagics? Our offshore fishing trips are where the real action happens. We're talking about battling hard-fighting tuna, reeling in acrobatic mahi-mahi, and maybe even tangling with a beast of a wahoo. Hop aboard our Contender 33T, a serious fishing machine that'll get us to the hotspots fast and keep you comfortable all day long.
We'll be running offshore in style on our Contender 33 Tournament Edition. This bad boy is powered by twin Yamaha 350s, so we can cover some serious water. The deep-V hull slices through the chop, giving you a smooth ride even when the seas kick up a bit. We've got all the latest electronics to find the fish, plus dual livewells to keep our bait frisky. There's plenty of rod storage, so bring your favorite sticks if you want. We'll provide all the tackle you need, but some anglers like to bring their lucky lures.
Our trips are capped at 6 anglers, so there's plenty of elbow room for everyone. We don't provide meals, but there's space to bring a cooler with your favorite snacks and drinks. Pro tip: pack some Dramamine if you're prone to seasickness. Better safe than sorry when we're running and gunning offshore.
Offshore fishing is a whole different ballgame from inshore or nearshore. We'll be using a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. Trolling is our bread and butter out here. We'll set out a spread of lures or rigged baits and cover water until we find the fish. When we mark bait balls or birds working, we might switch to live bait fishing or even jigging.
For tuna, we often start at first light with topwater poppers. There's nothing like seeing a yellowfin crash a lure at dawn. As the day heats up, we'll switch to deeper presentations. Mahi-mahi love to hang around floating debris, so we're always on the lookout for weedlines or logs. King mackerel often hunt the same areas as tuna, so don't be surprised if a smoker king skyrockets on your bait.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the ocean. We'll break out the high-speed lures and crank up the boat to entice these toothy missiles. Hold on tight when a wahoo hits – they've been known to spool reels on their first run!
The offshore bite has been on fire lately. We've been crushing the yellowfin tuna, with several fish over 80 pounds hitting the deck. The mahi-mahi action picked up last week, with plenty of "schoolie" sized fish and a few gaffers in the mix. One lucky angler battled a 50-pound bull mahi for nearly an hour before we got the gaff in it. That's the kind of fish that'll make your arms sore and put a grin on your face for days.
Skipjack Tuna: Don't let their smaller size fool you – these "footballs" fight like fish twice their size. Skipjacks typically run 5-20 pounds and school up in big numbers. They're awesome light tackle targets and make excellent live bait for bigger predators. Peak season is late spring through summer.
Blackfin Tuna: The pocket rockets of the tuna world, blackfins are beloved by anglers for their hard fights and delicious meat. They average 15-30 pounds but can push 40. Look for them around oil rigs and underwater structures. Fall and winter are prime time for bigger blackfins.
King Mackerel: Also known as "kingfish," these toothy speedsters are a blast on light tackle. They make blistering runs and often go airborne when hooked. Kings in the 15-30 pound range are common, with some monsters topping 50 pounds. Spring and fall see big schools migrating along the coast.
Mahi Mahi: Also called dorado or dolphinfish, mahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. They're known for their acrobatic fights and delicious fillets. We catch lots of "peanuts" in the 5-15 pound range, but bigger bulls can top 40 pounds. Summer is prime time, but we catch them year-round.
Wahoo: If you want to test your drag system, hook into a wahoo. These rocket-shaped fish are arguably the fastest in the ocean, capable of 60 mph bursts. They average 30-50 pounds, but 100-pounders aren't unheard of. Late summer through winter is the best time to target them.
Our offshore trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. If you're looking to tangle with some serious pelagics and experience the thrill of big game fishing, don't wait to book. We've got the boat, the knowledge, and the hotspots dialed in. All we need is you and your crew ready to bend some rods. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time offshore, we'll put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast. So what are you waiting for? Let's get out there and make some fishing memories!
Blackfin tuna are the smallest of the tunas, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight. These fish typically run 15-30 pounds, though the big ones can push 45. You'll find them in warm Atlantic waters from Massachusetts down to Brazil, often hanging around oil rigs and floating structure. We see blackfin year-round, but fall and winter are prime. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, you've likely found many. Look for them feeding on the surface at dawn and dusk. Blackfin are lightning fast and put up an incredible battle on light tackle. Trolling small lures or live bait is effective, but nothing beats sight-casting to a feeding school. These fish have excellent eyesight, so use light leaders and small hooks. My favorite technique is vertical jigging with butterfly jigs when we mark them on the depth finder. Blackfin make excellent table fare - their meat is darker and richer than yellowfin. For the best quality, bleed and ice them immediately. Local tip: when you see frigate birds diving, there's a good chance blackfin are underneath.
King mackerel, or "kings", are the speedsters of the near-shore waters. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 20-40 pounds, but the big smokers can top 100. You'll find them from Texas to North Carolina, often cruising the outer edges of reefs and around oil rigs. Kings are here year-round, but fall is prime time when they fatten up for winter. They're aggressive predators, known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. Trolling with live bait or artificial lures is the go-to method. We usually pull a mix of surface and deeper lines to cover the water column. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. My favorite rig is a double-hooked blue runner or mullet on a stinger rig. Kings make decent table fare if prepared right - just be sure to remove the bloodline. Local tip: when you see Spanish mackerel jumping, slow down and look for kings. They often hunt together, with the kings picking off any Spanish that get separated from the school.
Mahi-mahi, also called dorado or dolphinfish, are the acrobats of the offshore world. These colorful fish typically run 15-30 pounds, but bulls can top 70. You'll find them in warm waters worldwide, often around floating debris and weed lines. We see mahi year-round, but summer and fall are prime. They're known for their stunning colors, acrobatic jumps, and delicious meat. Mahi are aggressive feeders and will hit just about anything that moves. Trolling with ballyhoo or small lures is effective, but sight-casting to a school is pure excitement. These fish grow fast and don't live long, so there's no need to worry about overfishing. When you find one, there are usually more nearby. My favorite technique is pitching live bait to floating debris - the mahi can't resist. Mahi make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. For the best quality, bleed and ice them immediately. Local tip: always keep a pitch bait ready. When you hook up, leave the fish in the water to keep the school around.
Skipjack tuna are the speedsters of the offshore world. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 2-3 feet long and around 20 pounds, though the big ones can hit 4 feet and 75 pounds. You'll find them in tropical waters worldwide, often schooling near the surface. They're fast growers but short-lived, only making it to about 12 years old. We target skipjack year-round, but summer and fall are prime time. Look for them near floating debris, current edges, or birds working bait schools. These guys are aggressive feeders and put up an awesome fight on light tackle. Trolling small lures or live bait at 4-6 knots is your best bet. When a school is feeding on top, casting poppers or stick baits can be a blast. Skipjack make great eating, especially when prepared fresh as sashimi. They're also the main fish used for canned light tuna. For the best meat quality, bleed and ice them immediately after catching. My go-to trick is using a pink hoochie rig - skipjack can't seem to resist that color.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world. These streamlined fish typically run 30-50 pounds, but the monsters can top 100. You'll find them in tropical waters worldwide, often near drop-offs and underwater structures. We target wahoo year-round, but fall and winter are prime when water temps cool slightly. They're known for their blistering speed - they can hit 60 mph in short bursts. Wahoo put up an incredible fight, making long, powerful runs. High-speed trolling is the go-to method, usually at 12-15 knots. We use heavy tackle with wire leaders to handle their razor-sharp teeth. My favorite lures are bullet-shaped plugs in purple or blue. When we mark fish deep, dropping a butterfly jig can be deadly. Wahoo make excellent table fare with firm, white meat similar to swordfish. For the best quality, bleed and ice them immediately. Local tip: when you hook up, don't slow down right away. Keep your speed up for a bit to avoid cutoffs from other fish in the school.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 350