Premium 6-Hour Offshore Fishing in New Smyrna Beach

Six Hour Offshore Charter New Smyrna Beach

When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, Capt. Doug Hicks delivers the real deal. This six-hour charter out of New Smyrna Beach takes you where the fish are – from productive bottom structure to the legendary Gulf Stream. You'll cover water that most weekend warriors never see, using techniques that actually work. We're talking live bait fishing over structure for cobia and grouper, plus trolling spreads designed to pull mahi and wahoo out of blue water. Everything's included – tackle, bait, licenses, and cleaning – so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.

What to Expect on the Water

Six hours gives us real time to work multiple spots and techniques. We'll start by running to proven bottom structure where cobia cruise and goliath grouper hold tight. The morning bite can be phenomenal if we time it right with the tide change. Once we've worked the bottom fish, we'll set up trolling patterns targeting the blue water species that make New Smyrna Beach famous. The Gulf Stream influence here brings in pelagics year-round, and when conditions align, we'll push out to where the water turns that deep cobalt blue. This isn't a sunset cruise – we're here to fish hard and put you on species that fight like freight trains. Night fishing options are available too if you want to target different species when the sun goes down.

Bottom Fishing & Trolling Tech

Bottom fishing means live bait on circle hooks over structure that holds fish. We're talking about precise boat positioning, reading your electronics, and keeping bait in the strike zone. When a goliath grouper grabs your bait, you'll know it – these fish can weigh hundreds of pounds and they don't give up easy. For trolling, we run proven spreads with a mix of ballyhoo, lures, and teasers designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics. Wahoo hit like lightning and can strip line faster than you'd believe. Mahi often travel in schools, so when we find one, there's usually more around. Sailfish require finesse – when one shows up on a bait, the real chess match begins. All tackle is tournament-grade and maintained to handle whatever we hook into.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi mahi are the crowd favorites for good reason. These fish are pure electricity when hooked, with colors that change as they fight and acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart pumping. Peak season runs spring through fall, and they often travel in schools around floating debris or weed lines. What makes them special is their aggressive feeding behavior – when we find a school, multiple hookups are common. The meat is outstanding too, with firm white fillets that taste as good as they fight.

Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and strip 100 yards of line in seconds. They're ambush hunters that patrol blue water edges, and when they hit a trolled bait, the initial run is something you'll never forget. Fall and winter months tend to be best, especially when water temperatures start dropping. Their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make them one of the most respected gamefish out here.

Cobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise structure, buoy lines, and even follow rays along the surface. Spring migration brings big schools through New Smyrna Beach waters, with fish ranging from 20 to 60 pounds. They're curious fish that often follow the boat, giving you shots with live bait or artificials. Once hooked, they're bulldogs that use their broad tails and strong shoulders to test your tackle and technique.

Goliath grouper are the giants of the bottom fishing world. These prehistoric-looking fish can exceed 400 pounds and live in caves and structure throughout our area. They're strictly catch and release, but hooking into one is a bucket-list experience. When a goliath grabs your bait, it's like being connected to a freight train. They use their massive size and knowledge of the bottom structure to try wrapping you up. The initial hookup and first few minutes of the fight will test every piece of tackle we're using.

Atlantic sailfish are the aristocrats of offshore fishing. When one shows up behind a trolled bait with its sail raised and colors flashing, everything else stops. These fish are pure spectacle – long runs, high jumps, and that distinctive dorsal fin that gives them their name. They're year-round residents here, but late fall through spring tends to produce the best action. Landing one on light tackle is considered the mark of a skilled angler, and they're always released to fight another day.

Time to Book Your Spot

This charter accommodates up to six anglers, but smaller groups often have more fun with more fish-per-person action. Cash pricing keeps costs down, though cards are accepted with a small upcharge. Everything's included except your lunch and drinks, so pack accordingly for six hours on the water. New Smyrna Beach offers some of the most consistent offshore fishing on the east coast, with the Gulf Stream influence bringing in species that other areas only see seasonally. Book with Capt. Doug Hicks and fish with someone who knows these waters and puts clients on fish day after day. The combination of bottom fishing and trolling means you're covering all the bases for a memorable day offshore.