Expert-Guided Offshore Fishing in Fernandina Beach

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Fernandina Beach, FL
$350 - $2,400 price range
Updated Date: August 13, 2025

Summary

Ready for some serious offshore action? Join Captain Tony Peeples of Southern Sport Fishing Charters for a full day of deep-water fishing off Fernandina Beach. You'll be targeting big game fish like Mahi Mahi, Cobia, and Red Snapper, depending on what's biting. The 31-foot boat gives you and up to 5 other anglers plenty of room to move around and reel in your catch. No need to worry about gear – the crew provides all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle you'll need, plus your fishing license is covered. With a full day on the water, you've got time to really dial in on the hot spots and follow the fish. It's a great chance to test your skills against some hard-fighting offshore species. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're set before you book. Whether you're an experienced angler or looking to try your hand at some deeper water fishing, this trip offers a solid day of action on the Atlantic.

Expert-Guided Offshore Fishing in Fernandina Beach

Big Fish, Big Smiles

Two anglers with a great catch of two fish in Fernandina Beach

Solid Red Snapper dockside ⚓🐟

Angler reeling in a 20-inch fish at Fernandina Beach

Bold Red Snapper offshore 🔴🐟

2 people fishing for a single large fish in FL

Proud Grouper catch on Southern Style ⚓🐟

Exciting Redfish catch with the kids 🎣👨‍👧‍👦

Reel in the Big Ones: Full Day Offshore Fishing

Get ready to chase the horizon and battle some serious fish on this full-day offshore adventure with Southern Sport Fishing Charters. Captain Tony Peeples knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's itching to put you on the bite. Whether you're after the acrobatic leaps of Mahi Mahi or the bulldogging power of Cobia, this trip's got it all. We'll be running and gunning in a spacious 31-footer that'll keep you comfortable while we search for the hot spots.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll push off from Fernandina Beach bright and early, aiming to maximize our time where the big boys play. This ain't no inshore jaunt – we're talking deep blue water action. The beauty of a full day is we've got time to try different tactics and locations if the fish are being stubborn. Expect to do some trolling, maybe some bottom fishing, and if we're lucky, we might even find a weedline holding some monster Mahi. The crew's got you covered with all the gear and know-how, so even if you're new to offshore fishing, you'll be in good hands.

Techniques for Offshore Success

Offshore fishing is a whole different ballgame from your typical lake or pier fishing. We'll be using heavy-duty gear to handle the big boys out here. Trolling's often the name of the game – we'll set out a spread of lures or bait and cover some serious water. When we mark fish on the bottom, we might switch to dropping live bait or jigs. For Mahi, keep your eyes peeled for floating debris or weedlines – that's where they love to hang out. And if we spot some Cobia, get ready for a sight-fishing frenzy. These techniques take some getting used to, but don't worry, the crew will walk you through every step.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi Mahi, or Dorado if you're feeling fancy, are the acrobats of the sea. These neon-green and yellow beauties can hit 30 pounds or more out here. They're known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked, so hang on tight! Best of all, they make for some of the tastiest fish tacos you'll ever have.

Cobia are the bruisers of the bunch. These brown torpedoes can top 50 pounds and will test your arms and your drag. They've got a habit of showing up when you least expect it, often following rays or sharks near the surface. Spring and early summer are prime time for Cobia, but they can surprise you year-round.

Red Snapper are the prize of the bottom dwellers. With their bright red color and delicious white meat, they're always a welcome sight. We typically target these guys over structure and reefs. Just remember, Red Snapper seasons can be tight, so we'll make sure to hit 'em hard when they're open.

King Mackerel, or "Kingfish," are the speedsters of the deep. These toothy critters can smoke a reel faster than you can say "fish on!" We often catch them while trolling, and they're known for their blistering runs. Fall is usually the peak season, but we see good numbers throughout the warmer months.

Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the sea, but what they lack in looks, they make up for in fight. These cousins of the Redfish can grow to massive sizes offshore. They're bottom feeders, so we'll target them with natural baits near structure. The bigger ones can be a bit wormy, but the smaller "puppy drum" are excellent eating.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Folks come back to Southern Sport Fishing Charters year after year because Captain Tony doesn't just put you on fish – he gives you an experience. There's something special about being out there where the water turns that deep cobalt blue. You never know what might show up – maybe a pod of dolphins or a sea turtle cruising by. And let's be honest, the bragging rights from landing a monster Mahi or Cobia are pretty sweet. Plus, with a full day, you've got time to really dial in your technique and maybe even bring home some primo fillets for the grill.

Top Catches This Season

This season's been on fire, with some real wall-hangers coming over the rails. We've been seeing Mahi in the 25-30 pound range, with a few pushing 40. The Cobia have been absolute units, with several fish topping 50 pounds. And when the Red Snapper season opened up, it was like Christmas morning – limits of big red beauties all around. Of course, past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it sure gets us fired up for what might be swimming around out there.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to feel the pull of a big offshore fish, now's the time to lock in your date. Remember, we can take up to 6 anglers, so it's perfect for a group of buddies or the whole family. Everything you need is provided – rods, reels, bait, and even your fishing license. Just bring some snacks, drinks, and maybe a lucky hat. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so choose your day wisely. The fish are out there waiting, and Captain Tony's ready to put you on 'em. Don't let this chance for an epic day on the water slip away – book your Fernandina Beach offshore adventure now and get ready to make some serious fishing memories!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

The Black Drum is a stout, deep-bodied fish known for its dark, vertical stripes when young, which fade to a solid gray or black in adults. Commonly found in coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, they can weigh anywhere from a few pounds to over 50 pounds. Black Drum are bottom feeders, favoring crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish, which they crush with their strong pharyngeal teeth. While smaller “puppy drum” are popular for their mild, sweet flavor, larger adults are often caught for sport rather than table fare.

Cobia

Cobia are hard-fighting fish that'll give you a run for your money. These solitary swimmers can grow up to 6 feet and 100 pounds, though most we see are in the 30-50 pound range. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water during spring and summer. They love structure and warm water, so we target them as they migrate through our area. Sight fishing is the name of the game with cobia. We scan the surface for their dark shapes, often mistaken for sharks. Once spotted, it's all about a quick, accurate cast. Bucktail jigs in the 4-8 oz range are my go-to, but live eels or crabs work great too. Cobia put up an incredible fight and they're excellent eating fish, with firm, white meat. Here's a pro tip: If you see rays, keep your eyes peeled. Cobia often hang out near them, using the rays as mobile structure. It's like a floating buffet for them. Be ready to cast quickly - these fish don't stick around long once they know you've spotted them.

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are the bulldogs of inshore waters. These powerful fish typically run 5-15 pounds but can reach 30+. You'll find them busting bait schools in coastal waters year-round, but action peaks in summer and fall. Jacks love to chase fast-moving lures and put up a brutal fight on light tackle. Watch for birds diving or bait spraying on the surface - that's often jacks feeding. They're not known as great table fare, but the sheer power and aggression make them a blast to catch. Try working topwater plugs or metal jigs through feeding schools. A local secret is to look for jacks around diving pelicans - they often work the same bait balls. Be ready for explosive strikes and long, powerful runs. Pound for pound, few fish pull as hard as a big jack.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are the speedsters of our offshore waters. These sleek, toothy predators can top 50 pounds, though most run 10-30. Look for them from spring through fall anywhere from just off the beach to 20+ miles out. Kings hit trolled baits and lures at high speeds, often skyrocketing out of the water on the strike. They make blistering runs and taste great smoked or grilled. To target them, try slow-trolling live bait like blue runners or menhaden. A local trick is to use wire leaders - kings will slice through mono with their razor-sharp teeth. The bite can be feast or famine, but when it's on, multiple hookups are common. There's nothing quite like watching a big king smoke a surface bait and go airborne. Just hang on tight when they run!

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi Mahi, also called dorado, are one of the most exciting fish to catch offshore. These colorful speedsters average 15-30 pounds but can get up to 50+ pounds. We find them in the warmer months, usually in water 120 feet or deeper. They love hanging around floating debris and weedlines. Mahi are known for their acrobatic fights and beautiful, electric blue and gold colors. They're fast growers and great eating fish, with a mild, sweet flavor. We often spot them by looking for frigate birds diving or floating debris. Once you hook one, leave it in the water to keep the school around. Trolling with ballyhoo or artificial lures works well, but my favorite is sight casting with light tackle. Nothing beats watching a mahi crush a topwater lure. Pro tip: If you find a weedline or floating debris, work the area thoroughly. Mahi often travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more.

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