New Smyrna Beach offshore fishing charters
Out of Ponce Inlet to the artificial reefs and wrecks, up to 25 miles out.
For deep sea fishing, New Smyrna Beach trips run out of Ponce Inlet for kingfish, mahi, grouper, snapper and sailfish. Longer trips run farther offshore to bigger fish and the wrecks.
Book your offshore trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
5-hour offshore charter
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6-hour offshore charter
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8-hour offshore charter
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Reef fishing from $700
Snapper, grouper and triggerfish on the reefs and wrecks off Ponce Inlet: up to 15 miles out on 5 hours, 25 miles on 8. Lines on the bottom the whole trip.
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours before
- Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather or seas
- One price for up to 6 guests
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What's included and what's not
- Licensed USCG captain
- Florida fishing license for every guest (under the charter license)
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Bait
- Fuel
- Ice and fish box
- Fish cleaning at the dock
- Captain and mate tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Seasickness medicine
- Transportation to the marina
What to bring
Reviews from New Smyrna Beach trips
5.07 reviewsfrom all New Smyrna Beach trips
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Fish you can catch on your offshore trip
Past Ponce Inlet, bottom rigs and live baits put you on grouper, snapper, kingfish, mahi and more. Swipe to see what you could catch.
Red snapper
Genuine redArtificial reefs and wrecks year-round. Keep only during the short federal season.
Kingfish
King mackerelMost of the year; best in spring and fall.
Vermilion snapper
BeelinerSchools over artificial reefs. Great eating; bites most of the year.
Mahi-mahi
DolphinfishLate spring and summer, often near weed lines.
Sailfish
Atlantic sailfishFall through spring. Mostly caught and released; a bonus fish on longer trips.
Greater amberjack
AJDeeper wrecks and artificial reefs. Hard, heavy fights.
Goliath grouper
ProtectedHuge wreck dwellers. Released unharmed; harvest only by special FWC permit.
Wahoo
OnoSpring and summer along the deep edges. Very fast.
Great barracuda
CudaAround wrecks and reefs most of the year.
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Deep sea fishing New Smyrna Beach: what you can catch
New Smyrna Beach offshore trips run out of Ponce Inlet to the artificial reefs and wrecks, up to 25 miles out. Bottom fishing brings snapper and grouper. Trolling on the way out and back can bring kingfish, mahi-mahi and, in the cooler months, sailfish. Mahi-mahi are most common in spring and summer. Your captain picks the spots each day based on weather and what's biting.
What's biting by season
Fall Sep–Nov
- Peak: sailfish, kingfish, gag grouper, bonito
Winter Dec–Feb
- Sailfish, blackfin tuna
Spring Mar–May
- Sailfish, wahoo
- Atlantic grouper opens May 1
Summer Jun–Aug
- Mahi and wahoo at their best
- Short red snapper season
- Gag and other Atlantic shallow-water grouper are closed Jan 1 – Apr 30.
- Red snapper is open only during the short federal season. Ask your captain which dates apply.
- The charter license covers all guests. No personal license is needed.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your captain has the current rules.
How far each trip goes
5 hoursNearshore reefs
Bottom fishing for snapper and grouper. Up to 15 miles out.
6 hoursDeeper artificial reefs
Deeper water, the same bottom fishing, plus flat lines for kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Up to 25 miles out.
8 hoursDeeper wrecks & reefs
Grouper, amberjack, and the best shot at sailfish and wahoo. Up to 25 miles out.
Reef fishing or offshore: which trip is right for you?
Both trips leave from Ponce Inlet and run up to 25 miles out. The difference is how you fish: reef trips keep every line on the bottom, offshore trips add flat lines for fish near the surface.
| Reef fishing | Offshore (this page) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you fish | Bottom fishing: anchor or drift over structure and drop baited rigs | Bottom fishing, plus flat lines (live baits near the surface) on 6- and 8-hour trips |
| Where | Reefs and wrecks up to 15 miles out (5 hr) or 25 miles (8 hr) | Artificial reefs and wrecks up to 25 miles out |
| Main fish | Snapper, grouper, triggerfish, amberjack | Kingfish, mahi, sailfish, wahoo, plus snapper and grouper |
| Time on the water | Shorter run, more time fishing | Longer runs to reach bigger fish |
| Trip lengths | 5 or 8 hours | 5, 6 or 8 hours |
| Price | From $700 for up to 6 guests; price varies with group size | From $1,000, one price for up to 6 guests |
| Best for | Families, first ocean trip, fish for dinner | Experienced anglers, trophy fish |
| Book reef fishing | See offshore dates |
How much does a deep sea fishing charter in New Smyrna Beach cost?
A deep sea fishing charter out of Ponce Inlet near New Smyrna Beach costs $1,000 for 5 hours, $1,100 for 6 hours and $1,500 for 8 hours with iOutdoors. One price covers up to 6 guests. Trips fish artificial reefs and wrecks up to 25 miles out. Every trip includes the fishing license, gear, bait and fuel. Target fish include kingfish, mahi, grouper and sailfish. For bottom fishing only, reef fishing trips start at $700.
New Smyrna Beach offshore fishing guide
Offshore trips from New Smyrna Beach leave through Ponce Inlet, a few minutes north of town, and head into the Atlantic. Once past the inlet, the boat runs to artificial reefs and wrecks spread across miles of sandy bottom. Most of these reefs hold the same species, so the captain moves between them to find the most active fish. A 5-hour trip fishes reefs up to 15 miles out; 6- and 8-hour trips reach deeper water up to 25 miles out. Your captain picks the spots based on the season, the sea forecast and what's been biting.
What you'll fish for
Bottom fishing over artificial reefs and wrecks targets red snapper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grouper and amberjack. The captain anchors or drifts over structure, and you fish baited rigs on the bottom. It's steady action and a good choice for groups with mixed experience.
Flat lines are live baits fished near the surface while you bottom fish. On 6- and 8-hour trips they target kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Kingfish are around most of the year. Mahi and wahoo are best in late spring and summer. Sailfish peak in fall and winter.
On 6- and 8-hour trips the crew often sets flat lines off the back while you bottom fish, so a king or cobia can bite while you wait on a grouper.
What a typical day looks like
You meet the captain at the marina, load your cooler and get a short safety briefing. The run through Ponce Inlet and out to the first spot usually takes a while, so there is time to rig lines and learn the plan. The crew baits hooks, sets lines and helps you fight and land fish. At the dock, your legal catch is cleaned and bagged for you to take home.
How each trip length works
- 5 hours: bottom fishing for snapper and grouper on reefs up to 15 miles out. Good for a first offshore trip, families, or anyone who wants a shorter day on the ocean.
- 6 hours: deeper water up to 25 miles out, with the same bottom fishing plus flat lines for kingfish, cobia and barracuda.
- 8 hours: the most time, up to 25 miles out. The boat can reach deeper wrecks and reefs, with the best shot at grouper, amberjack, wahoo and sailfish.
Best time to go
Late spring through summer usually brings the calmest seas and the best mahi fishing. Fall is a standout for sailfish, kingfish and grouper. Winter can be windy, but calm days offer sailfish and blackfin tuna. Some species, such as red snapper and Atlantic grouper, have closed seasons, so what you can keep changes through the year. Check the rules above or ask your captain. See the New Smyrna fishing calendar for a month-by-month view.
Tips for a good day offshore
- Seasickness: if you're prone to it, take medicine the night before and again in the morning. Ponce Inlet can be rough when an outgoing tide meets an east wind.
- Weather calls: captains watch the marine forecast and make the call the evening before or the morning of the trip. If they cancel for weather or seas, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
- Bring a cooler with ice for your cleaned catch. Your captain cleans and bags your legal fish at the dock.
- Book early in summer. Weekends from June through August fill up first.
Questions about offshore trips
What's the difference between offshore and reef fishing?
Offshore trips run up to 25 miles from Ponce Inlet and combine bottom fishing for snapper and grouper with flat lines for kingfish, cobia and barracuda on 6- and 8-hour trips. Reef trips are bottom fishing only, for snapper, grouper and triggerfish. Offshore starts at $1,000 for up to 6 guests; reef fishing starts at $700.
How far offshore do we go?
Up to 25 miles, depending on trip length and conditions. A 5-hour trip bottom fishes for snapper and grouper up to 15 miles out. 6- and 8-hour trips reach deeper water up to 25 miles out, with the same bottom fishing plus flat lines for kingfish, cobia and barracuda.
Will I get seasick?
Ponce Inlet can be rough on an outgoing tide. Take seasickness medicine the night before and the morning of, eat a light breakfast, and stay in fresh air.
Can I keep my fish?
Yes, within state and federal limits. Your captain cleans and bags your legal catch at the dock.
Where do we meet?
Most trips meet at 164 Causeway N, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. Your captain confirms the exact meeting spot and departure time with you directly before the trip.
What if the weather is bad?
If the captain cancels for weather or seas, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.