Top-Rated 8HR Private Offshore Fishing Adventure

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

South Padre Island, TX
$1,410 - $2,820 price range
Updated Date: August 1, 2025

Summary

Get ready for a full day of offshore fishing action on this private 8-hour trip. You'll be targeting whatever's biting, from Cobia and Red Snapper to Kingfish and beyond. The extended time on the water gives serious anglers a shot at landing prized catches like Wahoo and King Mackerel. If you're up for an even bigger challenge, ask about the 10-hour option to go after Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and maybe even a Marlin. With room for 6 guests, it's perfect for a group of friends or family looking to test their skills against some hard-fighting fish. The crew at What's On Fishing will get you on the spots and show you the ropes. Just remember to check on any fuel surcharges for heading way offshore. Whether you're an experienced angler or trying deep sea fishing for the first time, you're in for a day of reels screaming and fish flopping on the deck.

Top-Rated 8HR Private Offshore Fishing Adventure

Big Fish, Big Smiles

Offshore Fishing in Texas Waters

Crevalle Jack, 28-inch fishing catch in TX

South Padre fishing: thrill and chill

Anglers caught 8 big fish while fishing at South Padre Island

Saltwater dreams come true here

Anglers with a bountiful catch of 9 fish in TX

Chasing the big one in South Padre

Epic 8-Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure

Get ready for the fishing trip of a lifetime! This 8-hour private offshore adventure is perfect for anglers looking to reel in some serious catches. Whether you're after hard-fighting cobia, tasty red snapper, or lightning-fast kingfish, we've got you covered. Our experienced captain knows all the best spots to maximize your time on the water and put you on the fish. With a 6-person capacity, you can bring the whole crew for an unforgettable day chasing those trophy catches.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we leave the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. We'll cruise out to the prime offshore fishing grounds where the big ones lurk. Depending on the season, we'll target whatever's biting best - from cobia cruising near the surface to red snapper hanging around deep structure. Our 8-hour trip gives us plenty of time to try different spots and techniques. The captain will get you set up with the right gear and show you the ropes if you're new to offshore fishing. Veterans can get right to it, dropping lines and waiting for that telltale thump of a big fish hitting the bait. Be ready for some arm-burning battles when you hook into hard-fighters like kingfish or wahoo!

Top-Notch Gear and Techniques

We use only the best rods, reels, and tackle to give you the edge out there. For bottom fishing, we'll set you up with sturdy conventional gear to wrestle those grouper and snapper up from the depths. When we're trolling for pelagics like king mackerel or mahi-mahi, we break out the big game setups. The captain will show you pro techniques like kite fishing for sailfish or slow-trolling live baits for wahoo. Don't worry if you're new to it all - we'll walk you through everything step-by-step. By the end of the day, you'll be jigging and dropping baits like a seasoned pro.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi-mahi, also known as dolphinfish, are one of the most exciting catches out there. These acrobatic fighters put on an incredible show when hooked, leaping and tail-walking across the surface. They typically run 15-30 pounds but can get much bigger. Mahi are also great eating fish, with firm white meat perfect for grilling. Look for them around floating debris or weedlines, especially in summer and fall.

Wahoo are the speed demons of the ocean. These torpedo-shaped fish can hit speeds over 60 mph and make blistering runs that will test your drag system. They average 30-50 pounds but can top 100. Wahoo meat is prized for its mild, slightly sweet flavor. We target them by high-speed trolling with specialized lures, often finding them near dropoffs and underwater structure.

Cobia are bruisers that put up an amazing fight. These curious fish often swim right up to the boat, giving you a shot at sight-casting to them. They typically weigh 20-50 pounds but can reach over 100. Cobia love structure, so we find them around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris. Their firm, white flesh is excellent for fish tacos.

Yellowfin tuna are the prize many offshore anglers dream of. These muscular fish can weigh over 200 pounds and will test your stamina with long, powerful runs. We find them by looking for birds working over bait schools or by trolling around temperature breaks. Yellowfin make some of the best sushi and sashimi you'll ever taste.

Red snapper are the kings of the reef. These beautiful crimson fish are highly prized for their flaky white meat. They typically run 5-15 pounds but can reach over 30. We target them over rocky bottom and artificial reefs using traditional bottom fishing techniques. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of feeling that tell-tale "thump" when a big snapper takes the bait.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Our offshore trips are more than just fishing - they're adventures you'll be talking about for years. There's something magical about being out on the open water, surrounded by nothing but blue as far as the eye can see. You never know what might show up - maybe a pod of playful dolphins or a massive whale shark cruising by. The excitement of watching your rod bend double as a big fish hits never gets old. And let's not forget the delicious fresh-caught dinner you'll enjoy afterward! Whether you're an experienced angler or trying offshore fishing for the first time, our trips offer something for everyone.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready for your own epic offshore adventure? Don't miss out on the chance to battle big game fish and make memories that'll last a lifetime. Our 8-hour private trip gives you the perfect mix of travel time and fishing time to really get into the action. Remember to ask the captain about any potential fuel surcharges for offshore runs - it's worth it to get to where the big ones are biting! Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait. Grab your fishing buddies, pack your sunscreen, and let's get out there to put some bend in those rods. Book now and get ready for the offshore fishing experience of a lifetime!

Learn more about the species

Cobia

Cobia are solitary hunters that put up an amazing fight. They average 6 feet and 100 pounds, but can reach 135. Look for them around structure like reefs, wrecks and buoys in 30-70 feet of water. These fish migrate seasonally, moving south for winter. Peak season is spring through fall in most areas. Sight fishing is popular - scan the surface for their distinctive shark-like dorsal fin. Anglers love cobia for their hard-pulling runs and aerial acrobatics. The firm white meat is excellent eating too. Live bait like eels or crabs works well, or try bucktail jigs. One tip: When you spot a cobia, cast well ahead of it and let your bait sink. These curious fish will often investigate if you don't spook them.

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi-mahi are colorful acrobats, known for their vibrant blue-green and gold hues. They average 15-30 pounds but can reach 80+. Look for them in warm offshore waters, often around floating debris or weedlines. These fast-growing fish are available year-round in tropical areas, with peak seasons varying by region. Trolling with ballyhoo or lures is popular, as is sight-casting to fish under debris. Anglers love mahi for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked and excellent eating quality. The meat is mild and versatile - great for grilling or in fish tacos. One tip: When you find a school, keep a hooked fish in the water. Mahi are curious and will often stay around the boat, letting you catch multiple fish from one stop.

Red Snapper

Red snapper are popular bottom-dwellers that put up a great fight. They typically range from 1-2 feet long and under 10 pounds, but can grow up to 3 feet and 35+ pounds. You'll find them near structure in deep water, usually 30-600 feet down. They like temps around 50-70°F. Peak season is May to October when they spawn. To catch 'em, use heavy weights to get your bait down deep. Live bait like pinfish or squid works well. Be ready for a battle - these fish will try to run for cover when hooked. Anglers love red snapper for the tasty, mild white meat. It's one of the most prized eating fish out there. For the best flavor, keep it simple - just a little seasoning and lemon juice does the trick. One tip: When you feel a bite, reel fast and pull up hard to get the fish away from structure before it can break you off. Timing is key with these crafty fighters.

Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are lightning-fast predators, hitting speeds of 60 mph. They average 3-5 feet and 15-30 pounds, but can reach 8 feet and 180 pounds. Look for them in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, often near the surface around structure. Peak season varies by region but is usually summer to fall. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with lures is the go-to method. Use wire leaders - their teeth will slice through mono. Anglers love wahoo for their blistering runs and delicious firm white meat. They're excellent for grilling or sashimi. Be ready for epic battles when you hook one of these speed demons. Here's a local trick: Try slow-trolling live bait like ballyhoo on the edges of rips or current breaks. The wahoo will often lurk there waiting to ambush prey.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna are speed demons, clocking in at up to 50 mph. They average 60-100 pounds but can reach over 400. Look for them in the upper 100 meters of tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. These warm-blooded fish are eating machines. They migrate long distances, following food sources. Peak season varies by region, but summer to fall is usually best. Trolling, chunking, and popping are all effective techniques. Anglers love yellowfin for the exciting topwater strikes and powerful runs. The meat is prized for sushi and grilling. For the freshest catch, bleed and ice the fish immediately. Here's a local tip: Watch for birds diving on bait schools. That's often a sign of feeding tuna below. Get your lures in there fast before the school sounds.

About the 35 ft Bertram Boat

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Caterpillar

Maximum Cruising Speed: 24

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 320

Get ready for an action-packed day on the water with this 8-hour private offshore fishing trip. You and up to 5 friends can test your angling skills as you hunt for prized catches like Cobia, Red Snapper, and Kingfish, depending on the season. The extended duration gives you a shot at landing some real trophies - we're talking Wahoo, King Mackerel, and other hard-fighting species that'll give your arms a workout. Bring your A-game and see what you can reel in from the deep. Whether you're an experienced fisherman or just getting your sea legs, the captain will put you on the fish and make sure you have a great time. Don't forget to ask about any offshore fuel charges before you set sail. This full-day adventure is perfect for making lasting memories and maybe even catching dinner.

Sitemap