Embark on an excursion to the middle of the sea in search of monsters lurking beneath the waves. It’s the quest for survival between you, the hunter, looking to bring home the day’s catch to feed your family, and the massive beasts of the depths that would eat you if given a chance.
Experience it for yourself with deep sea fishing.
What is Deep Sea Fishing?
Okay, maybe we exaggerated a tiny bit. Although deep sea fishing brings you into the ocean for a chance to catch the large fish that call these waters home, it’s not an intense man vs. nature experience (unless you really want it to be).
But it is a fun way to spend a day.
You get to go out in a boat into the open waters of the ocean and try your hand at catching some of the tasty inhabitants of the deep for yourself. It’s a fantastic way to spend time with your friends, and as a bonus, you might catch a little dinner!
Is it Dangerous?
As Hershel Greene from The Walking Dead once said:
“You step outside, you risk your life.”
Although we aren’t facing a zombie apocalypse, he’s not wrong. Everything we do in life, from driving to work to eating that cheeseburger, comes with risk.
Deep sea fishing is no different. You never know when a pop-up storm will hit, and people have fallen overboard in even the safest boating adventures. However, the risks of real danger befalling you on a deep sea fishing quest are pretty low, especially if you book with a reputable tour company.
The deckhands are trained professionals and are available to help you with all aspects of your fishing adventure, from baiting the hook to reeling in your haul. If you follow all their instructions and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger, you will be fine.
It Can Get Intense
Though it’s not that dangerous, it can get intense.
The monsters of the deep are stronger than you, and if it were just you and a fishing pole vs them, they’d 100% pull you overboard.
Thankfully, deep sea fishing tours that face the most ferocious beasts are well equipped to handle them. The boats feature chairs that you strap yourself into so you stay safely aboard while reeling in the monster.
Of course, these tours are more expensive than the traditional deep sea fishing expeditions, but if you want to catch the most iconic sea creatures, you’ll need to pay up.
Blue Marlin Fishing
Of course, I’m talking about Blue Marlins. These bad boys live in the warm waters of the Caribbean, but you can catch them on a deep sea fishing expedition from the Florida coast.
Be forewarned – they’re dangerous creatures and won’t go down without a fight. You’ll need to book a tour with a fighting chair if you want a chance to overpower these ferocious beasts – if not, they’ll pull you right into their turf.
Blue Marlins will test your strength and perseverance, but with an experienced crew, they will be no match for you.
How Far Out Do You Go Deep Sea Fishing?
Deep sea fishing is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, you get to go beyond the coastal waters to deeper seas to catch fish, but you aren’t fishing in the deepest depths of the sea. Nobody is heading out to the Mariana Trench for a fishing adventure.
Usually, the fishing expeditions go far enough from shore to reach reasonably deep waters, and that’s not as far as you think. You’ll typically only go 20-100 miles away.
The exact distance is dependent on the crew, who generally know where the best fishing spots in their waters are. Usually, it will be near reefs, seaweed gardens, or shipwrecks, as most fish species enjoy habitats with plenty of places to hide. The distance from the shore isn’t really part of the equation.
When I went on an excursion from Long Beach, CA, we only went a few miles from the shore. In fact, we were almost off the coast of Catalina Island- but that was the best place to catch fish. An adventure off the coast of Florida may go further out to sea.
You can find tours that will take you further out, but you should trust your guides if your goal is the best fishing.
How Do You Catch Fish in the Deep Sea?
Catching fish in the deep sea is similar to catching fish anywhere: you just need the right type of bait and tackle. Live bait works best, and you can use anything from nightcrawlers to smaller fish.
Squid is a top choice as well.
The rest of the process is pretty much the same. You cast your line into the water and either wait until you feel a tug or do your best to jiggle it around a little to catch the fish’s attention.
Don’t worry if you aren’t a pro angler. Most of us aren’t. The deckhands are your best friend. They will help us bait or line, get it out correctly, jiggle it, and even help reel in the fish if we need assistance.
What Types of Fish Can I Catch?
Different fish species thrive in different environments, so the types you can catch vary greatly depending on your location.
If you are fishing in the Atlantic, you can catch things like amberjack, snapper, marlin, Mahi-Mahi (dolphin fish), and even swordfish. Some lucky folks may even be able to catch tuna in those waters! Pacific anglers might catch species like halibut, albacore, barracuda, and calico bass.
There are thousands of fish species, so you never know what you will catch. The deckhands will help you determine if the fish you caught is harvestable or a protected species you need to throw back.
Catch and release is a common practice that helps protect our ocean environments, so don’t be offended when they ask you to let your catch go.
Should I Charter a Fishing Vessel or Take a Tour?
Deep sea fishing trips are generally offered in two ways – through a fishing charter or through a fishing tour.
When you charter a fishing boat, you get individual attention. The boat and crew are there to assist just you and your friends and help you with your fishing needs. It’s undeniably the better experience; however, the cost may be prohibitive.
When you book a fishing tour, you are getting on a boat with all sorts of other people. Sometimes, the company jams so many people on board that you can’t even properly cast your line – but I get it, they need to pay the bills.
Ideally, you could get a group of twenty or so of your friends and charter a boat. This way, you split the cost between a large group, but you still get to be with people you know.
Hey folks! Transparency Disclosure- Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I’ll receive a small commission if you decide to click on it and buy something. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything extra!
What Do I Need to Go Deep Sea Fishing?
You shouldn’t just wing a deep sea fishing excursion.
Here’s what you need to prepare ahead of time to make sure you have an awesome trip.
Licenses
Fishing regulations vary by state, but most of the time, you need a license for deep sea fishing.
Often, charter companies will verify you have a license before you embark, and some can even help you get one.
When you book, ask the company if they provide day licenses. If not, check with the state licensing agency before your trip.
You wouldn’t want to book an expedition and get turned down when you get there because you don’t have the right paperwork.
Personal Comfort Items
It’s dangerous to go alone – take this!
And by “this” we don’t mean a sword; we mean all the personal comfort items you will need for a day at sea.
Although some boats have little concession stands, you probably don’t want to rely on that. Bring your own snacks and bring plenty of water.
You will definitely need Chapstick and sunscreen since you’ll be in the sun all day. In addition, consider bringing a sun hat, sunglasses, a rain jacket, and a sweater. This way, you’ll be prepared for whatever Mother Earth might throw at you.
Wear comfortable clothes, like jeans or cargo pants, and tennis shoes. I know you want a glamorous outfit for the gram, but it’s probably not worth it.
You may also want to bring a camera to snap photos of your catch or even film any of your epic moments battling sea creatures.
I like to bring my GoPro on adventures like this because it’s small, easy to carry, and water-resistant, so the splashes aren’t going to hurt it. It also takes amazing video! But your cell phone would probably work as well.
Shop GoPros at Best Buy!
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Fishing Gear
If you book a deep-sea fishing tour, you shouldn’t need to bring any fishing gear with you. Most tours will offer all the rods and reels that you need.
You can bring your own if you so choose, or you can rent one for the trip.
However, if you are chartering a boat or a yacht that isn’t specifically designed for deep-sea fishing, you may need to bring your own.
You will need fishing rods designed to handle large ocean fish, reels powerful enough to pull them in, and lines strong enough to keep them hooked.
Check out your local outdoor store for the best options.
If you’re not going to make a hobby out of it, it might be best to book a tour so you don’t have to worry about these additional expenses.
Cash
Cash reigns supreme – especially on fishing vessels!
Everything you will possibly need on your excursion is absolutely NOT included in your ticket price.
Things like squid at the bait stand, assistance baiting your hook, and gutting fish from deckhands, tips, and concessions all cost extra.
Bring a wad of cash to ensure the best experience.
Meds
Nothing will turn your epic fishing trip into a horrible disaster faster than seasickness. Seasickness is a type of motion sickness that is caused by the rocking motion of the boat.
Unless you commonly suffer from motion sickness, it will be difficult to determine whether you will get seasick or not.
The best bet is to prevent it. Take some Dramamine before you head out, and have some on hand with you in case you start to feel sick during your deep sea adventure. It’s available over the counter at most pharmacies.
Where Can I Find Deep Sea Fishing Tours?
The easiest way to find a sports fishing tour is through Fishing Booker. This website will help you find the best options for a fishing adventure near you (or near your travel destination).
If you’re looking for an epic fishing trip for your next vacation, scan the QR code or head to Fishing Booker and book your adventure!
Bonuses of Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing out in the deep sea is an epic adventure and definitely worth a spot on your bucket list.
But if you aren’t convinced, think of all the cool advantages deep sea fishing trips have.
First, you can glimpse aquatic species in their natural habitats. I’ve spotted sea lions, dolphins, and even a whale while out on a fishing trip.
Although wildlife viewing isn’t the primary goal of these expeditions (and sea lions are the bane of fishers’ existence – they will steal the fish right off your line!), for me, it’s an added bonus.
But the real draw is that deep sea fishing is the embodiment of man versus wild (in one of the safest ways possible).
You’re out in the elements, battling nature’s fiercest beasts. Should you win the day, you get all the glory and triumph without the major risks commercial fishermen face.
Try Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing out in the deep ocean with a few of your closest pals is a fantastic adventure. In fact, deep sea fishing is one of the top-rated things to do in California, with tons of expeditions heading out from both San Diego and Long Beach.
It’s also a big hit in Florida off the coast of Ft Lauderdale and Miami.
If you’re traveling to a state with a coastline (or live in one) give it a try. You’ll be so glad you did.
I wouldn’t go out on a fishing boat without a prescription adhesive patch of scopolamine stuck behind my ear the night before. Motion sickness will kill any chance of a fun day on the water but with that medication it is virtually impossible to get sea sick. I fish a lot, not quite a pro angler but close enough, and in my experience the ocean is rough more often than not. The drug might give you a dry cotton mouth and can make you a little bit groggy but the side effects are mild and if you’ve ever seen someone with a full blown case of motion sickness, well, you don’t want to go there.