RIVIERA BEACH FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Offshore Pursuits from Riviera Beach: Kingfish, Sailfish and Mahi aboard Captain Willie’s 31‑foot Contender
Private half-, three‑quarter and full‑day charters (4, 6 or 8 hours) fishing just off Palm Beach — this guide explains boat, targets, logistics and what to expect.
Offshore Pursuits from Riviera Beach: Kingfish, Sailfish and Mahi aboard Captain Willie’s 31‑foot Contender.
Set sail from Riviera Beach aboard Willie’s 31‑foot Contender center‑console for guided fishing near Palm Beach: targeted species include kingfish, sailfish, mahi and a slate of bottomfish, the boat is family‑friendly and the crew will clean and bag your catch.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
31‑foot Contender with twin 300‑hp Yamahas and modern electronics
Willie’s open center‑console is powered by twin 300‑horsepower Yamaha outboards and equipped with chartplotter, sonar and radar; onboard safety gear includes VHF radio and an EPIRB satellite beacon, plus multiple live‑bait wells.
Kingfish, sailfish, mahi and a wide bottomfish mix
Trips target king mackerel, sailfish, dolphinfish (mahi‑mahi), wahoo and cobia, along with snappers, porgies, triggerfish and the occasional red grouper using live bait, trolling and bottom fishing.
Family‑friendly charters with catch cleaning
The operation welcomes children age 5 and up (weather permitting), cleans and bags your legal catch, and follows release rules for sailfish and undersized or out‑of‑season fish.
What the day feels like
On the Water
A typical charter moves quickly from Riviera Beach out to nearby grounds: most targets are found within 2–3 miles of the beach, with seasonal runs farther offshore (often 10 miles or more in summer for mahi); the trip alternates live‑bait presentations, trolling and bottom rigs depending on the species being chased.
THE BOAT
31‑foot Contender with twin 300‑hp Yamahas and modern electronics
Willie’s open center‑console is powered by twin 300‑horsepower Yamaha outboards and equipped with chartplotter, sonar and radar; onboard safety gear includes VHF radio and an EPIRB satellite beacon, plus multiple live‑bait wells.
THE FISH
Kingfish, sailfish, mahi and a wide bottomfish mix
Trips target king mackerel, sailfish, dolphinfish (mahi‑mahi), wahoo and cobia, along with snappers, porgies, triggerfish and the occasional red grouper using live bait, trolling and bottom fishing.
THE EXPERIENCE
Family‑friendly charters with catch cleaning
The operation welcomes children age 5 and up (weather permitting), cleans and bags your legal catch, and follows release rules for sailfish and undersized or out‑of‑season fish.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who fares best on this charter.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Charters are offered as 4‑hour, 6‑hour and 8‑hour trips.
The boat is an open 31‑ft center‑console with live‑bait wells and modern electronics; safety equipment includes VHF radio and an EPIRB. There is no full restroom on board — only a porta‑potty — and shore restrooms are available just inside Palm Beach Inlet on Peanut Island.
Operations run from Riviera Beach; confirm meet‑up and any port‑specific instructions with the operator before your trip.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long are the charters?
Trips are offered as 4‑hour, 6‑hour and 8‑hour charters.
What species are targeted?
Target species include kingfish (king mackerel), sailfish, dolphinfish (mahi‑mahi), wahoo, cobia and a variety of bottomfish such as mutton, vermillion and yellowtail snappers, porgies and triggerfish; red grouper may appear occasionally.
How far offshore do you go?
Most fishing is within 2–3 miles of the beach, but in summer the boat may run 10 miles or more offshore in search of mahi‑mahi.
Are children allowed?
Children age 5 and older are welcomed on charters, weather permitting.
Will you clean our fish?
Yes — the crew cleans and bags your catch; sailfish, undersized and out‑of‑season fish are released alive.
Is there a restroom on the boat?
There is no full restroom on the boat; a porta‑potty is available onboard and shore restrooms are located just inside Palm Beach Inlet on Peanut Island.
What equipment and safety gear does the boat have?
The 31‑ft Contender is equipped with chartplotter/sonar/radar, multiple live‑bait wells, VHF radio and an EPIRB satellite beacon among standard safety gear.
Who runs the charter?
The operator is William Howard Enterprises LLC doing business as Captain Willie's Charters; the captain is a Florida native with 12 years running charters off Palm Beach and holds a USCG six‑pack license.