Off the Chain Fishing is the deep sea operation we would book first out of Stuart, and it fits the place: this is the Sailfish Capital of the World, and Off the Chain is run by Captain Scott Fawcett, a sailfish captain the offshore tournament magazine In The Bite has singled out, with a Captain of the Year nomination and a popular vote win. The boats are two fast Contenders rigged for the bluewater, and the rates are posted in full from a half day to an overnight tuna run. For the fishery Stuart is famous for, this is the strongest call in the port.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.4 Off the Chain is the top of the Stuart ranking and the one private boat we would book with confidence for the sailfish and big game fishing the port is known for. It earns the place on the captain, the boats, and the range: an award winning offshore captain, a new 39 foot Contender and a redone 32 foot, and a posted menu that runs to swordfish and yellowfin tuna. The trade is the price, which sits at the top of the port. For the area’s deepest review record on a smaller, versatile boat, Harrison’s Chew Charters is the pick; for a big sportfisher, D-n-T Charters and Hate 2 Lose Sportfishing are strong; and for seats by the person, the Lady Stuart party boat is far cheaper. See the full Stuart field.
The boat
Off the Chain runs two Contenders, the fast, seaworthy center consoles that the Treasure Coast offshore fleet favors. The headline boat is a brand new 39 foot Contender with Seakeeper stabilization, and the second is a 32 foot redone in 2022, both licensed for up to 6 anglers. A small 18 foot boat covers inshore work. The Contenders are built for the run to the Gulf Stream and the troll for sailfish and pelagics, with the speed to reach the bite and the deck to fight it. As center consoles they are open boats, so a long day in a chop is a wetter ride than a cabin sportfisher, which is the one comfort trade against the bigger boats in the port.
The fishing and what you target
This is a sailfish and big game program first. The troll toward the Gulf Stream, a short run off Stuart, produces sailfish in the cooler months, mahi mahi through the warm season, and wahoo, blackfin tuna, and kingfish, and the long range runs reach swordfish and yellowfin tuna. Bottom fishing fills in with snapper and grouper. The Atlantic seasons set the targets: sailfish is a release fishery that peaks with the winter cold fronts, gag grouper is open in summer, and red snapper, the prize, has had its 2026 season paused by a court order. Match the trip to the target, since the billfish and tuna come on the longer runs.
Trips and prices
Off the Chain posts its full rate card, which makes a top of the port price easy to judge. On the 32 foot Contender a half day is $1,100, a three quarter day $1,400, and a full day $1,600; the 39 foot runs $1,500, $1,900, and $2,200. A swordfish trip is $2,300 to $3,600 depending on length, and a yellowfin tuna run is $5,100. Tackle, licenses, bait, ice, fish cleaning, and foul weather gear are included for up to four anglers. These are among the higher rates in the port, which is the trade for the boats and the captain. Our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide set those numbers against a party boat seat.
The crew
Captain Scott Fawcett is the draw, and his standing is the verifiable kind: In The Bite, the offshore tournament publication, has recognized him among the region’s captains, and reviewers back it up with trips that boated multiple sailfish and ran well in rough seas. The recurring themes are a knowledgeable, professional crew and a captain who works for the fish, which is what a sailfish specialist is hired for. Because it is owner run, the captain you book is the one running your trip, and the offshore record is the reason the boat tops the port.
Booking and what to know
Book direct through the site, which posts the rates, or by phone, and book well ahead for the winter sailfish season and the long range swordfish and tuna runs, which fill first. Confirm the boat, the trip length, and the target so the plan matches the season, and ask what is open, since red snapper is closed. Tackle, bait, licenses, and cleaning are covered for up to four; bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a cooler.
How we scored it
Off the Chain scores 8.4, the top of the port, on an award winning sailfish captain, two bluewater Contenders, and the widest big game range in the field, with the top of the port price the one factor that holds value back. Captain and crew and trips and access are its strongest factors. See how we scored this boat for the rubric, and the Stuart ranking for the field.