Look for the warmest water and birds pounding the water. They can be anywhere from 25 to 125 miles out, depends on the currents. I remember the peanut butter and jelly jigs being the hot ticket. You can always follow the charters out but you maybe in for a long ride, don't surpass the limits of your boat. I reccomend the charters but lots of people do it in kickers when they are close.