8 Hour Offshore Reef Trip with AA Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Fishing
Target reef fish and pelagic species in depths up to 130 feetSmall group charter accommodates maximum of four guestsEight-hour offshore adventure departing from Mulligans restaurant dock
Get ready to drop lines on some of the most productive reef structures and wrecks where trophy fish hang out all year long. This full-day offshore adventure takes you beyond the usual inshore spots to target everything from hard-fighting cobia to table-fare snappers in depths up to 130 feet. We'll hit multiple reef sites and artificial structures where the big ones live, giving you eight solid hours to fill the cooler and make some memories on the water.
Your day starts at Mulligans restaurant parking lot where you'll meet the crew at slip #36. Park in the main lot, look for the white gate on the left side of the restaurant, and follow the dock all the way to the end. We keep this trip intimate with just four anglers max, so you'll get plenty of personalized attention and room to work your rods without bumping elbows. The captain knows these reef systems like the back of his hand and will put you on active structure where the fish are feeding. Expect to move between several spots throughout the day, from shallow reefs holding snappers to deeper ledges where the grouper and cobia cruise. Bring your own lunch and drinks since we're staying out there all day, but we'll have you back at the dock with stories to tell and hopefully a full fish box.
This is all about bottom fishing and structure work, though we'll throw some live bait when the pelagics show up. We're running medium to heavy tackle depending on what we're targeting – lighter stuff for the lane snappers and beefier rigs when we're pulling grouper out of the rocks. The crew will set you up with everything from circle hooks and knocker rigs for the bottom dwellers to free-lined baits for cruising cobia and mahi. Most of the action happens in that 60 to 130-foot range where the artificial reefs and natural ledges hold the most fish. You'll learn to read your electronics, feel the bite on the bottom, and work fish up through the structure without getting cut off. Live bait makes all the difference out here, so we'll typically start with some bait catching before heading to the main fishing grounds.
Mahi mahi are the crown jewel of this trip and the reason most anglers book these deeper runs. These fish are pure electricity when they hit your bait, with their brilliant colors and acrobatic fights that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs spring through fall, and they typically show up around floating debris or following the weed lines. A good mahi will go 15 to 30 pounds out here, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40 plus. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their spectacular aerial displays – plus they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Cobia are the bruisers that separate the casual anglers from the serious stick holders. These brown torpedoes cruise the reefs and wrecks like underwater sharks, often following rays and other fish. They can show up any time of year but peak in the warmer months when they're most active. A typical cobia runs 20 to 50 pounds, and they'll take you on a long, grinding fight that tests your endurance. They're curious fish that will often come up to check out the boat, giving you shot opportunities with sight fishing techniques.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of reef fishing when they're in season, and these structures hold some real quality fish. They're smart and structure-oriented, so you'll need to get your bait down fast and set the hook hard when they bite. Reds typically run 5 to 15 pounds on these deeper reefs, with the occasional doormat pushing 20 plus. They're arguably the best eating fish in these waters, and their bright red color makes for great photos.
Lane snapper are the action fish that keep your rod bent when the bigger stuff isn't biting. They're smaller than their red cousins but make up for it in numbers and willingness to bite. These yellow-striped beauties are perfect for filling the cooler and keeping kids or newer anglers engaged throughout the day. They typically run 1 to 3 pounds but fight harder than their size suggests.
Gag grouper are the ultimate structure fish and the prize catch for bottom fishing enthusiasts. These mottled brown fighters live in the rocks and caves, requiring heavy tackle and quick hook sets to pull them out before they cut you off. A good gag runs 10 to 25 pounds, and they're incredibly strong for their size. They're also fantastic table fare and a real trophy catch that shows you know how to work the bottom structure properly.
This top-rated offshore reef trip gives you the full treatment – eight hours targeting multiple species on proven fishing grounds with an experienced crew who knows where the fish live. With only four spots available, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The variety of target species means there's always something biting, from fast-action lane snappers to trophy-class cobia and mahi. Make sure you check out the cancellation policy before booking, but don't wait too long – these full-day reef trips fill up fast, especially during peak season. The crew is ready to put you on fish, so grab your spot and get ready for a day of serious offshore action.
Get ready to fish the offshore reefs aboard this solid World Cat 28' that's built for serious angling action. This twin-hull design cuts through swells like butter and gives you a stable platform when you're fighting that big one. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without bumping elbows. The boat's loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish - high-tech fish finder to mark those productive bottom structures, GPS to hit the sweet spots, and radar for when the weather gets sketchy. The onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites. You'll be targeting reef dwellers and pelagics in waters up to 130 feet deep, so bring your A-game. The captain knows where the fish hang out around the wrecks and reefs. Meet at Mulligans restaurant parking lot, slip #36 - just head through the white gate on the restaurant's left side and walk down to the far end of the dock. This World Cat handles the offshore conditions beautifully, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the cooler.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the reef - big, brown, shark-looking fish that cruise solo around structure. They average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+ easily, and they're built like torpedoes with serious pulling power. You'll find them around wrecks, buoys, and reef edges in 30-100 feet, especially during spring migration when they move inshore to spawn. What guests love is the sight-fishing aspect - we spot them cruising just under the surface, then cast right to them. The fight is all power and endurance, plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between shark and grouper. Here's the key: once you see one, don't spook it with the boat. Cut the engine, drift close, and present a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of their nose.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bruisers of the reef - thick, powerful fish with mottled gray patterns that average 5-15 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds. They live around rocky ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom in 40-120 feet, and they're most active during cooler months when they move inshore. What makes gags exciting is the initial strike and that bulldogging fight where they try to drag you straight down into the rocks. Plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - firm, white, flaky meat that's perfect for any recipe. The challenge is keeping them out of structure once hooked. My advice: use a stout rod with 40-pound line, fish live pinfish or cut bait right on the bottom, and when you get bit, lock down that drag and horse them up immediately. Give them an inch and they'll cost you the whole fish.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are the perfect starter fish for the reef - smaller cousins to red snapper with distinctive pink and yellow stripes that look like candy canes. They typically run 1-3 pounds and about 12-16 inches, making them great for kids and light tackle fun. You'll find them in 30-100 feet around coral reefs and sandy bottoms with good structure. They bite year-round but peak from spring through fall. What's nice about lanes is they're aggressive feeders, not shy about taking bait, and they make excellent table fare despite their size. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for fish tacos or whole fried. Best part is they school up, so when you find one, you usually find plenty more. Try small pieces of shrimp or squid on light tackle - they'll often bite as fast as you can drop your line down.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are pure eye candy with their brilliant blues and greens that flash like a light show when they come out of the water. Most run 15-29 pounds, but we've seen them push 50+ on good days. They love floating debris and weed lines in 60-130 feet, making them perfect for our reef trips. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps climb. What makes mahi special is the combo - they fight hard with multiple jumps, they're absolutely delicious on the table with that firm white meat, and they're just stunning fish. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep it in the water while you get your crew ready. Often there's a whole school underneath, and that first fish will keep his buddies around for multiple hookups.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the gold standard of reef fishing - beautiful red fish that average 3-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds around deeper structure. They stick tight to hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 60-120 feet, and they're most active during summer months when they're spawning. What makes them special is that perfect combination of great fight, trophy appearance, and some of the best eating you'll find - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. They'll give you a solid battle trying to get back to their holes in the rocks. The trick is to fish right on the bottom with fresh cut bait or live pinfish, and when you feel that thump, set the hook hard and start cranking immediately. Don't give them time to think or they'll wrap you up in the structure.
Sebastian, FL