8 Hr Offshore Reef Trip with AA Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Fishing
Target reef and pelagic species in depths up to 130 feetSmall group fishing with maximum 4 guests per charterConvenient departure from Mulligans restaurant parking lot
Ready to drop lines on some serious reef fish? This 8-hour offshore adventure with AA Fishing Charter takes you out to productive waters where reef dwellers and open-water species collide. We're talking depths up to 130 feet, where the big boys hang out and the action can go from zero to hero in seconds. You'll launch from a convenient spot at Mulligans restaurant parking lot and spend a full day targeting some of the Gulf's most sought-after species. With only 4 anglers max, you get plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our experienced crew.
Your day starts at slip #36 behind Mulligans restaurant - just park in their lot, head through the white gate on the left side, and walk the dock to the far end where we'll be waiting. Once we clear the inlet, it's a run out to the productive reef structures and wrecks that hold fish year-round. The beauty of reef fishing is the variety - you never know if that next bite is going to be a feisty snapper, a bulldogging grouper, or maybe a hot mahi that wandered in from blue water. We fish depths ranging from 60 to 130 feet, hitting multiple spots throughout the day based on current conditions and what's biting. The crew knows these waters inside and out, so we're always adjusting our game plan to put you on fish. Bring your own lunch and drinks since meals aren't included - you'll work up an appetite fighting these reef warriors.
We run a mix of bottom fishing and mid-water techniques depending on what we're targeting. For the snapper and grouper, we're talking classic bottom rigs with circle hooks and enough weight to get down and stay down in the current. Live bait is king out here - pinfish, grunts, and sardines get the nod from the local residents. When the mahi are around, we'll switch it up with some trolling or cast to floating debris and weed lines. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but if you've got your own setup, bring medium to heavy action rods that can handle 20-40 lb test. These reef fish don't mess around - grouper will try to cut you off in the rocks, and cobia have a nasty habit of making long, powerful runs that'll test your drag system. Circle hooks are mandatory for snapper to meet regulations, and we always keep a good selection of weights since current can vary throughout the day.
Mahi mahi are the golden boys of offshore fishing, and when they show up around floating debris or weed lines, it's game on. These fish are pure energy - they'll light up in neon colors when hooked and put on an aerial show that'll have you whooping. Most mahi in our waters run 10-25 pounds, with the occasional bull pushing 40+. They're most active during warmer months but can show up year-round when conditions align. What makes mahi special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their tendency to travel in schools - hook one, and there's usually more underneath.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf reef fishing, and these crimson beauties are worth the wait. They're structure-oriented fish that stick close to reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. A good red snapper will run 15-25 pounds and fight like something twice its size, using every rock and crevice to try and break you off. They're most cooperative during federal season (check current regulations), but when they're biting, it's some of the most consistent action you'll find. Live bait fished tight to the bottom is your best bet, and patience pays off with these wary feeders.
Gag grouper are the bullies of the reef, and tangling with a big gag is like arm-wrestling a truck. These bruisers can push 30+ pounds and have zero interest in coming up easy. They'll head straight for the nearest hole or ledge, testing your tackle and technique. Gags are ambush predators that patrol reef edges and structure, usually in 80-150 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and early morning or late afternoon periods. What makes gag fishing exciting is the sudden, jarring strike followed by a bulldogging fight that'll leave your arms burning.
Cobia are the wildcards of this fishery - they show up when you least expect them and disappear just as quickly. These brown sharks (that's what some folks call them) can reach 40+ pounds and make blistering runs that'll empty your reel in seconds. They're curious fish that often cruise near the surface around structure, sometimes following other hooked fish up from the depths. Cobia are most common during spring and fall migrations, but stragglers hang around year-round. They'll eat live bait, jigs, or even topwater lures, making them a versatile target that keeps things interesting.
Lane snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and attitude. These colorful little fighters rarely exceed 3-4 pounds but school up in huge numbers around reef structure. They're perfect for filling the cooler and keeping rods bent when the bigger fish are being picky. Lane snapper are year-round residents that feed aggressively on small baits, making them ideal for light tackle fun and introducing new anglers to reef fishing.
This top-rated 8-hour reef adventure gives you the full offshore experience without the overnight commitment. With AA Fishing Charter's local knowledge and customer-focused approach, you're set up for a day of solid fishing action and maybe a few stories worth telling. The 4-angler limit means everyone gets personal attention and plenty of room to work. Whether you're after a trophy gag grouper or
Our World Cat 28 is built for serious offshore reef fishing, designed to get you comfortably to the productive waters where the fish are biting. This twin-hull boat handles the open ocean swells with stability while you work the reefs and wrecks in depths up to 130 feet. The fish finder keeps you on top of the structure where snapper, grouper, and pelagic species hang out, while the GPS ensures we hit the best spots every time. With radar for those foggy mornings and a multimedia system for the ride out, you'll have everything needed for a successful day chasing reef fish. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers room to fight fish without tangling lines. Meet us at slip #36 in Mulligans restaurant parking lot - just park, enter the white gate on the restaurant's left side, and walk the dock to the far end where we'll be waiting to head offshore.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the offshore world - big, brown, shark-looking fish that cruise solo around structure. They average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds, making them serious fighters. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-100 feet, often just under the surface where we spot them by sight. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they move through our waters heading north. What guests love about cobia is the visual aspect - seeing that big brown shadow under the boat before making the cast. They're also phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that rivals the best restaurant fish. The key is using a heavy bucktail jig and being ready for their initial run toward structure. Once hooked, they'll try to wrap you around anything they can find, so keep steady pressure and don't give them slack.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - thick-bodied fighters that'll test your tackle and your arms. They typically run 5-15 pounds but 20+ pounders aren't uncommon around good structure. These guys love rocky reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 40-100 feet where they can ambush prey from their holes. Fall through early spring is your best bet when they're feeding heavy before spawning season. What makes gags so popular is their incredible fight - they'll make one powerful run for the rocks and you better be ready to stop them. They're also top-shelf eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grouper sandwiches. The trick is keeping your drag locked tight and pulling them up and away from structure immediately after hookup. Live pinfish or large cut baits work great, but once they grab it, it's a wrestling match to get them out of their rocky hideouts.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are those pretty pink and yellow-striped fish that always seem to find their way into the cooler. They run smaller at 1-3 pounds on average, but don't let the size fool you - they're scrappy little fighters. You'll find them over coral reefs and sandy patches in 20-80 feet, usually mixed in with other bottom species. They bite year-round but really turn on during summer months when the water's warm. What's great about lanes is they're aggressive biters that aren't too line-shy, making them perfect for getting kids or new anglers into fish. They're also excellent eating with sweet, white meat that's just right for a fish fry. These guys typically travel in schools, so when you find one, work that spot hard. Small hooks with fresh shrimp or squid strips work best - they've got small mouths, so keep your baits bite-sized and you'll load up.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll see out there - bright gold sides with electric blue and green backs that flash like underwater lightning. They average 15-29 pounds but can hit 40+ on a good day. These fast swimmers love floating debris and weed lines in 60-130 feet of water, making them perfect targets for our reef trips. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps climb. What makes mahi special is their incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and put on a real show once hooked. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that firm, sweet meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes peeled around the boat - they often travel in small groups, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the crown jewel of bottom fishing - those bright red beauties that turn heads at the dock. Most run 2-8 pounds, but 10+ pounders show up regularly around deeper structure. They live on hard bottom, reefs, and ledges in 40-120 feet where they stack up in good numbers. Summer months from June through August are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes reds special is that perfect combo of great fight and even better eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. These fish have serious attitude and will make powerful runs toward the bottom when hooked. The secret is getting your bait down fast with enough weight - they live tight to structure, so you need to get in their zone. Fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or squid works best, and once you find them, stay put because they school up.
Sebastian, FL