6 Hour Homosassa Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore charter targeting grouper, snapper, and cobiaSmall group fishing aboard 24foot Blazer Bay boatAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included
If you're ready to get serious about Gulf Coast fishing, this 6-hour offshore charter out of Homosassa is exactly what you've been looking for. Running from September through March when the weather cooperates and the fish are biting, this trip takes you 9 to 40 miles into the Gulf where the real action happens. You'll be fishing aboard a well-equipped 24' Blazer Bay that handles the offshore waters like a champ, with room for up to three anglers who want to experience what deep water fishing is all about. We're talking prime grouper territory, snapper holes, and structure that holds some of the Gulf's most sought-after species.
Your day kicks off at 7:00 AM sharp, giving us the full morning bite when fish are most active. The 24' Blazer Bay is built for offshore work – stable, comfortable, and equipped with everything needed to put you on fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we'll run anywhere from 9 miles out to the nearshore structure, all the way to 40 miles offshore where the big grouper and cobia cruise. The boat comfortably handles three guests, making this perfect for small groups or families who want a more personal fishing experience without the crowd of a larger charter. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, and your fishing license – so you can focus on what matters most: getting tight to some Gulf Coast favorites. Kids are absolutely welcome, and there's nothing quite like watching a young angler battle their first offshore grouper.
We'll be working a variety of techniques depending on what the fish want that day. Bottom fishing is our bread and butter out here – dropping baits down to the reefs, ledges, and hard-bottom areas where grouper, snapper, and hogfish like to hang out. You'll learn to feel the bite through 60-100 feet of water, and there's real skill in knowing when to set the hook on a big gag grouper that's trying to get back to its hole. We also run live bait when conditions are right, especially for cobia that cruise these waters during their seasonal movements. Drift fishing lets us cover water efficiently, working different depths and structure until we find where the fish are stacked up. The tackle is sized right for the species we're targeting – heavy enough to pull fish up from the depths, but still sporting enough that you'll feel every head shake and run.
Gag Grouper are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These fish average 5-15 pounds but can push 20+ pounds when you find the right hole. Gags are smart, structure-oriented fish that will test your skills – they hit hard, then immediately try to get back to their rocky home where they can break you off. The fall and winter months when this trip runs are prime time for gags, as they're feeding heavily and holding tight to the offshore structure. What makes them special isn't just the fight, but the table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat.
Red Grouper offer a different kind of challenge, often found in slightly different areas than their gag cousins. Reds tend to be more aggressive feeders and will often hit cut bait worked near the bottom. They're incredibly strong fish that use their broad tails and thick bodies to make powerful runs back toward structure. Most reds run 3-10 pounds, but the Gulf holds some real monsters that can surprise you. They're excellent eating and often more cooperative than gags when it comes to taking bait.
Sheepshead might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute favorites among anglers who appreciate technical fishing. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth that they use to crush barnacles and crabs around structure. They're notorious bait thieves – you'll feel little taps and pecks before they finally commit to the bait. Landing a nice sheepshead requires patience and timing, but they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Winter is prime time for big sheepshead, with fish pushing 3-6 pounds common around the right structure.
Hogfish are the oddball of the group – they look more like a tropical reef fish than something you'd expect in Gulf waters. These pink and orange beauties use their pig-like snouts to root around sandy bottoms near reefs, feeding on crabs and other invertebrates. They're excellent on light tackle and make great table fare. Hogfish can be particular about their bait presentation, but when you find a school, the action can be fast and fun.
Cobia are the wild card that can make any trip memorable. These brown, shark-looking fish cruise the offshore waters during their seasonal migrations, and when you find them, they provide some of the most exciting fishing the Gulf has to offer. Cobia are curious fish that will often come right to the boat, giving you a chance to sight-fish with live bait or jigs. They're strong fighters that make long runs and aren't afraid to jump. A good cobia will go 15-40 pounds and provides enough fillets to feed the whole family.
This seasonal charter books up fast, especially during the prime fall and winter months when conditions are most favorable and the fish are biting best. With only three spots available per trip, you're getting a personal fishing experience that larger boats simply can't match. The 6-hour timeframe gives us real opportunity to work different areas and techniques until we find what's working best that day. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or a family wanting to experience Gulf Coast fishing at its finest, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of Homosassa's access to prime offshore structure, the seasonal timing when fish are most active, and the personalized attention you'll get on a smaller boat makes this a
Hit the Gulf waters aboard this 24' Blazer Bay center console, built for serious offshore fishing out of Homosassa. With a 300HP Mercury pushing you up to 55 knots, you'll cover the 9-40 mile run to productive grouper and snapper grounds in comfort. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day - fish finder to locate bottom structure, GPS for precise navigation, and radar for those early morning departures when visibility's limited. The center console layout gives everyone room to fight fish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour trip. Wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over reef edges where hogfish and cobia hang out. Whether you're bottom fishing deep ledges or drifting live bait over hard bottom, this setup handles Gulf conditions with ease and gets you back to the dock safely with a cooler full of dinner.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising just under the surface like brown torpedoes. These fish average 20-40 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, making them serious tackle-testing fish. We find them around reefs, wrecks, and floating debris in 30-100 feet during our season. They're solitary hunters, not schooling fish, so each one is a prize. What makes them special is that explosive fight and premium table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant-quality. During spawning season they're more active and aggressive. The key is spotting them first, then getting a bait or lure in front of them quickly. Bucktail jigs work great, but live bait is hard to beat. Once hooked, these fish make long runs and fight hard to the end - definitely bring your camera for this one.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your gear once hooked. Most run 5-15 pounds, but we see some pushing 30+ pounds on the deeper reefs. They love hanging around rocky ledges, wrecks, and hard-bottom areas in 30-120 feet of water. Our fall through winter season is prime time since they're more active in cooler months. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they immediately try to get back to their hole - you've got to muscle them up fast or they'll wrap you around structure. The meat is excellent, firm and white. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep your rod low and don't give them any slack. They'll use every ounce of strength to get back to cover, so be ready for a serious tug-of-war right from the start.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are one of the most unique species we target, easily recognized by that pig-like snout they use to root through the sand. Most run 2-8 pounds, but we see some beauties hitting 15+ pounds. They love coral reefs, hard-bottom areas, and rocky structure in 20-100 feet of water where they can dig for crabs and shellfish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're more active. What guests enjoy is both the challenge and reward - they're tricky to hook because of that snout, but the meat is absolutely top-shelf with a sweet, mild flavor that rivals lobster. They're curious fish that often swim right up to the boat. My advice: use live shrimp on a small hook and be patient. When they pick up the bait, give them a second to get it in their mouth before setting the hook - rushing it will just pull the bait away.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, averaging 5-15 pounds with some reaching 25+ pounds. They prefer muddy and rocky bottoms in 40-200 feet, often found around ledges and hard structure. Our September through March season is perfect since they're more active in cooler water. What makes them popular is their aggressive nature - they'll hammer bait hard and put up a solid fight all the way to the boat. The payoff is excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat that many consider the best-tasting grouper. They feed heavily on crabs and shrimp, making those baits your best bet. Here's what works: use a heavy enough weight to get down fast and don't let them get back to their hole. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and pump them up - they're tough but fair fighters.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the craftiest fish we target, known for stealing bait with those human-like teeth. They typically run 2-8 pounds, though we catch some bruisers over 15 pounds around the offshore structures. Look for them hugging hard-bottom areas, wrecks, and anywhere barnacles grow in 20-80 feet of water. Winter months are best when they school up for spawning. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves that require quick reflexes and perfect hook sets. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and get as close to structure as possible. When you feel that subtle tick-tick-tick, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately or they'll clean you out.
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