Charter Fishing In Destin Florida | 10 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore charter targets Wahoo, Amberjack, and TunaAll fishing gear and licenses included with tripPrivate charter accommodates up to 6 guests maximum
When you're ready to leave the beach crowds behind and chase some serious offshore action, this 10-hour deep sea adventure with Black Diamond Fishing Charters puts you right where the big fish live. We're talking about getting you 20-30 miles out into the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where the continental shelf drops off and the real game fish cruise. This isn't your typical half-day tourist trip – we're giving you a full day to work the prime spots and put some legitimate bragging rights in the cooler. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into each other when the action heats up.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on fish using decades of local knowledge about structure, currents, and seasonal patterns. We'll be covering serious ground throughout the day, hitting multiple spots depending on what's biting and where the bait is showing up. The boat's rigged with everything you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the terminal gear to handle whatever we hook into. Your fishing licenses are covered too, so you don't need to worry about paperwork. The only thing you need to bring is your food and drinks for the day, because 10 hours on the water works up an appetite. Pack a good cooler with plenty of ice, some sandwiches, snacks, and more water than you think you'll need. The Gulf sun can be intense, even when there's a breeze.
We'll be running a combination of trolling patterns and bottom fishing depending on what species we're targeting and what the conditions look like. For the pelagics like wahoo and tuna, we'll pull spreader bars, ballyhoo, and high-speed lures through the blue water, covering miles of prime territory. When we find the right temperature breaks and current edges, that's where things get exciting. For the amberjack and grouper, we'll drop down to structure with heavy tackle and big baits – these fish don't mess around, and neither do we. The boat's equipped with quality electronics to mark fish and structure, plus outriggers to spread out the trolling spread and keep lines from tangling when multiple fish hit at once. Your captain will coach you through the fights, especially when you're dealing with fish that want to head straight back to the bottom or make long runs toward the horizon.
Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of the Gulf, and Destin's waters are loaded with them year-round. These fish average 30-50 pounds but can push well over 100, and they fight like they're twice their size. They live around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom structure, usually in 80-200 feet of water. When you hook an AJ, get ready for a straight-down power run followed by circles and head shakes that'll test your arms and your drag system. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most aggressive, but summer fishing can be outstanding too if you get on them early or late in the day. What makes amberjack so popular with serious anglers is their never-give-up attitude – they'll fight you all the way to the boat.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60+ mph when they want to. These fish are built like torpedoes and hit trolled baits with incredible violence, often jumping and making blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. They typically run 20-40 pounds in our area, with occasional giants pushing 60-80 pounds. Fall through early spring is peak wahoo time when they're most abundant, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They prefer the edges of the continental shelf where the water color changes from green to blue, and they're suckers for high-speed trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo. The meat quality on wahoo is exceptional – white, flaky, and perfect for the grill.
Gag Grouper are the prized bottom fish that every angler wants in their cooler. These fish are smart, strong, and absolutely delicious on the table. They average 10-30 pounds and live around rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs in 60-150 feet of water. Gags are ambush predators that'll crush a well-presented bait, then immediately try to get back to their hole. You've got to turn them quick and keep pressure on, because once they get back to structure, they're gone. The best gag fishing happens during their fall and winter season when they're feeding heavily before spawning. They're notorious for testing your drag and your nerves, but landing a big gag grouper is one of the most satisfying catches you can make in the Gulf.
Blackfin Tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and fight. These 10-25 pound dynamos are perfect on light tackle and absolutely phenomenal to eat. They school up around structure and bait balls, often feeding aggressively at the surface where you can see the action from a distance. Blackfins are year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall migrations. They'll hit trolled lures, live bait, and chunks with equal enthusiasm. When you find a school of feeding blackfins, you can often catch them as fast as you can get baits in the water.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast sport fishing, and when one shows up in the spread, everything else takes a back seat. These magnificent fish average 6-7 feet long and put on an aerial display that'll have everyone on the boat grabbing cameras. Sailfish are typically caught and released, but the experience of fighting one of these acrobatic fighters is something you'll never forget. They show up most consistently during
Istiophorus AlbicansThe showboats of offshore fishing - these magnificent fish average 6-7 feet and 40-60 pounds. They patrol blue water and current edges, typically in the top 65 feet but will dive deeper chasing bait. Winter months in South Florida give you the best shot, but we see them year-round following warm water. What makes sails special is the aerial show - they'll jump, tailwalk, and put on a display you'll never forget. It's all about the fight, not the table fare. Most folks release them anyway. They hunt in packs, so where you find one, there's usually more. Keep your baits in the top 40 feet and troll slow with teasers. When one shows up, get ready - they often bring friends to the party.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest tunas in the Gulf but pound-for-pound some of the best fighters. They typically run 5-15 pounds and school up in open water, usually in the top 60 feet around bait pods. Peak season runs fall through spring when water temps are right. These fish are pure muscle - they'll wear you out with constant pressure and short, powerful runs. The meat's outstanding, dark and rich like premium sushi-grade tuna. They're also great for beginners since they're more forgiving than larger tunas. Best technique is vertical jigging or chunking with light tackle. Scale down your leaders to 30-pound fluorocarbon - these fish have sharp eyes and will spook from heavy gear.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisSolid fighters that average 5-15 pounds, though 20+ pounders show up on the deeper reefs and wrecks. They love hard bottom, ledges, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Best action happens fall through spring when they're more active in cooler water. What people love about gags is that strong initial pull and how they taste on the table - some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're ambush predators, so once hooked they'll try to get back to their hole fast. The trick is keeping your rod tip low and pulling them straight up and away from structure. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and don't give them any slack or they'll wrap you up in the rocks.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers average 30-40 pounds but can push 80+ in the Gulf. You'll find them around wrecks, oil rigs, and deep structure 60-150 feet down. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight dirty - trying to drag you straight into the structure where they live. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially when the water warms up. What makes them special is that bone-jarring initial run and the way they just won't quit. The meat's excellent too, though watch the size - bigger ones can carry ciguatera. Pro tip: once you hook up, lock that drag down tight and keep them away from the wreck at all costs. Let them run to open water first, then work them up.
Acanthocybium SolandriThe speed demons of the Gulf - these fish can hit 60 mph and average 20-40 pounds, though we see 60+ pounders regularly. They cruise open water and blue water edges, usually in the top 100 feet. Best fishing runs from July through November when they're thick offshore. What gets people hooked is that screaming first run - nothing peels line like a wahoo. Plus the meat is some of the best you'll eat, white and flaky like premium tuna. We troll fast with wire leaders since their razor teeth will cut anything else. Local trick: when you see them following but not hitting, speed up instead of slowing down. Sometimes that extra burst triggers the strike when nothing else will.
Destin Florida