18-Hour Offshore Mahi, Wahoo & Tuna Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
18-hour offshore charter targeting Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Tuna species.Professional captain provides gear, fuel, and licensing for six guests.Deep-water fishing around offshore Fish Aggregating Devices near Fort Walton.
When you're ready to chase the big pelagics in the deep blue waters off Fort Walton Beach, this 18-hour fishing charter puts you right where the action happens. We're talking about a serious day on the water targeting some of the Gulf's most prized offshore species around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that concentrate Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and multiple Tuna varieties. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're heading to the deep-water grounds where the trophy fish roam, and the extended time on the water gives us the best shot at filling the cooler with premium eating fish and maybe even a wall-hanger or two.
Your captain fires up the engines before dawn, and we're running hard to reach those productive offshore grounds where the water turns that deep cobalt blue. The 18-hour timeframe lets us cover serious ground, hitting multiple FADs and structure where these pelagic species concentrate. You'll spend most of your day trolling high-speed lures and rigged baits, watching the outriggers and scanning for bird activity that signals feeding fish below. The professional crew handles all the heavy lifting – rigging baits, managing the spread, and coaching you through the fights when fish come tight. Available Friday through Sunday, this charter accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for groups who want to split costs while targeting some of the Gulf's most sought-after gamefish. Everything's included except your lunch and drinks, so pack a cooler with plenty of food and water for the long day ahead.
We're running a full trolling spread designed specifically for these fast-moving pelagics. The boat's rigged with quality conventional reels spooled with heavy braid, and we're pulling a mix of skirted lures, rigged ballyhoo, and diving plugs at different depths in the water column. The captain adjusts boat speed based on conditions and target species – slower for Mahi around floating debris, faster when we're hunting Wahoo along temperature breaks. When we mark fish on the electronics or spot birds working, we might switch to live bait fishing with circle hooks to get those finicky biters to commit. The crew handles all the technical stuff like setting the drag, managing the outriggers, and clearing lines when multiple fish hit simultaneously. Your job is simple: hold on tight when that reel starts screaming and let the captain talk you through the fight. These fish are built for speed and endurance, so expect some serious arm-burning battles before we get them boatside.
Mahi Mahi are the bread and butter of this fishery, and they're absolute dynamite on the line. These colorful fighters average 10-25 pounds out here, with the occasional bull pushing 40-plus pounds during peak season. They love floating debris, weed lines, and the FADs we target, often traveling in schools that can provide non-stop action when you find them. Spring through fall offers the most consistent bite, and their flaky white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table. What makes Mahi special is their aerial show – these fish go absolutely ballistic when hooked, jumping clear of the water and putting on a display that gets everyone on the boat fired up.
Wahoo fishing is all about speed and sharp teeth. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60+ mph and regularly stretch 30-50 pounds in these waters, with the occasional monster topping 80 pounds. They patrol temperature breaks and current edges, ambushing bait with lightning-fast strikes that'll snap your head around when they hit. The key is heavy wire leaders and high-speed trolling – we're talking 12-18 knots to trigger their predatory instincts. Their dark, rich meat has a unique flavor that's somewhere between Tuna and Mackerel, and many anglers consider them the best eating fish in the Gulf. The fight is pure power with blistering runs that test your tackle and technique.
Yellowfin Tuna represent the ultimate offshore prize, combining size, speed, and incredible table fare. These deep-water warriors average 40-80 pounds but can push well over 100 pounds during the right conditions. They're most active around underwater structure, temperature changes, and areas with strong current flow – exactly what we target with this extended offshore approach. Yellowfin are notorious for their sustained, powerful runs that seem to go on forever, testing both angler stamina and equipment limits. Their bright red meat is sushi-grade quality, making them highly prized by both sport anglers and seafood enthusiasts. The key is patience and endurance – these fish don't give up easily.
Red Grouper provide a nice change of pace from the high-speed pelagics, though we typically encounter them while fishing structure or when live bait fishing around the FADs. These bottom dwellers average 5-15 pounds and offer steady, bulldogging fights that test your ability to turn their heads and keep them off the rocks. They're available year-round in these waters and their mild, flaky white meat makes them excellent table fare. While not as flashy as the pelagics, Grouper represent reliable action when the offshore bite slows down.
Red Snapper fishing adds another dimension to this charter, especially during the open federal seasons. These popular reef fish average 3-8 pounds with larger specimens possible around deeper structure. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to live and cut bait, providing steady action for anglers of all skill levels. Their sweet, mild flavor makes them one of the most sought-after eating fish in the Gulf, and their bright red coloration makes for great photos. The key is getting your bait down quickly to beat the smaller fish to the punch.
This 18-hour offshore adventure represents serious value for anglers who want to target the
This 42-foot Mediterranean sportfisher cuts through Gulf waters with twin 210HP Cummins engines, cruising at 21 knots to get your crew of up to 6 anglers to the offshore grounds fast. Built for serious fishing, she's designed to handle the deep water runs to Fish Aggregating Devices where the big pelagics hang out. The stable platform gives you the edge when battling Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and multiple Tuna species during those long 18-hour offshore sessions. Her professional-grade layout provides plenty of fighting room and storage for tackle, while the reliable twin power plant ensures you spend more time with lines in the water than worrying about getting home. Perfect for dedicated anglers ready to target trophy fish in Fort Walton Beach's prime offshore waters.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure offshore gold - those electric colors and acrobatic jumps make every hookup a show. They typically run 15-30 pounds out here, though we see some 40+ pounders around floating debris and weed lines. These surface dwellers love FADs and any floating structure in deep blue water. Best action is spring through fall when water temps warm up. What gets people hooked is the fight - they'll leap, tail-walk, and put on a real display before coming to the boat. Plus, the meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild with great flavor. They're aggressive feeders, so they'll hammer trolled ballyhoo or rigged squid. My go-to trick is keeping one hooked fish in the water while others grab baits - mahi are curious and will often stick around in schools when they see a buddy in trouble.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are chunky, hard-fighting fish that live around rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks in 10-300 feet of water. Most run 5-10 pounds, but we see some pushing 20+ pounds on the deeper structure. They're rusty red with distinctive white spots and pack serious muscle for their size. These fish love hanging tight to cover, so expect a tough battle once hooked - they'll try to wrap you around anything nearby. Peak season runs spring through fall when they're most active. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky meat with a slight shellfish taste from their crab and shrimp diet. Pro tip: use a heavy jig head with live or dead shrimp, drop it right to the bottom, and be ready to horse them up fast before they get back to their hole.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the classic Gulf bottom fish - that bright red color and solid build make them a favorite target. Most run 2-8 pounds, but we get some nice 15+ pounders around deeper structure. They live on hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 30-200 feet, holding tight to cover. Summer season brings the best fishing when they're most active and regulations allow targeting them. What people love is that solid fight - they'll pull hard toward the bottom and use every bit of structure to try breaking off. The white, flaky meat has a sweet, mild flavor that's hard to beat. They're aggressive on live bait like pinfish or cigar minnows. Key tip is getting your bait right to the bottom where they live, and once hooked, muscle them up quick before they wrap you around the structure.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of offshore fishing - these torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and will test your reflexes when they strike. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds with that distinctive blue-striped silver body. They cruise open water around FADs and drop-offs, usually in the top 60 feet. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is that blazing fast strike and the smoking runs they make - no warning, just screaming drag. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Their razor teeth will cut through mono like butter, so we always run wire leaders. Best tip I can share is troll fast - 12-15 knots with high-speed lures. When they hit, just hang on and let that reel sing.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the ultimate offshore prize - built like torpedoes with that distinctive bright yellow trim on fins and tail. We typically see 40-100 pounders, though some real giants push 200+ pounds. They roam deep blue water around FADs and current breaks, staying in the upper 300 feet but often feeding near the surface. Summer through early fall brings the best action when bait is thick. These fish are pure muscle and endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag system and your arms. The meat is world-class, deep red and perfect for sushi or searing. They're smart feeders, so we use everything from trolled ballyhoo to chunking techniques. Pro tip: when they're being finicky, try dropping jigs deep - sometimes they're down there feeding while nothing shows on the surface.
Fort Walton Beach