Extended Fort Walton Beach Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targets snapper, grouper, and mahi mahiProfessional captain provides gear, fuel, and licensing for six guestsTrolling and bottom fishing techniques maximize diverse species catches
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, this 12-hour charter off Fort Walton Beach delivers everything you want in a full-day trip. Running Friday through Monday, we take up to 6 anglers deep into the Gulf where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day run – we're talking about a genuine offshore adventure that gives you time to work multiple spots, try different techniques, and really dial in on what's biting. The Emerald Coast's blue water holds some incredible fisheries, and with a full day on the water, you'll have the best shot at filling the cooler with premium table fare and maybe even a trophy or two.
This charter blends the best of both worlds – trolling the blue water for pelagics and dropping down on structure for bottom dwellers. We'll start early to maximize our time in the prime fishing zones, running out to depths where the water turns that gorgeous emerald green to deep blue. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, from heavy trolling setups to bottom rigs that can handle the big grouper and snapper we're after. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, reading conditions and adjusting the game plan based on what's happening that day. Some trips we'll spend more time trolling if the mahi are schooled up, other days we'll focus on working the structure for grouper and snapper. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is having the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best.
We run a spread of trolling lures designed to pull in everything from king mackerel to wahoo, adjusting our speed and lure selection based on conditions and target species. When we're trolling, you'll see anything from skirted ballyhoo to high-speed lures that drive the wahoo crazy. For bottom fishing, we use circle hooks on heavy tackle – this isn't light tackle fishing when you're dealing with big grouper in 200+ feet of water. The captain will position us over productive bottom, whether it's natural hard bottom, artificial reefs, or structure that holds fish. You'll learn to feel the difference between a grunt and a genuine grouper pulling drag, and there's nothing quite like that first heavy thump when a big snapper grabs your bait. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are included, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing here, typically running 5-20 pounds with some real doormat-sized fish mixed in. These guys live around structure and rocky bottom, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Best action usually comes during daylight hours, and they're one of the finest eating fish in the Gulf. What makes red grouper special is their predictability – when you find good bottom, you'll usually find grouper. They're perfect for anglers of all skill levels because the bite is obvious and the fight is straightforward power.
Mahi Mahi are what dreams are made of when you're trolling offshore. These fish are absolutely gorgeous with their bright colors, and they put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. Mahi typically run in schools, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. They're most active during the warmer months, and we often find them under floating debris or around weed lines. What's really exciting about mahi is their willingness to eat – they're aggressive feeders and will often stay with the boat if you keep one hooked, giving everyone a chance at the action.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, capable of screaming line off your reel faster than almost any other fish. These torpedo-shaped predators typically show up on our high-speed trolling passes, often when we're running between spots. They're not as common as other species, but when you hook into a wahoo, you'll never forget it. The initial run is absolutely incredible, and they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Wahoo fishing is best during the cooler months, and they seem to prefer the early morning and late afternoon bite windows.
Yellowfin Tuna are the premium catch that every offshore angler wants to tangle with. These fish are pure muscle and endurance, capable of long, powerful runs that'll test both your tackle and your stamina. Yellowfin are most common during the summer and fall months, often schooling with dolphins or around floating debris. What makes yellowfin special is their combination of size, fight, and table quality – there's simply no better eating fish in the Gulf. They're also one of the most challenging species to land, requiring proper technique and patience.
Red Snapper are the most sought-after bottom fish in the Gulf, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their bright red coloration and excellent eating qualities are what many anglers consider the perfect fish. Red snapper are structure-oriented, living around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. They can be finicky feeders, sometimes requiring lighter tackle and more subtle presentations. The snapper season is highly regulated, so when it's open, every angler wants to get their limit. What makes red snapper fishing exciting is the challenge – they're smart fish that can test your skills, especially the bigger ones.
This extended offshore charter represents serious value for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water. With 12 hours of fishing time, professional guidance, and all gear included, you're getting a top-rated fishing experience that's tough to beat anywhere along the Emerald Coast. The Friday through Monday schedule works perfectly for weekend warriors and vacation anglers alike. Don't wait too long to book – these full-day trips fill up fast, especially during prime season when the fishing is red hot. Check the calendar and secure your date for what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime off Fort Walton Beach.
This 42-foot Mediterranean Sportfishing boat cuts through Gulf waters with twin 210HP Cummins engines, cruising at 21 knots to get your group of up to 6 anglers to prime fishing grounds fast. Built for serious offshore work, she's your ticket to Fort Walton Beach's best snapper holes and grouper ledges. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish, whether you're dropping baits to the bottom for red snapper and grouper or trolling for mahi mahi and king mackerel. Her stable hull handles Gulf chop with ease, keeping you comfortable during those long battles with amberjack and cobia. Professional rigging stations and fish boxes mean you're set up right for everything from wahoo runs to deep drops for scamp grouper. This boat was designed by anglers for anglers, with the speed to reach distant spots and the stability to fish them right.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the circus performers of offshore fishing - they jump, run, and put on a show that'll get everyone on deck excited. These bright gold and blue speedsters average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ on our extended runs. Look for them around floating debris, weedlines, or current breaks in 100-1000 feet of water. Best action typically comes April through October when water temps climb. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for grilling. They travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Pro tip: keep your trolling spread moving fast around 8-10 knots and watch for birds diving on bait. Once you hook up, get a second line out quick for doubles.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are solid bottom fighters that'll test your drag system. These rusty-red fish with white spots typically run 5-10 pounds around here, though we see some pushing 20+ on the deeper ledges. They hang around hard bottom structure, wrecks, and rocky areas from about 30-150 feet deep. Peak season runs June through September when they're most active feeding on crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is that meaty, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're aggressive biters but smart fighters that'll try to cut you off on structure. My tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them up quick before they wrap you around a ledge.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of Gulf bottom fishing - these bright red fighters are what most folks dream about catching. They typically run 2-8 pounds around our local spots, with bigger fish pushing 15-20 pounds on deeper structure. Look for them on hard bottom, artificial reefs, and wrecks from 50-200 feet deep. Season opens in summer months with strict limits, so timing matters. The sweet, nutty white meat makes them table fare royalty. They're smart fish that'll test your patience with light bites before committing. Once hooked, they'll fight hard for bottom structure. My trick: use circle hooks with fresh squid or live pinfish, and when you feel that tap-tap bite, resist the urge to jerk - let the circle hook do its job.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - hitting 60 mph and making screaming runs that'll smoke your reel. These sleek, silver bullets with blue stripes average 20-40 pounds but can reach 80+ on our longer trips. They cruise open water from 50-300 feet, often around current edges and temperature breaks. Fall and winter months bring the best action when they move closer to shore. The white, flaky meat is prized for fish tacos and grilling. Their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono like butter, so we always use wire leaders. My advice: troll fast at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or ballyhoo rigs. When one hits, hold on tight - they'll make multiple long runs before giving up.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are pure muscle and endurance - these torpedo-shaped fighters will test your stamina on long battles. Most run 30-80 pounds around here, but we hook into 100+ pounders on our deep water runs. They cruise the top 100-300 feet of open ocean, following bait schools and current lines. Peak season is May through October when they're actively feeding. The deep red meat is sushi-grade quality - perfect for searing or eating raw. They school up and travel constantly, so finding them takes patience. Once located, they'll often stay on the bite for hours. Key tip: when trolling isn't working, try chunking with live bait to draw them up from the depths.
Fort Walton Beach