5.0(3 Reviews)12-Hour Swordfish & Trolling Adventure
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour private charter targets swordfish and premium pelagic speciesDeepsea trolling adventure accommodates up to six guests maximumProfessional crew provides equipment for offshore fishing experience
When you're talking serious deep-sea fishing in the Gulf, this 12-hour private charter with Captain Brett and 'Bout Time Charters is the real deal. We're heading way offshore from Pensacola to chase some of the most prized gamefish in these waters – Swordfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With 12 hours on the water, we've got the time to really work the grounds and put you on fish that'll have your arms burning and your reel screaming.
You and up to five other anglers will have the entire boat to yourselves, which means no fighting for rod time or prime spots at the rail. We'll start early – and I mean early – because the best bite windows don't wait for anyone. The Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola offers some of the most productive offshore fishing on the entire Gulf Coast, with drop-offs, structure, and blue water that holds everything from school-sized Blackfins to triple-digit Swordfish. Captain Brett knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not the type to just run to the same spot every day. He reads conditions, watches the reports, and adjusts the game plan based on what's happening out there. Some days we'll spend time trolling the deep blue for Wahoo and Mahi, other trips we might focus on working the sword grounds when conditions are right. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is flexibility – we can chase whatever bite is happening and still have time to try multiple techniques.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For daytime sword fishing, we're talking about dropping baits down 1,500 to 2,000 feet – it's a completely different game than trolling, requiring heavy tackle, electric reels, and a lot of patience. When a sword picks up your bait in that kind of depth, you'll know it, and the fight back to the boat is something you'll be talking about for years. For trolling, we'll pull a spread of lures and rigged baits at various depths, covering water and looking for birds, debris lines, and temperature breaks where pelagics like to hang out. The tackle is all top-shelf gear that can handle whatever we hook into, and Captain Brett will walk you through the setup and techniques. Don't worry if you've never fished this deep before – he's got the experience to coach you through landing fish of a lifetime. We're talking about fish that can pull drag for hundreds of yards and test every ounce of technique you've got.
"Captain Brett was AWSOME and great day of fishing. Easy to find marina with very clean facilities." - Jeff
"We were looking for a boat and Captain that has the experience needed to fish the Gulf waters. Brett deserves a better than 5 star rating. We will be our first and only call when we want to go fishing in the Gulf waters again Thanks again Captain Brett, we have more good memories and stories to share with friends and family." - Carl Van
"We had a blast. We booked a graduation trip so my son and I could make a few more memories, and boy did we. Captain Brett knows his stuff. We fished and caught mingos, black snapper, trigger fish, amberjacks (yes, two of them although only one was keeping size), spanish mackrel, bait fish, and even sucker fish (by accident but we got it). We all worked together to have a good time. If he was taking a fish off a line, then we would bait our hooks. If he was baiting a hook, then we would get the fish off if we could. That means more line time in the water. To me going fishing means everyone works to achieve a good outcome. We seen several dolphins that are nice to look at, but I quickly learned ruin the fishing when they show up. We also seen a sea turtle while we were out. I was amazed when one of the other boats told Captain Brett about a red snapper that was floating and needed the air bladder popped. He did what he could to try to save that fish's life. Played 80s music during the trip, which I think he knows the words to all of them. It was a great experience with a lot of memories made. I will say to anyone going on trips like this, you should look at the captain as the guide and a helping hand, not your own personal butler. The experince is much more rewarding knowing you worked together instead of one person doing all the work and all you did was reel in the fishing line. Thanks Captain Brett for the awesome experience." - Joseph
Swordfish are the holy grail of Gulf fishing, and these waters off Pensacola hold some monsters. These apex predators can stretch over 10 feet and weigh several hundred pounds, making them one of the toughest fights you'll ever experience. Peak sword season runs from late spring through fall, when they're most active in the deep waters. What makes them special isn't just their size – it's their intelligence and power. A big sword will sound, jump, and test every piece of equipment on the boat. Landing one is a team effort that can take over an hour.
Yellowfin Tuna are pure muscle wrapped in silver, and when they're here, they'll bend your rod in half and strip line like it's nothing. These fish typically show up in better numbers during summer and early fall, often running in schools around floating debris or temperature breaks. A decent Yellowfin will go 40-80 pounds, but the Gulf produces fish over 100 pounds that'll humble even experienced anglers. They're prized for their incredible meat quality and the blistering runs
The 2008 Cape Horn Voyager is your ticket to serious offshore action in the Gulf waters off Pensacola. This 31-foot center console cuts through the waves with twin 2017 Suzuki 300HP engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, hitting 44 knots when conditions are right. Built for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a productive day chasing swordfish and pelagics. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 12-hour runs, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish in deep water. GPS and radar keep you on course and safe when weather rolls in. Air conditioning provides relief between fights with big fish, and the multimedia system keeps spirits up during slower periods. The wireless trolling motor lets you work structure quietly when finesse fishing is needed. Whether you're dropping baits in the deep for swords or pulling lures for tuna and mahi, this Cape Horn delivers the stability and fishability serious anglers demand.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy little cousins of the tuna family, but don't let their size fool you - these 20-40 pound fighters punch way above their weight class. They're gorgeous fish with dark backs, golden sides, and that distinctive yellow stripe. You'll find them in nearshore waters around structure and current breaks, especially during fall, winter, and spring. What makes them popular is they fight like fish twice their size and the meat is absolutely prime - deep red and perfect for sashimi. They school up tight, so when you find one, there's usually more around. The trick is scaling down your tackle - use lighter fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks because these fish are sharp-eyed and leader-shy. Vertical jigging and chunking work best when they get finicky.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter out here - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they're brought up. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see bigger bulls with their distinctive blunt heads. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in the upper water column. Best action happens during warmer months when they're feeding aggressively on flying fish and squid. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hit trolled baits, plus they're phenomenal table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your spread out because they usually travel in schools and you'll often get doubles or triples.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water challenge - massive predators averaging 9 feet and 400 pounds that live in 1,500+ feet of water. These nocturnal hunters come up to feed at night, moving from the depths to around 300 feet. We target them year-round, but peak action happens during warmer months when they're most active. What draws serious anglers is the sheer size and power - plus that iconic sword makes every catch a trophy. The meat is firm, meaty steaks that grill perfectly. The secret is deep-dropping with heavy weights, bright lights, and squid baits right at dusk or dawn. Use 80-120 pound line because you never know if you'll tie into an 800-pounder. These fish have big eyes and hunt by sight, so that light setup is crucial for drawing them up from the abyss.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - capable of hitting 60 mph, which makes for some screaming runs when you hook one. These sleek predators typically range 3-5 feet and pack serious muscle in that torpedo-shaped body. You'll find them in open blue water, often around oil rigs or structure breaks where baitfish congregate. Peak season runs July through November when they move closer to shore during their migration. What gets anglers fired up is that lightning-fast strike and the blistering initial run - they'll peel line like nothing else. Plus, the meat is outstanding - white, flaky, and mild. Here's the key: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders is essential because those razor-sharp teeth will slice through anything else in a heartbeat.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family - powerful, fast fish that average 60 pounds but can push well over 100. These torpedo-shaped fighters cruise the upper 300 feet of blue water, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Peak season in the Gulf runs May through August, though we catch them year-round. What makes them special is that relentless, bulldogging fight - they'll pull straight down and test every ounce of your tackle. Plus, there's no better sushi fish swimming. The meat is deep red and incredibly rich. These fish are feeding machines, so when you mark them on the sounder but they won't bite on the troll, switch to vertical jigging. That change in presentation often triggers strikes when nothing else will work.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Brett was AWSOME and great day of fishing. Easy to find marina with very clean facilities.
We were looking for a boat and Captain that has the experience needed to fish the Gulf waters. Brett deserves a better than 5 star...
We had a blast. We booked a graduation trip so my son and I could make a few more memories, and boy did we. Captain Brett knows ...
Pensacola, FL