Full Day Shared Spearfishing Trip in Carrabelle
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour shared spearfishing adventure targeting grouper and snapperCaptain Shawn brings 24+ years of local Gulf waters experienceAccommodates up to six guests aboard 26-foot Carver cruiser
Captain Harvey Fishing Charters offers something pretty special for spearfishermen looking to dive the productive Gulf waters around Carrabelle, Florida. This isn't your typical rod-and-reel charter – we're talking about an 8-hour shared spearfishing adventure that puts you face-to-face with some of the area's most sought-after bottom fish. Captain Shawn brings over 24 years of local knowledge to the table, which means you'll be diving the right spots at the right times. The 26-foot Carver Cabin Cruiser provides a stable platform for gearing up and plenty of room to handle your catch. You'll launch from 407 Marine Street and spend the day targeting prime real estate where grouper, snapper, and sea bass call home.
This shared trip accommodates up to 6 divers, creating a social atmosphere where you can learn from other spearfishermen while exploring Carrabelle's productive inshore structures. Captain Shawn knows these waters like the back of his hand – from rocky ledges that hold big gag grouper to sandy bottom transitions where red snapper cruise. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a safe dive operation, including proper safety equipment and dive flags. You'll be targeting depths that range from 20 to 60 feet, depending on conditions and where the fish are holding. The Gulf's clarity around Carrabelle is typically excellent, giving you the visibility you need to spot and stalk your targets. Since this is a shared charter, you'll split fuel costs and get access to Captain Shawn's premium fishing spots at a fraction of what a private trip would cost.
You'll need to bring your own spearfishing equipment – this includes your wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, speargun or pole spear, and a good dive knife. Captain Shawn recommends at least a 3mm wetsuit for comfort during the 8-hour trip, though many local divers prefer 5mm suits for extended bottom time. Your speargun should be appropriate for the target species – a 90cm to 110cm gun works well for the grouper and snapper you'll encounter here. Don't forget a stringer or dive bag for your catch, and consider bringing a dive light since some of the bigger fish like to hide in darker holes and ledges. The boat provides ice and fish cleaning facilities, so you can keep your catch fresh throughout the day. Safety gear like dive flags and emergency whistles are provided, but bringing your own surface marker buoy isn't a bad idea for added visibility.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Carrabelle spearfishing, and these chunky bottom dwellers are active year-round in the Gulf's inshore waters. They typically hang around rocky structure and artificial reefs in 25-50 feet of water, where they ambush crabs and small fish. Red grouper are curious fish, often approaching divers before spooking, which gives experienced spearfishermen a good shot opportunity. They average 3-8 pounds in these waters, with occasional fish pushing 15+ pounds. The meat is firm, white, and considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Red Snapper season brings some of the most exciting spearfishing action around Carrabelle. These aggressive feeders school around structure and are known for their bright red coloration and feisty attitude. Red snapper are fast swimmers with excellent eyesight, making them a challenging target that requires good stalking technique. They're most active during summer months and can be found in depths from 30-80 feet. A good red snapper from these waters will weigh 5-15 pounds and provides fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and taste. These colorful fish have distinct yellow stripes running along pink and silver bodies, making them easy to identify underwater. They school heavily around structure and are less spooky than red snapper, offering good opportunities for newer spearfishermen to practice their technique. Lane snapper are active year-round and typically weigh 1-3 pounds. Their sweet, delicate meat makes them a customer favorite for fish tacos and ceviche.
Gag Grouper represent the premium target for serious spearfishermen visiting Carrabelle waters. These powerful fish can exceed 20 pounds and are known for their strength and determination to reach cover when shot. Gags prefer rocky ledges and structure in 40-80 feet of water, where they ambush prey with lightning-fast strikes. They're more active during cooler months and require precise shot placement due to their thick skulls and muscular bodies. The reward is some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf – firm, white meat with a clean, mild flavor that's perfect for any preparation.
Black Sea Bass are often overlooked but provide consistent action throughout the year around Carrabelle's inshore reefs and structure. These hardy bottom fish are curious and approachable, making them perfect targets for building confidence and practicing technique. They typically weigh 1-4 pounds and have distinctive black coloration with white markings. Black sea bass are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat similar to grouper. They're particularly active during winter months when other species slow down, ensuring good spearfishing action regardless of season.
Captain Harvey Fishing Charters has built a reputation for putting spearfishermen on fish while maintaining the highest safety standards. With Captain Shawn's 24+ years of local experience, you're getting access to knowledge that can't be bought – prime dive sites, fish behavior patterns, and safety protocols that come from decades on these waters. This shared spearfishing trip offers world-class
This 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser cuts through Carrabelle's Gulf waters with serious fishing power. The 350hp MerCruiser gets you to productive spots fast, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where spearfish targets hang out. Built in '86, this boat's proven reliable through decades of Florida fishing. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting fish, plus there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long days on the water. With room for 6 anglers, the cabin provides shelter when you need a break from the sun. Captain Shawn knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand after 24+ years guiding here. GPS keeps you on course to the best fishing grounds where Black Sea Bass, Grouper, and Snapper are waiting. The onboard bed means you can grab some rest between dives if needed.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are the workhorses of our Gulf trips - reliable, tasty, and always fun to catch. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, making them perfect for divers of all skill levels. They love structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 30-120 feet of water, often schooling up around the same spots. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed heavily. What makes them special is their curious nature - they'll often approach divers and investigate what you're doing rather than fleeing immediately. The males turn brilliant blue during spawning season with a distinctive hump on their head, making them easy to identify. They're also excellent eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: look for the bigger males holding territory on top of structure while smaller fish hang around the edges. Move slowly and they'll often let you get surprisingly close before taking your shot.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are some of the smartest fish we target, and that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. They average 15-25 inches around here, but the big males can push 40+ inches and really test your gear. You'll find them around hard structure - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom from 40-150 feet deep. They're most active in cooler months when they move shallow to feed, making fall and winter prime time. What separates Gags from other grouper is their intelligence - they study your approach and won't give you a second chance if you mess up the first shot. The payoff is worth it though; their meat is incredibly firm and mild, perfect for grilling or frying. The fight is legendary too - once hooked, they make one powerful run for the nearest hole. My advice: approach structure slowly and watch for their mottled gray pattern against the rocks. Unlike other grouper that sit tight, Gags will often cruise just off the bottom, making them easier targets if you're patient.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snapper are the perfect "action fish" on our trips - they're everywhere and always willing to bite. Most run 10-14 inches and rarely top 3 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and attitude. You'll find them around any structure from 20-100 feet, especially coral patches and rocky areas with good current flow. They're most active during warmer months from March through September when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. What guests love about them is the constant action - these pink and yellow striped fish are curious and will investigate your spear, making them great for beginners. Plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: Lane Snapper often school up with other species, so when you find them, slow down and look around. You'll often spot bigger snappers or grouper mixed in with the schools. They're also more active at dawn and dusk, so that's when we focus on them most.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are some of the most reliable fish we target around here. They typically run 5-10 pounds, though we see bigger ones pushing 20+ pounds on deeper structure. These rusty-red beauties with their distinctive white spots love hanging around rocky ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom from about 30-150 feet. You'll find them year-round in our Gulf waters, but they really turn on during cooler months when they're more aggressive. What makes them special? They're absolute bulldogs once hooked - they'll try to drag you straight into the nearest hole or structure. The meat is top-shelf too, with that firm, flaky texture that tastes like they've been eating nothing but shrimp and crab their whole lives. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep that rod tip high and reel fast those first few seconds. Don't give them a chance to think about diving for cover.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing and a real prize on our spearfishing trips. Most fish we see run 2-5 pounds, but the big females can hit 15-20 pounds around deeper structure. They love hanging near ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're feeding heavy and more active during daylight hours. What makes them worth targeting? That bright red color makes them easy to spot underwater, and they're curious enough to let you get close if you move slow and steady. The meat quality is second to none - sweet, flaky, and perfect on the grill. When spearfishing, look for them suspended just off the structure rather than tight to the bottom. They'll often cruise in small groups, so if you see one, there's usually more nearby. Take your time and pick your shot - they spook easily once the first fish gets hit.
Carrabelle