Full Day Spearfishing Trip in Carrabelle, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day spearfishing adventure targeting grouper and snapperPrivate charter accommodates up to four guests maximumCaptain Shawn provides 24+ years local Gulf expertise
Captain Harvey Fishing Charters brings you one of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after spearfishing adventures right out of Carrabelle, Florida. This isn't your typical hook-and-line day – we're talking about an 8-hour dive and spear expedition that puts you face-to-face with some of the Gulf's finest bottom fish. Captain Shawn's got over 24 years working these waters, and he knows exactly where the big grouper and snapper hang out. You'll be hunting in the clear inshore waters aboard a reliable 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser, with room for up to 4 divers ready to get wet and bring home dinner.
Your day kicks off at 407 Marine Street in Carrabelle, where you'll meet Captain Shawn and get the lowdown on today's hunting grounds. This is a private charter, so it's just your crew and the captain – no crowded boats or rushed dives here. The 26' Carver gives you plenty of space to gear up and store your catch, plus the cabin provides shelter between dive sites. Captain Shawn runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed, sharing local knowledge and adjusting the plan based on conditions and what the fish are doing. Since this is spearfishing, you'll need to bring all your own gear – masks, fins, spearguns, wetsuits, the works. No bait fishing here, just pure underwater hunting skills and good breath-holding technique. The Gulf's inshore structure holds plenty of fish, and with 8 hours on the water, you'll hit multiple spots to maximize your shots at quality fish.
Spearfishing in Carrabelle's inshore waters means working depths typically ranging from 15 to 40 feet, perfect for experienced freedivers who know their limits. You'll be targeting structure – rocky bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs where grouper and snapper like to hold tight. Captain Shawn scouts the spots, but once you're in the water, it's all about your diving skills and shot placement. Pole spears work great for smaller snapper, while a good speargun with at least 90cm length gives you the range and power for bigger grouper. Water visibility usually runs 20-40 feet depending on conditions, and the Gulf's relatively warm temps mean a 3mm wetsuit handles most situations. The key is moving quietly, controlling your breathing, and knowing fish behavior. Grouper tend to duck into holes when spooked, so your first shot better count. Snapper are quicker but often curious, giving patient divers good opportunities. Captain Shawn stays topside monitoring safety and helping with fish retrieval, plus he'll move the boat to fresh spots when one area gets pressured.
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Carrabelle spearfishing, and these chunky bottom dwellers love the rocky structure scattered throughout the Gulf's inshore waters. They typically run 5-15 pounds, though bigger fish push 20+ pounds if you're lucky. Red grouper are ambush predators that sit tight to cover, making them perfect spearfishing targets for divers who can get close. Best hunting happens during cooler months when they're more active, though you'll find them year-round. What makes them special is the combination of their size, fight, and incredible table fare – red grouper fillets are pure white meat with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat.
Red Snapper bring the speed and excitement to your spearfishing day, zipping around structure in schools that can number in the dozens. These crimson rockets typically weigh 3-8 pounds in Carrabelle's inshore waters, though bigger breeding fish show up during certain seasons. They're curious but skittish, often circling just outside spear range before darting away. The trick is patience – let them get comfortable, then make your move when one presents a clean shot. Red snapper season has specific regulations, so Captain Shawn keeps you updated on current rules. When they're biting, few fish match the satisfaction of a well-placed spear shot on a quality red snapper.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and willingness to cooperate. These yellow-striped beauties typically run 1-3 pounds and often travel in large schools around the same structure holding bigger fish. They're perfect for warming up your shooting eye or filling the cooler when bigger fish aren't cooperating. Lane snapper are less spooky than reds, often holding close to structure even after other fish have cleared out. Their mild flavor and smaller fillets make them ideal for whole fish preparations or fish cakes.
Gag Grouper represent the premium target for serious spearfishermen, with their distinctive coloring and impressive size potential. These fish can push 30+ pounds in Carrabelle's deeper inshore waters, though most catches run 8-20 pounds. Gags are smarter and more cautious than red grouper, requiring better stalking technique and shot placement. They prefer deeper ledges and rockier bottom, often holding in small groups. When you connect with a big gag, be ready for a serious fight – they'll try every trick to wrap your line around structure and break off. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that holds together perfectly on the grill.
Black Sea Bass round out the target species list as reliable, cooperative fish that always seem willing to play along. They typically weigh 1-4 pounds around Carrabelle and love hanging around structure in small groups. Sea bass aren't the fastest swimmers, making them excellent targets for building confidence or introducing new spearfishermen to the sport. They're active year-round and adapt to various depths, so you'll often encounter them while hunting bigger game. Don't overlook
Set out from Carrabelle aboard this reliable 26' Carver Cabin Cruiser, your home base for a full day of spearfishing in the Gulf's productive waters. This 1986 vessel runs on a powerful MerCruiser 350hp engine that'll get you to the prime spots where grouper, snapper, and black sea bass hang out around the structure. The boat's equipped with everything you need - GPS to navigate to Captain Shawn's secret spots, fish finder to locate the best targets below, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh. When you need a break between dives, there's a comfortable cabin with a bed and the elevated flybridge gives you great visibility of the water. With room for up to 4 spearfishers, this sturdy cruiser handles the Gulf conditions well while giving you plenty of deck space to gear up and store your equipment. Captain Shawn's been working these waters for over two decades, so you'll be fishing the most productive areas where the big fish cruise.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are scrappy little fighters that pack more punch than their size suggests. These plump, dark fish with white-spotted fins typically run 1-4 pounds, though occasional 6+ pounders show up. They love hanging around wrecks, jetties, rocky bottoms, and artificial reefs in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite and decent fight for their size, plus they're excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. Interesting fact - they all start as females and change to males around 9-13 inches. They'll hit live bait, cut squid, or small jigs worked near bottom. Local tip: look for the bigger males in deeper water around heavy structure, and don't be surprised if pulling up one brings a few buddies with it - they often school together.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are serious fish that'll give you a real workout. These gray, marbled beauties average 20 inches but can stretch past 4 feet and 50+ pounds. Males are darker with distinctive reticulated dorsal fins. They love rocky structure, reefs, and drop-offs, with juveniles staying shallow while adults move to deeper offshore spots. Spring and summer offer the best action when they're more active around structure. What makes them special is their incredible strength - they'll try to drag you straight down to their hole faster than any fish their size. The fight is legendary, and the meat is top-shelf eating. They're also smart fish that change from female to male as they mature. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that reel down and don't give them an inch - keep your rod low and muscle them up fast, because if they reach cover, you're done.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snapper are the perfect "bonus fish" that'll keep you busy between bigger catches. These colorful little snappers with their pink bodies and yellow racing stripes typically run 10-14 inches and 1-3 pounds. You'll find them around coral patches, sandy bottoms with vegetation, and shallow reefs in 20-80 feet. They're most active March through September during spawning season, especially at night. What makes them fun is they're aggressive biters that'll hit almost anything - shrimp, squid, cut bait, even small jigs. The meat is surprisingly good for their size, sweet and flaky. They're also great for getting kids or new divers some action since they're not shy about biting. Pro tip: if you're seeing Lane Snapper, there's usually bigger fish nearby, so don't get too distracted - but enjoy the steady action they provide.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are one of our most popular targets around Carrabelle's reefs and wrecks. These rusty-red beauties with distinctive white spots typically run 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, ledges, and structure in 20-100 feet of water. What makes them special is their incredible fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to their hole. The meat is outstanding too, with that sweet, shellfish-like flavor that makes them a dinner favorite. Best fishing is spring through fall when they're most active. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep your reel locked tight and pull hard right away - give them even a second and they'll wrap you around the nearest structure and break you off.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing around here. These bright red fighters average 2-5 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds on a good day. They love hard bottom structure, reefs, and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water where they school up tight. Peak season runs May through October when they're spawning and most aggressive. What guests love about them is the combination of a serious fight and incredible table fare - firm, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They'll test your drag and try to cut you off on structure every time. My go-to tip: use circle hooks and fresh bait, and when you feel that thump, don't set the hook hard - just start reeling steady and let the circle hook do its job. They'll hook themselves in the corner of the mouth every time.
Carrabelle