Full Day Nearshore Wreck Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Eighthour private charter targeting multiple offshore speciesProfessional 22' Pathfinder equipped with GPS and fishfinderAll licenses, bait, and tackle provided onboard
Looking for a serious fishing adventure that puts you on some of the best wrecks up to 9 miles offshore? Captain Tanner's got you covered with this full-day private charter that's designed for anglers who want to get after it. This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – we're talking about an 8-hour commitment to finding fish on structure where the big boys hang out. You'll have the entire 22' Pathfinder to yourself and one guest, which means no crowds, no fighting for rail space, and the captain's full attention on putting you on fish. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: GPS to mark those honey holes, fishfinder to locate the structure, live bait well to keep your offerings fresh, and a trolling motor for those stealthy approaches when the fish are spooky.
This trip is all about hitting the nearshore wrecks where the action happens. We're not messing around with shallow water stuff – we're heading out where the real structure lies, and that means real fish. The 22' Pathfinder is the perfect platform for this kind of fishing. She's big enough to handle the offshore conditions but nimble enough to work tight to structure without spooking the fish. Your captain knows these wrecks like the back of his hand, and he's going to put you on the spots that consistently produce. The day starts early, and we make the most of every hour. You'll be anchored up on productive structure, working the water column from bottom to top. The live bait well means we can keep bait fresh all day, and trust me, live bait makes all the difference when you're targeting cobia and permit around these wrecks. The GPS and fishfinder aren't just for show – your captain uses them constantly to stay on the productive zones and adjust as conditions change throughout the day.
We run the full spectrum of techniques on this trip because different fish call for different approaches. Bottom fishing is your bread and butter for grouper, snapper, and sheepshead. We're talking about heavy tackle when we need to muscle fish away from structure, but we switch to light tackle when the bite calls for finesse. The spinning gear gets a workout too, especially when we're sight-fishing for cobia or working the mid-water column for permit. Your captain will have you rigged and ready for whatever we encounter, and he'll switch up tactics based on what the fish are telling us. Live bait, cut bait, artificials – we use whatever's working on the day. The key to wreck fishing is understanding how fish relate to structure. Some species hug tight to the bottom, others suspend off the wreck, and some cruise the edges looking for an easy meal. Your captain reads the fishfinder constantly, watching for bait schools, fish marks, and structure details that tell the story of what's happening below.
Lane snapper are the bread and butter fish around these wrecks, and they're absolutely fantastic table fare. These fish school up heavy on structure, and when you find them, you can load the cooler. They're aggressive biters that hit live bait, cut bait, and small jigs with equal enthusiasm. Spring through fall is prime time, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. What makes lane snapper special is their willingness to bite when other fish are finicky – they're your backup plan that often becomes the main event.
Gag grouper are the prize fish that every angler wants to hook. These bruisers live around the wrecks and they fight like freight trains. A good gag will test your tackle and your technique, especially when they try to cut you off on the structure. They're most active during cooler months, but summer fishing can be outstanding if you hit them early or late in the day. The thrill of hooking a gag is unmatched – that first run when they realize they're hooked is pure adrenaline.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that separates good anglers from great ones. These fish have incredible eyesight and they're notorious bait thieves, but when you dial in the technique, they're incredibly rewarding. They're structure-oriented fish that feed on barnacles, crabs, and other crustaceans around the wrecks. Winter is prime time for sheepshead, when they move inshore to spawn. The key is small hooks, light line, and patience. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, you've got about a split second to set the hook.
Red grouper are the workhorses of the wreck fishing scene. They're more common than gags but just as good eating, and they're willing biters when you present bait properly. These fish are bottom huggers that rarely venture far from structure, so accuracy is key. They're active year-round, but summer and fall tend to be most productive. Red grouper are perfect for anglers who want consistent action and excellent table fare.
Blacktip sharks add an element of pure excitement to any wreck fishing trip. These fish are fast, aggressive, and they put on an aerial show that's second to none. When a blacktip takes your bait, you know it immediately – they rip line like nothing else. Spring through fall is peak season, especially when bait schools are thick around the wrecks. They're catch-and-release fish, but the experience of fighting one is something you'll never forget.
This full-day private charter represents serious value for anglers who want a top-rated wreck fishing experience without compromise. You're getting 8 hours of dedicated fishing time, all tackle and bait included, plus the expertise of a captain who knows these waters inside and out. The 7-day free cancellation policy means you can book with confidence, knowing you won't get stuck if weather doesn't cooperate. With licenses, tackle, and bait all included,
This beautifully restored 22' Pathfinder puts you right where the fish are biting. With a powerful 225 HP Yamaha pushing you through the water at 30 mph, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The boat's GPS and fishfinder combo helps locate productive spots and underwater structure where grouper, snapper, and cobia like to hang out. A live bait well keeps your offerings fresh and lively, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position silently over productive areas without spooking fish. The fighting chair gives you leverage when battling larger species, and the onboard icebox ensures your catch stays fresh in the Florida heat. Whether you're bottom fishing wrecks for grouper or working the flats for permit, this well-equipped vessel handles nearshore waters with ease and gets you to the action quickly.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the acrobats of the shark world - they'll jump clear out of the water when hooked, sometimes landing right in the boat if you're not careful. They average 4-6 feet but can push 8+ feet and 200 pounds. You'll find them in 20-100 feet around reefs and structure where they hunt in packs. They're fast, strong fighters that make long runs and aerial displays. Fresh cut bait like mackerel, bonito, or live sardines work best on circle hooks with wire leaders. Spring and summer are prime when they're feeding aggressively in schools. What makes them exciting is that explosive fight and those jumps - pure adrenaline fishing. My advice is to keep your rod tip low and maintain steady pressure. When they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - keeps the line from snapping when they come crashing back down.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tough fighters that average 20 inches but can push 50+ pounds when you get into the big ones. They love hanging around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks where they ambush prey. You'll find them in 40-200 feet typically, with the bigger fish going deeper offshore. They're gray-brown with marbled patterns and have that classic grouper attitude - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to their hole. Live pinfish or mullet work best, but cut bait like squid does the job too. Fall and winter months tend to be most productive when they're feeding heavily. The key with gags is keeping your drag locked tight and pulling them up and away from structure immediately after hookup. Give them any slack and they'll wrap you around the nearest rock or wreck beam every time.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are those pretty pink-red fish with yellow stripes running down their sides like lanes on a highway. Most run 10-14 inches and make great table fare with their mild, sweet meat. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy bottoms in 20-80 feet, though they can go deeper. They're not picky eaters - crabs, shrimp, small fish all work. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active. What guests love about lanes is they bite aggressively and aren't too line-shy, making them perfect for novice anglers. They often show up as bonus fish when we're targeting bigger snappers. Pro tip: use a small circle hook with fresh shrimp and fish it right on the bottom - they're bottom feeders and won't chase bait up in the water column much.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our grouper fishing - rusty red colored fish that fight like trucks and taste even better. They average 5-10 pounds but can hit 30+ pounds on a good day. You'll find them on rocky bottom, reefs, and ledges in 30-120 feet. They're ambush predators that hit hard and immediately try to get back to their hole, so be ready for a battle. Fresh cut bait like squid, grunt, or pinfish works great. Fall through spring is best when they're most active and feeding. What guests love is the solid fight and that firm, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. These fish have serious pulling power once hooked. The trick is using heavy enough tackle - 40-60 pound line minimum - and keeping steady pressure. Don't pump and wind with grouper; just put the wood to them and winch them up before they can wrap you up.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-5 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel them pecking at your hook trying to steal the bait without getting caught. Fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas work best. Winter and early spring are prime time when they're spawning around structure. What makes them special is the challenge - they're finicky biters but excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to trick is using the smallest hook possible with just enough weight to reach bottom, then setting the hook hard the moment you feel them nibbling. Half the battle is getting the hook set before they steal your bait.
Fort Myers, FL, United States