12-Hour Offshore Tuna & Grouper Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targets tuna, grouper, wahoo, and mahi mahiAll equipment, bait, and fishing license included with first mate assistanceAccommodates up to 6 guests with deep drop and offshore fishing options
When you're looking for a serious fishing trip that takes you out where the big boys swim, Captain T's 12-hour offshore charter from Dauphin Island delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking about heading out to the deep blue where Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi are cruising the waters, plus working the bottom structure for those monster Grouper and Red Snapper. This isn't a half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back - you've got a full day to really get after it and make some memories that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
You'll be fishing with up to 5 other anglers on this charter, which gives everyone plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Captain T provides all the heavy-duty tackle you'll need - we're talking about rods and reels that can handle 50+ pound Yellowfin when they decide to make a run for it. The boat's rigged with outriggers for trolling, and we've got both live bait and a full spread of lures ready to go. Your first mate knows these waters like the back of his hand and he'll be right there to help you fight fish, rig baits, and make sure everything runs smooth. The boat's got a good-sized cabin to get out of the sun when you need a break, and there's plenty of ice on board to keep your catch fresh. You're looking at a long day, so pace yourself - bring plenty of water and snacks since meals aren't included. A little beer or wine is fine, but leave the hard stuff at home and definitely no glass bottles on deck.
This charter runs a combination of techniques that'll keep your rod bent all day long. We start the morning trolling the blue water, running a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures behind the outriggers and flat lines. When we're marking bait schools and birds working, that's when things get exciting - Mahi Mahi and Wahoo love to ambush baitfish on the surface. For the Tuna fishing, we're using circle hooks with live baits and chunking when we find them stacked up. The deep drop fishing is where we target those big Grouper and Snapper using heavy sinkers to get down to 200+ feet where they live around the offshore structure. Your first mate will show you how to feel the bottom and work your bait just right to entice those bottom dwellers. The tackle's all set up for the job - we're using 50-80 pound class gear for the pelagics and even heavier stuff for the deep drop work. If you've never fought a big fish from a rocking boat, don't worry - the crew will coach you through it and make sure you land your fish.
Yellowfin Tuna are the crown jewel of Gulf offshore fishing, and these fish will test every bit of tackle and technique you've got. They typically run 30-100 pounds out here, with the bigger fish showing up more in summer and fall. When a Yellowfin hits, you'll know it - they make long, powerful runs that'll have your drag screaming and your arms burning. What makes them so special is their incredible strength and endurance, plus the fact that they make some of the best eating fish you'll ever put on your dinner table. These fish school up around floating debris and bait schools, and once you find them, you can usually catch several before they wise up or move on.
Mahi Mahi are probably the most fun fish you'll catch on this trip - they're fast, acrobatic, and absolutely beautiful with their bright gold and green colors. They average 10-30 pounds in these waters, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40+ pounds. Spring through fall is prime time for Mahi, and they love to hang around floating seaweed lines and debris. When you hook one, be ready for some spectacular jumps and runs. They're also fantastic eating, and you'll often catch multiple fish when you find a school since they tend to stick together.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, hitting trolled baits at 40+ mph and making blistering runs that'll take 200 yards of line before you can blink. These fish typically run 20-50 pounds and have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through wire leaders if you're not careful. Fall and winter are peak Wahoo season, and they're known for hitting ballyhoo and high-speed lures trolled around structure and temperature breaks. Their white, flaky meat is considered some of the best eating in the Gulf.
Blackfin Tuna are smaller cousins to the Yellowfin, usually running 5-20 pounds, but they make up for their size with sheer numbers and fight. They're often the most consistent biters on the boat, and they're perfect for anglers who want steady action. These fish are available year-round and will hit both trolled baits and live bait when we're chunking for their bigger cousins.
Bigeye Tuna are the deep-water specialists, typically caught during deep drop fishing or when working the late afternoon and evening hours. These fish can get huge - 100+ pounds isn't uncommon - and they're incredibly strong fighters that will take you down to the backing on your reel. They're less common than Yellowfin but worth every bit of the effort when you hook into one of these bruisers.
A 12-hour offshore charter with Captain T gives you the best shot at experiencing Gulf fishing at its finest. You're getting professional-grade tackle, local expertise, and access to some of the most productive fishing grounds in the northern Gulf of
Ready to chase tuna and grouper in the Gulf's deep blue waters? Our 31' AmeraCat catamaran cuts through the waves with confidence, taking up to 6 anglers on serious offshore fishing adventures. This stable twin-hull design handles bigger seas while you target wahoo, mahi mahi, and snapper in Alabama's productive fishing grounds. Everything's included—rods, reels, tackle, lures, and live bait—so you can focus on fighting fish instead of rigging gear. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while GPS and radar keep us on the fish even when conditions get tricky. Your First Mate handles the details so you can concentrate on working those deep drops and blue water structures where the big ones live.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye tuna are the deep-water bruisers that can push over 400 pounds, though most we catch run 50-150 pounds. These fish have huge eyes that help them hunt in deeper, darker water down to 800 feet where oxygen levels are low. Their unique blood chemistry lets them thrive where other tuna can't go. Summer months bring the best bigeye action, but dawn and dusk are prime time since their sensitive eyes prefer dim conditions. Anglers love the powerful, long runs they make - it's a true test of strength and endurance. The fatty, rich meat rivals bluefin for sashimi quality. Best tip I can share: run dark-colored lures in 8-10 inch sizes just before sunset when they start moving up to feed.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna might be the smallest in the tuna family at 20-40 pounds, but they pack serious attitude. These dark, oval-shaped fish with golden side stripes prefer the warm waters near continental shelves in 100-400 feet. Fall through spring gives us peak action here in the Gulf, especially when water temps stay above 68 degrees. Don't let their size fool you - blackfin are fierce fighters that'll give you a workout on lighter tackle. They school up with other species, so you might catch several in a row. The meat is excellent eating, similar to their larger cousins. Key to success is scaling down - use lighter fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyesight and spook easily.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here. These fish average 15-29 pounds and put on quite a show with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs that shift colors like a light show when hooked. We find them around floating debris and weed lines in the upper waters, typically in 100-500 feet. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special is the combination - they fight hard with lots of jumps, they're absolutely beautiful, and the meat is fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you see one, stick around. Mahi often travel in small schools, so where there's one, there's usually more nearby.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our offshore waters - these sleek fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. You'll find them cruising the open blue water, usually in depths around 200 feet, though they'll come closer to shore during cooler months. Their silver sides with blue zebra stripes make them easy to identify. Fall and winter give us our best wahoo fishing when they're most active. What gets anglers hooked is that lightning-fast strike and the way they scream line off your reel. Plus, the white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around - perfect for fish tacos. My go-to trick is high-speed trolling with wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the workhorses of our offshore trips, averaging 60 pounds but capable of reaching 400+. These torpedo-shaped fish cruise the upper 300 feet of water with their distinctive bright yellow fins and silver bellies. We see them year-round, but summer brings the most consistent action when they're actively feeding near the surface. What makes yellowfin special is their raw power - they'll make blistering runs at 50 mph that'll test your drag and endurance. The firm, red meat is perfect for grilling or sashimi, making them highly prized table fare. When trolling isn't producing, switch to chunking with cut bait to draw them up from deeper water - sometimes a feeding frenzy is just one good chum slick away.
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