36 Hour Rig Run: Gulf of Mexico Deep Sea Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Epic 60-100 mile offshore adventure targeting trophy fishLive bait action for tuna, wahoo, mahi, and marlinExclusive small group experience limited to 4 anglers
This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip — this is the real deal for serious anglers who want to chase trophy fish in the deep blue Gulf. When you book the 36 Hour Rig Run with Catch and Cruise Adventures, you're signing up for the ultimate offshore adventure that takes you 60 to 100 miles into the Gulf of Mexico's most productive waters. We're talking about heading out to the legendary oil rigs where the big fish live, and trust me, these structures hold some absolute monsters. With only 4 anglers per trip, you get plenty of room to work and the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're battling fish of a lifetime. This customer favorite combines the excitement of long-range trolling with the heart-pounding action of live bait fishing around the rigs.
Your adventure kicks off as we motor out into the deep Gulf, trolling along the way for whatever wants to eat. The ride out is part of the experience — you never know when the outriggers will start screaming and you'll find yourself hooked up to a wahoo or mahi that decided to crush your lure in open water. Once we reach the oil rigs, the real action begins. These towering structures are like underwater cities, attracting baitfish, which in turn bring in the predators we're after. The rigs create their own ecosystem, and the fishing around them is world-class. We'll anchor up or drift depending on conditions, and you'll be fishing with live bait — the most effective method for targeting the big pelagics that cruise these waters. The trip runs a full 36 hours, giving us plenty of time to work multiple rigs and adjust our strategy based on what the fish are doing. All your meals are covered, so you can focus entirely on fishing without worrying about anything else.
We run a proven combination of techniques that have been putting fish in the boat for years. On the way out, we'll have a spread of trolling lures working behind the boat — everything from cedar plugs to big game lures that trigger strikes from wahoo, mahi, and tuna cruising the open Gulf. The trolling gear is heavy-duty stuff designed to handle whatever we hook up to at trolling speed. Once we reach the rigs, we switch gears to live bait fishing. We'll either catch our own bait on location or bring premium live bait like blue runners, hardtails, and goggle eyes. The key is presenting that bait naturally around the structure where these fish feed. We use circle hooks for better hookups and fish survival, and the tackle is sized to handle everything from 20-pound mahi to triple-digit tuna. The boat is equipped with top-rated gear, but if you have your own favorite rods and reels, bring them along. Fighting a big fish on your own tackle makes it even more special.
Mahi Mahi are one of the most exciting fish in the Gulf, and around the rigs they can show up in big schools. These fish are pure dynamism — when you hook one, expect aerial displays that'll get your heart racing. Mahi typically run 10 to 30 pounds out here, but the rigs sometimes hold bigger bulls that can push 40 or 50 pounds. They're most active during spring through fall, and they love the floating structure and debris around the rigs. What makes them so special is their aggressive nature and the way they light up in brilliant yellows and greens when hooked.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, capable of blistering runs that'll test your drag system and your nerves. These fish are built for speed with razor-sharp teeth and a torpedo-shaped body that can hit 60 mph. Around the oil rigs, wahoo typically range from 20 to 60 pounds, with the occasional giant pushing 80 or more. They're year-round residents but peak during cooler months. The strike is explosive, and the initial run is something you'll never forget. Wahoo are also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to eat their catch.
Yellowfin Tuna represent the ultimate test of angling skill and endurance. These powerful fish are built like underwater freight trains, with the stamina to fight for hours if you let them. Around the Gulf rigs, yellowfin can range from school-sized 20-pounders to monsters over 200 pounds. The bigger fish typically show up during cooler months, but you can find tuna around the rigs year-round. What makes yellowfin so special is their incredible strength and their tendency to sound deep when hooked, testing every aspect of your tackle and technique. Landing a big yellowfin is a badge of honor among serious offshore anglers.
Swordfish are the holy grail of Gulf fishing, and the deep waters around the oil rigs offer legitimate shots at these legendary gamefish. These prehistoric-looking predators are most active during nighttime hours, when they rise from the depths to feed. Swordfish can exceed 300 pounds and are famous for their spectacular jumps and powerful runs. They're not easy to catch — it takes patience, the right bait presentation, and a bit of luck. But when you hook a sword, it's an experience that defines a fishing career. The rigs provide the deep water access and structure that these fish use during their feeding migrations.
Red Snapper might seem out of place on a pelagic list, but the oil rigs hold some true trophy-sized fish that rival anything in shallower waters. These rig snapper are typically larger and more aggressive than their reef counterparts, having grown fat on the abundant baitfish around the structures. We're talking about snapper in the 15 to 25-pound range, with some real giants pushing 30-plus pounds. They provide excellent action between the pelagic bites and are outstanding table fare for the
This 48' offshore sportfisher is built for the long haul to those legendary Gulf rigs. With room for 4 serious anglers, she's equipped with everything you need for a proper 36-hour adventure - outriggers ready for trolling, fish finder to mark bait schools, and radar for those pre-dawn runs. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting birds and bait, while the air conditioning and full galley keep everyone comfortable during the journey out. Ice-cold drinks in the fridge, clean head, and plenty of deck space for battling those rig monsters. GPS will guide you straight to the productive structures where tuna, wahoo, and marlin cruise. This boat handles Gulf swells like a champ and has the range to get you to the fish and back with fuel to spare.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are pure eye candy with their brilliant yellows and blues that flash like a light show when they're fighting. Most run 15-29 pounds, but they grow fast and hit hard. Around the rigs, look for them under any floating debris or sargassum - they love cover. Best action happens during warmer months when they're feeding heavy on flying fish. What makes them special is that explosive strike and acrobatic fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. The meat is firm, white, and sweet - perfect for the grill. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep working the same area because they usually travel in small schools. Where there's one mahi, there's often more nearby.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing - these crimson beauties average 1-2 feet but can stretch to 3 feet and 35+ pounds around the deep rigs. They're structure lovers, hugging the bottom in 100-600 feet of water year-round. Season typically runs late spring through fall, depending on regulations. What makes them special is that bulldog fight - they'll try to cut your line on every piece of structure they can find, plus they're absolutely top-tier eating with sweet, flaky white meat. We target them with heavy bottom rigs using live pinfish, squid, or cigar minnows. The trick is getting your bait to the bottom fast and keeping tight line - snappers will run straight back to cover when hooked. Use circle hooks and keep steady pressure to turn their heads away from the structure.
Xiphias GladiusSwordfish are the ultimate deep-water gladiators, averaging 9 feet and 400 pounds with that signature flat bill. These nocturnal hunters live in 300-1500 foot depths, coming up to feed at night. They're year-round residents here, but prime time is April through September during spawning season. What draws serious anglers is the challenge - it's technical fishing with heavy tackle in deep water, and when you hook one, it's an epic battle. The meat is dense, meaty, and perfect for steaks. We target them with deep-trolling using squid or large chunks, running 15-pound leads and multiple lights to attract them. Night fishing is most productive when they move up to feed. Key tip: patience is everything - swordfish bites can be subtle, so watch your rod tips carefully and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these silver rockets can hit 60 mph and they'll test your drag system. They average 3-5 feet but can stretch past 8, with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through mono like butter. We find them around the rigs in that 30-200 foot range, especially during cooler months. The Gulf of Mexico population stays pretty close to shore compared to other areas. Their blistering runs and sudden direction changes make for wild fights, and the white, flaky meat is premium table fare - mild and sweet. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best with wire leaders. Here's the key: use a fast retrieve on your lures because wahoo want prey that looks like it's trying to escape at full throttle.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the ultimate endurance fighters - these torpedo-shaped bruisers average 60 pounds but can push 400+. They cruise the upper water column around the rigs, usually in that top 300 feet, and they're active year-round in our Gulf waters. Peak season runs May through August when they're spawning. What gets people hooked is that raw power and stamina - they'll make long, blistering runs that'll have your arms burning. Plus, yellowfin is primo sushi-grade meat, firm and rich. We catch them trolling rigged ballyhoo and skirted lures, but chunking dead bait often brings them up from the depths when they're being finicky. My go-to trick: when you mark fish deep but they won't bite topside baits, switch to vertical jigging to get down where they're feeding.
Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States