Deep Sea Fishing Destin Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
1218 hour offshore fishing trips targeting Marlin and MahimahiChampionship vessel ventures 60 nautical miles into productive BluewaterSmall group capacity of 6 guests for personalized angling experience
When you're ready to leave the crowds behind and chase world-class billfish in the deep blue waters of the Gulf, ChampionShip Offshore Outfitting and Charters delivers the real deal. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking 12 to 18 hours of serious offshore fishing that'll take you up to 60 nautical miles into prime marlin territory. You'll be targeting trophy fish in waters where the continental shelf drops off into the abyss, creating the perfect hunting grounds for blue marlin, white marlin, and some of the most sought-after pelagic species in the Gulf of Mexico. With space for up to 6 anglers, this top-rated charter gives you the personal attention and elbow room needed to battle fish of a lifetime.
Your day starts before dawn as we head out into the darkness, running hard toward the deep water where the magic happens. The ride out gives you time to rig tackle, drink some coffee, and watch the sun come up over the Gulf – there's nothing quite like seeing the water change from green inshore shallows to that deep cobalt blue that screams billfish country. Once we hit our fishing grounds, you're looking at structure and temperature breaks that concentrate baitfish, which in turn draw in the predators we're after. The captain will be watching the electronics, looking for birds, debris lines, and color changes that signal feeding activity. This is big-game fishing at its finest – long runs between spots, heavy tackle, and the kind of patience that pays off when a marlin crashes your spread. You'll spend hours trolling through prime water, and when the action heats up, it happens fast. Be ready for multiple hookups, screaming drags, and the kind of fishing stories that'll have your buddies shaking their heads in disbelief.
We're running a serious spread of lures and baits designed to pull fish up from the depths. Think big marlin lures, ballyhoo rigs, and teasers that create the kind of commotion that gets billfish fired up. The boat carries tournament-grade tackle – we're talking 50 and 80-pound class rods with reels that can handle long fights against fish that might weigh more than you do. The captain will position lures at different depths and distances behind the boat, creating a spread that covers water from the surface down to about 20 feet. When we're targeting swordfish, especially during the longer trips, we'll switch tactics and drop deep with electric reels and heavy weights to reach fish holding in 1,000+ feet of water. Circle hooks are standard for billfish – they increase survival rates for catch and release while still giving you a solid hookset. The deck is set up for serious fishing with a fighting chair, outriggers, and all the gear you need to battle trophy fish. Just remember, this isn't light tackle fishing – we're using heavy gear because we're targeting heavy fish in deep water where they can really test your equipment.
Blue marlin are the kings of the deep water off Destin, and for good reason. These fish can push 500+ pounds and are known for their spectacular jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test every ounce of your fishing skill. Peak season runs from May through September when water temperatures hit that sweet spot in the low 80s. Blues are ambush predators that cruise the edges of underwater structure, looking for schools of tuna and dolphin to crash into. When one takes your lure, you'll know it – the initial run can strip 200 yards of line in seconds, and the fight that follows can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. What makes them so special is their unpredictability – they might jump 20 times or stay deep and slug it out. Either way, hooking into a blue marlin is a bucket-list experience that'll leave you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
White marlin are smaller than their blue cousins, typically running 40 to 80 pounds, but they make up for size with pure acrobatics. These fish are lightning fast and absolutely crazy when hooked – expect multiple jumps, direction changes, and the kind of aerial display that makes your heart pound. Whites prefer slightly cooler water than blues and are often found around temperature breaks and current edges where baitfish concentrate. They're more common in the spring and fall months when water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. What anglers love about white marlin is their aggressive nature – they'll often come up hot behind a lure, bill slashing and lit up in full attack mode. The fight might not last as long as a big blue, but the intensity is off the charts. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep one for dinner.
Mahi-mahi, or dolphin as we call them down here, are the workhorses of the offshore fleet and for good reason. These fish are absolutely gorgeous with their bright gold and green colors, they fight hard, and they taste even better. Dolphin are schooling fish, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. They love floating debris, weed lines, and anything that creates structure in the open ocean. Peak season is late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish – bulls that can push 40+ pounds – showing up in the summer months. What makes dolphin fishing so addictive is the visual aspect – these fish will come right up to the boat, you can see them in the water, and they'll often feed in a frenzy that lets you catch multiple fish on light tackle. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. A good day on the dolphin grounds means you're going home with a cooler full of fillets and enough fish stories to last until your next trip.
This is the kind of fishing trip that separates
Jump aboard the Little Baby Sea Pig, a serious 42-foot Buddy Davis sportfisher built for championship-level offshore adventures in Destin's deep waters. This air-conditioned beauty keeps just six anglers max, giving everyone plenty of elbow room to battle trophy Marlin, Mahi-mahi, and Yellowfin Tuna up to 60 miles offshore. The spacious layout includes a full kitchen, comfortable bed, private head, and flybridge for spotting fish. High-tech fish finder and radar help locate the best action while you cruise the Gulf's bluewater hunting grounds for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Wahoo, and Swordfish. With an icebox and refrigerator keeping your catch fresh plus multimedia system for downtime, you're set for those epic 12-18 hour battles that separate serious anglers from weekend warriors. The generous deck space means no tangled lines when multiple fish hit simultaneously.
Makaira NigricansThe king of the Gulf, Blue Marlin are what legends are made of. Females can hit 1,000+ pounds (called "granders"), while males rarely top 350. They cruise our deep blue waters 40-60 miles out, hunting tuna and mackerel with that signature spear bill. Summer through fall gives you the best shot, especially around temperature breaks and current edges. What makes them special? Pure power and those aerial acrobatics that'll have you questioning physics. The fight can last hours - they're built for endurance battles. Here's the thing most folks miss: when you see one "lit up" behind the boat, don't pull the bait away. Let it eat, count to ten, then set that hook hard. Heavy tackle only.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure gold - literally. Those electric colors changing as they fight will blow your mind. Average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+. Look for them under any floating debris, weed lines, or around our oil rigs. They're surface dwellers that love warm water, making spring through fall prime time. Fast growers, short-lived, so populations stay strong. What makes them a favorite? Aggressive strikes, aerial displays, and hands down the best eating fish out here. Their firm, sweet meat beats most restaurant fish. When you hook one, get ready for company - they school up. Keep one hooked while you pitch baits to the others. Game changer every time.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite Marlin are the smaller, scrappier cousins that pack serious attitude. Running 50-180 pounds, they're lightning fast and love to put on a jumping show. You'll find them around underwater structure, canyon edges, and temperature breaks where baitfish stack up. Peak season runs May through September when water temps hit the sweet spot. What guests love most is their aggressive nature - they'll charge baits with zero hesitation and fight way above their weight class. The meat's excellent too, unlike their bigger blue cousins. Pro tip: when trolling ballyhoo, watch behind your spread, not just at the baits. These guys are sneaky and will appear out of nowhere to crash the party.
Destin, FL