Half Day Shark Fishing Adventure in Shalimar
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target sharks and hammerheads on 5hour Gulf Coast adventurePrivate charter accommodates up to 5 guests with expert guidanceAll fishing equipment and safety gear provided aboard comfortable vessel
Captain Tanner knows where the big predators hang out in the Gulf waters off Shalimar, and he's ready to put you on some serious sharks. This isn't your typical redfish trip – we're talking about five hours of pure adrenaline as you battle some of the ocean's most powerful hunters. From aggressive Blacktips to massive Bull Sharks and the prized Smooth Hammerheads, these waters hold some real monsters. You'll launch from Shalimar with everything you need except your own food and drinks, so pack a cooler and get ready for what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
This private charter gives you and up to four buddies the whole boat to yourselves, which means no strangers crowding your space when you hook into a 200-pound Bull Shark. Captain Tanner runs a clean operation with top-rated gear that can handle whatever pulls back on the other end of your line. The Gulf waters around Shalimar are known for holding big sharks year-round, and Captain Tanner's been working these spots long enough to know exactly where to set up. You'll spend most of your time anchored up over structure or drifting productive areas, using heavy tackle and fresh bait to draw in the big predators. Don't worry if you've never tangled with sharks before – Captain Tanner will walk you through everything from proper fighting technique to safe handling when you get one boatside.
Shark fishing is all about using the right gear and putting your baits where the fish are feeding. Captain Tanner's boat comes rigged with heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test line, because when a Tiger Shark decides to make a run, you need equipment that won't let you down. We're talking about circle hooks, wire leaders, and weights that can get your bait down to where these predators cruise. The technique varies depending on what we're targeting – sometimes we'll anchor over a wreck or reef and fish straight down, other times we'll drift with the current to cover more water. Fresh bait is key, and Captain Tanner knows what these sharks want to eat. Expect to see everything from whole fish to cut baits that put out the scent trail these apex predators can't resist.
The Blacktip Shark is probably what you'll tangle with first – these aggressive fighters average 20-50 pounds and they're not shy about crushing a well-presented bait. They're acrobatic fighters that will jump and run, making them a customer favorite for good reason. Best part is they're here year-round, though spring and fall tend to produce the biggest numbers. Bull Sharks are the real bruisers in these waters, with mature females pushing 200-300 pounds. These thick-bodied predators are pure muscle and they'll test every knot and connection on your tackle. Summer months bring the biggest Bulls close to shore. Lemon Sharks offer a different kind of fight – they're smart, strong, and can grow over 100 pounds in the Gulf. Their golden coloration makes them one of the most beautiful sharks you'll see, and they're known for their endurance once hooked. Tiger Sharks are the ultimate prize, with their distinctive stripes and massive size. These apex predators can exceed 500 pounds and they're not picky eaters, which makes them exciting but unpredictable opponents. The Smooth Hammerhead rounds out our target list – these world-class fighters use their unique head shape to their advantage, creating incredible leverage that will have your arms burning. Landing a hammerhead is something most anglers never forget, and the waters around Shalimar hold some quality fish.
Five hours with Captain Tanner targeting the Gulf's top predators is exactly what serious anglers are looking for. This isn't a crowd-pleaser trip where you're hoping for a few small fish – this is big game fishing that delivers real excitement and stories you'll be telling for years. The private charter setup means you get Captain Tanner's full attention and expertise, plus you're not sharing the action with strangers. Whether you're an experienced shark angler or you've never felt the power of a big predator on the end of your line, this trip with Destin Gills for Thrills will show you why shark fishing has become so popular along the Gulf Coast. Just remember to bring plenty of food and drinks for the crew, pack your sunscreen, and get ready for some serious fishing action in the productive waters off Shalimar.
Get ready to hunt sharks and hammerheads from this well-equipped motorboat built for serious Gulf fishing action. The wireless trolling motor keeps you moving silently through the water when you need stealth, while the GPS navigation system gets you to the best fishing spots around Shalimar's waters. The fish finder is your secret weapon for locating where those big predators are cruising, giving you the edge when targeting blacktip, bull, lemon, and tiger sharks plus smooth hammerheads. This boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, so bring your crew for a proper shark fishing adventure. Captain Tanner has all the heavy-duty gear onboard to handle whatever monsters you hook into during your 5-hour hunt on the Gulf.
Carcharhinus LimbatusThese are some of the most exciting sharks to target around Shalimar - blacktips average 5-6 feet but can hit 9 feet, and they're famous for their acrobatic jumps. You'll find them cruising artificial reefs and muddy bays in 30-60 feet of water, always hunting for sardines, mackerel, and croaker. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding aggressively. What makes them special is their personality - they're social and can get worked up into feeding frenzies, but they're also surprisingly cautious. This creates awesome action once you get them going. The fight is pure fun with their jumping and speed bursts. They respond great to oily baits like cut mackerel or herring, and fresh chum really gets them fired up. Here's the key: once you hook up, keep that drag smooth because when they jump, you need to bow to the fish or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters you'll tangle with out here. These thick-bodied bruisers average 8-10 feet but feel twice as heavy once hooked. What makes them unique is their ability to handle both salt and fresh water, so we find them everywhere from deep Gulf waters to shallow coastal areas. Summer months bring the best action when they move into our warmer waters to feed and reproduce. Bulls are aggressive predators that hit hard and fight dirty - they'll use every trick to break you off on structure. Guests love the raw power and unpredictable nature of these sharks. They're opportunistic feeders, so cut mullet, mackerel, or whole bream all work well. The absolute best bait though is fresh eel - the oil content drives them crazy and the tough skin stays on the hook. When fighting a bull shark, stay patient and keep them away from any structure. They'll try to wrap you up or cut your line, so steady pressure and a good drag are essential.
Negaprion BrevirostrisLemon sharks are perfect for anglers wanting a solid fight without the massive size of tigers or bulls. These yellow-tinted sharks typically run 6-8 feet and are surprisingly strong for their size. They love shallow flats and mangrove areas where the water's warm and murky - perfect nursery habitat that we find all around the Gulf. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding on rays, crabs, and smaller fish. What guests enjoy is their aggressive nature once hooked and their willingness to take both live and cut bait. They're also one of the more predictable sharks to find since they tend to stick to specific areas. Lemons have excellent eyesight and can be line-shy, so using a good fluorocarbon leader helps. The trick with lemon sharks is fishing right at dusk when they're most active - that's when they move up into really shallow water to hunt, and they'll hit just about anything you put in front of them.
Sphyrna ZygaenaThe second-largest hammerhead you'll see out here, these impressive sharks average around 11 feet and pack serious power. Their distinctive curved, smooth-edged head makes them easy to spot, and they're surprisingly common in our Gulf waters during warmer months. Unlike other hammerheads that dive deep, smooth hammerheads prefer staying in the upper 60 feet, making them perfect targets for our half-day trips. They migrate through here following temperature changes, so spring through fall gives us the best shots. What guests love most is the fight - they're strong, active predators that'll test your tackle. They hunt everything from rays to smaller sharks using those special electroreceptors in their heads. Pro tip: when you're fighting one, keep steady pressure but let them run when they want to. Fighting their natural swimming pattern usually ends with a thrown hook.
Galeocerdo CuvierTigers are the heavyweights of our trips - these massive sharks commonly run 11-14 feet and 800-1400 pounds, with big females pushing 16 feet. They're nomadic hunters that follow warm currents, making summer our best season when they move through the Gulf. You'll usually find them around deeper reefs and structure, though they'll come into surprisingly shallow water to feed. What makes tigers special is their incredible strength and those distinctive dark stripes that fade as they age. They're generally slow swimmers until they attack, then they're pure power. Guests love the challenge of landing such a large predator - it's a serious test of tackle and technique. These sharks aren't picky eaters, but fresh tuna, mackerel, or bluefish work best. Make sure you're using heavy everything - 100-pound test minimum. The secret is patience: tigers are smart and cautious, so let them take the bait and run before setting the hook hard.
Destin