Private 10-Hour Bottom & Trolling Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
10hour combined bottom fishing and trolling adventure aboard 37ft TopazTarget wahoo, king mackerel, blackfin tuna, and bottom speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to 6 guests with expert guidance
Get ready for a full day of serious fishing action that'll have you talking about it for years. This 10-hour charter aboard our 37-foot Topaz gives you the best of both fishing worlds – we're hitting the bottom for some heavy hitters and running lines for the speed demons of the deep. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're committed to putting you on fish from sunrise to sunset.
We're talking about a real fishing marathon here – 10 solid hours of rod-bending action. The day kicks off early as we head out to prime bottom fishing spots where the structure holds big grouper and snapper. You'll spend the morning working the bottom with circle hooks and heavy sinkers, feeling for that telltale thump of a fish picking up your bait. Around midday, we switch gears and start trolling for pelagics – wahoo, king mackerel, and blackfin tuna that patrol these waters. The 37-foot Topaz handles beautifully in open water, giving you a stable platform whether you're fighting a stubborn grouper or chasing a screaming wahoo across the deck. Expect to use both conventional and spinning tackle, depending on what we're targeting. The crew keeps fresh bait flowing and helps with everything from rigging to gaffing your catch.
Bottom fishing here means working structure in 60 to 200 feet of water, using 6 to 8-ounce sinkers to get your bait down fast in the current. We'll rig you up with circle hooks and fresh cut bait – usually squid, sardines, or whatever's running hot that week. The trick is feeling the bite through all that weight and current, then letting the circle hook do its job. When we switch to trolling, we're pulling a spread of lures and live baits at 6 to 12 knots, covering water to find those fast-moving pelagics. The captain reads the water, looking for temperature breaks, birds, and bait schools that hold the big predators. You'll learn to work both techniques during the day – it's like getting two different fishing trips rolled into one epic adventure.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing around here, and these ruby-red beauties fight way harder than their size suggests. Most run 5 to 15 pounds, but don't let that fool you – they'll test your drag and make multiple runs toward the bottom. Peak season runs summer through early fall, and they're absolute table fare. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is that tap-tap-pull bite that gets your heart racing every single time.
Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, using every bit of structure to try and break you off. These gray ghosts can push 20 pounds or more, and they fight dirty – straight down into the rocks the second they feel steel. Spring and fall are prime time for gags, and they're notorious for testing both your tackle and your patience. Landing a big gag is like winning a wrestling match with the reef itself.
Scamp Grouper might be smaller than their gag cousins, but they're scrappy fighters with beautiful markings that make them a favorite with photographers. They typically run 3 to 8 pounds and have this habit of hovering just off the bottom in small groups. Scamps are year-round residents, but they really light up during the cooler months when they're actively feeding.
Red Grouper are the workhorses of the grouper family – consistent biters that'll fill your cooler while you wait for something bigger to show up. They average 5 to 12 pounds and have this distinctive red coloration that deepens when they're fired up. Reds are great for beginners because they bite willingly and don't require the finesse that other grouper species demand.
Blacktip Shark add some serious excitement to any bottom fishing trip, especially when you're not expecting them. These coastal predators average 3 to 6 feet and put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on deck scrambling for their phones. They're year-round residents but really show up in numbers during the warmer months. Most anglers release them, but the fight alone is worth the price of admission.
This 10-hour combo trip gives you more fishing time and variety than just about any other charter option out there. You're getting expert guidance, top-shelf tackle, and access to both bottom structure and open water where the big pelagics roam. The 37-foot Topaz provides comfort and fishability that smaller boats just can't match, and with only 6 anglers maximum, you're not fighting for rail space or the captain's attention. Whether you're after dinner or a trophy for the wall, this trip delivers both quantity and quality. Don't wait for the perfect weather window – book now and let Fish N' Tales Charters show you why serious anglers keep coming back for more.
Get ready for serious fishing action aboard this 37-foot Topaz sportfisher! Twin 375HP Caterpillar engines power you to the best bottom fishing and trolling spots, while the flybridge gives your captain perfect visibility to find the fish. With a fish finder and radar onboard, you'll locate everything from bottom dwellers to fast-moving Wahoo and King Mackerel. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, featuring air conditioning, a full kitchen, refrigerator, and even a bed for longer trips. An icebox keeps your catch fresh, and the multimedia system adds entertainment between bites. The spacious deck provides plenty of room to fight those hard-pulling Blackfin Tuna, while the onboard toilet and amenities keep everyone comfortable during the full 10-hour adventure. This isn't just a fishing trip – it's a floating base camp equipped with everything needed for a successful day targeting both bottom fish and pelagic species.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip Shark are acrobatic fighters known for their spectacular jumps - they can launch 20+ feet out of the water when hooked. These sleek sharks average 5 feet but can reach 9 feet and 270 pounds. You'll find them in 30-200 feet around reefs, structure, and bays where they hunt mackerel, herring, and grouper. They're social fish but surprisingly timid, often hanging back to watch before committing. Best fishing is spring through fall when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the aerial show and powerful runs - pure adrenaline. They're also curious and might follow the boat. For success, use heavy braided line with circle hooks and oily baits like mackerel or sardines. Start chumming early to draw them in - once they smell it, they'll come looking.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are master ambush predators that love rocky structure and offshore reefs. Most run 20 inches, but the big boys can hit 50+ pounds and live up to 30 years. They're smart fish that hang around wrecks, ledges, and drop-offs in 60-200 feet. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawn. What makes them special is the brute-force fight - they'll try to drag your bait straight back to their hole. The meat is fantastic, firm and white. They're also unique since they start life as females and change to males as they mature. My advice: lock that drag down tight the second you feel the bite and don't let them get their head down, or you'll be looking at cut line.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are the workhorses of bottom fishing - rusty red with white spots, they're aggressive biters that average 5-10 pounds but can push 40+. You'll find them on muddy and rocky bottoms from 16-300 feet, often around reefs and wrecks. They're not picky eaters, but they love crabs and shrimp, which gives their meat a sweet, shellfish-like flavor. These fish are tough fighters despite not being speed demons - they use brute strength and stubbornness. Best action is outside their January-April spawn when they're feeding heavy. They're protogynous hermaphrodites, starting life as females. My go-to technique: fresh shrimp on a circle hook near structure. Once hooked, they'll fight hard and try to get back to cover, so keep steady pressure.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of bottom fishing - these bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though they can hit 35+ pounds. You'll find them around structure in 30-620 feet, hugging reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom. They're aggressive feeders that'll hammer fresh squid, cigar minnows, or live pinfish. The fight is legendary - they'll make straight runs for cover trying to break you off in the rocks. Best fishing is during cooler months when they're feeding heavy. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: once you hook up, keep that rod tip low and pump them up fast - don't give them time to think about diving back into the structure or you'll be re-rigging.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp Grouper are hands-down the best eating fish in the grouper family - so good they're called "Captain's Meat" on many boats. These chocolate-brown beauties with their distinctive elongated tail rays typically run 4-6 pounds, though they can reach 30+ pounds. Look for them around reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 75-300 feet, but they'll move shallow during their February-May spawn. Don't let their smaller size fool you - they're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your gear. They're slow growers that can live 50 years, changing from female to male as they age. For best results, fish live pinfish or sardines near bottom structure. Here's the key: use braided line and be ready for a long fight - these guys are stubborn.
Panama City, FL