Private 10-Hour Bottom & Trolling Adventure
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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 & Trolling Tactics
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.
Species You'll Want to Hook
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.
Time to Book Your Spot
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.