12 Hour Tampa Deep Drop Fishing Charter
Get ready for a full day offshore adventure that starts before sunrise and keeps you hooked until sunset. This 12-hour charter with FishHawk Charters puts you on their top-rated 35' Contender ProSport Series, heading out at 7:00 AM sharp into the productive waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You'll be targeting structure in 100 to 150 feet of water while also working the open blue for pelagic species. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip combines deep drop techniques with trolling and jigging to maximize your shots at multiple species throughout the day.
What to Expect on the Water
Your captain knows these Tampa Bay offshore waters like the back of his hand, and he'll be reading conditions from the moment you clear the pass. The first part of your day typically focuses on deep drop fishing over known structure where Grouper and Snapper stack up in good numbers. You'll be working bottom rigs with heavy sinkers to get your baits down fast in the current, and the captain will position the boat to drift over productive ledges and hard bottom. As the day progresses, you'll shift tactics to cover more water, trolling spreads for Cobia, Mahi, and whatever pelagic species are moving through. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is having time to adapt - if the bite is hot on structure, you can stay put, but if conditions favor blue water fishing, you've got hours to explore and find active fish.
Techniques & Tackle
This charter comes fully rigged with everything you need to succeed in Gulf waters. For deep drop fishing, you'll be using conventional reels spooled with heavy braid and fluorocarbon leaders to handle big Grouper in structure. Bottom rigs typically feature circle hooks with fresh cut bait or live pinfish when available. The trolling spread includes a mix of diving plugs, ballyhoo rigs, and skirted baits to cover different depths and attract various species. Jigging comes into play when marking fish on the electronics - vertical jigs and bucktails can trigger strikes from Amberjack, Cobia, and other species that might be finicky about taking static baits. Your captain will adjust techniques throughout the day based on what the fish are telling him, and he'll make sure everyone on board gets hands-on instruction for each method you're using.
Top Catches This Season
The Gulf of Mexico off Tampa serves up some of Florida's most consistent offshore fishing, and this charter targets species that make for both great fights and excellent table fare. Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of deep drop fishing here, with fish ranging from keeper size up to trophy specimens over 30 pounds. These fish live in rocky structure and caves, and they'll test your tackle with powerful runs back toward the bottom. Goliath Grouper are the giants of the reef - these massive fish can exceed 400 pounds and provide catch-and-release battles that'll leave your arms burning. King Mackerel patrol the edges of structure and open water, hitting trolled baits with vicious strikes and making screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. Greater Amberjack school around wrecks and hard bottom, and they're absolute bruisers that fight harder pound-for-pound than almost anything in the Gulf. Cobia are the wild cards - they show up when you least expect them, often following other hooked fish to the boat, and they're curious enough to eat almost anything you throw at them.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Gag Grouper are what most anglers think of when they picture Gulf bottom fishing. These fish average 5 to 15 pounds but can push 30-plus pounds for true trophies. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though you'll find them year-round in deeper water. Gags are ambush predators that hide in structure and caves, and they hit baits with authority before trying to drag you back into the rocks. What makes them special is their perfect combination of fight and flavor - they're arguably the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Goliath Grouper represent the ultimate catch-and-release challenge for Gulf anglers. These prehistoric-looking giants can live over 40 years and reach massive sizes, with fish over 200 pounds being common in Tampa Bay waters. They're most active in summer months when water temperatures peak, and they'll absolutely destroy light tackle. The thrill comes from the sheer power - imagine hooking into something that weighs more than you do and doesn't want to come up from 150 feet of water.
King Mackerel bring speed and aggression to your offshore day. Spring and fall migrations see the biggest numbers, with fish ranging from 10-pound "school" kings up to 40-pound smokers that'll challenge heavy tackle. They're notorious for their blistering initial runs and acrobatic jumps, and they'll hit trolled baits so hard you'll think you snagged the bottom. Kings are also excellent eating when handled properly, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to take fish home.
Greater Amberjack are the bullies of Gulf structure, and they'll give you a workout like no other fish their size. These fish commonly reach 30 to 50 pounds around Tampa's offshore structure, and they fight with bulldogging power that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. They're most active in warmer months and respond well to both live bait and jigs. The challenge with AJs is getting them off the bottom before they wrap your line around structure - it's a tug-of-war that tests both angler and equipment.
Cobia are the opportunists of the offshore world, showing up when you least expect them and always ready for a fight. These fish average 20 to 40 pounds in Gulf waters and they're incredibly curious, often following hooked fish right to the boat. Spring brings the best Cobia action as they move