8 Hour Tampa Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targets snapper, grouper, and pelagic speciesEighthour trip accommodates up to six guests with gear includedProfessional captain uses local knowledge for productive fishing areas
Picture this: you and your crew heading out into the deep blue Gulf waters at first light, with eight solid hours ahead of you to target some of the best fish Tampa Bay has to offer. FishHawk Charters runs their 35' Contender ProSport Series boat like a well-oiled machine, and Captain knows these offshore waters like the back of his hand. We're talking serious fishing here – the kind where you'll work reefs, ledges, and deep structure that holds monster fish year-round. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. Eight hours gives you the real deal: time to move around, adjust tactics, and put multiple species in the cooler.
Your day kicks off at 8:00 AM sharp from the dock, and trust me, you'll want to grab some coffee beforehand because we're heading straight to the productive zones. The Gulf of Mexico off Tampa holds some serious structure – artificial reefs, natural ledges, and wrecks that attract baitfish and the predators that follow them. Captain uses current charts, fish finders, and years of local knowledge to keep you on the bite throughout the day. Don't worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm and maybe some snacks – all your rods, reels, bait, tackle, and even your fishing license are handled. The 35' Contender gives you plenty of room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies, plus it rides smooth in the Gulf chop when the wind picks up.
This trip covers all the bases when it comes to offshore fishing tactics. We'll start with bottom fishing over structure using heavy tackle to pull up grouper and snapper from 80+ feet down. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and your sinker bouncing off the bottom – it's an art form that separates the rookies from the pros. When the bottom bite slows down, we'll switch to trolling spreads for kingfish, cobia, and whatever pelagics are moving through. Live bait fishing is where things get really exciting – nothing beats watching a big cobia cruise up to the boat when you've got a live pinfish dangling in the water. Captain will teach you how to read the water, spot birds working bait, and recognize the signs that fish are nearby. The combination of these three techniques throughout the day keeps things interesting and maximizes your chances of filling the cooler.
Goliath Grouper are the giants everyone talks about, and Tampa's offshore waters hold some absolute monsters. These prehistoric-looking fish can tip the scales at 200+ pounds and will test every ounce of your strength and stamina. They hang around structure in 60-100 feet of water, and when one takes your bait, you'll know it immediately. The fight is all about endurance – these fish use their massive bulk and the structure below to try and break you off. Catch and release only for goliaths, but the photo opportunities and bragging rights last forever. Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics to your fishing day. These brilliant gold and green speedsters love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in deeper water. They're fantastic table fare and put on an aerial show when hooked, often bringing their whole school with them to the boat. Spring and fall are prime time for mahi in Tampa waters. Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of the reef, pulling harder pound-for-pound than almost any fish in the Gulf. They lurk around wrecks and deep structure, ambushing baitfish with lightning speed. A 40-pound amberjack will make you question your tackle choices and give you a workout you won't forget. Cobia are the curious wanderers of the offshore world, often approaching the boat to investigate before deciding whether to bite. They're excellent eating and can reach 30-50 pounds in these waters. Spring migration brings the best cobia action when they're moving through Tampa Bay heading to their spawning grounds. Red Snapper remain the gold standard of Gulf fishing when they're in season. These beautiful fish are smart, structure-oriented, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. They require finesse and the right bait presentation, but a cooler full of red snapper makes for the perfect end to any fishing day.
Eight hours on the water with FishHawk Charters gives you the real offshore experience that weekend warriors dream about. You'll learn techniques from a seasoned captain, target multiple species using different methods, and have legitimate shots at trophy fish that call Tampa's Gulf waters home. The 35' Contender provides the platform, the captain brings the knowledge, and you bring the crew – up to six anglers can fish comfortably without feeling crowded. Whether you're planning a bachelor party, family reunion, or just want to get serious about offshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The Gulf of Mexico doesn't take days off, and neither should you. Book your charter and see why Tampa's offshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year for more action than they can handle.
Your fishing platform for this Gulf adventure is a 35-foot Contender built to handle Tampa's offshore waters with confidence. This high-performance boat cuts through swells smoothly while providing the stability you need when fighting big fish. The spacious deck gives your group of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're dropping lines on bottom structure or running trolling spreads for pelagics. Advanced Raymarine electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help your captain locate productive reefs and ledges where snapper, grouper, and amberjack hold. The large live bait tank keeps your offerings fresh, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over spooky fish. Between fishing spots, relax under the T-top shade or grab cold drinks from the icebox. The enclosed head means comfort during the full 8-hour trip, and the multimedia system adds entertainment during longer runs to offshore grounds. Built for Tampa Bay's varied conditions, this Contender handles everything from nearshore reefs to deeper Gulf structure where tuna and sailfish roam.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that cruise alone near the surface around reefs, wrecks, and buoys. They average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+, with their dark brown color and shark-like appearance making them easy to spot. Spring migration from March through May is peak season when they move through our area to spawn. What makes them special is the sight-fishing aspect - we actually see them swimming and cast right to them. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They hit bucktail jigs, live bait, and even topwater lures. The key is a quiet approach when sight-fishing. Make your cast well ahead of where they're swimming and work the lure back naturally - spook them and they'll disappear fast.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese giants can grow up to 8 feet and weigh over 600 pounds - they're the biggest grouper in the Atlantic. You'll find them around shallow reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 30-150 feet of water. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but that first pull will test your arms and gear like nothing else. We use heavy tackle with 50-80 wide reels and 400+ pound test line because they'll try to break you off on structure immediately. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when they're most active. What makes them special is that incredible power and the fact you're battling a fish that could be 50+ years old. Pro tip: anchor just far enough from the reef so you can pull them away from cover before they dive back into their cave.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the reef - thick, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds and can top 80. You'll find them on deep structure like ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom in 60-200 feet. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most aggressive. What guests love is that brutal first run straight down to the bottom - they'll test your back and your drag system. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. We target them with live bait like blue runners or pinfish, plus heavy jigs work great. My advice: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get their head down. Once they sound to the bottom, it becomes a much tougher fight to get them back up.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the Gulf - bright gold and blue colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ during peak season. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water, usually 20-200 feet deep. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. They're fast swimmers that jump and make blistering runs, plus they're fantastic eating with firm white meat. We troll ballyhoo or pitch live bait when we spot them. Here's the key: when you hook one, keep it in the water if possible - where there's one mahi, there's usually more, and a hooked fish will often call in the whole school.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard of Gulf bottom fishing - beautiful red fish that average 3-8 pounds inshore but can hit 15-25 pounds on the deeper offshore structure. You'll find them on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks from 60-200 feet during our federal season, typically summer months. They're scrappy fighters that will head straight for cover when hooked, and the meat is some of the best you'll ever taste - mild, sweet, and flaky. We fish them with cut bait like squid or cigar minnows on circle hooks with enough weight to stay on bottom. The trick is getting your bait down quick through the smaller fish and keeping steady pressure once you hook up. Don't give them slack or they'll wrap you up in the structure below.
Tierra Verde, FL