5.0(2 Reviews)Full Day Tampa Bay Offshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full 8-hour offshore fishing trip up to 9 miles outTarget grouper, snapper and multiple species with tidal movementsPrivate charter accommodates maximum 2 guests with personal attention
When you want to experience what Tampa Bay's offshore waters really have to offer, this 8-hour fishing charter with Captain Eric puts you right where the action happens. We're talking about heading up to 9 miles out into the Gulf, where the big fish hang out and the bite can turn epic in a heartbeat. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we've got the whole morning and afternoon to work different spots, follow the bite, and put you on whatever's feeding. With just 2 anglers max, you get the kind of personal attention that makes all the difference between telling fish stories and actually having fish to show off.
Picture this: we'll meet up early morning when the Gulf is glassy and the fish are already starting to move. Captain Eric knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not called the Fishin Magician for nothing. We'll be running anywhere from 3 to 9 miles offshore depending on where the fish are holding and what the conditions look like. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we can chase the bite – if the grouper are crushing it on one reef, we stay put. If the kings are running along a structure line, we follow them. Tampa Bay's offshore scene changes with the tides, the bait movement, and even the time of day, so having that flexibility to move around and adapt is what separates a good day from an absolutely killer day on the water.
We'll be running a mix of bottom fishing and trolling depending on what's biting and where we find the action. For the grouper and snapper, we're talking heavy tackle – think 50-80 pound class gear that can handle these bruisers when they try to get back to their holes. We'll be dropping live bait, cut bait, and sometimes artificials down to structure anywhere from 40 to 100+ feet deep. When we're targeting kings and sharks, we might switch it up with some trolling or live bait fishing in the water column. Captain Eric provides all the gear, tackle, and bait – he's got everything from circle hooks for the bottom dwellers to wire leaders for those toothy critters. The key out here is being ready to adapt your technique based on what's showing up on the fish finder and what the conditions are telling us.
"Eric isn't called the fishin magician for nothing! Eric did a great job and put us on the fish every spot we went to. If you are wanting to go out and have a great time and catch fish then Captain Eric is your man. Highly recommend and will definitely be back on the water very soon with the best captain in the Bay Area." - Gary
"Have been twice. Never disappoints. All around great experience with a great guy. Would highly recommend . Still eating the fish we caught the other week." - Mark
Gag Grouper are the crown jewel of Tampa Bay's offshore scene, and for good reason. These chunky bottom dwellers can hit 20-30 pounds out here, and they fight like they're twice that size. Gags love structure – artificial reefs, ledges, and hard bottom areas where they can ambush baitfish. Best fishing is typically spring through fall, and when you hook into a big gag, get ready for a battle. They'll try to get back into their hole faster than you can blink, so you need to muscle them up quick. What makes gag grouper so special is their incredible table fare – firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling, frying, or making into fish tacos.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as locals call them, are some of the smartest fish swimming in these waters. They're notorious for being line-shy and bait-stealers, but that's what makes catching a good one so satisfying. Out in the offshore waters, you'll find bigger fish than you typically see around the mangroves – we're talking 3-5 pound fish that know every trick in the book. They're year-round residents, but summer and fall tend to produce the best action. Grey snapper are also fantastic eating, with a slightly sweet flavor that works great as ceviche or simply grilled with some lemon and seasoning.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world, and Tampa Bay's waters see some serious king action, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These fish can stretch 30+ inches and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. Kings are typically found around bait schools, structure, and temperature breaks, and they'll absolutely smoke whatever you put in front of them. Live bait fishing and trolling are both productive techniques, and when you hook up, be ready for long runs and jumping fish. King mackerel are also excellent on the dinner table when prepared fresh – their rich, meaty texture makes them perfect for smoking or grilling.
Broomtail Grouper might not be as well-known as their gag cousins, but they're equally exciting to target. These fish tend to be a bit deeper and are often caught while targeting other species, making them a fantastic bonus fish. They've got similar fighting characteristics to gags but with their own personality when it comes to where they hold and how they feed. Broomtails are typically found in deeper water around hard structure, and they're another grouper species that provides excellent table fare. Catching one is always a treat because they're not as common as other grouper species in these waters.
Bull Shark encounters are what add that extra element of excitement to any offshore trip. These apex predators cruise Tampa Bay's offshore waters looking for an easy meal, and when they show up, things get interesting fast. Bulls can range from smaller 3-4 footers up to massive 8+ foot fish that'll test every piece of tackle you've got. They're opportunistic feeders and often show up
Your offshore adventure awaits aboard our reliable 24' Blazer Bay center console, built in 2020 and powered by a robust 300HP Suzuki engine. This setup gets you to those productive fishing grounds fast, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of burning daylight getting there. The boat comes equipped with everything serious anglers need - a wireless trolling motor for those stealthy approaches when fish are spooky, GPS to mark your honey holes, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of grouper and snapper holding near structure. With space for just 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to work the rails without getting tangled up with other lines. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for targeting different species as the tides shift throughout your 8-hour day on Tampa Bay waters.
Mycteroperca XenarchaBroomtail grouper are the rare gems of our deeper reefs. These bruisers typically weigh 30-60 pounds and can stretch over 4 feet - that distinctive fan-shaped tail gives them away. You'll find them around rocky ledges and structure in 80-200 feet of water. They're not common in Tampa Bay, but when we hook one, it's a memorable fight. What makes them special is that initial bulldog run straight for the rocks, plus the bragging rights of landing something most anglers never see. The meat is excellent, firm and white. Here's my advice: bring heavy tackle with braided line and a solid drag system. Use live pinfish or large shrimp on a heavy jig head, and be ready to muscle them up fast before they reach cover.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the ultimate test of your tackle and nerves. These thick-bodied fighters typically run 6-9 feet and 200-400 pounds in our waters. You'll find them in Tampa Bay's shallower areas, especially around bait schools during summer months - they're one of the few sharks that cruise right into brackish water. What guests love is the raw power and that heart-pounding moment when one crashes your bait. They're built like tanks and fight accordingly. We practice catch and release for these apex predators. My secret weapon is fresh cut mullet or whole blue runners on heavy circle hooks with steel leaders. Fish them on bottom with plenty of chum, and when one hits, hang on tight - it's going to be a wild ride.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese guys are Tampa Bay's bread and butter for good reason. Most gag grouper you'll hook run 20-24 inches, but we see plenty pushing 30+ inches and 15-20 pounds. They hang around rocky structure and wrecks in 40-80 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they move inshore to feed. What makes them special is that stubborn fight - once hooked, they'll try dragging you straight into the rocks. The meat is top-notch, white and flaky. My tip: use a stout rod with 40-pound line and keep that drag locked tight. The second you give them slack, they'll dive into a hole and cut you off. Circle hooks with live pinfish or large shrimp work best around our local structure.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are some of the smartest fish you'll target out here. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch plenty of 4-5 pounders around deeper structure. They love hanging near docks, bridges, and rocky bottom in 15-50 feet of water year-round. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are picky and spook easily, but the reward is some of the best eating fish in Tampa Bay. The white, flaky meat is perfect for the dinner table. Here's the key: use light tackle with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink naturally to bottom, then lift it just off the rocks. Stay patient - too much movement will send them packing.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of Tampa Bay - pure adrenaline on the end of your line. We typically see fish ranging from 15-40 pounds, though 50+ pounders show up during peak season from April through October. They cruise open water in 40-100 feet, often following bait schools and temperature breaks. What makes them awesome is that screaming initial run - they'll peel line off your reel faster than almost any fish out here. The fight is fast and furious. For tackle, bring medium-heavy gear with wire leaders - their razor teeth will cut through mono instantly. My go-to technique is slow trolling live sardines or threading a goggle-eye on a stinger rig. Keep that drag smooth and ready.
5.0 out of 5.0Eric isn’t called the fishin magician for nothing! Eric did a great job and put us on the fish every spot we went to. If you are w...
Have been twice. Never disappoints. All around great experience with a great guy. Would highly recommend . Still eating the fish w...
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