12 Hour Fort Walton Beach Deep Sea Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour deep sea charter targets multiple offshore speciesExtended trips allow fishing deeper Gulf waters and remote spotsAll equipment and expert guidance included for groups of six
When you're serious about getting after it in the Gulf, this 12-hour deep sea charter with Full Bend Charters is exactly what you need. Fort Walton Beach sits right at the edge of some of the most productive waters in the northern Gulf, and with a full 12 hours on the water, we can run way offshore to where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day tourist trip – we're talking about a real fishing adventure that takes you to the spots where locals go when they want to fill the cooler with premium Gulf species.
Your day starts early with up to 6 anglers boarding our well-equipped charter boat, loaded with everything you need for a successful day offshore. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is the flexibility – we can run 30, 40, even 50 miles out if conditions are right, hitting multiple spots throughout the day. Fort Walton's location gives us access to both structure fishing and open water trolling opportunities. We'll work the oil rigs, artificial reefs, and natural bottom contours that hold fish year-round. The captain reads the conditions, water temperature, and current to put you on the most productive water. With this much time, we can adapt our game plan based on what's biting – if the trolling bite is hot in the morning, we'll stay with it. If the bottom fish are crushing bait in the afternoon, we'll anchor up and get after them. This trip runs Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, giving you flexibility to plan around your schedule while avoiding the weekend warrior crowds on other days.
We run a combination of high-speed trolling and bottom fishing techniques to target the wide variety of species in these waters. For trolling, we'll pull a spread of lures at different depths and speeds – ballyhoo rigs for mahi and wahoo, spoons and feathers for kings and bonito, and deeper presentations for tuna when they're around. The trolling gear includes quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line weights, from 30-pound class up to 80-pound for the big pelagics. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're talking heavy tackle and serious weights to get baits down in 100-200+ feet of water. Circle hooks with fresh cut bait, live bait when available, and the right sinker weights to hold bottom in the current. All your rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided, so you don't need to worry about rigging up – just focus on fighting fish. The captain and crew handle the technical side, from reading the fish finder to knowing exactly where to position baits in the water column.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of Fort Walton Beach offshore fishing, and these toothy speedsters provide some of the most consistent action you'll find in the Gulf. Kings typically run from 15-40 pounds in these waters, with occasional giants pushing 50+ pounds during peak season from spring through fall. They're aggressive predators that hit trolled baits hard and make blistering runs when hooked. What makes kings so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're fighting a 20-pounder, the next you're dealing with a 40-pound smoker that's peeling line like there's no tomorrow. They school up around structure and temperature breaks, making them a reliable target throughout the day.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics that every angler dreams about. These beautiful fish show up in Fort Walton waters during warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall, and they're absolute dynamite on the line. Dolphin fish (their proper name) range from schoolie-sized 5-10 pounders up to bull mahi exceeding 30 pounds. They're known for their brilliant gold, green, and blue colors that light up when they're fighting, plus their tendency to jump clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. Mahi often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature changes, making them perfect targets during our long-range trolling.
Greater Amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef – powerful, stubborn, and guaranteed to test your arms and back. These fish live around hard bottom, wrecks, and artificial reefs, typically in 80-200+ feet of water. Amberjack in Fort Walton waters commonly run 30-60 pounds, with true giants over 80 pounds showing up regularly. When you hook an AJ, get ready for a straight-down power fight that'll make you question your gym routine. They don't jump or run like other species – they just pull hard and steady, using their broad sides and powerful tails to muscle you around. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf when prepared right.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from shallow water to deep offshore structure, and they're always a welcome sight. These brown sharks (as they're sometimes called) are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you a shot at sight fishing. Cobia range from 20-50 pounds typically, with monsters over 60 pounds caught annually in Fort Walton waters. They're strong fighters that make powerful runs and have a habit of wrapping you up in whatever structure is nearby. Spring and fall are peak times for cobia, when they're moving along the coast and feeding aggressively.
Red Snapper represent the gold standard of Gulf bottom fishing, and Fort Walton Beach sits in prime snapper country. During open seasons, these ruby-red fighters provide some of the most exciting bottom fishing action available. Reds typically range from 5-15 pounds in these waters, with occasional giants over 20 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that live around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. Snapper are notorious for their har
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown torpedoes cruise just under the surface and often get mistaken for small sharks. They're loners averaging 20-40 pounds, though 50+ pounders show up regularly. You'll spot them around buoys, wrecks, and oil rigs in 20-100 feet, especially during their spring migration. What makes cobia fishing exciting is the sight fishing - watching them cruise up to your bait. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with that firm, white meat. The key is being ready when you see one. Keep a bucktail jig or live bait ready to pitch. Cobia are curious but spooky, so make your first cast count. If you miss the shot, that fish is usually gone for good. Spring migration from March through May is when they're most active.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldozers of the reef - pure muscle that'll test your arms and your tackle. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds but we regularly see 60+ pounders on the deeper wrecks and structures. They hang around reefs, ledges, and artificial structure in 60-200 feet of water. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're most active. What makes jacks special is that relentless, head-shaking fight - they'll dive straight for the bottom trying to cut you off on structure. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My go-to technique is dropping live bait or heavy jigs right to the bottom, then working them just off the structure. Keep your drag tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you up in the reef every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you one hell of a fight. These silver rockets typically run 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ in our deeper waters. You'll find them cruising 40-150 feet deep, especially around temperature breaks and current lines. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're chasing bait near the surface. What makes kings special is their blazing runs - they'll peel line like nothing else. Plus, they make great eating with that firm, flaky meat. Here's a tip from years out here: when trolling, use a wire leader and let your bait skip on top. Kings love to smash a ballyhoo dancing on the surface, thinking it's a fleeing flying fish. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but let them run or they'll throw the hook.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are hands down the most beautiful fish you'll catch - those electric blues and golds are stunning. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 40+ out in deeper water. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere there's structure on the surface. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're feeding actively. What guests love most is the aerial show - mahi jump like crazy when hooked, putting on a real spectacle. The meat is firm, white, and delicious too. Here's something I've learned over the years: when you hook one mahi, don't rush to move spots. They often travel in small groups, so work that area thoroughly. Keep one hooked fish in the water while others cast around it - the splashing will keep the school interested and you might double or triple up.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the king of bottom fish around here - those bright red beauties are what most folks dream about catching. They average 3-8 pounds but we get plenty of 10+ pounders on the deeper spots. You'll find them on hard bottom, reefs, and structure from 60-200 feet deep. Summer is prime time during the federal season, though check regulations since they change yearly. What makes snapper special is they're scrappy fighters that dive hard for cover, plus they're absolutely delicious table fare. The trick is getting your bait down fast with enough weight to beat the smaller fish. Use circle hooks with fresh bait like cigar minnows or squid. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure and pump them up quickly - let them sit down there and they'll wrap you up in the structure or the small fish will pick them clean.
Fort Walton Beach