18-Hour Fort Walton Beach Tuna Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
18hour offshore charter targets tuna, mahi, and wahoo around FADsExtended trip time allows fishing distant waters day and nightWeekend availability Friday through Sunday for up to 6 guests
When you're serious about getting into the deep blue and targeting pelagic species, this 18-hour FADs fishing trip with Full Bend Charters is exactly what you need. Running out of Fort Walton Beach, this top-rated charter takes up to 6 anglers to the Fish Aggregating Devices where the big boys hang out. We're talking Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, multiple Tuna species, Bigeye, and Yellowedge Grouper – the kind of fish that make for legendary stories and even better eating. The extended time on the water means you can reach those distant honey holes, stay put when the bite is hot, and adapt your strategy as conditions change throughout the day and into the night. Available Friday through Sunday, it's perfect for serious weekend warriors who want to maximize their time offshore.
This isn't your typical half-day trip – 18 hours gives you the real offshore experience. You'll head out to the FADs, those underwater structures that act like magnets for pelagic species. The beauty of this extended charter is the flexibility it offers. If the fish are biting hard in one spot, you can stay put and load the cooler. If conditions shift or the bite slows down, there's plenty of time to move and find where they're feeding. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, reading the conditions, watching the electronics, and positioning the boat where the action is hottest. The trip runs through different feeding periods, giving you shots at species that might be more active at dawn, midday, or as the sun sets. With all rods, reels, bait, and tackle provided, you just need to show up ready to fish and follow the captain's lead to keep those lines working.
Out at the FADs, trolling is king, and this charter has it dialed in. You'll be pulling a spread of lures and baits at varying depths and distances, covering water efficiently while targeting different species in the water column. The captain will set up the trolling pattern based on what's been producing – maybe pulling ballyhoo for Mahi, rigging up for Wahoo with wire leaders, or working deeper for Tuna. When the rods start bending, it's all hands on deck. The boat carries quality offshore tackle that can handle these hard-fighting pelagic species. Circle hooks, heavy fluorocarbon leaders, and reels with solid drag systems are standard. You might also get into some bottom fishing for Yellowedge Grouper, switching up tactics to work the deeper structure. The 18-hour window means there's time to try different approaches – if the trolling bite is slow, you can drop baits deep or even try some live bait fishing if conditions allow.
Mahi Mahi are the crowd favorites out here, and for good reason. These fish are absolute bulldogs on the line, making long runs and putting on aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. They travel in schools around the FADs, especially during warmer months, and when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Mahi typically run 10-30 pounds in these waters, with the occasional bull pushing 40-plus. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60 mph and making screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. They're usually found cruising the edges of the FADs, ambushing baitfish with their razor-sharp teeth. Most Wahoo in this area run 20-60 pounds, and they're known for their distinctive runs and head-shaking fights. The meat is excellent – similar to Mahi but with a slightly firmer texture.
Blackfin Tuna are the workhorses of the Tuna family here, typically running 10-25 pounds and fighting way above their weight class. They're usually the most consistent biters and can be found year-round, though they're most active during cooler months. These fish make strong, steady runs and are perfect for anglers who want to experience that classic Tuna fight without the massive tackle requirements of their bigger cousins.
Bigeye Tuna are the heavy hitters, often caught in deeper water around the FADs during night fishing or early morning hours. These fish can push 100+ pounds and provide the kind of fight that'll leave your arms burning. They're less common than Blackfins but when you hook into one, it's a battle you won't forget. The extended trip time gives you multiple shots at these nocturnal feeders.
Yellowedge Grouper round out the target list, hanging around the deeper structure near the FADs. These bottom dwellers typically run 5-20 pounds and are prized for their excellent table fare. They require a different approach – dropping baits to the bottom and working them slowly. When hooked, they'll try to dive back into the structure, making for a challenging fight on heavy tackle.
At $3600 for up to 6 people, this world-class offshore experience breaks down to $600 per angler when you fill the boat – that's serious value for 18 hours of premium fishing time. The Friday through Sunday schedule makes it perfect for planning around work and family commitments. With Full Bend Charters handling all the gear, bait, and local knowledge, all you need to bring is your fishing license, snacks for the long day, and plenty of sunscreen. This is the kind of trip that separates the casual anglers from the serious offshore enthusiasts. Book early, especially during peak season, because these extended charters fill up fast with repeat customers who know quality fishing when they see it.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye are the deep-water specialists of the tuna family, built to handle the cold, oxygen-poor depths where other fish can't survive. These powerful fish typically run 200+ pounds with those signature large eyes and heads. We find them around the FADs in 800+ feet, especially during dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. Summer months are peak season when they spawn in our warm Gulf waters. What makes bigeye fishing special is the combination of their incredible strength and the fact that they're worth top dollar - their fatty red meat rivals bluefin at the fish market. The fight is pure muscle, long steady runs that test your tackle. My advice: get out there an hour before sunset with dark-colored lures in the 8-10 inch range, and be ready for a workout when one grabs hold.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy little fighters of the tuna family, topping out around 40 pounds but making up for size with pure attitude. These dark-backed speedsters with their golden side stripes love warm Gulf waters over 68 degrees. We find them near shore around structure and in blue water, often schooled up with skipjack. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time here in the Gulf when they move through in numbers. What makes blackfin special is their fierce fight-to-size ratio and excellent table fare with dark red meat perfect for sashimi. They're sharp-eyed, so you need to scale down your tackle - 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks work best. The secret is live pilchards for chum and vertical jigging when you mark schools on the bottom machine.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll hook out here, with brilliant gold and electric blue colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. They average 15-29 pounds but can get much bigger. We find them around floating debris and weed lines, usually in the top 50 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes mahi special is their aggressive fight - they'll jump, run, and never give up easy. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, sweet white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your other lines in the water since mahi travel in schools and where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek fish with their zebra stripes usually run 3-5 feet long and pack serious power in that torpedo-shaped body. We target them around the FADs where they cruise the open blue water, typically in 200+ feet. Fall and winter months are prime time here in the Gulf when water temps start cooling. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is that blistering first run - they'll scream drag like nothing else out here. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the grill or fish tacos. Here's the key: run your lures fast at 12-15 knots and use wire leaders because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Dark-colored lures work best in low light conditions.
Hyporthodus FlavolimbatusYellowedge are the deep-water heavyweights that most anglers never see, living on rocky bottoms in 400-600 feet. These chunky red fish with bright yellow fin edges typically weigh 8-40 pounds, with 30-pounders being common. They're solitary creatures that claim territory around ledges and structure in the deeper Gulf. Year-round fishing is good, but cooler months often produce the biggest fish. What draws people to yellowedge is the challenge of deep dropping and the payoff - their meat is incredibly moist and flaky, holding together better than most grouper with a unique mild flavor. The fight happens in heavy current and deep water, so it's all about muscle and technique. Here's my tip: use multiple baits like squid or mackerel on 2-3 hooks, and bring a good hook remover since regulations require quick, clean releases for undersized fish.
Fort Walton Beach