18 Hour Fort Walton Beach Tuna Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
18-hour 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
Looking for the ultimate offshore fishing adventure? This 18-hour deep sea charter from Fort Walton Beach takes you way beyond the typical half-day trip into prime pelagic waters where the big fish live. Captain and crew know exactly where to find the FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) that hold massive schools of tuna, mahi, wahoo, and other trophy species. With nearly a full day on the water, you'll cover serious ground, hit multiple spots, and have the flexibility to follow the bite wherever it takes you. Perfect for serious anglers who want maximum time with lines in the water and the best shot at filling the cooler with world-class catches.
This isn't your average fishing trip – it's a serious offshore expedition designed for anglers who want the full experience. You'll head out in the early hours, running 30-60 miles offshore to reach the productive FAD zones where pelagic species congregate. The extended timeframe means you can hit prime morning and evening bite windows, plus adjust your strategy based on what's working throughout the day. Captain provides all the top-rated gear, fresh bait, and local knowledge to keep you on fish. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques simultaneously. Weekend availability (Friday through Sunday) makes this a customer favorite for groups planning epic fishing getaways. At $3600 for the full group, it breaks down to solid value for nearly 20 hours of premium offshore action.
FAD fishing is all about covering water and presenting baits at different depths where these pelagic predators cruise. You'll be running a spread of trolling lures, ballyhoo rigs, and deep lines to target everything from surface-feeding mahi to deep-dwelling tuna species. The captain sets up a proper trolling pattern around these fish-holding structures, adjusting speeds and lure selections based on conditions and what's showing on the fish finder. When the action heats up, you might switch to live bait or chunk baits to keep feeding fish interested. The beauty of an 18-hour trip is having time to experiment with different techniques – if the trolling bite slows, you can try vertical jigging, kite fishing, or bottom fishing for grouper species. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come included, so you just need to show up ready to fish hard.
Mahi Mahi are the bread and butter of FAD fishing around Fort Walton Beach, especially during spring and summer months. These colorful fighters typically run 10-30 pounds, with bulls occasionally pushing 40+ pounds. They're aggressive feeders that hit trolled baits hard and put on spectacular aerial displays. What makes mahi special is their schooling behavior around floating debris and FADs – find one and you'll usually find a dozen more. The meat is phenomenal, making them a favorite for both sport and table fare.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of stripping line at 50+ mph. These torpedo-shaped predators typically range 20-60 pounds in local waters, with occasional giants exceeding 80 pounds. Best fishing happens during cooler months from late fall through early spring. Their razor-sharp teeth and blazing runs make them a top target for serious anglers. Pro tip: heavy wire leaders are essential, and the bite often happens fast around dawn and dusk.
Bigeye Tuna are the deep-water heavyweight champions, often running 50-200+ pounds in the waters off Fort Walton Beach. Unlike their yellowfin cousins, bigeyes prefer deeper, cooler water and are more active during low-light periods. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights and incredible stamina. These fish are most active during winter months and require heavy tackle and serious technique to land. The sashimi-grade meat makes every hard-fought battle worth it.
Yellowedge Grouper live in deep structure around 200-400 feet and are prized for their incredible table fare. These bottom dwellers typically run 5-20 pounds and are found year-round in the right depths. They're not the flashiest fighters, but their rock-hard pulls and determination make them challenging on appropriate tackle. The 18-hour format gives you time to target these deeper species when the pelagic bite slows.
Blackfin Tuna are the perfect light-tackle target, typically running 5-25 pounds and providing non-stop action when schools are located. These smaller tunas are incredibly abundant during certain times of year and offer fantastic sport on spinning gear. They're excellent for novice anglers to cut their teeth on tuna fishing techniques while still providing plenty of excitement for veterans. The dark, rich meat is perfect for smoking or searing.
This 18-hour offshore adventure represents the pinnacle of Fort Walton Beach fishing charters. You're getting access to prime FAD fishing grounds, expert local knowledge, and enough time on the water to really capitalize on changing conditions throughout the day. Whether you're after trophy tuna for the wall or a cooler full of premium eating fish, this extended trip gives you the best shot at both. The weekend schedule makes it perfect for planning that epic fishing getaway you've been talking about. With all gear included and a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, all you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and the determination to battle some serious offshore species. Don't let this world-class fishing opportunity pass by – book your 18-hour FAD adventure with Full Bend Charters today.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye are the heavy hitters of the tuna family, commonly running 50-150 pounds with some real giants pushing 300+. These deep-water fighters use those big eyes to hunt in darker waters around 250+ feet deep. Dawn and dusk produce the best bites when they move up to feed. What makes bigeye so sought after is their powerful, long runs and the fact they're worth serious money - their fatty red meat is premium sashimi grade. They'll test your tackle and endurance with marathon fights. The trick with bigeye is fishing darker lures in low light conditions. Short, stocky 8-10 inch lures in dark colors work great on the riggers. Many of our best fish come well after sunset when most boats have given up.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy smaller cousins in the tuna family, typically running 10-20 pounds but fighting way above their weight class. They school up around FADs and structure in warmer surface waters, especially when temps hit 68°F or higher. Fall through spring gives us our best action, particularly during cooler months around the Keys area. What makes blackfin fun is their aggressive nature and willingness to bite when other tuna won't cooperate. They're fierce fighters and excellent table fare with dark, rich meat perfect for steaks or sashimi. The secret with blackfin is scaling down - use lighter fluorocarbon leaders since they're sharp-eyed and spooky. Vertical jigging and chunking with live pilchards works great when you find a school.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll encounter out here, flashing gold, blue, and green until they fade after being caught. They typically run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen some real bulls push 40+. You'll find them around floating debris, weedlines, and our FADs in open water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb above 70°F. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and tailwalk like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water a bit longer - mahi are schooling fish, so that hooked fish often calls in its buddies for multiple hookups.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, hitting 60 mph and averaging 3-5 feet long. Around here, they cruise near the FADs and structure in 60+ feet of water, often solitary or in small groups. Best fishing runs July through November when they're most active. What gets anglers fired up is their blistering runs and that first screaming take - your reel will sing. They're also premium table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. The key to wahoo is speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - their razor teeth will slice through mono instantly. Dark-colored lures work best in low light conditions, and we often do our best right at dawn or dusk when they're actively hunting.
Hyporthodus FlavolimbatusYellowedge are the deep-water prize of the grouper family, averaging 20-40 pounds with distinctive yellow fin edges. You'll find them on deep structure between 400-600 feet - that's serious deep dropping territory. They're solitary fish that stake out territory on rocky bottom and ledges. Year-round fishing is decent, but cooler months often produce better results. What anglers love is the surprise factor - you never know if that next drop will produce a beast. Their meat is outstanding too, holding moisture better than most grouper with a unique flavor. For success, use multiple heavy baits like whole squid or large chunks of mackerel. Heavy tackle is a must since they'll try to cut you off in the rocks immediately after hookup.
Fort Walton Beach