24 Hour Fort Walton Beach Tuna Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
24hour overnight charter targets tuna and snapper at oil rigsAccommodates up to 6 guests with all equipment and tackle includedWeekend availability with trolling and bottom fishing techniques
When you're serious about offshore fishing and ready to commit to the full experience, this 24-hour overnight charter puts you right where the big fish live. We're talking about a real oil rig expedition that takes you deep into the Gulf's most productive waters, where the action never really stops. You'll have a full day and night to work different depths, try various techniques, and stay on fish when they're biting hot. This isn't your typical half-day trip - it's designed for dedicated anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and chase species that most people only dream about landing.
This overnight adventure runs Friday through Sunday, perfect for weekend warriors looking to escape the ordinary. We head out to the oil rigs and offshore structures where pelagic species cruise and bottom dwellers stack up in serious numbers. The beauty of a 24-hour trip is that you get to experience how the bite changes throughout the day and night. Morning might have you trolling for fast-moving tuna and wahoo, while afternoon could shift to bottom fishing for snapper and amberjack around the structures. As darkness falls, different feeding patterns kick in, and you'll often find fish that were shut down during the day suddenly coming alive. The captain knows these waters inside and out, adjusting tactics based on conditions, bait movements, and what's been producing. You'll have access to prime real estate that day boats simply can't reach, giving you shots at trophy fish that rarely see a lure.
We run a mixed bag approach that keeps rods bent all trip long. Trolling spreads work the water column with high-speed lures and ballyhoo rigs, perfect for covering ground and triggering aggressive strikes from tuna, wahoo, and mahi when they're around. When we set up on structure, it's time for bottom fishing with heavy tackle - we're talking stout rods, big reels, and enough drag to turn fish away from the rig. Circle hooks with live and cut bait get dropped to various depths depending on what we're targeting. The boat comes loaded with everything you need - rods matched to each technique, reels with fresh line, a tackle box full of proven lures, and bait that's been selected for these specific waters. Night fishing brings its own strategies, with lights drawing baitfish and predators following close behind. The captain handles all the technical stuff like reading the electronics, positioning the boat, and calling the shots on when to switch techniques. Your job is to stay ready and fight fish when they bite.
Red snapper remain the bread and butter of Fort Walton Beach offshore fishing, and around the oil rigs they grow fat and feisty. These fish average 8-15 pounds but can push 20-plus when you find the right schools. They're structure-oriented, so once you locate them, the action can be non-stop. Best bite typically happens during moving water, and they'll hit cut bait, live pinfish, or cigar minnows dropped right to the bottom. What makes snapper fishing exciting is their attitude - they fight hard all the way to the boat and make excellent table fare.
Yellowfin tuna are the crown jewel of this fishery, with fish ranging from school-sized 20-pounders to giants pushing 150 pounds or more. These oceanic athletes prefer the deep blue water around the rigs, and they're most active during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. They'll crush trolled lures at high speed or come up for chunk baits when conditions are right. The fight is what every angler dreams about - long screaming runs that test your drag system and stamina. Peak season runs late spring through early fall, but winter trips can produce some of the biggest fish of the year.
Blackfin tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but they make up for it with pure aggression and numbers. These 15-30 pound speedsters travel in schools and will absolutely wreck a trolling spread when you find them. They're more tolerant of cooler water, making them a reliable target during winter months when other species move offshore. Don't underestimate their fight - blackfins are incredibly strong for their size and make sushi-grade table fare.
Bigeye tuna represent the ultimate challenge, typically showing up during overnight trips when they rise from the depths to feed. These deep-water giants can exceed 200 pounds and provide battles that can last hours. They're notoriously finicky, often requiring specific baits, perfect presentations, and a lot of patience. When you hook one, though, it's a fish of a lifetime that will test every piece of tackle on the boat.
Wahoo bring pure speed to the equation, capable of hitting 50+ mph and taking line faster than you can believe. These torpedo-shaped predators average 30-60 pounds locally and hit trolled lures with bone-jarring strikes. Their razor-sharp teeth require wire leaders, and their initial run is so fast it'll burn your hands if you're not careful. They're relatively uncommon compared to other species, making each hookup special. The meat is outstanding - white, flaky, and perfect for grilling.
At $4800 for up to 6 anglers, this 24-hour charter breaks down to serious value when you consider the time on water, fuel costs, and access to prime offshore grounds. You're getting a full day and night of guided fishing in some of the Gulf's most productive waters, with all tackle, bait, and expertise included. The weekend schedule makes it perfect for groups looking to make fishing the centerpiece of their Fort Walton Beach trip. These overnight spots fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait if you're serious about experiencing what real offshore fishing is all about. This is the kind of trip that creates fishing stories you'll tell for years - the
Thunnus ObesusBigeye tuna are the night hunters of the tuna family, using those oversized eyes to feed in deeper, darker waters than their cousins. These powerhouses can reach 400+ pounds, though most we see run 60-150 pounds. They hang around oil rigs and deep structures, often diving below 250 feet where oxygen levels drop. Dawn and dusk are prime time - their sensitive eyes handle low light conditions better. What guests love is the sustained fight and premium meat quality. This is sushi-grade fish that rivals bluefin in value. The 24-hour format works perfect since bigeye often bite well after sunset. My go-to trick: run dark-colored lures on the short riggers just before dark. Braid Bigeye Rockets or large Moldcraft Hookers work great in dim conditions.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest tuna we target but pound-for-pound some of the toughest fighters in Gulf waters. They typically run 10-30 pounds with that distinctive black back and gold stripe along the sides. These fish school up around oil rigs and blue water, usually staying in the upper water column. Best action happens fall through spring when they move into warmer Gulf waters above 68 degrees. Guests love them for the fierce fight and excellent meat - great for sashimi or blackened on the grill. They've got sharp eyes, so scale down your tackle. I run 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders with 5/0 circle hooks and use live pilchards for chum. Vertical jigging works great when you mark them deep.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the Gulf's most prized bottom fish, growing up to 35 pounds with that classic bright red color. They live around oil rigs, wrecks, and hard bottom structure in 30-600 feet of water. Season typically runs during summer months, and these fish put up a serious fight - they'll try to cut your line on any nearby structure. The meat is legendary - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect for any preparation. Most we catch run 5-15 pounds, but the big ones are out there. During our 24-hour trips, we can target them at different times when they're most active. Best advice: use heavy tackle with fresh squid or live pinfish, and crank them up fast once hooked. They know every piece of cover down there and aren't afraid to use it against you.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these sleek predators can hit 60 mph and typically run 3-5 feet long around our Gulf waters. You'll find them near oil rigs and offshore structures, usually in the upper 60 feet of water. They're most active July through November here, with peak action during cooler months. What makes wahoo special is that blazing run when hooked - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish out there. Plus, the meat is outstanding - white, flaky, and mild. Perfect for the grill or fish tacos. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll fast at 12-15 knots. Their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat, so don't cheap out on your terminal tackle.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of Gulf tuna fishing, averaging 60 pounds with those distinctive bright yellow fins and crescent-shaped dorsals on mature fish. They cruise the upper 300 feet around oil rigs and blue water, moving fast at up to 50 mph when feeding. Peak season runs May through August during spawning, but we catch them year-round. Guests love the hard pull and incredible table fare - this is premium sushi tuna that grills beautifully too. They're feeding machines, so action can be steady once you locate them. When trolling isn't producing, switch to jigging or try chunking with whatever baitfish are around. The overnight trip lets us stay on active schools and work different techniques as conditions change throughout the day.
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