5.0(2 Reviews)Extended Half Day Grouper & Shark Fishing
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6-hour deep-sea bottom fishing targeting grouper, snapper, amberjackExpert crew provides state-of-the-art equipment and local knowledgeSmall group experience accommodates up to 6 guests maximum
Picture this: you're six hours into Gulf waters so blue they hurt your eyes, rod bent double with something big on the other end, and your cooler's already got three keeper grouper iced down. That's what you get when you book with Full Contact Charters out of Destin. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a serious bottom fishing adventure that gives you real time to work the productive spots where the big fish live. Captain and crew know these waters like their own backyard, and they'll put you on fish that'll have you talking for years.
Six hours gives us the luxury of fishing multiple spots without rushing. We'll head out to depths where the bottom structure holds the good stuff – rocky ledges, artificial reefs, and drop-offs that grouper and snapper call home. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics, so we're not guessing where the fish are. You'll be fishing straight down most of the day, working heavy tackle and circle hooks with cut bait or live bottom rigs. Don't worry if you've never done this style of fishing before – the crew walks everyone through proper technique. With only six anglers max, you get plenty of personal attention and room to fish without tangling lines. The air-conditioned cabin means you can cool off between drops, which makes a huge difference on those hot summer days when the Gulf gets steamy.
We're talking serious bottom fishing here – heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test, stout rods that can handle big fish, and terminal tackle built to last. You'll be dropping 8-12 ounce sinkers to reach depths of 80-150 feet, depending on where the fish are holding. The technique is all about feeling the bottom, keeping contact with your bait, and recognizing when something's picked it up. Grouper have a sneaky bite – they'll often just swim off with your bait rather than slamming it. Snapper, on the other hand, will let you know they're there with sharp taps and head shakes. We use a mix of cut bait like squid and cigar minnows, plus whatever live bait we can catch or buy fresh. The crew handles all the rigging, so you focus on fishing, not fumbling with complicated bottom rigs.
"We had a wonderful time fishing on the Full Contact. We had two young boys with us. One was fully on board with fishing all day. The other was not as interested but able to relax in the air conditioned cabin and still had a great time. Crew was top notch and we caught our limit. Highly recommend booking with them!" - Jim
"Our family is here from Arizona, Colorado and Georgia and we couldn't have asked for a better experience!! They were friendly, taught is so much and made us feel so welcome! We cant wait for our next experience with Greg and Hunter!!" - Sarah
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of Destin's bottom fishing scene, and for good reason. These chunky fighters average 15-25 pounds but can push 30-plus if you're lucky. They love structure in 80-120 feet of water and have this habit of heading straight for the rocks when hooked, so you've got to muscle them up quick. Spring through fall gives you the best shot, though they bite year-round. What makes red grouper special is their pure fighting power – they don't jump or run long distances, they just pull like a freight train trying to get back to their hole.
Gag Grouper are the other member of the grouper family that'll make your trip memorable. They're typically a bit smaller than reds but pound for pound might be stronger fighters. Gags prefer slightly deeper water and more vertical structure. They're also pickier eaters, so when the reds are being cooperative, the gags might need a more finesse approach. Summer months are prime time, and a good gag grouper in the 20-pound range will test your tackle and technique.
Red Snapper season is what many anglers plan their whole summer around, and Destin's red snapper fishing is world-class. These fish are aggressive feeders when they're turned on, and a good red snapper bite can fill your cooler in a hurry. They average 8-15 pounds but 20-pounders aren't uncommon. Reds are smart fish that get educated quickly, so sometimes you need to downsize your tackle or switch baits to keep them biting. The federal season typically runs through summer, making this trip perfectly timed for when they're most active.
Cubera Snapper are the monsters of the snapper family – these bruisers can weigh 40 pounds or more and fight like they're twice that size. They're not as common as their smaller cousins, but when you hook into a cubera, you know it immediately. They prefer deeper water and bigger baits, and they'll test every component of your tackle. Landing a cubera snapper is a trophy achievement that separates this trip from typical inshore fishing experiences.
Blacktip Shark add an element of excitement that keeps everyone on their toes. These sleek predators show up when you least expect them, often while you're targeting grouper and snapper. Blacktips are fantastic fighters that'll make multiple runs and aerial displays before coming to the boat. They average 30-60 pounds in these waters and are perfectly legal to harvest if you choose. Many anglers prefer to release them, but either way, a blacktip on the line gets everyone's attention and adds variety to your catch.
Six hours of serious Gulf fishing with a crew that knows how to put you on fish – that's what separates this trip from the shorter options that
This beautifully restored 38ft Luhrs cruiser is your ticket to some serious Gulf fishing action. Fresh from a 2023 restoration, she's powered by twin 485HP Detroit engines that'll cruise you out to the prime grouper and snapper grounds at 25 knots. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, while the flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting bird activity and structure. Below deck, you'll find AC to cool off between fights, a full galley, comfortable sleeping quarters, and a head. The fish finder and GPS will put you right on the honey holes, while the radar keeps you safe in changing conditions. With an icebox and refrigerator onboard, your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those long bottom fishing sessions targeting monster grouper, feisty snappers, and hard-fighting sharks.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world - they'll literally jump clean out of the water when hooked, sometimes 20 feet high! Most run 3-5 feet long and put up an honest fight. You'll find them cruising in 30-100 feet around artificial reefs and drop-offs where baitfish gather. They're actually pretty timid until they smell food, then they get excited fast. Spring and summer are prime time when the water warms up and baitfish are thick. What guests love is the aerial show and the solid pull on medium tackle. Here's the key: use oily baits like mackerel or sardines, and once you get a bite, keep steady pressure. They'll make several jumps, so hold on tight and enjoy the show.
Lutjanus CyanopterusCubera Snapper are the giants of the snapper family - these bruisers can hit 40+ pounds and really test your gear. They love rocky structure and ledges in 60-180 feet, where they hunt crabs and lobsters. Summer months from May through August are peak season when they move up to spawn. What makes them special is the pure power - they'll make long, strong runs back to structure and really make you work for it. The meat is excellent eating too. Here's what I've learned: once you hook one, don't give them any slack time to think. Keep heavy pressure and reel fast - if you let them get back to the rocks, they'll cut you off every time. Live bait works best, especially medium-sized fish on the bottom.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are sneaky ambush predators that love to hide around structure and pounce on passing bait. They typically run 15-25 pounds and have a mottled gray pattern that helps them blend in. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges in 40-200+ feet. Spring and fall fishing is usually best when they're more active. What makes them fun to target is their hard initial run straight for cover - they know every hole and crevice down there. The meat is top-notch too, firm and white. My advice: fish with live pinfish or cut bait near structure, but be ready to turn them quick once hooked. Lock down that drag and don't let them get their head down, or they'll wrap you up in the rocks every time.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are one of our most reliable catches here in the Gulf. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 25+ pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 30-150 feet of water. What makes them special is that fight - once hooked, they'll try to bull-dog straight back to the bottom and wrap your line around structure. The meat is outstanding too, firm and flaky with a sweet taste from their diet of crabs and shrimp. Best fishing is spring through fall when they're most active. Pro tip: use a heavy drag and keep steady pressure - don't give them an inch or they'll find a hole to hide in. Circle hooks with cut bait work great, especially crab and squid.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing and probably our most popular target. Most run 2-8 pounds with that classic bright red color and those big eyes. They live on hard bottom structure, wrecks, and reefs in 50-200+ feet. The season opens during summer months, and that's when the action gets hot. What guests love is the steady bite and amazing table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're scrappy fighters too, making quick runs back to cover. Here's the trick: get your bait to the bottom fast and keep it there. Use live or fresh-cut bait, and when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, set the hook firm. Don't horse them up - steady pressure works better than brute force.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a wonderful time fishing on the Full Contact. We had two young boys with us. One was fully on board with fishing all day. T...
Our family is here from Arizona, Colorado and Georgia and we couldn't have asked for a better experience!! They were friendly, tau...
Destin