Daytona Beach Deep Drop & Gulfstream Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
15hour deep sea charter targeting premium offshore speciesAll tackle, bait, gear, and fish cleaning services includedMaximum 4 anglers for personalized fishing experience
Looking for the ultimate offshore fishing adventure? This 15-hour deep drop and Gulfstream trip puts you 100 miles out in some of Florida's most productive waters. Captain and crew at Full Time Fish know these grounds like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish that'll make your reel scream. We're talking blue marlin, mahi, yellowfin tuna, and bottom dwellers like snowy grouper that most anglers only dream about. Everything's included - tackle, bait, ice, and we'll even clean and bag your catch so you can head home with coolers full of premium table fare.
This isn't your typical half-day charter. We're heading way offshore where the water turns that deep blue color that gets every angler's heart pumping. The trip starts early - we're talking before sunrise - because we need every minute of that 15-hour window to make the run, fish multiple spots, and get back to the dock. You'll be fishing in 400 to 1,000+ feet of water where the continental shelf drops off and the big boys live. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics to mark fish and structure, plus all the safety gear for the long haul offshore. Maximum capacity is just 4 anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with tangled lines every five minutes. The crew knows when to work the Gulfstream current for pelagics and when to drop down deep for the grouper and tiles that hug the bottom.
We're running a mix of trolling and deep dropping on this trip, which means you get the best of both worlds. When we're covering ground or working the Gulfstream edge, we'll have multiple lines out pulling ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures that drive mahi and tuna crazy. The trolling spread typically includes outriggers, flat lines, and maybe a dredge if conditions are right. For the deep drop action, we're talking heavy tackle - electric reels are your friend when you're cranming up snowy grouper from 800 feet down. The crew handles all the rigging, from crimping circle hooks to setting up the spreader rigs for bottom fishing. You don't need to bring anything except your fishing license, sunscreen, and maybe some snacks for the long haul. All rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait are provided, and these aren't bargain-bin setups - we're talking quality gear that can handle whatever comes up from the deep.
Blue marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing, and Daytona's Gulfstream waters hold some of the best marlin fishing on the East Coast. These apex predators cruise the temperature breaks and current edges, often showing up when you least expect it. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from 200 to 600+ pounds. When a marlin comes up on your spread, everything else stops - this is what offshore dreams are made of. The fight can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, and watching one of these fish greyhound across the surface is something you'll never forget.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of offshore fishing, and they're absolute dynamite on the line. These fish travel in schools under floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. What makes mahi special is their willingness to bite and their aerial show once hooked. A good mahi will jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that gets everyone on the boat fired up. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Peak mahi season runs from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from schoolie size (5-15 pounds) up to bull dolphins that can push 40-50 pounds.
Atlantic goldeneye tilefish are one of the deep drop superstars that most anglers never get to experience. These bottom dwellers live in 400-800 feet of water along the continental shelf, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Tilefish have this unique golden coloration and large eyes adapted for deep water living. They're also fantastic table fare - sweet, firm meat that rivals any grouper or snapper. The cool thing about tiles is they're typically year-round residents, so even when the pelagic bite slows down, you can usually count on finding them on the bottom.
Snowy grouper are the kings of the deep drop world, living in depths that would crush most fish. These guys can live over 100 years and grow to massive sizes, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon in these depths. They're ambush predators that sit near structure and inhale anything that looks like food. The fight is all about power - they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off on the bottom. Successfully bringing a big snowy up from 600+ feet is a real accomplishment, and the meat quality is outstanding.
Yellowfin tuna are speed demons that test your tackle and your stamina. These fish are built for speed and endurance, with torpedo-shaped bodies and sickle-shaped fins that let them cruise at speeds most fish can only dream of. Yellowfins are often found around temperature breaks, floating debris, or diving birds that indicate baitfish activity. When you hook a decent yellowfin, get ready for long, powerful runs that'll have your drag singing. The meat quality is top-shelf - sushi-grade tuna that's worth its weight in gold at the fish market.
This 15-hour offshore adventure represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want to experience the best Daytona Beach waters have to offer. You're getting access to fishing grounds that most weekend warriors never see, with a crew that knows how to put you on fish
Meet Tree Money, our 32' Regulator that's built to handle serious offshore fishing adventures. This smooth-riding fishing machine gives you plenty of room to move around while battling big game fish 100 miles out in the Gulf Stream. She's fully rigged with everything you need for deep drop fishing - advanced fish finder to locate those monster grouper and tile fish hiding in the depths, GPS and radar to navigate safely in open water, and VHF radio to stay connected. The spacious cockpit gives you room to fight fish without getting tangled up with other anglers. When you need a break from the action, grab a cold drink from the icebox or freshen up with the onboard shower. The head keeps you comfortable during those long 15-hour trips targeting mahi, marlin, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna. Tree Money cuts through the waves like butter, getting you to the hot spots quickly so you can spend more time with lines in the water instead of just traveling.
Caulolatilus ChrysopsGoldeneye tiles are a solid deep-drop target that most folks don't know about. They run 24-39 inches and typically weigh 40-65 pounds - nice table-sized fish with firm white meat. You'll find them in 250-800 feet over hard bottom, feeding on crabs, shrimp, and worms down there. Year-round fishing, but they seem more active in cooler months. What's great about tiles is they're not shy about biting, and once you locate them, you can often catch several from the same spot. The fight is more about the deep-water battle than speed - just steady pressure bringing them up from the depths. They're excellent eating too, similar to grouper. Here's the key: use fresh squid or cut bonito strips on a chicken rig, drop it to the bottom, then bring it up about 10 feet. They'll usually grab it within minutes if they're there.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the heavyweight champions of billfish - females can reach 1,000+ pounds while males rarely exceed 350. These deep blue beauties cruise the Gulfstream in our warmer months, typically May through October. They're built for speed with that iconic spear-like bill and can put on quite an aerial show when hooked. Finding them usually means looking for temperature breaks, weed lines, and current edges in 100+ feet of water. The fight is legendary - they'll sound deep then come up jumping, testing every piece of your tackle. While the meat has high mercury levels, it's the battle most anglers are after. My tip: when trolling for blues, keep your baits skipping on the surface - they love chasing flying fish and that action triggers strikes. Heavy tackle is a must; these fish will humble light gear quickly.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are probably the most colorful fish you'll see out there - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green that light up like a rainbow when they're fighting. They average 15-30 pounds but can push 60+ pounds. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks, usually in the top 100 feet. Spring through fall is prime time here off Daytona. What makes them special is the combination - they fight hard with lots of jumps, they're absolutely beautiful, and they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean. White, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. They're also fast growers, so they're a sustainable choice. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Often they travel in schools, so leave that first fish in the water while others cast around it - you might double or triple up.
Epinephelus Snowy Grouper are one of the premier deep-drop targets - thick, powerful fish that average 30 pounds but can hit 70. They live in 300-600 feet over rocky structure, so it's a workout getting them up from the depths. Season runs May through August with a one-fish-per-boat limit, making each one special. These copper-brown beauties with white spots are territorial and aggressive feeders, ambushing crabs and smaller fish. The deep-water fight is intense - they'll try to get back to the rocks, so you need heavy tackle and patience. Electric reels help, but plenty of guys still hand-crank them up. Excellent table fare with firm white meat. Bonito strips, whole squid, or mackerel chunks work great on a chicken rig. My advice: when you feel that thump, don't horse them - let your drag work and keep steady pressure. They'll tire themselves out fighting the whole way up.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are pure speed and power - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 50 mph and average 60 pounds, though they can reach 400+. Look for them in the Gulfstream in 100+ feet, often around floating debris or temperature breaks. Best fishing runs spring through fall when water temps are right. What makes yellowfin special is the combination of incredible fight, beautiful fish, and premium table quality - they're the "ahi" you see at sushi restaurants. They'll make blistering runs and test your drag system like nothing else. We target them trolling with rigged ballyhoo, casting plugs when they're up feeding, or jigging when they're deep. The surface strikes on poppers are unreal - fish just explode on them. Key tip: when chunking for finicky yellowfin, match whatever bait they're feeding on that day. Start your chum line and be patient - they'll eventually come up to investigate.
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