Target Amberjack and Tarpon on Destin's Premium Full Day Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday advanced fishing targets Greater Amberjack and Mahi Mahi offshore.Eighthour guided trip starts early with live bait collection.Captain Trevor Carr leads challenging deepwater fishing experience.
If you're looking for a serious fishing challenge in some of the Gulf's richest waters, this full-day advanced trip with Captain Trevor Carr is exactly what you need. We're talking about an 8-hour adventure that starts before dawn and takes you to the prime offshore grounds where the big fish live. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel and want to test their skills against some of Destin's most prized gamefish. You'll be targeting species that'll make your arms ache and your reel scream, all while learning advanced techniques from one of the area's most experienced captains.
Your day kicks off early at 5:30 AM – and trust me, there's a good reason for that start time. The first part of your trip involves catching live bait, which is absolutely crucial for the kind of fishing we're doing. Captain Trevor knows exactly where to find the best baitfish, and you'll learn the techniques that separate successful offshore anglers from weekend warriors. Once we've got our live wells loaded, we head to the deeper waters and offshore reefs where the real action happens. These Gulf waters off Destin are legendary for holding massive schools of pelagic species, and the underwater structure creates perfect ambush points for predators. The boat ride out gives you time to rig up properly and get your head in the game – because once we reach the fishing grounds, things can get intense fast. You'll be working with heavy tackle and dealing with fish that have serious attitude, so come prepared for a workout.
This trip is all about stepping up your fishing game with techniques that experienced anglers appreciate. We're talking live bait fishing with circle hooks, proper drift presentations, and understanding how to work different depths based on water temperature and structure. Captain Trevor will show you how to read the electronics, interpret what you're seeing on the fish finder, and position your baits in the strike zone. You'll learn about proper drag settings for different species – because what works for a King Mackerel will get you spooled by a big Amberjack. We use heavy conventional reels paired with stout rods that can handle the pressure, and you'll get hands-on experience with techniques like kite fishing and slow trolling with live bait. The captain also covers advanced rigging methods, including how to set up for deep dropping and the proper way to fight fish in current. These are skills that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of these waters, and they're exactly why this trip has a reputation for testing anglers' skills. These fish average 20-40 pounds but can push well over 50, and they fight like they're twice their size. Amberjack live around structure – wrecks, reefs, and ledges – and when you hook one, your first job is keeping it away from the bottom where it wants to wrap you up. They're most active during the warmer months and will absolutely punish light tackle. The initial run on an Amberjack will test your drag system and your arms, but landing one gives you serious bragging rights.
Tarpon are the silver kings that make grown anglers weak in the knees, and Destin's waters host some magnificent specimens. These prehistoric fish can reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds, though most of what we encounter runs 40-80 pounds. What makes Tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their aerial acrobatics when hooked. They'll jump, tail-walk, and throw your hook with moves that look choreographed. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're usually found cruising the surface or suspended in the water column. Landing a Tarpon requires patience, proper technique, and a little luck.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll make your reel sing, and they're one of the most popular targets for serious Gulf Coast anglers. These fish typically run 15-30 pounds in our waters, with occasional specimens pushing 40-plus. Kings are aggressive predators that respond well to both live bait and high-speed trolling, and they're known for their blistering initial runs. The trick with Kings is their razor-sharp teeth – you need wire leaders and quick reflexes when they're boat-side. They're most active during the cooler months and early morning hours, making them perfect for our early start time.
Mahi Mahi bring tropical flair to Gulf fishing, and when you find them, you've hit the jackpot. These fish are stunning with their golden-green colors and distinctive profile, and they typically travel in schools around floating debris or weed lines. Mahi are excellent table fare and fight with surprising strength for their size, often going airborne when hooked. They're warm-water fish that show up best during summer months, and finding them often means finding other pelagic species in the same area.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they're some of the hardest fighting fish pound-for-pound in these waters. These silver bulldogs average 5-15 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, using their broad sides to pull against you in the current. Jacks are often found in large schools and will hit both live and artificial baits with abandon. They're year-round residents and make excellent target practice for perfecting your fighting techniques before hooking into something bigger.
This world-class fishing experience offers everything serious anglers want – challenging gamefish, proven techniques, and waters that consistently produce trophy catches. Captain Trevor's expertise combined with Destin's renowned offshore fishing grounds creates the perfect scenario for testing your skills against some of the Gulf's most respected species. With only one angler per trip, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to work on your technique. The early start time an
Jump aboard Sea Breeze, a sharp 23-foot Hanson center console that's built for serious fishing in Destin's Gulf waters. This 2019 boat packs a 200HP Suzuki outboard that'll get you to the amberjack grounds fast, cruising at 35 knots when you need to chase the bite. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to battle those big fish, while the fish finder helps locate structure where the good stuff hangs out. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and when you need to work the edges quietly, the wireless trolling motor won't spook finicky fish. GPS keeps you on the productive spots, and with room for up to 6 anglers, there's space to spread out when multiple rods go off. Perfect for those long offshore runs targeting jacks, mahi, and whatever else is biting in the deep blue.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are scrappy brawlers that fight way above their weight class and never give up. These brassy-colored bullies typically run 3-15 pounds, but don't let the size fool you - they'll bend your rod in half. You'll find schools of them around reefs, wrecks, and even inshore structures throughout the year, though spring and summer see the biggest concentrations. What makes jack fishing exciting is their aggressive nature and the visual action when they're feeding on top. Watch for diving birds - that's your cue that jacks are pushing baitfish to the surface. They're more about the fight than the plate, but smaller ones fry up decent. When you find a feeding school, work fast with topwater plugs or spoons. Cast past the school and rip it back through - jacks love the chase.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldozers of the reef - thick-bodied bruisers that'll drag you straight down to the rocks if you let them. These chunky fighters average 30-50 pounds, with the big females pushing 80+ pounds. They live around our deeper structures, wrecks, and reefs in 80-200 feet, where they ambush anything that swims by. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're most aggressive. What guests love about AJs is their raw power - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle pulling toward the bottom. They make excellent eating too, with firm white fillets. The trick is stopping their initial run before they cut you off in the rocks. Use heavy tackle and don't be afraid to put serious pressure on them right from the hookup.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag system and burn line faster than almost anything in the Gulf. These sleek predators typically run 15-40 pounds, though we catch plenty in the 50+ range during peak season. You'll find them cruising our reefs and drop-offs in 60-150 feet, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Spring through fall are prime time when water temps hit that sweet 70-80 degree range. Guests love kings because they make screaming runs and put serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish we catch - firm white meat that grills perfectly. Here's the key: rig two hooks on your live bait because kings love to hit the tail section first, so that trailing hook often saves the day.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll find offshore, flashing gold and electric blue during their acrobatic jumps. These fast-growing fish usually run 15-30 pounds, with bulls occasionally hitting 40+. We target them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in 100-300 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're following the Gulf Stream currents. What makes mahi special is their willingness to bite and their incredible table fare - sweet, firm meat that's perfect for the grill. They're also aggressive enough that once you hook one, the school often sticks around for multiple catches. Pro tip: keep your first mahi in the water alongside the boat if possible - the others will often stay with their hooked buddy, giving everyone shots.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are bucket-list fish that'll test every ounce of your skill. Most tarpon we hook range 80-150 pounds, though the real monsters can push 200+. They're found around our deeper reefs and channels, usually in 40-100 feet of water during spring and summer months. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size - it's watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water when hooked. They're pure athletes with jumps that'll leave you speechless. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating, but the fight is worth more than any meal. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - keeps that hook from popping loose during their acrobatics.
Destin, FL