Offshore Fishing Trip in Tierra Verde, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi in Gulf watersProfessional crew provides gear and expertise for successSmall group experience with maximum 6 guests aboard
When you're looking for serious offshore action, Tierra Verde is where you want to drop lines. Located right at the mouth of Tampa Bay, this spot gives you quick access to some of the Gulf's most productive fishing grounds. Our 6-person charters with Goofy Moose LLC put you right in the heart of the action, targeting trophy species that'll have your drag screaming and your arms burning. The Gulf waters here are crystal clear, the fish are hungry, and our crew knows exactly where to find them. Pack your cooler with ice and get ready for a day that'll remind you why offshore fishing beats anything you can do from shore.
Your day starts early – we're talking first light departure to maximize your time on the productive waters. The run out from Tierra Verde takes you through some of the most scenic waters in the Gulf, but once we hit the offshore grounds, it's all business. You'll be fishing depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet, depending on what's biting and where the bait schools are holding. Our captain reads the water like a book, watching for diving birds, temperature breaks, and structure that holds fish. The Gulf of Mexico here is known for its clear blue water and consistent action, especially when we hit those ledges and humps that attract pelagic species. Expect to cover some serious water as we chase schools of tuna and mahi, and don't be surprised if we make multiple moves throughout the day to stay on the bite.
We run a serious spread out here – typically four to six lines with a mix of ballyhoo, flying fish, and artificial lures that trigger aggressive strikes from fast-moving pelagics. The boat comes rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with 30-50 pound test, perfect for the size fish we're targeting. When we're on tuna or mahi schools, we'll often switch to live bait or chunk baits to get those finicky fish fired up. For the bigger sailfish and yellowfin, we'll deploy circle hooks and wire leaders that can handle their runs and jumps. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of tying knots. We also carry a variety of jigs and poppers for when the fish are feeding aggressively on top – there's nothing like watching a mahi crash a surface lure in gin-clear water.
Mahi mahi are the bread and butter of Tierra Verde offshore fishing, and for good reason. These bulls show up in spring and stick around through fall, with peak action from May through September. They're absolute bulldogs on the line, making blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag system. Most of our mahi run 10-30 pounds, with the occasional bull pushing 40-plus. They school up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, often in groups of 5-20 fish. Once you hook one, keep your line in the water – where there's one mahi, there's usually more.
Blackfin tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but they make up for it with pure speed and stamina. These 10-25 pound rockets are year-round residents here, though they bite best in cooler months from November through March. They school tight and feed aggressively on small baitfish, often creating feeding frenzies that attract diving birds from miles around. Blackfins are perfect for light tackle fishing, and their dark red meat makes some of the best sashimi you'll ever taste.
When yellowfin tuna move through, usually from late spring through early fall, they bring serious heat to your reel. These fish range from 30-80 pounds and are built like torpedoes, capable of runs that'll empty your spool if your drag isn't set right. They often travel with dolphins and feed in the early morning or late afternoon. Yellowfins are notoriously line-shy, so we often fish them with fluorocarbon leaders and circle hooks to increase our hookup ratio.
Red snapper are the bottom-dwelling heavyweights that every angler wants in their cooler. These 5-20 pound bruisers live around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs 60-120 feet down. Snapper season runs from mid-June through July, making them a premium target during summer months. They're smart fish with excellent eyesight, so fresh bait and light leaders are key to consistent hookups. Once hooked, they make powerful runs toward structure, testing your ability to turn them in open water.
Atlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of Tierra Verde offshore fishing. These 6-7 foot acrobats show up year-round but are most common from December through April when cooler water temperatures bring them closer to shore. Sailfish are pure adrenaline – they'll jump, tail-walk, and strip line like nothing else in these waters. Most anglers choose to release these magnificent fish after a quick photo, making them a sustainable trophy that future generations can enjoy.
The Gulf of Mexico off Tierra Verde delivers world-class offshore fishing that rivals any destination in Florida. With Goofy Moose LLC, you're getting experienced captains who know these waters inside and out, quality gear that can handle whatever we hook, and access to fishing grounds that consistently produce trophy-class fish. Whether you're after a cooler full of mahi for the grill or that sailfish photo you've been dreaming about, this trip delivers the goods. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for family trips, corporate outings, or just a group of fishing buddies looking to bend some rods. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – the best day to go fishing is always today. Book your offshore adventure and get
This restored 46' Bertram sport fishing boat cuts through Gulf waters with twin 750HP Detroit engines, hitting speeds up to 22 knots as you chase Blackfin Tuna, Sailfish, and Mahi Mahi in the deep blue offshore waters around Tierra Verde. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility to spot working birds and bait schools while the fish finder pinpoints your targets below. Air conditioning keeps you cool between battles with Red Snapper and Yellowfin Tuna, while the full kitchen, refrigerator, and icebox ensure fresh bait and cold drinks all day. GPS and radar navigation get you safely to the hottest fishing grounds and back to port. With a comfortable bed, toilet, and multimedia system onboard, this sportfisher handles everything from dawn patrol trips to extended offshore adventures for up to 6 anglers ready to tangle with Gulf gamefish.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - there's nothing quite like watching that massive dorsal fin slice through the water. These bills average around 50 pounds and 7-8 feet long, cruising the surface waters down to about 200 feet. Winter months bring the best action here in Florida, especially along what we call "Sailfish Alley." What sets sailfish apart is the aerial show they put on when hooked - jumping, diving, and tail-walking like nothing else in the Gulf. Most folks release these beauties since they're not great table fare. When you get a bite, don't horse them - let the fish run first before applying pressure, and keep that drag smooth since their bills can throw hooks easily.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smallest of the tunas but don't let that fool you - they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter. These dark-bodied speedsters typically run 10-25 pounds and love warm Gulf waters near the continental shelf. Peak season is fall through spring, especially around the Keys area. What makes blackfin special is their aggressive nature and the way they school up with other species. They're also excellent table fare - rich, red meat that's perfect for searing or sashimi. The key to success is scaling down your tackle since they're line-shy - use light fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks. Chunking with live pilchards works great to get them fired up and close to the boat.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with bright golden sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real color show when you bring them to the boat. They average 15-29 pounds and about 39 inches, though we've seen bigger. These fish love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and any structure in the open water. Best fishing is usually spring through fall when water temps are warm. What makes mahi special is they're fierce fighters that'll jump and run, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - mild, sweet, and perfect on the grill. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes open for others nearby since they often travel in schools.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, and for good reason. These bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but can grow much larger around the right structure. They live on rocky bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 30-200 feet of water, and the season typically runs during summer months when regulations allow. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters that'll try to cut your line on structure, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - mild, flaky, and perfect for any recipe. My advice: use fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or squid, and once you hook one, get them up and away from the bottom fast before they wrap you up.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the muscle cars of the tuna world - built for speed and power. These torpedo-shaped fish can hit 50 mph and typically run 60 pounds, though they can get much bigger. You'll find them in the top 300 feet of blue water, and they're most active during warmer months from May through October in our Gulf waters. What guests love about yellowfin is the incredible fight they put up - pure strength from start to finish - plus they're top-shelf sashimi-grade fish. We target them trolling with rigged ballyhoo or jigging when we mark fish deep. Here's a tip: when the trolling bite dies, try chunking with whatever baitfish are around to bring them up from the depths.
Tierra Verde, FL