Offshore Fishing Charters in Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing charters in Gulf of Mexico watersMultiple fishing techniques including trolling and bottom fishingComplete tackle and bait provided for up to four guests
The Gulf of Mexico off Florida's coast is hands down one of the best places to wet a line if you're serious about fishing. Got 2 Go Fishing Charters has been putting anglers on fish in these waters, and their offshore trips are where the real action happens. You're looking at 4 to 12 hours on the water with a small group – just 4 people max – which means plenty of room to fight fish and personalized attention from your captain. Whether you've been fishing your whole life or you're just getting started, these Gulf waters will deliver the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are most active. You'll head out from the marina as the sun comes up, running offshore to where the real fish live. The Gulf of Mexico drops off fast once you clear the nearshore waters, and that's where Got 2 Go does their work. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself anywhere from 15 to 50 miles offshore. The boat is rigged and ready – they've got everything from heavy trolling gear for the big pelagics to lighter tackle for when you want to have some fun with smaller fish. Your captain reads the water like a book, watching for birds, bait schools, and temperature breaks that hold fish. Some days you'll be running and gunning, covering water to find active fish. Other days, you'll set up on structure and work it methodically. That's fishing – and that's what makes it so addictive.
Got 2 Go comes loaded with quality rods and reels that can handle whatever swims in the Gulf. You're not dealing with bargain-bin tackle here – these are serious fishing tools that won't let you down when a big fish decides to test your drag. They've got the terminal tackle dialed in too, from wire leaders for toothy critters to circle hooks that improve your release rates. The boat runs multiple techniques depending on what you're targeting. Trolling is bread and butter for pelagics – you'll pull spreads of ballyhoo, artificials, and diving plugs at different depths and speeds. When you find structure or a temperature break, it's time to break out the bottom rigs and start dropping baits down deep. Sight fishing is pure excitement – when you can see the fish you're casting to, every presentation matters. The crew knows when to switch tactics and they're not shy about putting you on different techniques throughout the day to keep the action going.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of Gulf fishing, and for good reason. These silver bullets can show up anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds, and they fight like they're twice that size. Kings are most active during the cooler months, roughly October through March, when they school up and feed aggressively. They love live bait – blue runners, threadfin herring, and sardines get them fired up. What makes them so much fun is the way they hit – it's usually a screaming run that'll test your drag and your nerve. Plus, they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Mahi Mahi are what offshore dreams are made of. These fish are pure eye candy with their electric colors, and they fight with incredible athleticism – jumping, tail-walking, and making blistering runs. In the Gulf, you'll find them around floating debris, sargassum lines, and temperature breaks, typically in water deeper than 100 feet. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the water temperature hits that sweet spot between 75 and 80 degrees. They travel in schools, so when you hook one, there are usually more around. Fast-moving baits and bright lures get their attention, and they're not particularly leader-shy, which makes them fun on lighter tackle.
Great Barracuda are the Gulf's ultimate predator, and they look the part with those razor-sharp teeth and torpedo-shaped bodies. They're ambush hunters that lurk around structure, and when they decide to eat, it happens fast. You'll find them near wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs, usually in the top half of the water column. They're year-round residents, but summer months see the biggest fish moving through. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strikes – they hit lures and baits with serious violence, and their initial runs are explosive. They're also sight fishermen's dream because they're curious and will often check out your boat before deciding whether to eat.
Cobia are one of the most underrated fish in the Gulf, but once you hook into one, you'll understand why guides get excited about them. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) can push 50 pounds and they fight with the power of a fish twice their size. They're structure-oriented, hanging around wrecks, rigs, and reefs where they hunt crabs and smaller fish. Spring migration brings the biggest numbers through the northern Gulf, but residents are around year-round. They're excellent table fare and they're curious fish that will often come up to investigate the boat, making them perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right.
Red Snapper are the holy grail of Gulf bottom fishing, and there's good reason they're so sought after. These bright red fish are beautiful, they fight hard, and they're absolutely delicious. They live on hard bottom, wrecks, and artificial reefs, usually in 60 to 200 feet of water. The federal season is short but sweet – typically just a few days in June – so when it's open, that's all anyone wants to target. They're structure-oriented and they school up, so when you find them, you can usually catch several before they wise up. They're also one of the smarter fish in the Gulf, so your bait presentation and tackle choice matters more than with other species.
This 22-foot Cape Horn center console is your ticket to serious Gulf fishing action. Built in 2007 and powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha that'll cruise at 45 knots, she's designed to get you to the fish fast and keep you comfortable all day. The spacious layout handles up to 6 anglers with room to move around while fighting that big one. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for productive fishing - a built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots efficiently, and the VHF radio keeps you connected. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking fish below. Whether you're bottom fishing for grouper and snapper or trolling for pelagics, this Cape Horn handles Gulf conditions with confidence and gets you on the water where the action happens.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the golden retrievers of gamefish - curious, approachable, and excellent table fare. These chocolate-brown fish average 20-50 pounds and often cruise alone near the surface around buoys, wrecks, or floating debris. Spring migration from March through May is peak season, but we catch them year-round in 30-70 feet around structure. What guests love is sight-fishing for them - watching a 40-pound fish swim up to the boat and eat your jig is pure magic. They fight strong but fair, and the white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish. My go-to technique: look for that dark shadow just under the surface, pitch a bucktail jig ahead of them, and let it sink slowly. They're curious by nature and will usually come investigate.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the wolves of the reef - long, lean predators averaging 3-5 feet with razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and ledges, usually in 20-80 feet of water. They hunt year-round here, but spring and fall fishing is particularly good. What makes them exciting is that explosive strike and their tendency to jump when hooked. They're pure aggression with limited stamina, so the fight is intense but usually short. Most folks catch and release since they can carry ciguatera, but the thrill is in the chase. One thing I always tell clients: use a wire leader and watch your fingers around the boat. These guys have a mouth full of daggers and aren't shy about using them, even when they look done fighting.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fish in the Gulf, typically running 15-40 pounds with bigger specimens pushing 60+ pounds. These silver torpedoes cruise the 40-150 foot range, often near structure or temperature breaks. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What makes them special is that blistering run when they hit - nothing quite like a king peeling line at 35 mph. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Here's the key: use a wire leader and two hooks on your live bait - one through the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of baitfish, so that stinger hook back there will nail them when they try their usual trick.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold and green colors that flash like neon underwater. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 50+ pounds. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in that blue water 20+ miles offshore. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps climb above 75 degrees. What guests love most is the acrobatic fight - these fish go airborne and put on a show. Plus, they're arguably the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: when you find one mahi, there's usually more around. Keep one hooked and in the water while others cast to the school. That hooked fish acts like a magnet and keeps the whole group interested.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing - bright red fish that average 3-8 pounds, though 15+ pounders make your day. They live on hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 60-200+ feet of water. Federal season typically runs June through July, so timing matters. What makes them special is that classic snapper fight - they'll dive straight for cover and test your drag. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's what works: get your bait to the bottom fast with plenty of weight, and when you feel that thump-thump bite, set the hook hard and get them off the structure quick. Use circle hooks with fresh squid or cigar minnows, and don't hesitate to horse them up.
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