Premium 10 Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure in Destin
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesAccommodates up to 6 guests with bottom fishing and trollingDeparts 6 AM for extended deep water fishing experience
Looking to spend a full day chasing fish in the emerald waters of the Gulf? This 10-hour private charter is built for serious anglers who want to make the most of their time on the water. Starting at first light - 6:00 AM sharp - you and up to five of your fishing buddies will head out to some of the most productive offshore grounds Destin has to offer. At $3,000 for your group, you're getting access to prime fishing real estate that most weekend warriors never see, plus the expertise of a captain who knows exactly where the fish are biting.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just as the bite heats up. With 10 full hours, we've got time to do it right. We'll start by running out to the deeper water structure - think 100 to 200+ feet - where the big boys hang out. The first part of the day usually involves working the bottom for grouper and snapper, dropping baits down to rocky ledges and artificial reefs that hold serious fish. Once we've loaded the cooler with some quality bottom dwellers, we'll switch gears and start trolling for the speedsters - kings, wahoo, and blackfin tuna that patrol these waters. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is flexibility. If the bottom bite is red hot, we can stay put. If the trolling action is insane, we can cover miles of water chasing schools of pelagics.
We run a mix of bottom fishing and trolling techniques to maximize your shot at different species. For bottom fishing, we're talking heavy conventional reels loaded with 50-80 pound test, dropping everything from live pinfish and cigar minnows to cut bait and chicken rigs. The key is matching your bait to what's feeding - grouper love a good pinfish, while snapper go crazy for cut squid and small baitfish. When we switch to trolling, we'll pull a spread of lures and rigged baits designed to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics. Think diving plugs, spoons, and ballyhoo rigs pulled at different depths and speeds. The captain will adjust the spread based on water conditions, bait activity, and what species are most active that day. All the gear you need is included - from rods and reels to tackle and bait - so you can focus on fighting fish instead of rigging lines.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and these waters hold some absolute slabs. During open season (typically June through August), these ruby-colored fighters provide non-stop action on the bottom. They're smart, aggressive, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Most of our red snapper run 15-25 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a true giant pushing 30+ pounds. They fight hard all the way to the boat, and their distinctive red coloration makes for great photos.
Gag Grouper are the bruisers of the reef. These mottled gray giants love rocky structure and will test your tackle to the limit. They hit hard, dive for cover immediately, and require serious muscle to pull away from their hidey-holes. Most gags we see range from 10-30 pounds, but the occasional 40+ pounder will remind you why grouper fishing is so addictive. They're excellent eating and provide some of the most satisfying fights you'll find on the bottom.
Scamp Grouper might be smaller than their gag cousins, but they make up for it with attitude and table fare. These golden-brown beauties typically run 5-15 pounds and are considered by many to be the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're often found in slightly deeper water and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. Their sweet, flaky meat makes them a favorite target for anglers who care as much about dinner as they do about the fight.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, capable of blistering runs that will test your drag system and your arms. These silver bullets patrol the blue water looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find them, the action can be absolutely electric. Kings average 15-30 pounds in these waters, with the occasional smoker topping 40 pounds. They're perfect for trolling, and their acrobatic jumps and long runs make them a favorite among anglers who love fast-paced action.
Wahoo are the ultimate prize for many offshore anglers - a combination of speed, size, and incredible eating quality. These torpedo-shaped predators can reach speeds over 60 mph and will absolutely scream line off your reel. Most wahoo in our area run 20-50 pounds, and their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed make every hookup an adventure. They're less common than kings but infinitely more prized, both for the fight and the table.
A 10-hour offshore charter is an investment in serious fishing, and this trip delivers exactly what dedicated anglers are looking for - time, access, and expertise. You're getting a full day with a captain who knows these waters inside and out, access to fishing grounds that produce consistently, and enough time to really capitalize when the bite is on. Whether you're looking to stock the freezer with premium Gulf seafood or just want to experience world-class offshore fishing, this charter has you covered. The $3,000 rate for up to six anglers breaks down to $500 per person for a full day of top-tier fishing - that's hard to beat for this level of access and expertise. Book now and get ready for a day on the water that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
The Great Escape is a 58-foot Chris-Craft Convertible that's built for serious offshore fishing in the Gulf waters around Destin. This restored sportfisher runs twin 1000HP Cat engines that'll get you out to the deep water fishing grounds at 18 knots, giving you maximum time with lines in the water during your 10-hour adventure. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish from the cockpit or flybridge. She's equipped with all the essentials for a full day chasing pelagics and bottom species - GPS and radar for navigation, fish finder to locate structure and schools, plus an icebox and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The air conditioning provides relief between fishing spots, and the onboard kitchen, bed, and head mean you're covered for the long haul targeting everything from King Mackerel and Wahoo on the troll to Red Snapper and Grouper on the bottom.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are smart, stubborn fighters that typically run 15-25 pounds around our waters. They love hanging around rocky ledges, wrecks, and drop-offs in 60-150 feet, ambushing anything that swims by. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're more active and feeding before spawning season. What draws folks to target them is the combination of a serious fight and excellent table fare - firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. Once hooked, they'll immediately try to dive back into whatever hole they came from, so you've got to muscle them up fast. My advice: use heavy tackle with 50+ pound braid, live pinfish or large chunks of cut bait, and keep your drag locked tight. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you up in the rocks.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ when conditions are right. They roam open water from 40-150 feet, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Fall through spring offers the best action as they migrate along our coast. What gets people hooked on kings is that blazing first run - they'll scream 100+ yards of line off your reel before you know what hit you. Plus, they're solid eating with firm, flaky meat that's great smoked or grilled. The key is trolling at 8-12 knots with live bait or spoons, covering water until you find the schools. Pro tip: always use wire leaders - their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly. When you hook up, don't horse them. Let them run, then work them back steady. Fighting them too hard just tears the hooks out.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the gold standard of Gulf fishing - solid, reliable fighters that average 3-8 pounds with occasional 20+ pounders to keep things interesting. They hang around structure in 80-200 feet, especially wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom areas where they ambush baitfish. Peak season runs May through October when they're spawning and feeding heavily. What makes them special isn't just the fight - they're plate-sized fillets with sweet, firm meat that's tough to beat. They'll try to run straight back to cover when hooked, so keep steady pressure and don't give them slack. Pro tip: Use circle hooks with fresh cigar minnows or large pinfish, and drop your bait right on the structure. They're usually there, just waiting for the right presentation.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp Grouper might be smaller than their cousins, averaging 4-8 pounds, but they're considered the best eating fish in the grouper family - some call it "captain's meat" for good reason. You'll find them around structure in 75-300 feet, particularly on rocky ledges and wrecks where they can ambush prey. Spring months during spawning season offer the best action when they move up to shallower water. Despite their size, they're surprisingly strong fighters that'll test your tackle and patience. The elongated tail rays make them easy to identify once you get one to the boat. Here's the key: use lighter tackle than you would for bigger grouper - 30-40 pound class gear works great. Drop live pinfish or cigar minnows right on the bottom near structure and be ready for that initial surge when they grab it.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of the Gulf - sleek, fast fish that typically run 20-50 pounds with an attitude to match their speed. They cruise open water and blue water drop-offs, usually in 100+ feet where they can use that 60 mph speed to chase down baitfish. Summer through fall is prime time when water temps are right and bait is abundant. The thrill is in that first blistering run that'll make your reel sing, plus they're premium table fare with delicate white meat. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best - they want fast-moving baits. Always use wire leaders because those razor teeth will slice through anything else in a heartbeat. When you hook one, hang on tight and let your drag do the work. Their speed can fool you into thinking they're bigger than they are until you see that distinctive blue striping at the boat.
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