5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip - Niceville, Florida
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore fishing adventure up to 9 miles outBottom fishing targets multiple species with flexible schedulingSmall group experience accommodates up to 4 guests
Looking for a solid day on the water without the full commitment of an all-day charter? Our 6-hour extended half-day trip hits that sweet spot perfectly. We'll run you up to 9 miles offshore from Niceville into some of the Gulf's most productive bottom fishing grounds. Captain Wes knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with nearly three decades guiding anglers through these parts, he's dialed in on where the fish are holding. Whether you're an early bird who loves that 7 a.m. departure or prefer to sleep in and hit an afternoon bite, we'll work with your schedule to make it happen.
This trip is all about putting you on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun for the whole crew. We'll cruise out to structure and ledges where red snapper, grouper, and triggerfish love to hang out, typically in 60 to 120 feet of water depending on what's biting best. The boat's equipped with quality bottom fishing gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. Six hours gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots if one area isn't producing, and Captain Wes isn't shy about making moves to find active fish. The pace stays comfortable - no rushing between spots or pressure to constantly have lines in the water. This charter works great for families, groups of buddies, or anyone wanting to experience Gulf fishing without committing to a marathon day. With only 4 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of personal attention and room to fish comfortably.
We focus primarily on bottom fishing techniques that consistently produce in these Gulf waters. You'll be dropping baited rigs down to rocky ledges, artificial reefs, and natural structure where snapper and grouper set up shop. Most of the time we're using circle hooks with cut bait - sardines, cigar minnows, and squid work great out here. The key is getting your bait down quick through the smaller stuff to reach those bigger fish hugging the bottom. Captain Wes will show you how to feel the bite and set the hook properly if you're newer to this style of fishing. When the amberjack show up, we might switch to larger baits and heavier tackle since those bruisers will test your drag system. The GPS and fish finder help us locate productive structure, but reading the current, wind, and fish behavior is what separates a good day from a great one. Don't worry about bringing tackle - we've got everything covered, from weights and hooks to a cooler full of fresh bait.
"Wes was great! We caught lots of fish and a big shark. The kids had a great time too. Highly recommend." - Cassie
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and these waters hold some beautiful fish. They typically run 15 to 25 pounds out here, with occasional monsters pushing 30-plus. Snapper are smart and can be finicky - they'll inspect your bait before committing, so patience pays off. The best action usually happens during federal red snapper season in summer months, but when they're open, the bite can be fantastic. What makes snapper special is their fight - they'll make strong runs toward structure trying to break you off, and that first run when you hook a big one gets your heart pumping every time.
Gag Grouper are another top target that anglers absolutely love tangling with. These fish average 20 to 40 pounds and are pure muscle. They live around rocky bottom and ledges, often in the same areas as snapper. Gags have this habit of immediately diving for cover when hooked, so you need to turn them quick and keep steady pressure. They're incredibly strong for their size and will surprise first-time grouper anglers with their power. The fight usually happens in two stages - first they'll try to reach structure, then they'll slug it out in open water with heavy head shakes.
Scamp Grouper might be smaller than their gag cousins, typically running 10 to 20 pounds, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. Scamp tend to hold in slightly deeper water and can be more aggressive than other grouper species. They've got beautiful coloration with those distinctive brown spots, and they're one of the most cooperative grouper when it comes to biting. Many anglers prefer scamp for eating since the meat is incredibly sweet and flaky.
Grey Triggerfish are the wild cards of this fishery. They're abundant, feisty, and will absolutely bend your rod. Triggers average 3 to 8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They've got strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so they can be tough to hook solidly. When the triggerfish are schooled up and feeding aggressively, the action can be non-stop. They're also fantastic eating - the meat is firm and sweet, similar to hogfish. Kids especially love catching triggers because they're active fighters and pretty much always hungry.
Greater Amberjack show up periodically and provide the heavy tackle action that gets anglers excited. These fish commonly run 40 to 80 pounds around here, with bigger ones always possible. AJ's are like the freight trains of the reef - once hooked, they'll make long, powerful runs that test your endurance. They're incredibly strong and will fight you all the way to the boat. The key with amberjack is having your drag set properly and being ready for that initial run. They're seasonal visitors, typically showing up when water temps are right and baitfish are thick.
Six hours offshore gives you a real taste of what Gulf fishing is all about without the commitment of a full day charter. You'll have time to learn techniques, catch a variety of species
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tough customers that'll test your tackle and technique. Most run 15-25 inches and 3-8 pounds, but the big males can hit 30+ pounds. They love hanging around hard bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 40-120 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding. What guests love about gags is that bulldog fight - once hooked, they'll try every trick to get back to their hole. The meat is excellent too, firm white fillets that grill perfectly. These fish start life as females and change to males as they grow, which is pretty unique. Pro tip: soon as you feel that thump, lock down your drag and horse them up fast. Give a gag grouper any slack and they'll dive straight into the rocks and cut you off every time.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldogs of the Gulf - pure power and speed wrapped in a 20-40 pound package. These blue-grey bruisers with that distinctive amber stripe love vertical structure like wrecks, oil rigs, and deep reefs. Spring through fall is best, especially when baitfish are thick around structure. What gets people hooked on amberjack fishing is that initial run - they'll peel line like nothing else and fight dirty, trying to wrap you around structure. The meat quality is excellent, though bigger fish can carry ciguatera, so we usually keep the 15-25 pounders. They're not picky eaters, hitting live bait, jigs, and even topwater plugs. My go-to setup is heavy tackle with 50+ pound line because these fish don't mess around. Local secret: when you hook one, tighten that drag immediately and pull straight up. Give them any angle toward structure and they'll wrap you up every time.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are scrappy little fighters that'll keep you entertained all day. They average 12-17 inches but pack a punch with their tough, leathery skin and stubborn attitude. We find them around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom in 30-180 feet, especially during summer months. What makes them fun is their quirky behavior - they'll nip at your bait before committing, and when threatened, they wedge into cracks using their dorsal fin like a lock. The meat is surprisingly good, firm and white with a mild flavor. Their beak-like mouth and sharp teeth can crunch through sea urchins and crabs like nothing. Here's a trick that works: when you feel them pecking at your bait, drop a chunk of squid near other fish like snapper. Triggers are greedy and competitive - they'll rush in to steal the bait from the other fish and get themselves hooked.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing. These bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-8 pounds, though we've seen monsters over 20 pounds. They hang around structure in 30-200 feet - think wrecks, reefs, and ledges. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes them special? That fight when hooked is legendary - they'll make straight runs for cover trying to break you off. Plus, you can't beat the table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's restaurant quality. Here's a local trick: when you feel that tap-tap bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a second, then lift firm and steady. They've got that crusher mouth that can spit your hook if you're too aggressive.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp grouper might be the best eating fish in the Gulf, hands down. They're smaller than their cousins, usually 12-20 inches and 2-6 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in taste. Look for them around rocky bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 75-300 feet during our summer trips. Their chocolate brown color with darker blotches makes them easy to identify. What's cool is they're born female and turn male as they age - nature's pretty wild. The fight is solid but not crazy strong, making them great for lighter tackle. That meat though - sweet and flaky, often called "captain's choice" since boat captains keep the best for themselves. Here's the key: use a medium-heavy rod with 30-40 pound line and keep steady pressure. They're ambush predators, so drop live pinfish or cut squid right on structure.
5.0 out of 5.0Wes was great! We caught lots of fish and a big shark. The kids had a great time too. Highly recommend.
Niceville