5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Snapper And Grouper Fishing Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore fishing trip targeting snapper and grouperTravels up to 9 miles offshore for bottom fishingAccommodates up to 4 guests with flexible departure times
Picture this: you're cruising up to 9 miles offshore from Niceville, Florida, with the morning sun painting the Gulf waters gold, and Captain Wes from High Flying Saltwater Charters is already scoping out the best bottom structure for your half-day adventure. This isn't your typical dock fishing – we're talking serious offshore action where red snapper, grouper, and other Gulf favorites hang out around the rocky bottom and artificial reefs. With a flexible 7 AM start time (or afternoon if that works better for you), this 4-hour trip is perfect for families, serious anglers, or anyone looking to experience what makes the Emerald Coast one of Florida's top fishing destinations.
Your day starts when you meet Captain Wes at the marina, where he'll give you the rundown on conditions, target areas, and what's been biting lately. The boat heads out to productive bottom fishing spots – think artificial reefs, natural ledges, and structure that holds fish year-round. This is classic Gulf Coast fishing at its finest, where you'll drop baits to depths ranging from 40 to 80 feet, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to fish without crowding each other. Captain Wes keeps things relaxed but focused, adjusting locations based on current, weather, and where the bite is happening that day. You'll spend most of your time with rods bent and reels screaming as bottom fish make their powerful runs toward structure.
Bottom fishing in the Gulf is all about reading structure and presenting baits where fish naturally feed. We use circle hooks with cut bait – typically squid, cigar minnows, or whatever's working best that week. The technique is straightforward but effective: drop your rig to the bottom, reel up a few cranks, and wait for that telltale thump-thump of a fish picking up your bait. Captain Wes provides all tackle, including medium-heavy conventional reels spooled with 30-50 pound test line – strong enough to turn a stubborn grouper away from the rocks. The key is staying alert because these fish don't mess around. When a red snapper or grouper decides to eat, you need to set the hook firmly and start cranking immediately. The boat's equipped with a quality fish finder to locate structure and mark schools, plus all the nets, gaffs, and coolers needed to handle your catch properly.
"Great trip. Weather wasn't looking very favorable contacted WES and he let us know what the conditions were going to be and that as long as we didn't mind getting a little bit wet, we could make it work and he absolutely did. He was very knowledgeable and just made everything a fun time . Works great with the kids and explaining everything to them and getting us on the fish he also worked with the weather and kept us safe. look forward to booking with him again in the future you won't be disappointed." - Noah
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and these crimson fighters are what most anglers dream about when they book offshore trips. Running anywhere from 2-15 pounds in these waters, red snapper are aggressive feeders that hit baits hard and fight even harder. They love structure – artificial reefs, natural ledges, and rocky bottom where they can ambush prey. The best action typically happens during federal red snapper season (usually June through July, but dates change yearly), when these fish are most active and legal to harvest. What makes them special isn't just their excellent table fare, but the way they fight with that classic head-shaking, line-stripping battle that gets your heart pumping.
Lane Snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they more than make up for it with numbers and attitude. These colorful fish with their distinctive yellow stripes are year-round residents that average 1-3 pounds and absolutely hammer small baits. They're perfect for kids or light tackle enthusiasts because they're scrappy fighters that don't give up easily. Lane snapper are also excellent eating, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or ceviche. They school up around structure and once you find them, you can expect steady action throughout the trip.
Gag Grouper are the bruisers of the bunch – powerful, stubborn fish that test both your tackle and your technique. These mottled brown fighters can weigh anywhere from 5-20 pounds in our local waters, and they're masters of using structure to their advantage. When you hook a gag, the fight begins immediately as they try to bulldoze straight back to their rocky hideout. The key is keeping steady pressure and not giving them an inch, because once they reach cover, it's game over. Gags are most active during cooler months (October through April when they're legal to harvest), and they're considered one of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
Scamp Grouper are often called the "prettiest grouper" thanks to their golden-brown coloration with distinctive dark spots. They typically run smaller than gags – usually 2-8 pounds – but they're every bit as stubborn when hooked. Scamps love deeper structure and are often caught while targeting other species, making them a welcome surprise in the fish box. They're excellent table fare with sweet, mild flesh that rivals any restaurant fish. These grouper are legal year-round with proper licensing, making them a reliable target species regardless of when you fish.
Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are the smartest fish you'll encounter on this trip, and that's exactly what makes them so addictive to target. These bronze-colored fighters are incredibly line-shy and bait
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are serious bottom dwellers that'll test your tackle. They average 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These gray, marbled fish love rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks where they ambush prey. You'll find them year-round, but cooler months often produce better fishing when they're more active. What makes them special is the battle - once hooked, they dive straight for cover and use every trick to break you off. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and sweet. All gags start as females and change to males as they mature. The key to landing one is keeping your drag locked tight and not giving them an inch. The second they feel the hook, pump hard and get their head turned up. Let them reach bottom and it's game over.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are smart cookies that'll keep you on your toes. They run 10-14 inches inshore, but open water fish can hit 20 pounds. Look for them around docks, mangroves, reefs, and any structure that provides cover. They're year-round residents but really active during warmer months and full moon periods. What makes them fun is they're opportunistic - always looking for an easy meal, but they're cautious about it. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. These nocturnal feeders get more active as the sun goes down. Here's the secret: minimal movement with your bait. Let live shrimp hooked through the tail just sit there and wait. Too much action spooks them every time.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are perfect action fish - pink and silver with candy-cane stripes running down their sides. Most run 10-14 inches and 2-4 pounds, making them great fun on lighter tackle. They hang around coral reefs, rocky areas, and vegetated sandy bottoms in 70-230 feet. March through September is peak season when they're spawning and feeding heavy. What guests love about them is they're aggressive biters and not as line-shy as other snappers, so you get consistent action. They make excellent table fare too - sweet, flaky meat. Often show up as bonus fish when targeting bigger snappers. Here's the trick: they feed most actively at night, so if we're fishing late afternoon, expect the bite to pick up as the sun sets.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing - these bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-8 pounds, but can reach 35+ pounds. You'll find them around structure in 60-200 feet of water, especially rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks. They're year-round fighters, but summer months are prime time. What makes them special? They put up a serious fight, diving straight for cover when hooked, and their mild, sweet meat is restaurant-quality. These fish are smart - they'll inspect your bait before committing. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them run to structure. Get them up quick or they'll wrap your line around anything they can find. Worth every minute of the battle.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp Grouper are the prized "captain's fish" - chocolate brown with darker blotches and those telltale elongated tail rays. Most run 4-6 pounds and under 3 feet, but they fight way above their weight class. Look for them around structure in 75-300 feet, though they'll move shallower February through May during spawn. What makes scamps special is they're considered the best eating grouper - sweet, firm meat that's pure gold on the dinner table. They're ambush predators that hide under ledges and in holes. The fight is memorable too - slow but incredibly strong. My go-to tip: use circle hooks and medium-heavy tackle. When you feel that thump, don't horse them. Steady pressure wins the day with scamps.
5.0 out of 5.0Great trip. Weather wasn’t looking very favorable contacted WES and he let us know what the conditions were going to be and that a...
Niceville