5.0(5 Reviews)Charter Fishing Destin | Private No Fish, No Pay
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private offshore fishing trips from 4 to 16 hours availableNo fish, no pay guarantee ensures successful fishing experienceAccommodates up to 4 guests with Maximus Fishing charter
Looking for a deep sea fishing charter in Destin that actually delivers? Our private offshore trips come with something most captains won't offer – a "No Fish, No Pay" guarantee. Whether you've got 4 hours to burn or want to make it a full 16-hour adventure, we'll put you on fish or you don't owe us a dime. That's the kind of confidence you get when you know these waters like the back of your hand and have the skills to match.
This isn't your typical cattle boat charter where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. You'll have the entire boat to yourself and up to 3 buddies, which means more room to fight fish, better access to the hot spots, and Captain Justin or Chris calling all the shots based on what you want to target. We'll start by hitting the live bait wells – because let's face it, nothing beats a frisky threadfin or cigar minnow when you're trying to entice a big cobia or mahi. The boat's equipped with everything you need: quality rods, reels that can handle the heat, and tackle boxes stocked with the good stuff. We're talking circle hooks, heavy leaders, and the kind of gear that won't let you down when a 60-pound amberjack decides to test your drag system. The trip length is totally up to you – half-day trips are perfect for families with young anglers, while the full-day adventures let us hit multiple spots and really dial in on what's biting.
We run two main game plans depending on what's hot and what you're after. For the bottom dwellers like red snapper and amberjack, we'll anchor up over structure in 80 to 200 feet of water and drop heavy jigs or live bait right to the deck. The key is getting your bait down fast before the current sweeps it away from the sweet spot. We're talking about fishing around oil rigs, artificial reefs, and natural ledges where the big predators hang out waiting for an easy meal. When we're targeting the pelagics like mahi and tuna, it's all about trolling. We'll pull a spread of lures at different depths and speeds, covering water until we mark fish or hit floating debris where mahi love to stage. The boat's rigged with outriggers and downriggers, so we can run multiple lines without tangles. GPS and fish finders are your best friends out here – we're constantly marking waypoints and watching the sonar for baitfish schools and structure that holds fish.
"Captain Justin took me, my son and a friend out today in hopes of catching some red snapper. Morning started out slow was delayed an hour because of weather. Didn't take Captain Justin long to put us on some fish. First stop just produced 1 trigger fish so Captain Justin said we need to go farther if we wanted to catch fish and boy did we. Second stop was the magical hole we limited out on red snapper in 30 minutes and caught several nice trigger fish but was unable to keep them because they were not in season. As soon as the bait hit bottom you were reeling in a fish. Also caught several more red snappers but we could only keep 6. We had an awesome trip and it was a blast. Captain Justin sure does know his stuff when it comes to deep sea fishing very knowledgeable. If you are ever in the Destin area and you want to go deep sea fishing give Maximum Fishing a call you want regret it. Thanks Captain Justin for a great day!!!!" - Chris
"Great day on the water with a great captain and boat! My 12 year old just started bass fishing a few months ago and had never been offshore. Captain Justin couldn't have been better with him! He was very patient and helped instruct him all afternoon. He ended up catching 5 of our 6 keeper red snapper. Unfortunately the tax man in the gray suit kept us from getting 3 large snapper to the boat. Mix in a few triggers, a vermillion, and a scamp it was a great day my 12 year old will remember forever." - Brent
"This fishing trip was awesome! Captain Chris was great! We chose the deep drop trip and we were amazed at how much fun it was. Captain Chris knew where the fish were and we hauled them in. The prize of the trip was a 65-70 pound amber jack that took about 4 of us to get it reeled up and in the boat all of this while a 14-15 foot mako shark was swimming around the boat looking for supper. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to have great time fishing with some excitement and catching a lot of fish!!" - William
Mahi mahi are hands down one of the most fun fish to target in these waters. These bull dolphin can push 40 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and you'll usually find them around floating debris, weed lines, or drop-offs where the current changes. What makes mahi so special is their aerial show – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that'll have you whooping and hollering. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Greater amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep. These bruisers can top 100 pounds and will test every ounce of your upper body strength. They hang around structure in 100 to 300 feet of water, and once you hook one, it's going to make a beeline straight back to the bottom. The fight typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes, and by the time you get one to the boat, you'll feel like you just went 10 rounds. Spring and fall
Hit the offshore waters of Destin aboard our restored 2007 WorldCat 33-footer, designed for serious anglers who want results. This center console fishing machine packs twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast, cruising at up to 50 knots to maximize your time with lines in the water. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a productive day chasing fish - advanced fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation to hit those proven spots, and radar for when conditions get sketchy. Stay comfortable between hookups with onboard A/C, keep your catch fresh in the icebox, and enjoy tunes on the multimedia system during the ride out. Whether you book a quick 4-hour trip or go all-day for 16 hours, our "No Fish No Pay" guarantee means you're covered. The spacious deck gives up to 4 anglers plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines, while the center console design provides 360-degree fishing access. With a private toilet onboard, you can stay focused on fishing instead of heading back to shore. This setup is built for offshore action where the big ones live.
Thunnus AlalungaAlbacore are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, but don't let that fool you - these 20-45 pound fish are pure muscle. They're built like bullets with big pectoral fins and never stop moving. You'll find them in deep, blue water offshore, usually 20+ miles out where the water's clean and cool. Best fishing runs late spring through early fall when water temps are right. What guests love is the non-stop action - they school up in massive groups, so when you find them, it's fish after fish. Plus, they're the only tuna that can legally be called "white meat" - excellent table fare. The key is trolling cedar plugs or feathers 50-90 feet behind the boat. Once you hook the first one, keep all your lines in the water because the whole school will usually stick around and feed.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - dark, torpedo-shaped fish that cruise just under the surface. These are some serious fish, averaging 30-50 pounds with the big ones pushing 70+ pounds and 5+ feet long. You'll spot them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 20-100 feet, but the real action is sight-fishing when they're cruising the surface in spring and early summer. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish that'll swim right up to the boat, plus they're absolutely delicious - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. The fight's strong but manageable. Best tip: when you see one, pitch a bucktail jig ahead of where it's swimming and work it back slowly. Don't cast right at them or they'll spook. Patience pays off with these fish.
Sphyraena BarracudaCuda are the speed demons of shallow water - silver torpedoes that can hit 35 mph and grow up to 6 feet long. Most we catch run 2-4 feet, but even the smaller ones pack serious attitude. You'll find them cruising flats, around reefs, and near structure in 10-50 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall give us the most consistent action. What makes them fun is their aggressive strikes and wild jumps - they'll launch themselves clear out of the water. Fair warning though: we don't keep many for the table due to ciguatera concerns in bigger fish. The trick with cuda is to use wire leaders and work lures fast across the surface. They hunt by sight and love anything flashy that moves with speed. Just watch those teeth when landing one!
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers are the bulldogs of the reef - thick, powerful fish that'll test your arms and your drag system. Most amberjack we catch run 20-40 pounds, but the big boys can hit 60+ pounds and stretch over 5 feet. You'll find them around structure in 80-200 feet - wrecks, artificial reefs, and ledges where they ambush baitfish. Best fishing runs April through October when they're most active. What guests love about jacks is the raw power - they'll make long runs and try to cut you off on the structure. The meat's firm and tasty too. Here's the key: use heavy tackle with at least 50-pound line, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure to pull them away from the reef. Give them an inch and they'll wrap you up every time.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll see, with bright blues and greens that put on a light show when they come out of the water. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we've seen some push 50+ pounds. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-400 feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially when the water temp hits 75+ degrees. What makes mahi special is their crazy acrobatics - they'll jump and tail-walk like dolphins. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your other lines in the water. Mahi usually travel in schools, so where there's one, there's often more waiting.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Justin took me, my son and a friend out today in hopes of catching some red snapper. Morning started out slow was delayed ...
Great day on the water with a great captain and boat! My 12 year old just started bass fishing a few months ago and had never been...
We had a great time on the 6 hour morning trip with Captain Chris on Maximillian. Caught live bait fish and then headed out. Chri...
Chris was knowledgeable, professional, and most of all patient—We limited out on 12, big Red Snapper and when we got back at noon,...
This fishing trip was awesome! Captain Chris was great! We chose the deep drop trip and we were amazed at how much fun it was. Cap...
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