12 Hour Swordfish Fishing Charter Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target broadbill swordfish in 1,6001,850 foot depths offshore.Electric Shimano Beastmaster reels handle extreme deepwater drops.Fullday charter accommodates up to three experienced anglers.
When you're ready to test your skills against one of the ocean's most legendary fighters, this 12-hour swordfish charter with Nauti Girl Sportfishing puts you right where you need to be. We're talking about heading 30 to 45 miles offshore into Florida's deep blue waters, where the bottom drops to 1,600-1,850 feet and the broadbill swordfish roam. This isn't your typical inshore fishing trip – it's a serious deepwater adventure designed for anglers who understand that patience and precision pay off big time. With space for just 1 to 3 guests, you'll get the personal attention and focused fishing time that makes all the difference when you're chasing one of the most sought-after species in these waters.
This charter is built around one thing: putting you on swordfish in their natural habitat. We're launching early and staying out for the full 12 hours because that's what it takes to maximize your chances at these incredible fish. The ride out takes us well beyond the continental shelf where the water turns that deep cobalt blue and the real hunting begins. You'll be fishing in water so deep you can't see the bottom, and that's exactly where swordfish feel at home. The atmosphere on board is focused but relaxed – we know we're in for a long day, so we pace ourselves and stay ready for action when it happens. Between drops, you'll have time to take in the offshore environment and maybe spot some other marine life, but make no mistake, we're out there with one primary target in mind. The crew keeps a close eye on conditions and fish activity, adjusting our approach throughout the day based on what the water is telling us.
Swordfish fishing is all about deep dropping, and we've got the right gear to do it properly. We're using two electric Shimano Beastmaster 900A setups – these reels are absolute workhorses when it comes to handling the extreme depths we're fishing. When you're dropping baits down 1,600 feet or more, hand-cranking just isn't practical, and these electric reels let you focus on the fishing instead of wearing yourself out on the retrieve. The technique involves long drops and extended soak times, which means once we get your bait down to the strike zone, we let it sit and do its work. This isn't fast-paced action fishing – it's methodical, strategic angling that rewards patience. The heavy tackle is essential not just for the depth, but for the fish themselves. Swordfish are powerful, and when you hook one in deep water, you need gear that can handle the pressure and the long fight that's coming your way.
Grey Tilefish are one of the more reliable targets on these deep drops, and they're absolute quality fish. These guys live in the same deep water structures that attract swordfish, typically in depths of 800 to 1,200 feet. They're excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on the way up. Grey tiles are most active during cooler months, and they have this habit of following the temperature breaks along the continental shelf. What makes them special is their consistency – when you find them, you usually find several, making them a great backup target when the swordfish are being finicky.
Scamp Grouper are the prize of the deep-water grouper family, and catching one on these trips is always a highlight. These fish prefer rocky bottom in 300 to 1,000 feet of water, and they're known for their incredible table quality. Scamp have this beautiful coloration with irregular dark blotches, and they're considerably more aggressive than their shallow-water cousins. They're most active during the fall and winter months, and they have a tendency to hit baits hard and fight all the way to the surface. Landing a good-sized scamp – anything over 20 pounds – is considered a real trophy in Florida waters.
Mahi Mahi can show up anywhere offshore, and they're always a welcome sight on swordfish trips. These fish are incredibly fast-growing and can reach impressive sizes in just a few years. They're most abundant during the warmer months and have this amazing habit of traveling in schools around floating debris or weed lines. What makes mahi special is their acrobatic fight – they'll jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat excited. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep water, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can exceed 100 pounds in Florida waters and are found around structure in 200 to 600 feet of water. They're most active during the cooler months and are known for their initial powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Amberjack fight hard from top to bottom, using their broad sides to leverage against the angler. They're also excellent eating when prepared properly, though many anglers release the larger specimens to maintain the fishery.
Snowy Grouper are the deep-water giants that every serious offshore angler dreams about. These fish live in depths of 800 to 1,500 feet and can grow to massive proportions – specimens over 50 pounds are not uncommon. They're most active during the winter months when they move into slightly shallower water to spawn. Snowy grouper are incredibly strong fish that use the depth to their advantage, making long, powerful runs toward the bottom. They're considered one of the finest eating fish in the ocean, with sweet, flaky white meat that's prized by chefs and anglers alike.
This 12-hour swordfish charter represents serious offshore fishing at its finest. You're getting access to some of Florida's most productive deep
Hit the deep blue aboard this rugged 22' center console that's built to handle serious offshore swordfish action. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this boat cuts through Florida waters with confidence, taking you 30-45 miles out to where the giants roam in 1,600+ feet of water. She's rigged with outriggers for spread fishing and equipped with GPS, radar, and fish finder tech to navigate and locate prime drop zones. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when positioning over structure, while the onboard head means comfort during those long 12-hour battles. With quality gear ready and electric Shimano reels for the deep drops, this center console delivers the stability and fishability needed for targeting broadbill swordfish in extreme depths where patience pays off.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - these bruisers average 39 pounds but can stretch over 6 feet and really test your tackle. You'll spot them by that distinctive amber stripe running down their bluish-grey body, which gets darker when they're fired up and feeding. They hang around structure, wrecks, and drop-offs where they can ambush smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans. Spring months from April through May are prime time during their spawning period when they're most active. What guests love is the raw power - these fish will take you straight to the bottom if you let them. They're not picky eaters and will hit live bait, jigs, or trolled lures. The meat is excellent, though larger fish can carry ciguatera, so we typically keep the smaller ones for the table. My go-to tip: use heavy tackle with at least 50-pound test and fight them hard from the start - give them an inch and they'll take you into the structure every time.
Caulolatilus MicropsGrey tilefish are one of the tastiest fish you'll find in deep water - many folks call them the "poor man's lobster" for good reason. These blueline beauties typically run 5-8 pounds and live in muddy or sandy bottoms around 250-800 feet deep, though we sometimes find them deeper. They're not picky eaters and will hit squid, cut bait, or even bonita strips pretty readily. Winter months in Florida are prime time when they're more abundant and feeding well. What makes them special is that sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They dig burrows in the sand for shelter, so once you find good tilefish bottom, you can usually count on multiple fish in the area. My tip: use a sensitive setup since their bite can be subtle at depth, and don't rush the hookset - let them get a good grip on the bait first.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure eye candy with their brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that light up like a rainbow when they're hooked. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds but the big bulls can hit 50+ pounds with those distinctive square heads. You'll find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in warm offshore waters. They're surface dwellers that love chasing flying fish, so we often spot them by looking for diving birds. What makes them special is the aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a real spectacle when hooked. Plus, the meat is fantastic - mild, sweet, and firm. They spawn year-round and mature quickly, so the population stays strong. Best tip I can share: when you hook one, look for more - they usually travel in schools, so keep a second rod ready and work the area thoroughly for multiple hookups.
Mycteroperca PhenaxScamp grouper are hands down the best eating fish in the grouper family - we call them "Captain's meat" because they're what gets served to the boat captain. These brown beauties average 4-6 pounds but can push 30+ pounds. You'll find them around structure like ledges, rocks, and wrecks between 75-300 feet, though they move shallower during spawning season from February through May. What guests love is the strong, determined fight these fish put up - they're slow but incredibly powerful, so expect a real tug-of-war. They start life as females and change to males as they grow, which makes the bigger ones extra special. Look for that distinctive brown coloration with darker blotches and the elongated tail rays. My advice: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them a chance to get back to structure, or they'll cut you off every time.
Epinephelus Snowy grouper are true deep-water prizes that live in 300-600 feet around rocky bottom structure. These coppery-brown fish with white spots average 30 pounds but can reach 70 pounds - the current record is over 70 pounds from Virginia waters. They're open season May through August with a one-fish-per-vessel limit, making each one extra special. What makes them exciting is how eager they are to bite once you find them, but the real work is cranking them up from those depths - it's why we use electric reels on this trip. They're ambush predators that will eat anything from deep-water crabs to butterfish. These fish grow fast and live up to 17 years, making the bigger ones real trophies. They're highly territorial and known to be cannibalistic. My best advice: once you hook one, keep steady pressure coming up - they'll try to get back into the rocks, and at that depth, you won't get a second chance.
undefined, undefined