12-Hour Deep Sea Fishing - Madeira Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore fishing adventure in Florida watersTarget grouper, snapper, sharks, and sea bass speciesAll fishing equipment provided for up to 6 guests
Picture this: you're 12 hours into the best fishing day of your life, saltwater spray on your face, and fish after fish hitting your line. That's exactly what you get with Offshore Addict Charters' marathon fishing adventure out of Madeira Beach. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a full commitment to the water – sunrise to sunset, chasing everything from trophy grouper to lightning-fast mahi. The Gulf of Mexico off Florida's west coast serves up some of the most consistent fishing in the country, and 12 hours gives you the time to really work the productive spots. You'll hit multiple fishing zones, from nearshore structure to blue water beyond, maximizing your chances at different species. With all gear provided and room for up to 6 anglers, this top-rated charter is perfect for serious fishing groups who want to make the most of their time on the water.
Your day starts early – we're talking first light departure to beat the crowds and hit the prime morning bite. Captain and crew will have the boat prepped and ready, tackle sorted, and a game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is flexibility. We can start with bottom fishing for grouper and snapper on structure, then run out to blue water for mahi and sharks as conditions allow. You're not rushed, so there's time to work a hot bite properly or relocate if the fish aren't cooperating. The Gulf waters off Madeira Beach offer incredible diversity – from 40-foot nearshore ledges holding snapper to 100+ foot depths where the big grouper live. Mid-day brings opportunities for pelagic species as baitfish move in the water column. The crew handles all the details like rigging, netting fish, and keeping the cooler stocked with ice. Just bring your Florida fishing license, sunscreen, and appetite for action. This world-class fishery delivers consistent results, especially when you have the luxury of spending a full day targeting different species and depths.
We run a variety of fishing methods throughout the day to maximize your success on different target species. Bottom fishing dominates the morning and afternoon sessions using heavy tackle – think 6/0 to 8/0 circle hooks with 60-80 pound leaders for grouper and snapper. Fresh cut bait like sardines, pinfish, and grunt work best on the bottom structure. For the pelagic action, we switch to trolling spread with ballyhoo, diving plugs, and weighted lines to cover water and locate schools of mahi. When sharks show up, we'll deploy heavy spinning gear with wire leaders and chunk baits. The boat carries Penn and Shimano reels paired with quality rods suitable for 20-80 pound test depending on target species. Electric reels are available for the deep drops where big grouper hide. Bait selection changes throughout the day based on what's available and what the fish want – live bait when possible, fresh dead baits, and artificials for certain species. The crew handles all rigging and re-rigging, so you can focus on fighting fish rather than tying knots. With 12 hours on the water, there's time to experiment with different techniques and really dial in what's working best each part of the day.
The Gulf of Mexico off Madeira Beach has been producing some phenomenal fishing this year. Mahi mahi, also known as common dolphinfish, are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here. These electric-colored speedsters typically run 10-30 pounds, though bulls over 40 pounds show up regularly. Peak season runs May through September when they follow the weed lines and current breaks. What makes mahi so special is their aggressive feeding behavior and spectacular aerial displays when hooked – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. Blacktip sharks provide non-stop action throughout the warmer months, typically ranging 3-6 feet and fighting like bulldogs. They're especially active during the summer months when baitfish are thick, and they'll hit everything from live baits to cut chunks. The fight is pure power – long runs and multiple jumps that test your tackle and stamina.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf fishing, and the stocks off Madeira Beach are healthier than they've been in years. These crimson beauties average 15-25 pounds on our trips, with fish over 30 pounds a real possibility on the deeper structures. Snapper season typically runs summer months, and they're structure-oriented fish that require precise boat positioning and quality bottom rigs. What anglers love about red snapper is the combination of excellent table fare and a respectable fight – they'll head for the rocks when hooked, testing your drag and technique. Black sea bass round out the bottom fish action, smaller in size but willing biters that fill out the cooler nicely. They're year-round residents on the hard bottom areas and perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
The real trophy potential comes with goliath grouper – massive fish that can exceed 200 pounds and provide the fight of a lifetime. These giants are catch-and-release only, but landing one is a bucket-list experience. They inhabit the deeper ledges and wrecks, and when a big goliath eats your bait, you know it immediately. The initial run is unstoppable, and the fight becomes a test of wills between angler and fish. Peak goliath action happens during their spawning aggregations in late summer, when multiple fish stack up on specific pieces of structure. Even though they must be released, the photos and stories last forever.
A 12-hour charter with Offshore A
Step aboard this well-equipped motorboat designed for serious offshore fishing adventures in Madeira Beach waters. Built to handle 12-hour trips with comfort, she features everything you need for a successful day targeting Grouper, Snapper, Sharks, and Sea Bass in Florida's productive fishing grounds. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS and radar keep you on course and safe in changing conditions. Stay comfortable with onboard facilities including a toilet and ice box to keep your catch fresh. The multimedia system provides entertainment during travel time to and from the fishing spots. With space for up to 6 anglers and all fishing gear provided, this boat is ready to take you to the productive offshore waters where the big fish roam. Perfect for groups looking to spend a full day on the water chasing various species in the Gulf's deeper waters.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fighters you'll hook in our Gulf waters. Averaging 15-30 pounds, mahi put on quite a show with their brilliant blues and greens that flash like neon when they jump. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks, usually in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're cruising through our area following baitfish. What makes them special is that wild fight - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times - plus they're absolutely fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. My tip: when you spot one mahi, keep your lines in because they almost always travel in schools.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, typically running 1-2 feet and 4-8 pounds around here, though the big boys can hit 30+ pounds. These ruby-red fighters live on hard bottom, ledges, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're most active and the regulations allow it. What makes snapper fishing so popular is that solid, head-shaking fight they put up, plus they're hands-down one of the best eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. They're smart too, which makes landing them satisfying. Pro tip: use circle hooks with fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and when you feel that bite, don't jerk - just start reeling steady and let the circle hook do its work.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our reefs - massive fish that can reach 8 feet and several hundred pounds. These prehistoric-looking monsters hang around shallow structure, wrecks, and ledges in 20-100 feet, often in the same spots for years. Summer brings the best opportunities when they're most active. What makes fishing for them special is that bone-jarring initial strike that'll nearly pull you overboard - it's a bucket list experience. Remember, these fish are protected and must be released immediately, but that battle and the photos make it worthwhile. Heavy tackle is essential: 80-wide reels with 400-600 lb mono and big circle hooks. My advice: anchor close enough to entice them out but far enough to pull them from structure before they break you off.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy little fighters that pack more punch than their 1-4 pound average size suggests. These plump, dark-bodied fish love hanging around wrecks, jetties, and rocky structure in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is when they move inshore and really turn on the bite. What's cool about sea bass is they're born female and some change to males as they grow - the big males develop that distinctive hump on their heads. Guests enjoy them because they fight hard until they break the surface, and they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's what works: medium tackle with 20-30 lb line, and don't overthink the bait. Fresh squid strips or small live baitfish on a two-hook bottom rig will get you bit consistently.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, averaging 4-5 feet and known for those spectacular jumps that can reach 20 feet high. You'll find them in 30-100 feet around artificial reefs and structure where they hunt for mackerel, herring, and croakers. These guys are most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick, and despite being excitable around chum, they can be surprisingly timid. What guests love is that first explosive run and those amazing aerial displays - it's pure adrenaline. They're also relatively approachable for shark fishing newcomers. Here's the key: use heavy braided line (30-50 lb test) with circle hooks, and get that oily chum working. Fresh mackerel or sardines pounded to paste will bring them in fast.
Clearwater