Deep Water Grouper & Snapper Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore fishing trip targeting grouper and snapperTravels 50 miles into deep waters for serious anglersAccommodates 4 guests with Outlaw Gunner Charters
Picture this: you're 50 miles offshore in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico, dropping heavy tackle into 120+ feet of structure-rich bottom where the big boys live. This isn't your typical nearshore trip – we're talking serious offshore fishing where red grouper prowl the hard bottom, lane snapper school up in massive numbers, and little tunny cruise the surface looking for an easy meal. With 10 full hours on the water and just 4 spots available, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personal attention from our crew as we work the most productive offshore grounds Clearwater has to offer.
We launch before sunrise to maximize our fishing time and beat the afternoon chop that can build up this far offshore. The ride out takes about 90 minutes, giving you time to get your gear sorted and grab some coffee while we cruise past the nearshore fleet toward the deep blue. Once we hit our GPS numbers, it's game on. We'll be fishing hard bottom, artificial reefs, and natural ledges where grouper and snapper concentrate. Expect to drop heavy jigs, live bait, and cut bait on stout tackle – this isn't finesse fishing, it's about muscle and determination. The crew handles all the rigging, so you can focus on feeling those telltale taps and loading up on keeper-sized fish. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks since we don't provide meals, but trust me, you'll work up an appetite pulling fish from the depths all day long.
We fish primarily with conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound braid, paired with heavy action rods that can handle the torque of big grouper trying to get back to their holes. Circle hooks are mandatory for reef fish, and we'll rig everything from knocker rigs for grouper to multi-hook bottom rigs when the snapper are thick. Live pinfish, grunts, and sardines are deadly for grouper, while cut squid and cigar minnows work magic on the snapper. The key is getting your bait to the bottom quickly in this depth – we use 8-12 ounce weights depending on current. When a grouper hits, you've got about three seconds to turn his head before he gets back into the rocks. The crew will coach you through the fight, but be ready for some serious arm-burning action when these fish decide to dig deep.
Red grouper are the bread and butter of this trip, and Clearwater's offshore waters hold some of the Gulf's healthiest populations. These chunky bottom dwellers average 5-15 pounds but can push 20+ when you find the right structure. They're ambush predators that hang tight to hard bottom and artificial reefs, waiting for an easy meal to drift by. Peak action happens year-round, but fall and winter months often produce the biggest fish as they feed heavily before spawning season. What makes red grouper special is their fight – they'll take you straight down with bulldogging power that'll test your drag system and your back muscles.
Mahogany snapper, also called lane snapper locally, are absolute dynamite on light tackle and show up in schools that'll keep you busy for hours. These silver-sided speedsters average 12-16 inches but fight like fish twice their size. They're curious and aggressive, often competing with each other to get to your bait first. Summer months bring the biggest concentrations, especially around dawn and dusk when they move up in the water column to feed. Lane snapper are also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Red snapper fishing during the early June federal season is pure gold, and we time this trip perfectly to take advantage of those precious days when targeting these prized fish is legal. American red snapper are the holy grail of Gulf fishing – hard fighting, beautiful, and absolutely delicious. They school around structure in 60-200 feet of water and can live over 50 years, with the big breeders pushing 15-30 pounds. When the season opens, it's like Christmas morning for serious anglers. These fish are smart and spooky, requiring precise presentations and quality bait to consistently fool them.
Little tunny, or false albacore, add some surface excitement to the trip when they show up chasing bait schools. These small tunas are pure muscle and speed, making screaming runs that'll smoke your drag and test your knots. They typically show up in 40-100 feet of water, often marking themselves by crashing bait on the surface. While they're not table fare like the bottom fish, they're an absolute blast on spinning tackle and provide some of the most athletic fights you'll experience. Look for diving birds and nervous baitfish – that's usually where you'll find schools of hungry tunny.
This extended offshore adventure fills up fast, especially during peak snapper season and the cooler winter months when the grouper bite is on fire. With only 4 anglers per trip, you're getting a premium small-group experience that bigger head boats simply can't match. The crew at Outlaw Gunner Charters knows these offshore waters like the back of their hand, and their track record speaks for itself. Whether you're chasing a personal best grouper or loading the cooler with fresh fillets for the family fish fry, this 10-hour offshore marathon delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready for some serious Gulf Coast bottom fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
This 2003 27-foot Grady White center console is your ticket to some serious offshore action in the Gulf waters around Clearwater. Twin 250HP Yamaha engines will get you out to those productive fishing grounds 50 miles offshore at a comfortable 40 knots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The spacious center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work the rails when targeting grouper, snapper, and those hard-fighting little tunny. Built-in fish finder helps locate those bottom structures where the big ones hang out, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. When nature calls during those long 10-hour trips, there's an onboard head so you don't miss any fishing time. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold under the Florida sun. Radar ensures safe navigation if weather rolls in during those deep water adventures.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle Tunny, also called False Albacore, are pure speed demons that average 8-15 pounds and fight way above their weight class. These torpedo-shaped fish travel in schools near the surface around jetties, inlets, and nearshore structure. Fall through spring is prime time when baitfish are thick. They're incredible sport fish - lightning fast runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag system. The dark red meat isn't for everyone, but properly bled and iced, it's great for sushi or blackened preparations. Look for diving birds and surface action - that's your cue. We troll small feathers and spoons or cast live bait when we mark schools. Pro tip: don't horse them - use smooth, steady pressure and let your drag work. Their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you get too aggressive with them.
Lutjanus MahogoniMahogany Snappers are smaller reef fish that average 15-19 inches, but they're scrappy fighters with beautiful silver bodies and that distinctive black spot behind the gills. We find them around rocky bottoms, coral heads, and structure in 50-200 feet of water. They school up during the day but spread out to feed at night on crabs and small baitfish. Summer months are prime time when water temps are warm. Guests love them for their aggressive strikes and decent table fare, though they're not the best eating snapper. They hit live shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait readily. Local trick: use a small circle hook on light leader - they're finicky biters with sharp teeth, so keep your bait moving naturally near the bottom structure.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are the workhorses of our deep water trips, typically running 5-10 pounds with some bruisers hitting 20+. These rusty-red fighters love rocky bottoms and structure from 60-200 feet deep. You'll find them around ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom areas where they ambush crabs and smaller fish. They're aggressive biters but absolute bulldogs once hooked - expect a serious fight straight down to the rocks. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and flaky with a mild taste that's perfect for grilling. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack. They'll try to cut you off in the rocks every time, so be ready to muscle them up and away from structure quickly.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of our June season - bright red beauties that average 3-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds. We target them in 80-200+ feet over hard bottom, wrecks, and rocky ledges during the brief early June federal season. These fish are smart and spooky, often requiring precise presentations. They're phenomenal table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The fight is steady and strong - they'll make long runs and try to get back to structure. We use live pinfish, cigar minnows, or fresh cut bait on circle hooks. Key tip: when you feel that distinctive "thump-thump" bite, don't set the hook hard. Let the circle hook do its work as you apply steady pressure - red snapper have soft mouths and aggressive hook sets often pull right through.
Clearwater, FL