Offshore Bottom Reef and Big Game Trolling Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore deep water fishing targeting big game speciesBottom fishing for reef fish plus trolling for pelagicsSixperson capacity trips with experienced local guides
Get ready to hit the deep blue waters off Pensacola Beach where the real action happens. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're heading way out where the big boys live. You'll spend your day bouncing between two proven techniques: working the bottom structure for hefty reef fish and running lines for fast-moving pelagics that'll test your drag and your nerves. With Captain and crew from Overkill Adventures, you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of reading these waters and putting clients on fish when others come back empty-handed.
We'll push offshore into the Gulf's deeper waters where the continental shelf drops off and the magic happens. Your day splits between two distinct fishing styles that keep things fresh and your chances high. First, we'll anchor up on productive bottom structure – think artificial reefs, ledges, and wrecks where snapper, triggerfish, and other reef species stack up like apartments. You'll be dropping heavy tackle with circle hooks and solid weights to punch through the current and get down to where these fish live. Between bottom fishing spots, we'll pull lines and cover water, trolling for kings, wahoo, mahi, and whatever else decides to crash the party. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so you'll have room to work without bumping elbows when the bite gets hot.
We run both conventional and spinning setups depending on what we're targeting. For bottom fishing, expect heavy action rods with reels spooled with 50-80 pound test – you need the muscle to winch big snapper up from 100+ feet while fighting current. Circle hooks are the way to go for most reef species, and we'll rig with enough weight to keep your bait in the strike zone. When we're trolling, we'll deploy a spread of lines at different depths and speeds. Planers, downriggers, and surface baits give us coverage from top to bottom. The key is reading the water – temperature breaks, color changes, floating grass lines, and bird activity all tell a story about where the fish are holding. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing; the crew will get you sorted on technique and handle the heavy lifting while you focus on fighting fish.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and Pensacola's offshore reefs hold some genuine doormat-sized fish. These guys are smart and structure-oriented, hanging tight to reefs and wrecks in 80-200 feet of water. Peak season runs summer through early fall, and a good-sized red snapper will pull like a freight train on the way up. They're famous for their table fare – flaky white meat that's hard to beat. What makes them special here is the size; Gulf reds grow big and live long around the right structure.
Bluefish show up in schools and when you find them, it's game on. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, stripping line and making long runs. They're seasonal visitors, typically showing best in spring and fall when bait schools are thick. Blues aren't picky eaters – they'll slam live bait, cut bait, or lures with equal enthusiasm. While they're not the prettiest fish in the cooler, they're pure fun to catch and smoke up well.
Blackfin Tuna are the speed demons of the offshore scene. These compact torpedoes show up around temperature breaks and current edges, often in spring and fall when water conditions line up right. They hit trolled baits like a freight train and immediately head for deep water, testing your drag settings and your patience. Blackfins are prized for their dark red meat that's perfect for searing or eating raw – think sashimi-grade fish that you caught yourself.
King Mackerel are what Gulf Coast trolling is all about. These toothy speedsters patrol the waters from spring through fall, following bait schools and ambushing anything that looks like an easy meal. Kings are notorious for their blistering initial runs and acrobatic jumps that'll have you scrambling for the camera. They're also excellent eating when prepared fresh – their rich, flaky meat grills beautifully. The Gulf holds some trophy-class kings, and Pensacola's offshore waters consistently produce fish in the 20-40 pound range.
Grey Triggerfish might not be the prettiest fish in the Gulf, but they're tough fighters with serious attitude. These bottom dwellers have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so they'll test your tackle and your technique. Triggers are year-round residents around structure, though they're most active in warmer months. They're surprisingly good eating – firm white meat with a mild flavor that works well fried or grilled. What makes them fun is their personality; triggers are curious and aggressive, often following baits up from the bottom before committing to a bite.
This top-rated offshore experience gives you the best of Gulf fishing without the guesswork. You're getting proven local expertise, quality equipment, and access to productive waters that produce fish when conditions align. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or that photo-worthy trophy fish, this trip delivers the goods. Overkill Adventures knows these waters and they know how to put you on fish. Call 814-512-4330 to lock in your dates or get answers to specific questions about the trip. Don't wait around – good weather windows and hot fishing don't last forever, and the best dates fill up fast with repeat customers who know what they're getting.
Jump aboard our 2022 Sea Pro 24 and get ready to chase some serious fish in the Gulf waters off Pensacola Beach. This offshore machine comes fully rigged with everything you need for a productive day on the water - from the fish finder that'll help you locate those bottom-dwelling reef fish to the GPS that keeps us on point when we're running to the hot spots. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly over structure without spooking the fish below. Stay connected with the VHF radio, keep your catch fresh in the icebox, and when nature calls, the onboard head has you covered. Whether we're dropping lines on the reef for grouper and snapper or pulling lures through blue water hunting kings and mahi, this boat handles it all. Perfect for up to 6 anglers looking to get after both bottom fish and pelagics in one epic day offshore.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the Gulf tunas but pack serious punch. These bronze and black speedsters average 10-25 pounds and rarely exceed 35, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. We find them in blue water from 100-300 feet, often mixed with skipjack and following shrimp boats or diving birds. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially when water temps hit 70+ degrees. Guests love blackfins because they're absolute rockets - long, blistering runs that'll test your tackle and skills. Plus, their dark red meat is sashimi-grade when handled right, perfect for the grill or raw preparations. The secret to blackfins is scaling down your tackle. Use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks - these fish have sharp eyes and will shy away from heavy wire. Live pilchards or small jigs worked vertically near schools work best.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are some of the most aggressive predators you'll encounter out here. These blue-green torpedoes typically run 3-15 pounds, though 20+ pounders aren't rare. They're voracious feeders that travel in schools, often creating feeding frenzies when they corner baitfish. We find them throughout the water column, from surface to 100 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Summer through fall brings the best action as they migrate through our waters following bait schools. What guests love about blues is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll peel line and make multiple runs. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh, with firm, flaky meat. Here's the key: when you hook into a school, work fast and keep your bait moving. Blues are competitive feeders, so a quickly retrieved lure or bait often triggers more strikes than a slow presentation.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are tough customers that live around hard bottom and structure in 60-180 feet. These leather-skinned fighters average 12-17 inches but can reach 24 inches and pack surprising strength in their deep bodies. We target them year-round on reefs, ledges, and around oil platforms where they pick at crabs and urchins. They're popular because they fight way above their weight class, using that broad body to leverage against you all the way to the boat. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. The challenge with triggers is their bait-stealing ability - they'll nibble and pick until your hook is bare. Here's what works: use small chunks of fresh squid on a small hook, and when you feel those light taps, don't wait. Reel fast and keep tension on them. They'll try to wedge into structure with that trigger fin, so muscle them up quick once hooked.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll give you some of the fastest runs in the Gulf. These silver bullets average 15-30 pounds, with 40+ pound smokers showing up regularly during peak season. We find them in 40-150 feet of water, often suspended over structure or cruising the edges where blue water meets green. Spring through fall brings the best fishing, especially when baitfish are thick and water temps are in the 70s. What makes kings so popular is their blistering speed - they'll rip 100 yards of line before you know what hit you. They're also great on the table with rich, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The trick with kings is rigging two hooks on a wire leader - one through the bait's nose, another trailing behind. These fish attack from the rear, and that stinger hook back there is what puts them in the boat. Slow-trolled live bait or fast-pulled spoons both work magic.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard of Gulf bottom fishing. These ruby-red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly around deep structure. We target them in 60-200 feet over hard bottom, artificial reefs, and oil rigs where they school up tight. May through October gives us the best action when they're spawning and aggressive. What makes snapper fishing addictive is their stubborn fight - they'll dive straight for cover and test your drag. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the Gulf. Their sweet, flaky white meat is restaurant-quality every time. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and run a few seconds - they like to mouth the bait before committing, and patience puts more fish in the boat.
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