Epic 12-Hour Deep Drop Adventure in Sarasota
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour deep sea fishing adventure 100 miles offshoreTarget bottom fish in 400600 feet depthsAdultfocused trip with live bait and light tackle
Looking for the fishing trip of a lifetime? This world-class 12-hour offshore adventure takes you 100 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, where the water runs deep blue and the fish fight hard. We're talking serious offshore fishing here – 400 to 600 feet of water where the bottom dwellers live large and the action never stops. Your party of up to 6 anglers will experience what makes Sarasota one of Florida's top-rated fishing destinations. Fair warning: this isn't a half-day trip for the faint of heart. We leave early, fish hard, and might not see the dock again until the stars come out.
This is a full-commitment fishing day that separates the weekend warriors from the serious anglers. We'll kick things off with live bait fishing using light tackle – think of it as your warm-up before the main event. Once we've got our bait situation dialed in, we make the long run to the deep water fishing grounds where the real action happens. The deep drop bite is where monsters live, and at these depths, every hookup could be the fish of a lifetime. Pack your patience along with your enthusiasm because the ride out takes time, but trust me – it's worth every minute once you feel that rod bend with a deep water giant on the other end. Plan for a long day and bring layers since we might be running back under the cover of darkness.
Deep drop fishing is a whole different ball game from your typical inshore action. We're talking electric reels and heavy sinkers to get down to where these bottom fish call home. The technique involves dropping baited rigs straight down to the seafloor, sometimes taking several minutes just to reach bottom in 500+ feet of water. You'll feel the weight hit, then it's a waiting game until something big decides your bait looks like dinner. When that happens, the electric reel becomes your best friend – these fish don't come up easy from those depths. We use circle hooks and fresh cut bait to target the structure and ledges where grouper, amberjack, and other deep water species hang out. The light tackle portion uses conventional reels with live bait for species like sailfish and kings that cruise the upper water column.
Gag Grouper are the crown jewel of deep water fishing around Sarasota, and these bruisers can push 30+ pounds when you find them on the right structure. They're ambush predators that hide in rocky ledges and caves, waiting to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal. Fall through early winter is prime time for gags, and they fight like bulldogs once hooked – pulling straight down toward their rocky hideouts. What makes them special is their incredible table fare and the satisfying thump-thump-thump you feel when they grab your bait.
Atlantic Sailfish bring the speed and acrobatics to your fishing day, often showing up while we're working the upper water column with live bait. These ocean athletes can hit 60+ mph and put on an aerial show that'll have you scrambling for your phone camera. Peak sailfish season runs from December through April in these waters, and they're notorious for their lightning-fast runs and bill-rattling jumps. Even if you release them (which most anglers do), the memory of a sailfish dance stays with you forever.
Red Grouper are the steady producers of the deep water world, usually smaller than their gag cousins but more abundant on the right bottom. These rust-colored fighters love hard bottom and ledges in 100-400 feet of water, making them perfect targets for our deep drop setup. They're year-round residents with peak action in spring and fall, and they're absolutely phenomenal on the dinner table. Reds have a habit of following hooked fish up, so double-headers aren't uncommon when you find a good school.
King Mackerel are the speed demons that'll test your drag system and leave your arms burning. These silver torpedoes patrol the offshore waters looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find them, the action gets wild in a hurry. Spring through fall brings the best king fishing, with the larger "smoker" kings showing up in cooler months. They're known for their blistering runs and aggressive strikes, plus they make excellent table fare when prepared right.
Greater Amberjack are the bullies of the deep water scene, often exceeding 50 pounds and fighting like freight trains heading back to bottom. These powerful fish love wrecks and deep structure, using their broad tails and muscular bodies to put maximum pressure on your tackle. They're most active during warmer months and are notorious for testing both your equipment and your endurance. Landing a trophy amberjack from deep water is a true test of angling skill and determination.
This isn't your typical charter fishing trip – it's a serious offshore adventure that delivers the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. With Paradise Fly Sport Fishing, you're getting access to some of the best deep water fishing grounds in the Gulf of Mexico, plus the expertise to put you on fish when others come back empty-handed. The 6-angler capacity means you'll have plenty of room to fish without elbow-bumping, and the long day format gives us time to really work the water and find the bite. Remember to bring food, drinks, and realistic expectations for a long day on the water. Book your spot now and get ready to experience what real offshore fishing is all about!
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are pure speed and acrobatics - hitting 30+ mph and launching themselves skyward when hooked. These beauties average around 50 pounds and 7 feet, with that signature sail dorsal fin. Look for them in 30-65 feet over blue water, though they'll dive deeper when hunting. Winter months are prime time here in Florida waters when they follow baitfish closer to shore. What gets people hooked is watching them light up in different colors while hunting, then putting on an aerial show once you hook up. The fight is all about endurance - they'll make long runs and multiple jumps. My tip: tease them up with a spread, then when one shows interest, drop back a live bait on a circle hook and let it run before setting up.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your tackle around rocky bottoms and offshore reefs. These guys typically run 20 inches but can push 50+ pounds on a good day. They love hanging around structure in 60-200 feet, especially ledges and wrecks where they ambush crabs and smaller fish. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that stubborn fight - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole in the rocks. The meat is excellent, firm and white. Here's the key: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any slack, or they'll wrap you around the nearest structure and cut you off every time.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef - pure muscle that'll test your back and your drag system. These bruisers average 30-40 pounds but we see 60+ pounders regularly around deeper structure. They patrol wrecks and reefs in 100-300 feet, ambushing anything that swims by. Spring through early summer is peak season when they're spawning and feeding heavy. What makes them a favorite is that relentless pull - no fancy jumps, just steady, back-breaking power. The meat is excellent when bled properly, though bigger ones can carry ciguatera. They're not picky - live bait, jigs, whatever looks like food. Here's the secret: use heavy tackle and don't try to finesse them. Once hooked, keep constant pressure and work them up steadily, or they'll find structure and break you off.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll scream line off your reel like nothing else. These silver bullets typically run 20-30 pounds but can push 50+ when the big females show up. They cruise 40-150 feet over open water and structure, always chasing baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the water hits 70+ degrees. What makes them special is that blistering initial run - pure adrenaline. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling. They're also known for their razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. My go-to setup is slow-trolling live bait with a stinger hook rig. Put the first hook through the nose, second treble near the tail - kings love to bite the back half of baitfish, and you'll miss a lot without that trailing hook.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our deep drops, and for good reason - they fight hard and taste even better. These rusty-red beauties average 5-15 pounds but can hit 40+ on the right day. They hang around muddy and rocky bottoms from 50 feet out to 300+, loving ledges and structure. Year-round fishing is solid, but late spring through summer they're most aggressive. Guests love them because they're reliable fighters with that sweet, flaky white meat that's got a subtle shellfish flavor from their crab-heavy diet. They're not picky eaters either - cut bait works great. The trick is getting them up quick once hooked. They'll dive straight for the rocks, so keep steady pressure and don't horse them too hard or they'll pull the hook.
Sarasota, FL