6-Hour Offshore Trip—Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Mahi Mahi, Grouper, and Snapper on offshore watersSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboard6hour deep sea fishing adventure from Santa Rosa Beach
Picture this: you're 20-30 miles out in the emerald waters of the Gulf, lines in the water, and the anticipation building as you wait for that telltale strike. This 6-hour offshore adventure with Pharmasea Outfitters takes you into some of the most productive fishing waters along Florida's Emerald Coast. We're talking about getting after the big boys—Mahi Mahi, Gag Grouper, and hard-fighting species that'll test your drag system and your patience. With just four anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be elbow-to-elbow with a crowd when the action heats up.
Your day starts early, usually around dawn, because that's when the fish are most active and the Gulf is typically at its calmest. The ride out takes about an hour, depending on where we're marking fish and what the conditions look like. Once we hit our fishing grounds, you'll be targeting structure—think artificial reefs, natural bottom contours, and those GPS numbers that have been producing. The vibe out here is different from inshore fishing; it's more methodical, more patient, but when things go off, they really go off. You might spend 30 minutes without a bite, then suddenly have three rods bent at once. That's offshore fishing for you—feast or famine, but when it's feast time, you'll know why anglers get hooked on blue water fishing.
We'll be running a mix of bottom fishing and trolling, depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. For bottom fishing, we're talking heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh cut bait or live pinfish when we can get them. The tackle is beefed up compared to what you'd use inshore—we're looking at 30-50 pound class gear because you never know when a big Gag Grouper or an amberjack decides to test your equipment. When we're trolling for Mahi, we'll pull spoons, diving plugs, and ballyhoo rigs at different depths to cover the water column. The key is staying mobile and reading the electronics—when we mark bait, we mark fish. GPS coordinates, fish finders, and years of local knowledge come together to put you on the productive water that separates a good day from a great day.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of this trip—these silver bullets will hit a trolled spoon or small jig with authority, and their blistering runs will get your heart pumping. They're typically in the 2-4 pound range, but don't let their size fool you. They fight dirty and taste even better. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they school up in huge numbers when conditions are right. What makes them special is their willingness to bite—when you find a school, you can often catch them back-to-back until your arms are sore.
Gag Grouper are the prize fighters of the bottom fishing game. These bruisers can push 20-30 pounds and will immediately head for the nearest structure when hooked, trying to break you off in the rocks. They're most active during cooler months, roughly October through April, and they're ambush predators that hang tight to cover. The fight is all about the first few seconds—if you can turn their head and get them away from the bottom, you've got a real shot. The table fare is world-class, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill or blackened in a cast iron skillet.
Black Drum are the bulldogs—not the prettiest fish in the Gulf, but they'll give you a workout that you won't forget. These copper-colored fighters can range from 5 pounds to well over 30, and they use every ounce of that weight to their advantage. They're year-round residents but peak in spring and fall when they're feeding heavily on crabs and shrimp. The fight is more about endurance than speed—they'll pull steady and deep, making you work for every inch of line you gain back.
Grey Triggerfish are the wild cards of offshore fishing. They're incredibly smart, incredibly finicky, and when you do hook one, they'll put on an aerial show that rivals any gamefish. These diamond-shaped battlers are most active in summer and early fall, and they school around structure in big numbers. The challenge isn't just hooking them—they have small mouths and are notorious bait stealers—but once you connect, they'll jump, dive, and use every trick in the book to throw the hook.
Mahi Mahi, or Common Dolphinfish, are the golden boys of offshore fishing. These electric-colored gamefish are built for speed and acrobatics, and when you hook into a school, the action can be non-stop. They're most common from late spring through early fall, especially around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere baitfish are concentrated. A good-sized Mahi will go 10-25 pounds, and they'll jump repeatedly when hooked, shaking their heads and putting on a show that'll have you reaching for your camera. The bonus? They're fantastic eating, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilled with some lime and cilantro.
This isn't your typical inshore trip where you're casting at redfish in three feet of water. This is blue water fishing at its finest—a chance to test your skills against species that have room to run and the attitude to use it. With only four spots available, you'll have personalized attention and plenty of space to fight fish properly. Whether you're looking to put some quality fillets in the cooler or just want to experience what Gulf offshore fishing is all about, this 6-hour adventure delivers the
This 23' Pathfinder is your ticket to serious offshore action in the emerald waters off Santa Rosa Beach. Built for up to 4 anglers, she's equipped with everything you need to hunt down those trophy Mahi, Grouper, and Snapper lurking in the deep blue. The fish finder will help you locate the best structure and baitfish, while the GPS keeps you on the hottest spots. When you hook into a bull dolphin or monster red grouper, you'll appreciate the stable platform this boat provides for the fight. The wireless trolling motor gives you stealthy positioning when working structure or following birds without spooking the fish. Whether you're dropping live bait on the reef or pulling lines through the weed patches, this Pathfinder handles the Gulf's conditions with ease. Perfect setup for small groups looking to get into some real fishing without the crowds of bigger charter boats.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the showstoppers of offshore fishing - brilliant gold and green fish that average 15-29 pounds and put on an aerial display when hooked. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water. Late spring through fall is peak season here. The colors are stunning, the fight is acrobatic, and the white meat is restaurant-quality. When you hook one, others often stay around - that's your chance for multiple fish. Look for frigate birds working floating objects, and make your ballyhoo skip on the surface like a flying fish.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tough bottom dwellers that average 20 inches but can push 50+ and hit 80 pounds. These gray-marbled fighters love hanging around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 60-200 feet of water. Spring and fall fishing is best when they're more active. Guests love the challenge - once hooked, they dive straight for cover and test your tackle hard. The white, flaky meat is top-shelf eating. Pro tip: keep your drag locked tight and get them up fast. If you let them run to the rocks, they'll wrap you up every time. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver speedsters with yellowish spots that usually run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds. These guys travel in huge schools near the surface, making them perfect targets when trolling or casting from piers. Spring through fall is prime time here in the Gulf, especially when water temps warm up. They hit hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent - mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or smoking. Here's a tip: when you find one, there's usually a whole school underneath, so keep your bait in the water and work the area thoroughly.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are scrappy reef fighters averaging 12-17 inches, but they pack attitude in a small package. These leather-skinned fish hang around hard bottom, ledges, and offshore structure in 50-180 feet of water. Summer months bring the best action when they're most active on the reefs. Guests enjoy their spunky fight and the challenge of their bait-stealing tactics. They're decent eating with firm white meat. Here's the trick: they're notorious bait thieves, so use small chunks of fresh squid and drop your bait near other fish like grouper. Their competitive nature kicks in and they'll charge the bait.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are bottom-feeding powerhouses that range from 5-30 pounds, though giants over 50 aren't uncommon. These gray-black bruisers love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and brackish areas where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up in predictable spots. The fight is more bulldogging than speed - they're pure muscle. Smaller fish under 15 pounds make better table fare. Local trick: fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait. Use heavy sinkers to stay on bottom, and don't set the hook hard - they'll hook themselves on circle hooks.
undefined, undefined