Epic Offshore Billfish Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
18hour offshore fishing trip targeting sailfish, wahoo, and marlinNight departure with comfortable cabin accommodations for restExpert crew guidance with maximum 6 guests per trip
Picture this: you're sleeping comfortably in our cabin while we cruise through the night toward some of the most productive blue water off the Gulf Coast. By sunrise, you're waking up in prime billfish territory with your lines ready to hit waters where monsters swim. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a serious 18-hour offshore expedition that puts you in the heart of pelagic paradise. Our crew at RAD-I-Kal Charters has been running these overnight trips for years, and we know exactly where to find the sailfish, wahoo, and marlin that make anglers' dreams come true. With space for up to 6 anglers, this is the kind of fishing trip that separates the weekend warriors from the serious offshore enthusiasts.
We shove off from Destin harbor in the evening, giving you time to get settled and grab some shut-eye while we make the long run to the fishing grounds. The beauty of this setup is that you're not burning daylight getting there – you wake up refreshed and ready to fish in water that's 100+ miles from shore. These are the deep blue waters where the big pelagics cruise, following bait schools and current breaks that hold everything from blazing fast wahoo to trophy-class marlin. The boat's equipped with comfortable sleeping quarters, so you'll actually get rest instead of bouncing around in a center console for hours. Once we reach our destination and the sun starts painting the horizon, it's game time. We'll have multiple lines out, covering different depths and using a variety of baits and lures to target whatever's moving through the area.
This kind of offshore fishing is all about covering water and presenting the right baits at the right speeds. We run a spread of lures and rigged baits designed to trigger strikes from different species – ballyhoo for sailfish, high-speed lures for wahoo, and big baits for marlin. The crew handles all the rigging, from crimping circle hooks to setting up the outriggers and downriggers. We're constantly adjusting our spread based on water temperature, current, and what we're marking on the fish finder. When we find a temperature break or see birds working, we'll slow down and work that area thoroughly. The key to success on these long-range trips is patience and persistence – we've got the time to really work productive water instead of making a quick pass and moving on. Our tackle is tournament-grade stuff that can handle whatever decides to eat, from 30-pound wahoo to 500-pound blue marlin.
Atlantic Sailfish are the bread and butter of our offshore fishery, and for good reason. These spectacular billfish typically run 40-80 pounds and put on an aerial display that'll have you whooping and hollering. Spring and fall are prime time for sails in our waters, when they're moving through in good numbers following bait schools. What makes sailfish so special is their fighting style – they'll greyhound across the surface, tail-walk, and generally give you a workout that'll have your arms burning. We fish for them with live bait and rigged ballyhoo, usually in 100-300 feet of water where they're hunting for sardines and ballyhoo.
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing, and the deeper waters we access on this trip put us in prime blue marlin territory. These apex predators can exceed 500 pounds and will test every piece of tackle on the boat. Summer months are typically best for blues in our area, when the water's warm and clear blue. A hooked blue marlin is pure chaos – they'll sound deep, then come up jumping and throwing their weight around like nothing else in the ocean. Even a smaller blue in the 200-pound range will give you a fight you'll never forget. We target them with large rigged baits and big lures trolled at specific speeds in water over 100 fathoms deep.
Wahoo are speed demons that'll strip line off your reel faster than you can believe. These toothy predators average 30-60 pounds in our waters and are prized for both their fighting ability and their outstanding table fare. They're year-round residents in the deeper water we fish, but fall and winter tend to produce the biggest fish. Wahoo fishing is all about speed – we troll high-speed lures and rigged baits at 12-15 knots to trigger their predatory instincts. When a wahoo hits, it's like getting struck by lightning – they'll make a blistering initial run that'll have you scrambling to get the fish under control.
White Marlin might be smaller than their blue cousins, but they make up for it with attitude and acrobatics. These feisty billfish typically weigh 40-80 pounds and are known for their spectacular jumps and stubborn fighting style. They're more common in late summer and early fall in our offshore waters, often showing up around floating debris or weed lines. White marlin are considered by many to be pound-for-pound the best fighting billfish, and they're absolutely beautiful fish with their distinctive pointed bill and purple-bronze coloration.
This isn't the kind of fishing trip you stumble into – it takes planning, commitment, and a serious desire to target some of the ocean's most sought-after species. With only 6 spots available and the specialized nature of this overnight adventure, these trips book up fast, especially during prime season. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler looking to add a grander to your resume or someone ready to step up from inshore fishing to the big leagues, this 18-hour expedition delivers the real deal. Our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, the boat's equipped for serious offshore work, and we're committed to putting you on fish. Don't let another season pass wondering what's swimming out there in the deep blue –
This 45-foot Hatteras sportfish is built for serious offshore fishing adventures in Destin's deep waters. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's equipped with everything you need to chase wahoo, sailfish, and marlin in comfort. The boat features air conditioning to keep you cool during those hot Florida days, plus a fish finder and GPS to help locate the best fishing spots. You'll have radar for navigating in low visibility and VHF radio for marine communication. When you need a break from fighting fish, catch up on the action with onboard TV entertainment, and there's a toilet for convenience during those long 18-hour trips. The comfortable cabins let you rest during overnight runs to remote fishing grounds, so you'll be ready when the sun comes up and the big game fish start biting. This sportfish is designed to handle the Gulf's conditions while keeping you comfortable as you target some of Florida's most prized offshore species.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are some of the most beautiful billfish you'll encounter - that massive dorsal fin is something to see. These fish average around 50 pounds and 7.5 feet, but we've seen them push 100+ pounds. They're built for speed, hitting 30+ mph in short bursts. We find them cruising the surface down to about 60 feet, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Summer through fall is prime time here in Destin waters. What makes them special is that acrobatic fight - they'll jump, dive, and dance on their tail trying to shake your hook. The meat's decent eating too, firm and white. Pro tip: when one shows up behind your bait, don't get excited and yank it away. Let that sail get a good look, maybe even pull the bait from him once or twice before letting him eat it.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants of the billfish world. Females can reach 1,000+ pounds (we call those "granders"), while males stay around 300 pounds or less. These dark blue torpedoes with silver sides cruise deep blue water, usually 100+ feet down near ledges and current breaks. Summer months bring them closest to our waters when the Gulf Stream pushes in. What draws anglers is the raw power - they'll sound deep, then come up fighting with pure muscle and attitude. The meat's good but has higher mercury levels. These fish migrate constantly, following warm water and baitfish along current lines. My tip: when you hook one, don't try to muscle it up right away. Let it make its first run, keep steady pressure, and be ready for a long battle. Heavy tackle is a must - 50-80 pound class minimum.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters - they can hit 50+ mph when they want to. These sleek fish with blue zebra stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we've caught them over 60. They love hanging around structure like oil rigs and drop-offs, usually in the top 60 feet. Fall and winter are peak season here in the Gulf when they're moving through. What makes them popular is that blistering initial run and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. They hunt alone or in small packs, ambushing baitfish. My secret: high-speed trolling works, but don't overlook wire leaders - those razor teeth will cut through anything else. When you hook one, hold on tight because that first run will test your drag settings real quick.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite marlin are smaller than their blue cousins but pack just as much attitude. These silver-sided billfish typically run 60-100 pounds and love to put on an aerial show when hooked. They cruise deeper offshore waters around 100-200 feet, often near canyon edges and temperature breaks where baitfish stack up. Spring through summer is our best shot at them. What makes these fish special is their intelligence - they're hunters that know they're being hunted. The fight is pure class, with multiple jumps and long runs. They feed on flying fish, small tunas, and squid using that bill to stun prey. Here's what I've learned: when trolling dead ballyhoo, don't set the hook right away when you see one behind the bait. Let them play with it, maybe even tease them by pulling it away once before letting them commit fully.
Destin