Ledge Trolling & Bottom Fishing with Reel Adventures
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing targeting wahoo, mahi-mahi, and tuna species.Deep water bottom fishing for grouper and snapper varieties.Flexible trip customization for trolling or bottom fishing preferences.
The Ledge is where serious anglers go when they want to get into fish that'll make their reels sing. This top-rated charter combines the best of both worlds – high-speed trolling for pelagic speedsters and deep-drop bottom fishing for hefty grouper and snapper. Captain and crew at Reel Adventures know these waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish whether you're looking to burn some drag or fill the cooler with dinner.
This trip is all about versatility and reading the conditions. We'll head out to the legendary Ledge where the continental shelf drops off into that gorgeous blue water that holds wahoo, mahi, and yellowfin tuna. The boat can handle up to 5 anglers, so you've got plenty of room to work without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Depending on what's biting and what you're in the mood for, we can spend the day trolling the drop-off, working the bottom structure, or mixing it up with both techniques. The captain will adjust the game plan based on current conditions, bait activity, and what the fish are telling us that day.
When we're trolling, we'll be pulling a spread of lures at various depths to cover the water column. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and we'll have ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures working behind the boat to tempt those fast-moving pelagics. For the bottom fishing portion, we're talking heavy tackle and circle hooks to handle the big grouper that call these deep ledges home. The structure down there holds black grouper, snowy grouper, mutton snapper, and those beautiful mangrove snapper locals call "mangoes." We'll be fishing in some serious depths, so expect to feel that burn in your arms when you hook into a quality fish. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, but if you've got your own favorite rigs, feel free to bring them along.
Mahi-mahi are the acrobats of the offshore world, and when you hook one at the Ledge, you're in for a show. These common dolphinfish love the weed lines and temperature breaks along the drop-off, especially during the warmer months from spring through fall. They hit hard, jump high, and their golden colors are absolutely stunning when you get them boatside. A good mahi will run anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds, with the occasional bull pushing 40 or more. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them and their habit of traveling in schools – hook one and there's usually more around.
Wahoo are pure speed demons that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the edges of the continental shelf looking for an easy meal, and when they find your ballyhoo or high-speed lure, they'll hit it like a freight train. A typical wahoo runs 20 to 50 pounds, but the big females can push 60 or 70. They're most active during the cooler months, from late fall through early spring, when the water temperatures drop and they move closer to shore. What gets anglers fired up about wahoo is that initial run – they'll strip line off your reel so fast it'll make your head spin, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you better have good wire leader.
Yellowfin tuna are the bulldogs of the offshore scene, combining speed with raw power that'll leave your arms aching. These world-class gamefish show up at the Ledge when conditions are right, usually when there's clean blue water and plenty of bait around. A decent yellowfin starts at 30 pounds and goes up from there – the bigger ones will take you to school real quick. They're most consistent during the summer months when the water's warmest, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Tuna fishing is all about covering water and watching for diving birds, floating debris, or any sign of bait activity on the surface.
Mutton snapper are the prize of the snapper family, with their distinctive black spot and aggressive feeding habits. These customer favorites hang around the deeper structure along the Ledge, usually in 80 to 150 feet of water. A quality mutton runs 5 to 15 pounds, with the occasional trophy pushing 20 or more. They're most active during the summer months and can be finicky eaters, often requiring light tackle and natural baits like sardines or squid. What makes muttons special is their fighting ability – they'll use every inch of structure to try and break you off, and their table quality is second to none.
Black grouper are the heavyweights of the bottom fishing world, with thick shoulders and an attitude to match. These bruisers live in the deep rocky areas along the continental shelf, often in 100 to 300 feet of water. A good black grouper starts at 10 pounds and can easily reach 30, 40, or even 50 pounds if you're lucky enough to find an old-timer. They're most consistent during the cooler months when they're actively feeding, but you can catch them year-round if you're willing to put in the time. What gets bottom fishermen excited about black grouper is their sheer power – hook a big one and it'll head straight for the rocks, testing every knot in your rig.
The Ledge delivers some of the most consistent fishing you'll find offshore, whether you're looking to tangle with fast-moving pelagics or battle it out with heavyweight bottom dwellers. This renowned charter gives you the flexibility to target whatever's biting best that day, with experienced crew who know how to put you on fish. The boat
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the bulldozers of the deep - averaging over 2 feet but capable of hitting 5 feet and 125 pounds. These ambush predators hang around wrecks, ledges, and rocky structure from 30 feet in winter down to 300 feet in summer. They're not built for speed, but man, they've got power. Once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks, so heavy tackle is a must - 80lb braid minimum with a 100lb leader. The fight is all about brute strength and endurance. What makes them worth it is the incredible eating - mild, firm white meat that's restaurant quality. They spawn November through May, making winter and spring prime time. Pro tip: when you feel that bite, start cranking immediately. They don't nibble - they inhale their prey whole, and hesitation means they'll get back to cover.
Coryphaena HippurusThese beautiful fish are what make blue water fishing so rewarding. Mahi average 15-29 pounds but can hit 87, and they put on quite a show with their golden sides and electric blues and greens. You'll find them around floating debris and weed lines in the warm water, usually staying near the surface. They hit trolled ballyhoo and lures hard, then jump and run like crazy. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild - perfect for the grill. Best fishing is during the warmer months when they're most active. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your spread in the water. Mahi often travel in schools, and seeing one of their buddies getting caught will fire up the rest. We've had days where one hookup turns into a boat limit real quick.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton snapper are one of our favorite bottom fish to target on ledge trips. These pinkish beauties average around 20 inches but can reach 37, and they're known as solid fighters among the snapper family. You'll find them in 130-230 feet around rocky structure and coral, though the smaller ones hang in sandy areas with grass. They're not super picky eaters but presentation matters - fresh bait on a light sinker works best. The meat is top-shelf, which is why they're so prized by anglers. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at them when they're most active. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure. They'll try to run straight back to the rocks and cut you off, so don't give them an inch. That pink color coming up through clear water is one of the best sights in fishing.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the ledge - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. They're built for one thing: eating everything in their path at high speed. You'll find them in blue water around structures and debris, usually in the top 60 feet. They love fast-trolled lures and ballyhoo, so we run 12-15 knots to trigger those vicious strikes. The fight is intense but short - they make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Firm, white, flaky meat that's perfect for anything from tacos to steaks. Wire leaders are a must - their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono instantly. When we mark them deep, we'll often switch to vertical jigging to get their attention.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the powerhouses that make ledge trips memorable. These warm-blooded speedsters average around 60 pounds but can push 400, with that classic torpedo shape built for power. They cruise the upper 300 feet of blue water, traveling in schools and covering serious distance. Peak season runs through the warmer months when they're feeding aggressively. The fight is pure endurance - long, steady runs that'll test your backing and your arms. What makes them special is the meat quality - sushi-grade tuna that's worth every minute of the battle. We troll spreader bars and rigged ballyhoo, but nothing beats watching one explode on a surface plug. Pro tip: when the trolling slows down, try chunking with whatever baitfish they're feeding on. It'll bring them up from the depths.
Jacksonville