Family Fishing Charter in Destin, Florida
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 4-hour charter targets Red Snapper and King Mackerel offshoreFamily-friendly trip accommodates beginners with all gear and instruction providedInshore and nearshore fishing locations adjusted for optimal conditions
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in the family? This 4-hour private charter out of Destin puts you on fish without the stress. Whether you're dealing with first-timers who've never touched a rod or kids bouncing off the walls, Captain and crew at Reel Bloods know how to make it work. You'll fish anywhere from 1 to 9 miles offshore depending on where the bite is hot and what Mother Nature's throwing at us. We're talking real fishing here – not just a boat ride with rods hanging over the side.
Your day starts with trolling to cover water and find active fish, then transitions into bottom fishing where the real action happens. The boat heads inshore and nearshore based on conditions – some days the fish are stacked just outside the pass, other days we need to run a bit to find them. You're targeting quality species like Red Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Greater Amberjack, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, and Bonito. The crew handles all the technical stuff – rigging baits, adjusting depths, finding structure – while you focus on fighting fish. Kids get extra attention with simplified tackle and plenty of encouragement. Bring whatever food and drinks you want since there's cooler space and no meal service. The whole setup is designed around putting fish in the boat while keeping everyone comfortable and engaged.
We start most trips pulling lures or rigged baits behind the boat at trolling speed. This covers ground efficiently and picks off aggressive fish cruising the water column. Once we mark fish or hit productive bottom, it's time to anchor up and drop baits down. Bottom fishing means using heavier tackle to get through the current and stay in contact with structure where snapper and amberjack live. The crew provides all rods, reels, terminal tackle, and bait – everything's sized appropriately for the target species and fishing conditions. Beginners get coaching on hooksets, fighting techniques, and when to let the fish run versus when to put pressure on. Kids often do better with lighter tackle on smaller fish, so there's always a variety of setups ready to match the angler to the situation.
Blackfin Tuna show up when conditions align – typically in cleaner blue water with current breaks and bait schools. These fish fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs that'll test your drag system and patience. Most Blackfins in our area run 10-25 pounds, but they pull like freight trains. Best shot at them is during cooler months when they move closer to shore following bait. What makes them special is the combination of speed and endurance – they don't give up easy.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphinfish as the old-timers call them, are pure excitement on the line. These fish jump, run, and put on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Mahi love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks. They hit both trolled baits and bottom rigs when they're feeding. Size ranges from schoolie bulls around 5 pounds up to slammer bulls pushing 40 pounds. The meat is top-shelf table fare, and the fight is world-class.
Greater Amberjack are the bullies of the bottom structure. These fish live around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom where they ambush baitfish. When you hook one, expect a straight-down power run followed by a grinding fight back to the boat. AJs commonly run 20-60 pounds in our area, with bigger fish showing up on deeper structure. They're notorious for testing knots, breaking leaders, and wearing out anglers. Summer months bring the best action when they're most active and aggressive.
Cobia are the wild cards – you never know when one might show up. These fish cruise alone or in small groups, often near the surface around structure or following rays and sharks. They're curious and aggressive, making them exciting targets for sight fishing. When hooked, Cobia make powerful runs and fight dirty near the boat. They're excellent table fare and a favorite target for experienced anglers who appreciate their unpredictable nature.
Bluefin Tuna are the trophy species that gets every angler's heart racing. These fish are pure muscle and determination, capable of multi-hour fights that'll leave you questioning your life choices. In our area, they're most common during winter months when water temperatures drop. Bluefins require heavy tackle and serious technique – they're not beginner fish. When conditions are right and these fish are around, it's some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing you'll find anywhere.
This charter delivers exactly what families need – professional guidance, quality fishing, and memories that stick. The 6-person capacity keeps groups manageable while the 4-hour duration hits the sweet spot between productive fishing time and keeping everyone comfortable. Destin's year-round fishery means there's always something biting, and the flexibility to adjust locations based on conditions maximizes your chances of success. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing or getting back on the water after years away, this trip removes the barriers and puts the focus where it belongs – on catching fish and having fun doing it.
The Reel Bloods is a 37-foot Boston Whaler center console that'll get you and your crew of six out to the fishing grounds fast and comfortable. Triple 300HP Mercury engines push this 2014 beauty to 47 knots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water than getting there. She's loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus an icebox and fridge to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The air conditioning keeps everyone cool between fights with snapper and kings, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on finicky fish without spooking them. With a flybridge for spotting, onboard head, and even a bed for anyone who needs a break, this boat handles everything from trolling for mahi to bottom fishing for amberjack. Built tough for offshore work but smooth enough for the whole family.
Thunnus AtlanticusThese smaller tunas typically run 15-30 pounds and are some of the most fun fighters you'll hook nearshore. They're the smallest in the tuna family but don't let that fool you - they'll test your drag and make blistering runs. We find them around structure like weedlines and floating debris, usually in water temps above 68°F. Spring through fall gives us the best action here in the Gulf. What makes blackfins special is their beautiful golden stripe that lights up when they're hooked, plus they're fantastic eating - firm, mild meat that's perfect grilled or as sashimi. My tip: scale down your leader to 30-pound fluoro and use smaller hooks. These fish have sharp eyes and get spooky with heavy tackle. Chunk with pilchards or vertical jig to get them fired up.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate prize for serious anglers - massive, powerful fish that can weigh 200-400 pounds or more. These are true offshore giants found in deep water beyond the continental shelf. When they show up in the Gulf, it's usually during cooler months from December through March. What makes them legendary is their incredible strength and speed - they'll make runs that can empty a reel in seconds. They're also the most prized eating fish in the world, especially for sashimi. The meat has this rich, buttery flavor that's unmatched. Since these fish are heavily regulated and require special permits, most of our family trips target them as a rare bonus catch. If you do hook one, be ready for the fight of your life. Use the heaviest tackle available and be prepared for a long battle. These fish can dive over 1,000 feet deep.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most unique fish we target - they look like brown sharks cruising near the surface but fight like freight trains. These fish average 30-50 pounds and can reach 6 feet long. We sight-fish for them around buoys, reefs, and floating structure in 20-60 feet of water. Spring and early summer is when they're most active here, moving through on their migration. What guests love is seeing them cruise right up to the boat - they're curious fish that will often follow a hooked fish to investigate. They're also premium eating with firm, white meat that tastes similar to shark. Since they're usually solo fish, each one is a trophy. My best advice is to have a bucktail jig ready when you spot one. Color doesn't matter much, but a 6-8 oz jig worked near the bottom usually gets their attention. Be patient - they'll circle and inspect before committing.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the reef - big, strong fish that'll test your arms and your drag system. They average 20-50 pounds but can push 80+ pounds on the bigger wrecks and structure. We target them around reefs, artificial structure, and wrecks in 40-100 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when they move up from deeper water to feed. What makes them popular is that raw power - they'll make long, hard runs straight down to the bottom. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's great grilled or blackened. The trick with these fish is getting them up quickly before they cut you off on structure. Use heavy tackle, at least 50-pound line, and don't give them an inch. Live bait works best - a frisky blue runner or cigar minnow will usually get their attention.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are probably the most colorful fish you'll catch out here, flashing brilliant gold, green, and blue when hooked. They typically run 15-30 pounds in our waters and put on an amazing aerial show when fighting. We target them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks where they hunt flying fish. Summer through early fall is prime time when they move through the Gulf in schools. What guests love most is watching those colors change right in the boat - it's like a light show. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, firm white meat. The key to catching them is making your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish. Use ballyhoo or squid on the troll, and once you hook one, leave it in the water - its splashing will often call in the whole school for multiple hookups.
Destin