12-Hour Offshore Bottom Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore fishing charter targets trophysized Gulf speciesAll gear, licenses, and experienced captain guidance includedSeasonal availability June through August with 5 AM departure
Picture this: You're standing on the deck at 5 AM with your coffee steaming in the cool morning air, watching the sun paint the Gulf of Mexico in shades of orange and pink. That's how your day starts on this world-class bottom fishing charter out of Panama City Beach. From June through mid-August, when the fishing is absolutely on fire, our experienced captain will put you on the best bottom structure where monster red snapper, hefty gag grouper, and screaming king mackerel are waiting. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking 12 solid hours of serious fishing time, giving you the best shot at filling the cooler with dinner-table favorites and maybe even a few trophy fish for the wall.
We keep our groups small at just six anglers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn to drop a line. The captain knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand – every ledge, every artificial reef, every productive piece of bottom structure that holds fish. You'll start the morning targeting red snapper on the deeper reefs, then work your way through different spots as the day progresses. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is flexibility; if the snapper bite is hot, we'll stick with it. If the grouper are more cooperative, we'll adjust our game plan. All your gear and fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to bring yourself, some snacks, and plenty of enthusiasm. We do offer live bait for purchase if you want to up your odds – nothing beats a frisky pinfish or cigar minnow when these bottom dwellers are being picky.
Bottom fishing in the Gulf is all about precision and patience. We're fishing depths ranging from 60 to 120 feet, depending on where the fish are holding. You'll be using conventional reels spooled with heavy braided line – usually 50 to 80-pound test – because when a big gag grouper hits, it's heading straight back to its hole and you need the muscle to turn it around. The rigs are straightforward but effective: knocker rigs with circle hooks loaded with cut bait like bonito, menhaden, or squid. The key is keeping your bait right on the bottom where these fish feed. When you feel that telltale thump-thump, resist the urge to jerk – let that circle hook do its job and start winding. The captain will coach you through the fight, especially when you hook into something that feels like you've snagged the bottom but then starts taking drag.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Panama City Beach bottom fishing, and for good reason. These crimson beauties average 5 to 15 pounds but can push 20-plus when you find the right structure. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day – early morning and late afternoon – which is perfect timing for our long-range trips. Red snapper have incredible eyesight and can be finicky, so sometimes you need to downsize your hooks or switch to live bait to get them going. What makes them so popular isn't just the fight (though they'll give you a good tussle), it's the table fare – firm, white, flaky meat that's absolutely delicious grilled, fried, or blackened.
Gag grouper are the bullies of the bottom, and hooking into a 20 to 40-pound gag will test your tackle and technique. These ambush predators sit in caves and under ledges, waiting for an easy meal to swim by. When they hit your bait, it's game on – they'll immediately try to get back to their hideout and break you off. The trick is keeping steady pressure and not giving them an inch. Gags are most active during the summer months when the water temperature is just right, making this seasonal charter prime time for targeting them. Their thick, meaty fillets are prized by restaurants and home cooks alike, with a slightly sweet flavor that's perfect for grilling or making fish tacos.
King mackerel might seem out of place on a bottom fishing trip, but when you're working the deeper reefs and ledges, these speed demons often cruise through looking for baitfish. Kings can range from 10-pound "schoolies" up to 40-pound smokers that will strip line off your reel faster than you can blink. They're incredibly fast and acrobatic, often jumping multiple times during the fight. The best part about catching kings on bottom tackle is you're usually using heavier gear than you would when specifically targeting them, so you can really put the pressure on. Their firm, oily meat is fantastic smoked, grilled, or made into fish dip – a local favorite that'll have your friends begging for the recipe.
This top-rated 12-hour bottom fishing charter runs from June 1st through August 18th, when the Gulf of Mexico fishing is absolutely phenomenal. With only six spots available per trip and morning departure times that serious anglers love, these charters fill up fast during peak season. You're getting incredible value – 12 hours on the water with an experienced captain who knows where the fish are biting, all gear and licenses included, and the chance to load up on some of the Gulf's finest eating fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your next personal best or someone wanting to experience world-class offshore fishing, this charter delivers. The memories you'll make and the fresh fish you'll take home make this more than just a fishing trip – it's a proper Gulf Coast adventure that'll have you planning your return before you even hit the dock.
Step aboard our impressive 60-foot Resmondo sportfishing vessel, fully restored in 2016 and ready to tackle the deep waters off Panama City Beach. This serious fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing bottom fish – from advanced fish finders and GPS navigation to radar for those early morning runs in low visibility. The boat features air conditioning to keep you cool between fights, a full kitchen and refrigerator for meals and cold drinks, plus comfortable sleeping quarters and a private head. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and plenty of deck space for up to 6 anglers, you'll have room to work those heavy bottom rigs without getting tangled up. Our captain knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand and will put you on productive bottom structure where the big grouper, snapper, and amberjack live. All fishing gear and licenses are included, so just bring yourself and get ready for some serious rod-bending action on this 12-hour adventure into the deep blue.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are ambush predators that average 20 inches but can reach 50+ pounds around our offshore structure. These mottled gray fighters hide in wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months are perfect since they're actively feeding before spawning season. What makes gags exciting is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they dive straight for cover trying to wrap your line around structure. The meat is firm, white, and excellent eating. Live pinfish and mullet work best, though cut squid and crab produce too. The key trick is locking down your drag tight and keeping steady pressure - don't give them an inch or they'll find a hole to hide in. Fish close to bottom and be ready for a tug-of-war when they grab your bait.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fighters in the Gulf, averaging 30 pounds with occasional giants over 90 pounds. These silver torpedoes cruise depths of 40-150 feet around structure and open water during our summer season. What makes them special is their blistering speed - they'll strip line faster than almost any other species out here. The meat is rich and flavorful, though it's got higher mercury levels. Kings love live bait like blue runners and cigar minnows trolled behind the boat. My trick for landing them? Use a wire leader with two hooks - one in the nose of your bait and a trailing treble hook. They hit hard from behind, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish. When you hook one, hold on tight!
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, growing up to 35 pounds with most catches running 5-15 pounds. These bright red fighters live around structure in 30-200 feet of water - wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom hold the best fish. They spawn May through October, making our summer season prime time. What guests love most is the combination of a solid fight and table fare that's hard to beat - mild, sweet, and flaky. Snapper will try to cut your line on structure once hooked, so keep steady pressure and pull them up and away fast. Fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or live pinfish work best. Pro tip: drop your bait right to the bottom, then reel up just a few cranks. They feed low but won't hesitate to move up for the right meal.
Panama City Beach, FL