Red Snapper Hunt: 6-Hour Private Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore charter targeting Red Snapper and multiple speciesMorning and afternoon departures available during peak summer seasonPrivate boat accommodates up to 6 guests with experienced captain
When summer heats up in Florida, the offshore bite comes alive like nowhere else. From June through August, our private 6-hour charters target the legendary Red Snapper season, but that's just the beginning of what's waiting out there. With morning departures at 6AM and afternoon trips launching at 1PM, you'll have plenty of flexibility to plan around your schedule. We're talking about serious fishing here – the kind where your drag screams and everyone on the boat starts hollering. Our experienced captain knows these waters inside and out, hitting productive reefs, wrecks, and offshore structure where big fish call home.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get your sea legs before heading back. Six hours gives us real time to work the water and put you on fish. We'll start by running to our best spots – some natural reefs, some artificial structure, and a few wrecks that consistently produce. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, everyone gets room to fight fish without getting tangled up. The captain adjusts tactics based on what's biting – some days it's bottom fishing over structure, other days we'll pull live bait or work the edges where pelagics cruise. You'll experience Florida's Gulf waters at their finest, with crystal clear visibility and that deep blue that only comes when you're fishing real offshore grounds.
We run the full arsenal of techniques depending on conditions and what's showing on the sonar. Bottom fishing with heavy tackle for snapper and grouper over structure, live bait fishing for cobia and amberjack around the wrecks, and trolling spread for kings and wahoo when we're moving between spots. The captain provides all rods, reels, and terminal tackle – we're talking quality gear that can handle anything from 20-pound Spanish mackerel to 60-pound amberjack. Circle hooks are mandatory for snapper to meet regulations, but don't worry about the learning curve if you've never used them – they actually hook fish better once you get the hang of it. We'll have a mix of conventional and spinning gear rigged and ready, plus a selection of live and cut baits that produce in these waters. When the bite gets hot, having multiple rods working is key to maximizing your catch.
Red Snapper steal the show during summer season, and for good reason. These crimson-colored fighters average 3-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds when you find the right spot. They're aggressive biters that hit hard and fight harder, making long runs toward structure to try cutting your line. Peak season runs June through August, and the limit allows you to keep some beautiful fillets for the dinner table. What makes snapper fishing addictive is their unpredictability – one minute you're catching smaller lane snapper, next minute a genuine red snapper crashes your bait and takes off like a freight train.
Cobia are the wildcards of these waters, cruising reefs and wrecks like brown submarines. These fish average 20-40 pounds and fight with pure power, making multiple runs that test your arms and your drag system. They're curious fish that often come up to investigate the boat, giving you a shot at sight-fishing when conditions are right. Summer months bring cobia into our area following baitfish, and they're suckers for live pinfish or crabs worked near structure. Landing a quality cobia is like winning the lottery – they're incredible table fare and put up the kind of fight that leaves you talking about it for months.
Wahoo represent the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of stripping 100 yards of line in seconds. These silver bullets average 15-30 pounds in our waters and hit trolled baits with enough force to snap light tackle. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. The trick with wahoo is having sharp hooks and smooth drag – they make such fast runs that any hesitation in your equipment usually means a lost fish. Their white, flaky meat rivals any fish in the ocean for eating quality.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they'll give you a workout that builds character. These golden fighters average 5-15 pounds and punch way above their weight class, making bulldogging runs that seem impossible for their size. They school up around structure and attack bait with reckless abandon, often hitting multiple lines simultaneously. Jacks are perfect for kids or light tackle enthusiasts – they bite readily and fight until the bitter end.
Black Drum round out our target list as the gentle giants of inshore structure. These copper-colored fighters can reach 20-40 pounds and provide steady, powerful fights without the screaming runs of other species. They're bottom feeders with excellent table quality when kept in the right size range. Drum bite consistently throughout summer and provide action when faster species aren't cooperating. They're also perfect for anglers who want to catch something substantial without needing tournament-level tackle skills.
Summer fishing in Florida doesn't get better than this combination of target species, prime season timing, and experienced local knowledge. Six hours on the water gives you real opportunities to experience different fishing techniques while maximizing your time over productive bottom. Whether you choose the morning trip to beat afternoon heat or the afternoon departure to avoid early wake-up calls, you're looking at world-class fishing with a captain who knows where fish live year-round. Red Snapper season is the peak time to book this trip, but the variety of species available means every trip produces action regardless of what's biting best. This is the kind of fishing that creates lifelong memories and usually leads to booking your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Get ready to chase red snapper and trophy fish aboard Reel Crazy Charters' restored 35' Wellcraft Scarab center console. This spacious fishing machine runs on twin 300HP Yamaha engines, cutting through Florida waters at speeds up to 45 knots to get you to the hottest offshore reefs and wrecks fast. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. Essential fishing gear includes a live bait well to keep your bait fresh, advanced fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation, and radar for those early morning runs. An icebox keeps your catch cold and drinks chilled during those long summer days targeting snapper, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel. The onboard toilet means no cutting trips short. Whether you choose the 6AM or 1PM departure, this well-equipped vessel gets you to productive fishing grounds where red snapper, cobia, wahoo, and other prized species are waiting.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the shallow water - thick, powerful fish that average 5-30 pounds but can top 90. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in water from 2-50 feet deep. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What's cool about drum is they actually make drumming sounds you can hear underwater, especially during spawning season. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and stringy. These fish are bottom-feeders with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs. Fresh blue crab or soft shells work best - they ignore the fake stuff most of the time. Here's what works: find an oyster bar at low tide, mark it, then come back at high tide and fish the edges. Use enough weight to stay on bottom and be patient - drum take their time deciding if they want your bait.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, which makes them fun to sight-fish. They average 20-40 pounds and grow up to 6 feet, with that distinctive dark brown color and shark-like dorsal fin. You'll spot them around buoys, wrecks, and reefs in 30-70 feet of water, especially during spring migration from March through June. What makes them special is both the fight and the food - cobia are strong fighters and some of the best eating fish in these waters. Being loners, you won't find schools, just singles cruising around structure. The trick with cobia is staying patient when they come to investigate. They'll circle the boat, check out your bait, and maybe swim away before coming back. Keep a bucktail jig ready - any color works, but 4-8 ounces gets down to them quick. Once they take it, get ready for a serious battle.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the flats - thick, powerful fish that average 3-5 pounds but can reach 60. You'll find them in schools around grass beds, shallow reefs, and near any structure from 5-50 feet deep. They're year-round residents but really fire up during warmer months. What guests love is the pure fight - these fish are all muscle and attitude, making long, hard runs. They're not great table fare, but the action more than makes up for it. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign of feeding jacks pushing bait to the surface. Here's the local trick: when you find a school, cast past them and rip your lure back fast. They love the chase. Silver spoons, topwater plugs, and bucktails all work. Don't be surprised if you smell something like watermelon when they're feeding - that's just jack perfume.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are what summer fishing is all about here in Florida. These bright red fish average 1-3 pounds but can reach 35 pounds or more. They live on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water. Our peak season runs June through August when they're most active and legal to keep. What makes them special is the combination of a solid fight and being some of the best eating fish around - sweet, mild white meat that's perfect grilled or fried. They're smart fish that live in schools around structure, so when you find one spot, you'll usually find more. The key is getting your bait to the bottom where they live. Fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish work best, but they'll hit cut squid too. Here's the local secret: once you hook one, get it up quick because they'll run straight back to the rocks and cut your line every time.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and average 3-5 feet long. They're some of the fastest fish in the ocean, which makes for wild runs when you hook one. We find them around our offshore reefs and wrecks, usually in water 30-200 feet deep. Peak season here runs July through November when they're most active. What makes wahoo special is the combination of that blazing speed and excellent eating - the meat is white, firm, and mild. They're loners mostly, so when you spot one there might be others nearby. Pro tip: use wire leaders because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. High-speed trolling with diving plugs or ballyhoo rigs works best. Once hooked, hang on tight - they'll make screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Jackson