Premium 10 Hour Gulf Towers Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore trip targeting Gulf Towers fishing groundsExpert captain provides all gear for sailfish and tuna30foot center console accommodates up to four guests
When you want to get serious about offshore fishing in Key West, the Gulf Towers is where you need to be. This 10-hour deep water fishing trip aboard Captain John's 30-foot Conch center console puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's most productive fishing grounds. We're talking about waters where the fish population is thick and the competition from other boats is light. You'll have room to spread out with up to 3 of your buddies, and Captain John handles all the heavy lifting when it comes to gear and know-how. Just grab your cooler, pack some snacks and drinks, and get ready to put some serious fish in the box.
The Gulf Towers sit in deep blue water where the bottom drops off and the big fish cruise. This isn't your typical inshore trip where you're casting at mangroves - we're heading out to structure that holds pelagic species and bottom fish alike. Captain John runs a clean 30-foot Conch center console that's built for these longer offshore runs. The boat's got plenty of room for four anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up in each other's lines. You'll launch early to make the most of your 10 hours, and the ride out gives you time to get your game face on while watching the water change from that shallow green to the deep blue that means business. The Gulf Towers area is known for having less boat traffic than some of the closer offshore spots, which means the fish aren't as spooked and you're not fighting for space with a dozen other charters.
Captain John comes loaded with the right tackle for whatever we find out there. We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's showing up on the fish finder and what's happening on the surface. Trolling is the name of the game for covering water and finding active fish, especially when we're hunting mahi, king mackerel, and cobia. The spread typically includes a combination of ballyhoo, feathers, and lures pulled at different speeds and depths. When we mark fish on the bottom or find a good piece of structure, we'll switch gears to vertical jigging or bottom fishing with live and cut bait. The 30-foot Conch gives us the stability to fish effectively even when there's a bit of chop, and the center console layout means everyone has access to the action. Captain John knows these waters like the back of his hand, so he's constantly reading the conditions and adjusting the approach to put you on fish.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of Gulf Towers fishing, and for good reason. These silver bullets can show up any time of year in South Florida waters, but they really turn on during the cooler months when bait schools are thick. Kings average 20-40 pounds out here, with the occasional smoker pushing 50 or more. They're fast, they fight hard, and they make excellent table fare when prepared right. What makes targeting kings so exciting is the variety of ways you can catch them - trolling, live bait fishing, or even sight casting when they're busting bait on the surface.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish as the locals call them, are the most colorful fighters you'll tangle with in these waters. These fish are pure eye candy with their electric blues, greens, and yellows, and they put on an aerial show that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Mahi are structure-oriented fish, so they love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and offshore structure like the Gulf Towers. Spring through fall is prime time, with peak action typically happening during the warmer months. Bulls can push 30-50 pounds, while the schoolie fish usually run 10-20 pounds but make up for size with numbers.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, and when you hook into a big AJ, you know you're in for a fight. These fish use their broad sides and powerful bodies to pull straight down toward the structure, testing your drag system and your back muscles. Amberjack fishing is best during the cooler months when they're more active and willing to feed aggressively. The bigger fish, which can easily top 50 pounds in these waters, have a habit of testing every knot and connection on your tackle. They're not the prettiest fish in the sea, but they make up for it with pure pulling power.
Great Barracuda add some serious teeth to the mix, and these apex predators are always ready to eat. Cuda fishing can be visual and exciting, especially when you see them following your lures or baits up to the boat. They're common year-round in Key West waters and can reach impressive sizes - 20-30 pounders are fairly regular, with the occasional 40-plus-pound fish showing up to make things interesting. Barracuda are lightning fast and known for their spectacular jumps when hooked.
Cobia round out the target species list, and these brown sharks (as some folks call them) are prized for both their fighting ability and their excellent table fare. Cobia are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you shot at sight fishing these bruisers. They're most active during the warmer months and can reach substantial sizes in Gulf waters - 30-60 pound fish are definitely in the realm of possibility. Cobia have a habit of making long, powerful runs and can be surprisingly stubborn when it comes to giving up.
A 10-hour Gulf Towers fishing trip with Captain John puts you in prime position to experience some of Key West's best offshore fishing. The combination of productive waters, expert local knowledge, and a boat designed for the job gives you everything you need for a top-rated fishing adventure. Whether you're after a mixed bag of species or targeting something specific, the Gulf Towers delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back year after year
The 2023 Conch 30' center console is built for serious offshore fishing in Key West waters. Twin 225HP Mercury engines push this fishing machine to 40-knot cruising speeds, getting you to the Gulf Towers fast while burning less fuel on those long runs. The spacious center console layout gives all 4 anglers room to work without getting tangled up during the fight. Captain John's boat comes rigged with everything you need - GPS keeps you on the productive spots, fish finder marks the structure where Sailfish, Tuna, and Mahi stack up, plus a large icebox keeps your drinks cold during the 10-hour grind. The shallow draft lets you work the towers up close while the stable hull handles gulf swells like a champ. This setup is perfect for targeting the big pelagics that cruise these deep waters. When you hook into a screaming Sailfish or bull Mahi, you'll have the deck space and boat speed to chase them down. The Gulf Towers see way less pressure than the reef, so you're fishing where the smart money goes.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - solitary cruisers averaging 40-60 pounds with 80-pounders showing up each season. You'll find them around structure in 30-100 feet - wrecks, towers, and floating debris. Unlike most fish, they cruise right on the surface where you can sight-fish them. Spring and early summer during their migration gives you the best shots. What makes cobia special is they're curious - they'll actually swim up to investigate your boat. The fight is bulldoggish but honest, and the meat is top-shelf, white and flaky like premium grouper. Bucktail jigs in any color work great, but don't overlook live bait. The secret is making a quiet approach when you spot one - they spook easily from engine noise. Cast well ahead and let them find your bait naturally.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the wolves of the flats - long, lean, and built for speed. Most run 3-4 feet but 5-footers aren't rare around here. You'll spot them cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs from 10-50 feet. They're year-round residents but spring brings the best action when they're more aggressive. What draws people to cuda fishing is that explosive strike and blistering first run - they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. They're also curious fish that will follow lures and baits right to the boat. The meat's decent if you know how to prepare it, though most folks release them. Shiny spoons, tube lures, and live sardines work great. Just remember to use a wire leader - those teeth will slice through mono like butter. When you hook a big one, watch out for those jumps near the boat!
Seriola dumeriliAmberjacks are the bulldozers of the deep - thick-bodied bruisers that average 30-40 pounds but can push 60 or more. You'll find them holding around structure in 80-200 feet, especially wrecks and hard bottom. These fish are home bodies, so when you find them, they're usually there to stay. Spring spawning season from April through June gives you the hottest action. What makes jacks special is that raw power - they'll drag you straight down to the rocks if you let them. The meat's solid too, white and firm like grouper. They're not picky about baits - live pinfish, big jigs, or even cut bait works. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and pump them up quick. Give them time to think and they'll wrap you around every piece of structure down there.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll hook out here, running 15-30 pounds on average with bigger ones pushing 50+. These silver torpedoes cruise the 40-150 foot depths around the Gulf Towers, especially where the current breaks over structure. They're not picky eaters - ballyhoo, sardines, and even spoons trolled at 6-8 knots will fire them up. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What makes kings special is that blistering first run - they'll peel line like nothing else. The meat's excellent too, though it's got some oil to it. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - kings love to hit from behind and you'll miss half your bites with just a single hook up front.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the poster fish for offshore trips - those electric blues and golds are something else when you first see one. They average 15-25 pounds but 40-pounders show up regularly around floating debris and weed lines in 100+ feet. These fish are pure surface action, loving anything that skips or pops on top. Spring through early fall is prime time when water temps climb into the 80s. What guests love most is the acrobatic fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a real show. Plus, mahi are hands down the best eating fish out here with that sweet, firm white meat. Look for frigate birds working floating stuff - that's where you'll find them. When you hook one, keep the boat moving and work the area hard because where there's one mahi, there's usually more.
Key West