9-Mile Offshore Blitz: 4-Hour Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour offshore fishing targeting grouper, snook, and cobiaAdventures depart 9 miles offshore with professional guide serviceMaximum four guests per charter with Reel1Up Fish & Dive
Get ready to head out to the deep blue waters off Bonita Springs for some serious offshore action. This 4-hour fishing charter takes you 9 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, where the water gets crystal clear and the fish get bigger. Captain and crew from Reel1Up Fish & Dive Charters know these waters like the back of their hands, and they're ready to put you on the fish. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough rods in the water and giving everyone plenty of space to fight their fish. Fair warning though – trips departing after 11am will run you an extra $100, so early birds get the better deal.
Once you clear the inlet and start making the run offshore, you'll feel that familiar excitement building as the shoreline fades behind you. The boat ride out gives you time to rig up, chat with your fishing buddies, and maybe spot some dolphins playing in the wake. Your captain will be scanning the water and watching the fish finder, looking for structure, bait schools, and temperature breaks where the big fish like to hang out. The Gulf waters around Bonita Springs offer incredible diversity – one minute you might be bottom fishing over a ledge for grouper, the next you're sight-casting to a rolling tarpon or watching your drag scream as a cobia makes its initial run. The crew will have you covered with quality tackle and fresh bait, plus they know exactly where to position the boat based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately.
This charter runs the full spectrum of offshore fishing techniques to maximize your chances of hooking up. You'll likely do some bottom fishing with heavy tackle over structure and artificial reefs, using circle hooks and chunks of cut bait to tempt grouper, snapper, and amberjack. The crew will also keep live bait ready for sight fishing opportunities – when tarpon or cobia show up, you want that pilchard or pinfish ready to go. Depending on what's moving through the area, expect to try some trolling with spoons and diving plugs to cover water and locate schools of pelagic species like king mackerel and bonita. The beauty of a 4-hour trip is having enough time to adapt your approach based on what the fish are telling you. If the bottom bite is slow, you can move shallow and work the edges. If baitfish are getting pushed around on the surface, you know predators are nearby and it's time to capitalize.
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish that venture offshore during certain times of year, particularly during spawning season in summer. These fish are pure muscle with that distinctive black lateral line and can absolutely destroy tackle with their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure. What makes snook so special is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight – plus they're incredibly smart fish that will test every knot and connection you've got. The best action typically happens around dawn and dusk, and nothing beats the sight of a big snook exploding on a live bait.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Southwest Florida waters, and encountering one offshore is something every angler dreams about. These prehistoric giants can reach over 100 pounds and 6 feet long, launching completely out of the water in spectacular fashion when hooked. Tarpon fishing requires patience and strong arms – these fish will take you on 30-minute battles that leave you questioning your fitness level. Peak season runs from May through August, when massive schools migrate through the area. The key is using heavy enough tackle to turn them away from structure while still enjoying the fight.
Sheepshead might not be the flashiest fish in the Gulf, but they're absolute masters at stealing your bait and putting up a surprisingly good scrap. These convict-striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans and barnacles off structure. They're year-round residents but fish best during cooler months when they school up around bridges, wrecks, and artificial reefs. Sheepshead require finesse fishing with small hooks and light leaders, making every hookup feel earned. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat.
Barracuda are the speed demons of the offshore waters, capable of hitting 35 mph when chasing down baitfish. These toothy predators strike with lightning speed and often leap clear of the water, showing off their impressive dental work. What makes barracuda fishing so exciting is the visual aspect – you can often see them following your lure before they decide to attack. They're year-round residents in Southwest Florida, but the bigger fish move offshore during warmer months. Wire leaders are absolutely essential unless you enjoy getting bit off by those razor-sharp teeth.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep, using their broad sides and powerful tails to put maximum pressure on your tackle. These fish live around wrecks, reefs, and deep structure, often in schools that can provide non-stop action once you locate them. Amberjack are known for their initial power runs straight toward the bottom, testing your drag settings and arm strength. They're most active during cooler months from fall through spring, and bigger fish often require heavier tackle and strong backs to winch them up from 60+ feet of water. The fight is honest and brutal – no tricks, just pure power.
This offshore adventure gives you the best of both worlds – enough time on the water to really get into the fish, but not so long that you're completely wiped out by the end of the day. The crew at Reel1Up Fish & Dive Charters has the local knowledge and experience to put you on quality fish, whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or trying deeper water for the first time. With only 4 spots available per trip, you'll get personalized attention and plenty
Get ready to battle some serious fish aboard this 28' Dusky, powered by twin 250HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the hottest offshore spots in no time. This 2004 workhorse hits 40 knots and handles Gulf waters like a champ, giving you and up to 3 other anglers plenty of room to work the lines. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day - fish finder to locate the action, GPS to mark those productive spots, radar for those hazy mornings, and VHF radio to stay connected. Keep your drinks ice-cold in the onboard icebox while you target grouper, tarpon, snook, cobia, and whatever else decides to bite. Whether you're dealing with lightning-fast mackerel strikes or wrestling with a stubborn grouper trying to reach structure, this boat gives you the stable platform you need. The onboard facilities include a head, so you can stay out longer and focus on filling the cooler. Perfect for small groups who want personalized action without the crowd.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are the missiles of the flats - torpedo-shaped predators that can hit 35 mph when they want your lure. Most run 2-4 feet and they're pure aggression, living around grass beds, reefs, and anywhere baitfish gather. They're year-round targets but really turn on during warmer months. What guests love is the explosive strikes and drag-screaming runs - these fish don't give up easy. They're also decent eating when prepared right. The secret is using wire leaders because those razor teeth will cut through mono instantly. Also, keep your lures moving fast and erratic. Barracuda hunt by sight and love anything shiny, so bright spoons and tube lures work great when you keep them dancing.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - thick, powerful fish that average 20-40 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time, especially April and May during spawning season. What makes them special is that relentless, head-shaking fight straight down to the bottom - they'll test your drag and your back. They're also excellent table fare with firm, meaty fillets. The key is heavy tackle and keeping them off the bottom once hooked. Use live bait or large jigs, and when you hook up, tighten that drag and start pumping immediately. Let them get back to structure and you'll lose them every time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of the reef with their black and white stripes, typically running 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're year-round residents but February through April is prime time during spawning season. What makes them fun is they're like underwater pickpockets - notorious bait stealers with those human-like teeth. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. The trick with sheepshead is using small hooks and getting your bait right against the structure. Soon as you feel that subtle tick-tick-tick, set the hook hard. They have crushing jaws, so don't hesitate or they'll steal your bait and swim away laughing.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized inshore targets, running 1-4 feet with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. These fish are lightning fast and incredibly strong fighters that'll make screaming runs toward cover. Best fishing happens May through September during spawning season when their fins turn bright yellow. They're also great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key - snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure, so keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from cover right after the hookset.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are what fishing dreams are made of - we're talking 4-8 feet and 80-280 pounds of pure muscle and acrobatics. Tarpon roam our shallow flats, channels, and bridges, gulping air at the surface. Spring through summer is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes them special isn't the eating (they're bony and tough), it's the fight - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water and run like freight trains. Most guests are after that bucket-list experience of landing a "silver king." My advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps slack in the line so they can't shake the hook as easily.
Bonita Springs, FL