12 Hour Deep Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour deep offshore charter targeting red snapper and grouperCaptain Frank provides expert guidance with all equipment includedDeparts 6 AM reaching 80120 miles offshore for premium fishing
Captain Frank's 12-hour deep offshore charter puts you right in the middle of some of Florida's best bottom fishing action. We're talking about heading 80-120 miles out into the Gulf, where the big fish live and the crowds can't follow. This isn't your typical half-day trip close to shore – we're going where the serious fishing happens, targeting red snapper, grouper, and whatever else decides to bite in those deeper waters off Treasure Island.
Your day starts early at 6:00 AM sharp – that's not negotiable when you've got 80+ miles to cover before we even wet a line. The ride out takes a couple hours, but it's worth every minute once you see the kind of fish that live in these less pressured waters. Captain Frank knows these offshore spots like the back of his hand, and he's got the electric reels, rods, and tackle dialed in for bottom fishing success. We keep the boat to 6 anglers max, so there's plenty of room to work and everyone gets their fair shot at the good spots. Bring your own food and drinks for the long day – we've got coolers and ice, but lunch is on you. The fuel's covered in your trip cost, and all the safety gear is on board and Coast Guard approved.
This is all about bottom fishing with heavy tackle in 100+ feet of water. We're using electric reels because hand-cranking from that depth gets old fast, especially when you're pulling up 15-pound grouper all day. Captain Frank sets you up with the right sinker weights to get down through the current, and we're fishing with circle hooks and cut bait most of the time. The technique is straightforward – drop to the bottom, reel up a few cranks, and wait for that telltale thump when something big grabs your bait. The electric reels do the heavy lifting, but you still need to fight the fish properly once it's hooked. We're targeting structure and ledges where the bottom fish hang out, so expect some snags and lost tackle – that's just part of offshore bottom fishing.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and these deep offshore spots hold some real slabs. These fish are smart and finicky – they'll inspect your bait before committing, but once hooked, they fight hard all the way to the boat. Peak season runs from June through August, and a good red snapper in the 8-15 pound range makes for excellent table fare. The further offshore we go, the less fishing pressure these fish see, which means better bite rates and bigger average size.
Red Grouper are the workhorses of deep water bottom fishing. These fish are aggressive feeders and will slam cut bait without much hesitation. They average 5-20 pounds in these waters, with some real monsters pushing 30+ pounds when conditions are right. Red grouper fight differently than snapper – they'll try to get back to their hole in the rocks, so you need to turn them quick and keep steady pressure. They're available year-round but fish best during the cooler months from October through April.
Gag Grouper are the trickier cousins of red grouper, and they tend to hold in slightly different structure. These fish are more temperamental about bait presentation, but they're worth the extra effort. Gags typically run a bit larger than reds in these waters, and they've got that distinctive fight where they'll make long runs before trying to hole up. The meat is top-notch, and catching a keeper gag in the 10-25 pound range is always a trip highlight.
Mahi Mahi show up as bonus fish when we're running to and from the fishing grounds. These are open water pelagic fish that we'll target if we see floating debris or weed lines on the way out. Mahi are explosive fighters that jump and run, completely different from the bottom fish we're mainly targeting. They're seasonal visitors, most common from April through September, and even a small 10-pound mahi is a blast on lighter tackle.
Cobia are the wildcards of this fishery – you never know when one might show up. These fish cruise the deeper waters and will eat both live and cut bait. They're powerful fighters that make long runs, and a big cobia in the 20-40 pound range will test your drag system and your arms. Cobia season typically runs from March through September, with the bigger fish showing up during the spring and fall months when they're moving through our area.
This 12-hour deep offshore charter with Skirtchaser Charters delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Captain Frank's local knowledge and the right equipment make all the difference when you're investing a full day on the water. The 6-person limit means personalized attention and room to fish comfortably, while the deep offshore destinations put you on fish that don't see hooks every day. Free cancellation with 3 days notice gives you weather flexibility, and the customary 20% gratuity for the crew is well worth it when you're hauling up coolers full of quality bottom fish. Book your spot now and get ready for some serious Gulf fishing action.
Captain Frank's 36-foot Yellowfin is built for serious offshore fishing in the Gulf's deeper waters. Triple 350 HP Suzuki engines push this fishing machine at 45 mph, getting you to the productive snapper and grouper grounds 80-120 miles out without burning your whole day in transit. The boat maxes out at six anglers, so everyone gets plenty of rail space to work their lines without getting tangled up with other fishermen. Garmin electronics and fish finder help locate structure and schools, while the Carolina fish box keeps your catch fresh on ice during the long run back to port. Cold drinks stay cold in the icebox, and there's a head onboard for those 12-hour trips. With electric reels provided for the deep drops and Captain Frank's knowledge of the offshore grounds, you'll be fishing less pressured waters where keeper-sized bottom fish are more willing to bite.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+. They're loners, cruising around structure like wrecks, buoys, and oil rigs in 30-100 feet. Spring migration from March to May is prime time when they're moving through our waters to spawn. What makes them special is that raw power - once hooked, they'll make long, bulldogging runs that test your tackle and your back. Plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat. We usually sight-fish for them, looking for that distinctive brown shadow just under the surface. My advice: when you see one, drop a live bait or bucktail jig right in front of their nose. They're curious fish but don't give them time to think about it.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tougher fighters than their red cousins and a favorite among serious anglers. These gray, mottled fish average 8-15 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds around the deeper structure we fish. They prefer rocky reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 60-150 feet where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall are peak times when they're most active. What sets them apart is that bulldogging fight - they'll try to get back to their hole no matter what. The meat is excellent too, firmer than red grouper with great flavor. Live pinfish, grunts, or cut bait work well fished tight to structure. My tip: the second you hook one, lock down that drag and keep your rod tip low. Don't let them get their head down or they'll wrap you around the rocks and win every time.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most exciting fish we target out there. These golden torpedoes average 15-30 pounds and put on an absolute show when hooked - jumping, tail-walking, and changing colors like a rainbow. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in the blue water. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active. What guests love is the combination of spectacular fight and table fare that's tough to match - firm, flaky meat with a mild flavor. They're also great for photos with those brilliant colors. Here's the trick: when you see one, there's usually more around. Keep a couple smaller baits ready because once you boat the first fish, toss a bait back quickly to the school before they scatter.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of deep water fishing here. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 20+ pounds. They hang around rocky bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. What makes them special is their aggressive strike - they'll hammer live pinfish, cigar minnows, or cut bait without hesitation. The fight is classic grouper: they'll try to drag you straight into the rocks the second they feel the hook. Great eating too - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: once you hook one, lock that reel down tight and don't give them an inch. Let them run and they'll find a hole to break you off in. Keep steady pressure and work them up fast.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our deep water trips - these crimson beauties live around hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 80-200+ feet. They average 3-8 pounds but we regularly see fish pushing 15-20 pounds in the less pressured waters we fish. Summer months when the season's open, they're feeding aggressively on the bottom. What makes them so popular is they're scrappy fighters that'll make runs for cover, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, flaky white meat. We use heavy tackle with circle hooks and fish cigar minnows, pinfish, or cut squid on the bottom. Here's the key: when you feel that thump, don't jerk. Let that circle hook do its job, then winch them up steady. They'll try to cut your line on structure if you give them slack.
Treasure Island, FL