Florida Offshore Charter: Rod-Bending Action
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore reef and wreck fishing up to 20 miles outTarget grouper, snapper, sharks, and barracuda speciesSmall group charter accommodates maximum four guests
Picture yourself 20 miles out in the Gulf, lines tight and drag screaming as something big tries to make a run for it. That's exactly what you'll get with Salty C Pirates' 8- or 10-hour offshore charter fishing adventure. We're talking serious fishing here – the kind where you'll be working up a sweat battling fish that don't give up easy. Whether you're after tasty table fare or just want to feel that rod double over, our reef and wreck spots deliver the goods every single time.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. We'll cruise out to our honey holes – some killer reefs and wrecks that have been producing fish for years. The boat holds up to 4 anglers, so you're not fighting for space or dealing with crowds. It's just you, your crew, and some of the best fishing Florida has to offer. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether they're holding tight to structure or cruising the blue water. Pack your own snacks and drinks because we'll be out there grinding all day, and you'll work up an appetite pulling in fish after fish.
We're fishing bottom structure most of the day, which means heavy tackle and serious drag settings. The wrecks we hit are absolutely loaded with life – everything from snapper to grouper to some real bruisers that will test your gear. We'll be dropping live and cut bait down 60 to 120 feet, depending on the spot. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle whatever we hook into, but if you've got your own setup, bring it along. Circle hooks are the way to go for most of our target species, and we'll have plenty of fresh bait to keep your lines wet. When the pelagics show up, we might switch tactics and throw some jigs or live baits in the water column.
The Great Barracuda are absolutely crushing it right now. These torpedoes can hit 4 feet long and fight like they're twice that size. They'll take off on blistering runs that'll have your reel singing, and their razor-sharp teeth mean you better have your wire leaders ready. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're bottom fishing for grouper, next minute a cuda slams your bait and takes off like a rocket. They're year-round residents here, but spring through fall gives you the best shot at the bigger specimens.
White Grunt might not sound glamorous, but these guys are pure gold. They school up thick around our reefs and wrecks, and once you find them, you can fill the cooler fast. They average 1-2 pounds but fight harder than you'd expect, and they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're perfect for anglers who want steady action and a guaranteed fish fry back home. Kids especially love them because they bite consistently and don't require heavy tackle to land.
Greater Amberjack are the real bruisers that separate the serious anglers from the weekend warriors. These guys can push 50+ pounds and will drag you all over the boat if you're not ready for them. They live around the deep wrecks and fight dirty – diving straight down into the structure trying to cut you off. Summer months are prime time for the big AJs, and landing one is a badge of honor. Fair warning though: they'll leave your arms burning and your drag smoking. It's the kind of fight that makes you remember why you started fishing in the first place.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get your lines wet before heading back. We're talking 8 to 10 hours of serious fishing time with a captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding. The reef and wreck fishing off Florida is world-class, and our spots consistently produce both numbers and quality. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with dinner or just want to feel what a real fish fight is like, this charter delivers every time. The boat's equipped, the captain's experienced, and the fish are waiting. All you need to do is show up ready to fish and prepared to work for every bite. Book your trip now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your fishing platform for this offshore adventure is a 2020 28-foot Parker cuddy cabin, powered by twin 300HP Yamaha outboards that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 35 knots. This boat cuts through Florida waters with authority, taking you up to 20 miles offshore where the real action happens on the reefs and wrecks. The Parker comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - GPS to mark those productive spots, radar for safe navigation, and fish finder technology to locate schools and structure below. When nature calls during those long fishing sessions, there's an onboard head so you don't miss any bite time. Built for serious fishing, this rig handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while chasing Lane Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Grunts, and seasonal Red Grouper around the reefs. Hit the wrecks and you're looking at battles with sharks, hefty Amber Jacks, aggressive Barracuda, and quality snapper that'll test your tackle and fill the cooler with excellent table fare. The cuddy cabin provides shelter when you need a break from the Florida sun between fish.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese silver torpedoes are one of our most exciting wreck targets. Great barracuda typically run 3-5 feet around our offshore structure, though we've seen some monsters push 6 feet and 100 pounds. They love hanging around wrecks and reefs in 30-80 feet of water, using the structure to ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is that lightning-fast strike and the way they'll rocket toward the surface once hooked - just don't expect a long fight since they burn out quick. Here's a local trick: when you see one following your bait, stop reeling and let it sink. Nine times out of ten, that pause triggers the strike.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of our wreck fishing - pure muscle that'll test your tackle and technique. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push 60-plus around our deeper wrecks. They patrol structure from 60-200 feet, especially during cooler months when they move inshore to spawn around April and May. What makes them special is that initial dive when hooked - they'll head straight down and use every piece of structure to try breaking you off. The meat quality is excellent too, though check regulations since they're heavily managed. Best technique is dropping live bait or heavy jigs right to the bottom near wrecks. Here's the key: once hooked, get them up and away from structure fast or they'll cut you off on the wreck every time.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite grunt might not sound glamorous, but these little reef fish are consistent producers and taste fantastic. Most run 8-12 inches around our reefs and wrecks, though we catch some nice 15-inchers that'll surprise you. They school up tight on hard bottom structure from 20-100 feet deep, especially during summer months. What guests love is how willing they bite - great for kids and beginners - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for fish tacos. They're most active at night but bite all day around structure. Pro tip: use small hooks and keep your bait right on the bottom. Once you hook one, keep fishing the same spot because where there's one grunt, there's usually fifty more.
Pine Island