Full Day Bottom Fishing for Red Snapper & Amberjack
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore trip targets Amberjack, Red Snapper, and TriggerfishEight hours allows deeper water fishing and trolling opportunitiesSmall group capacity of six guests with Sea Work Charters
When you want to get serious about offshore fishing, an 8-hour bottom fishing charter is where the magic happens. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With Sea Work Charters, you've got a full day to work the deep structure, hit multiple spots, and really put yourself in position for those fish that make stories worth telling. We're talking about quality bottom fishing for Red Snapper, Greater Amberjack, and Spanish Mackerel – species that'll test your gear and your stamina. Plus, we'll mix in some trolling runs between spots to keep lines wet and add variety to your box.
Your day starts early, but that's when the best fishing happens. We'll load up the boat with everything you need – heavy-duty bottom rigs, circle hooks, and plenty of lead to get down deep where the big fish live. The boat handles up to 6 anglers, which is the sweet spot for bottom fishing. Everyone gets room to work without tangling lines, and you're not fighting for rail space when that Amberjack makes its first run. The captain knows the offshore structure like the back of his hand – we're talking wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom that holds fish year-round. Between bottom fishing spots, we'll put out the trolling spread. King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel cruise these same waters, and there's nothing like hearing that reel scream while you're rigging up for the next drop. Fair warning though – bring your own food and drinks. Eight hours on the water works up an appetite, and we want you focused on fishing, not your growling stomach.
Bottom fishing offshore is all about getting your bait down fast and keeping it in the strike zone. We're fishing in 60 to 120 feet of water most of the time, so you need weight to cut through the current and get to where the fish are holding. The boat's rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle the pressure – think conventional reels with smooth drags and rods with enough backbone to winch a big Amberjack off the bottom. We'll be using circle hooks almost exclusively. They're required for Red Snapper anyway, and they work great for everything else we're targeting. Live bait is king out here – pinfish, cigar minnows, and whatever else we can catch or buy fresh. Cut bait works too, especially for the Amberjack that aren't picky eaters. When we're trolling between spots, we'll put out a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and maybe some live bait on the flat lines. Spanish Mackerel love flashy spoons, and Kings will eat just about anything that looks like it's trying to get away. The key is staying flexible and reading what the fish want on any given day.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and absolutely delicious. They typically run 3 to 8 pounds in our area, with the occasional double-digit fish that'll make your day. Red Snapper love structure – wrecks, reefs, and rocky ledges where they can ambush baitfish. The best bite usually happens early morning and late afternoon, but on an 8-hour trip, you'll hit multiple feeding windows. What makes them special is how they fight – they'll use every bit of structure to try and break you off, diving for cover the second they feel the hook. Plus, there's nothing better than fresh snapper on the dinner table.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldozers of the offshore world. These fish can grow massive – we're talking 20, 30, even 50-pound fish that'll test every knot you tied and every adjustment on your drag. They hang around the same structure as snapper but typically hold a bit deeper and further offshore. Amberjack are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they're feeding heavily. What anglers love about AJs is the pure power. When a big one hits, there's no question what you've got. They'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Fair warning – they're incredibly strong, so if you're not used to fighting big fish, your arms are going to know it.
Spanish Mackerel add speed and excitement to the mix, especially when we're trolling between bottom spots. These fish are built for speed, with razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes. They typically run 1 to 3 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. Spanish Mackerel are most active during the warmer months and love to school up around baitfish. They'll hit trolled spoons, small plugs, and live bait fished near the surface. What's great about Spanish Mackerel is they're almost always willing to bite when they're around, and they make excellent table fare. They're also perfect for newer anglers who want to experience that classic offshore bite without wrestling a 40-pound Amberjack.
An 8-hour bottom fishing trip is serious fishing for serious anglers. You're getting the time to work multiple spots, the range to find where the fish are biting, and the best shot at mixing different species in your cooler. Whether you're after bragging-rights Amberjack, dinner-table Red Snapper, or the fast action of Spanish Mackerel, this trip puts you in position to succeed. Sea Work Charters has the local knowledge, quality equipment, and offshore experience to make your day on the water count. Just remember to bring plenty of food, drinks, and sunscreen – eight hours goes by fast when the fish are biting, but it's a long day in the sun. Book your spot
Meet your fishing platform for the day - a solid 36-foot Topaz cruiser that's been putting anglers on fish since 1984. Twin 375HP Caterpillar diesels push this boat at a steady 20 knots, getting you to the productive bottom structure where Amberjack and Red Snapper hang out. The radar and fish finder help locate those deeper honey holes, while the GPS keeps you on the numbers. Air conditioning provides relief between fights, and the full galley with fridge means cold drinks and fresh bait all day. With a real head, comfortable sleeping area, and spacious cockpit for up to 6 anglers, you'll have room to work those bottom rigs and fight fish without bumping elbows. The icebox keeps your catch fresh for the ride home after targeting Triggerfish, Vermilion Snapper, and making trolling passes for Kings and Spanish Mackerel. This workboat setup gives you 8 solid hours to fish the offshore grounds properly.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - these bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push 50+ pounds and stretch over 5 feet long. They patrol wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-300 feet of water, ambushing schools of baitfish with lightning speed. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active and aggressive. What gets anglers hooked? The raw power - these fish will test your drag and your arms with bone-jarring runs and stubborn fights. The meat quality is excellent too, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My go-to technique: vertical jigging heavy metals or slow-trolling live baits near structure. When you hook one, tighten that drag immediately and pull hard - give them an inch and they'll wrap you around the nearest wreck.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize catch of deep water bottom fishing. These beautiful red fish typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though trophy fish can hit 35+ pounds. You'll find them hugging structure in 30-200 feet of water - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom are prime spots. They're year-round targets, but summer months produce the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight for cover when hooked, and the meat is absolutely top-notch - mild, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use circle hooks with fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and keep steady pressure to prevent them from cutting you off in the structure.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that make every trip exciting. These silvery bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds, but they're incredibly fast swimmers that travel in large schools. You'll find them near the surface around structure, flats, and drop-offs, especially during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They're fantastic light-tackle fish - fast runs and acrobatic jumps on spinning gear. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish out there with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Here's the key: when you see birds working or bait jumping, get there fast but drift quietly into the school. Small spoons or live sardines work great, but keep your retrieve quick - these fish like their meals moving.
Gulf Shores