8-Hour Offshore Fishing Trip in Fort Walton Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour offshore fishing adventure in Gulf watersTarget MahiMahi, Snapper, Grouper, and King Mackerel speciesProfessional captain guides up to 4 guests
Want to get serious about Gulf fishing? Taz's Excursions knows these waters like the back of their hand, and this full-day charter puts you right where the big fish are biting. Fort Walton Beach sits perfectly positioned along Florida's Emerald Coast, where the continental shelf drops off into some of the most productive fishing grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. You'll be targeting trophy-class species that call these deep waters home, from hard-fighting King Mackerel to table-fare favorites like Red Snapper and Grouper.
Your captain will brief you as you head out from the harbor, sharing what's been biting lately and where the fish have been holding. The ride out to the fishing grounds gives you time to get your sea legs and watch the coastline fade behind you. Fort Walton's offshore waters offer incredible variety - one minute you're dropping bottom rigs for Grouper and Snapper, the next you're trolling for pelagic species like Mahi-Mahi and Cobia. This top-rated charter keeps things interesting by adapting to what the fish are doing that day. The Gulf's structure here includes artificial reefs, natural ledges, and drop-offs that hold different species at different times. Your captain reads the water, watches the electronics, and positions the boat where you'll have the best shot at hooking up. With a maximum of four anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized attention.
Taz's Excursions comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for Gulf species. You'll likely see a mix of bottom fishing with heavy sinkers to reach Grouper holes, trolling spreads for Mahi and King Mackerel, and maybe some live bait fishing if the Cobia are cruising. The boat carries different rod setups - from stout bottom rods that can handle big Grouper to medium-action trolling sticks perfect for Mahi-Mahi. Bait selection changes with conditions and target species. Fresh cut bait works great for bottom fish, while trolling means colorful lures, ballyhoo rigs, and sometimes live bait when the bite gets tough. Circle hooks are standard for most applications, and your captain will show you proper technique to maximize hookups while keeping fish healthy for release when needed. The electronics package includes fishfinder, GPS, and radar to locate structure and mark productive spots.
Red Snapper remains the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and Fort Walton Beach waters hold some beauties. These fish hang around structure in 60-120 feet of water, and they're notorious for their quick bite and strong runs back to the bottom. Peak season runs late spring through early fall, though they're present year-round. What makes Snapper fishing so addictive is their schooling behavior - find one good fish and there are usually more below. They're also fantastic table fare, which makes the fight even more rewarding.
Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, known for their incredible strength and stubborn fighting style. These fish can grow massive in Gulf waters, with 20-30 pound fish common and true giants pushing 40-50 pounds. They love rocky bottom and structure, often holding in caves and under ledges. Gags are ambush predators, so the bite can be sudden and violent. Once hooked, they immediately head for cover, testing your drag and the captain's boat positioning skills. Fall and winter months tend to produce the biggest Gags as they move into shallower water.
King Mackerel, locally called "Smoker Kings," are speed demons that provide some of the most exciting fishing in the Gulf. These fish patrol the offshore waters in schools, often following bait pods and temperature breaks. Kings are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, making them a customer favorite for anglers who love a fight. They bite best during warmer months, typically April through October, with summer being prime time. The larger "smokers" often cruise alone or in small groups, while smaller fish school up in larger numbers.
Atlantic Bonito might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they make up for size with pure attitude. These mini-tuna relatives are built for speed and rarely give up without a serious fight. They school heavily during migration periods and can provide non-stop action when you find them. Bonito are excellent on light tackle and make great bait for larger predators. They're most common during cooler months when they move through the Gulf in large numbers.
Mahi Mahi, or Common Dolphinfish, represent everything exciting about offshore fishing. These fish are absolutely gorgeous with their golden-green colors, and they fight with a combination of speed, jumps, and pure determination. Mahi often travel in schools around floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks. Spring through fall offers the best Mahi fishing, with peak action typically in summer months. What makes Mahi special is their willingness to bite lures and their habit of staying with hooked fish, often leading to multiple hookups.
Cobia are the wild cards of Gulf fishing - you never know when one might show up. These fish are curious by nature, often approaching the boat to investigate. They're strong fighters that use their broad tails and muscular bodies to test your tackle. Cobia can be caught year-round but are most common during spring and fall migrations. They're excellent table fare and grow quite large, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon in these waters.
This world-class fishing charter puts you on some of the Gulf's best fishing grounds with an experienced captain who knows how to put fish in the boat. Fort Walton Beach's offshore waters offer year-round fishing opportunities, but prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfect for chasing big game fish in the Gulf waters off Fort Walton Beach. This offshore-ready vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The fish finder helps locate schools of Mahi-Mahi, Snapper, and King Mackerel hiding in the depths, while GPS navigation keeps you on the best fishing spots. When visibility gets sketchy, the radar system ensures safe travel back to port. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh, and there's a toilet for comfort during the 8-hour trip. As you cruise the Gulf's blue waters, you'll target Bonito, Amberjack, Grouper, and Cobia while soaking up the Florida sun. This boat handles the offshore conditions with ease, giving you a stable platform to fight those hard-pulling fish that call these waters home.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are small, speedy members of the tuna family that school up in huge numbers during fall migrations. These 2-8 pound silver bullets have distinctive black stripes and can hit 40 mph when chasing bait. You'll find them in mid-water around 40-100 feet, often with diving birds marking the action. They're not great table fare but make fantastic bait for larger gamefish like king mackerel and sharks. The real fun is the surface feeding frenzies - pure chaos with fish jumping everywhere. October through December is prime time when they're moving through. My trick: once you find a school, throw anything shiny their direction. They're not picky when they're feeding, and you can catch dozens in minutes.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of the Gulf, running typically 2-8 pounds with the occasional trophy pushing 15-20 pounds. These ruby-red beauties live around hard bottom structure and artificial reefs in 60-200 feet of water. They're aggressive fighters that'll make blistering runs straight for cover when hooked. The meat is firm, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table - one of the best eating fish in these waters. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when they're most active. My tip: use a stout rod and lock that drag down tight. Once you hook one, get them up fast or they'll wrap you around the nearest piece of structure and break you off every time.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking loners that cruise shallow reefs and structures, typically weighing 20-50 pounds. These solitary fish are curious and will often approach the boat, making them perfect for sight fishing in 20-80 feet. Spring migration from April to June offers the best shots, though we see them all summer around buoys and wrecks. They're bulldogs once hooked - no fancy runs, just pure power pulling straight down. The white meat has a firm texture and clean taste that rivals any fish. Here's what works: when you spot one cruising, drop a bucktail jig right in front of their nose. They're usually not spooky and will often eat on the first cast if you put it where they can see it.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi-mahi are the most colorful fighters in the Gulf, flashing gold and electric blue while putting on an aerial show. These 10-30 pound beauties cruise offshore waters around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're following the warm water. What sets them apart is the visual excitement - their colors change dramatically during the fight, and they jump like tarpon. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality with a mild, sweet flavor. Look for birds working and floating grass lines. Once you hook one, keep it in the water - that's when you'll see those amazing color changes. Work them back steady; they'll tire quickly after those initial runs.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are chunky, gray-mottled fish averaging 15-25 pounds, though 40+ pounders show up regularly around our deeper reefs and wrecks. These ambush predators hang tight to structure in 80-300 feet, waiting to inhale anything that gets too close. They spawn offshore in winter, making late fall through early spring prime time. What makes them special is that bone-jarring initial strike followed by a bulldogging fight straight down. The white, flaky meat rivals any fish in the Gulf. Here's the key: once you feel that thump, horse them up immediately. Give a gag grouper even a few seconds and they'll dive straight into a hole or wrap you around the reef.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons averaging 15-30 pounds that'll test your drag system with blistering runs up to 40 mph. We target them in 40-150 feet around structure and current breaks, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These torpedo-shaped predators have razor-sharp teeth and an appetite to match. The fight is pure adrenaline - long runs, jumps, and sudden direction changes. The meat is rich and oily, great grilled or smoked. Best action happens April through October when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and keep your drag smooth. Kings will make multiple smoking runs, so let them go and work them back patiently.
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