Private Wreck Fishing Charter - 3 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Private 3-hour nearshore fishing charter with flexible start timesAll fishing equipment provided for targeting local coastal speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests maximum
Looking for a top-rated fishing experience that puts you right on the productive waters? This private 3-hour charter with The Jig is Up Charters gets you out to some of the best wreck fishing grounds along the coast. With three flexible departure times daily at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 4:00 PM, you can pick the window that works for your schedule. Whether you're chasing that morning bite, midday action, or afternoon feed, these wrecks hold fish year-round and offer consistent opportunities for both seasoned anglers and newcomers to the sport.
Your private group of up to 4 anglers will have the boat all to yourselves, which means no crowding at the rail and plenty of room to work your lines. The captain knows these wreck sites like the back of his hand and will position you over the most productive structure where fish congregate. You'll be fishing in nearshore waters where artificial reefs and natural wrecks create the perfect habitat for pelagic species and bottom dwellers alike. The boat comes fully equipped with all the tackle you'll need, from heavy conventional setups for the bigger tunas to lighter spinning gear for when the bite gets finicky. Don't worry about bringing anything except your cooler, sunscreen, and fishing license - everything else is handled.
Wreck fishing is all about understanding structure and how fish relate to it. Your captain will use electronics to mark the wreck precisely, then position the boat to drift or anchor depending on current and wind conditions. You'll be dropping heavy jigs, live bait, and cut baits down to the structure where fish hold tight. Vertical jigging is the go-to technique here - those heavy butterfly jigs and speed jigs get down fast and trigger aggressive strikes from tunas and other pelagics cruising the wreck. For the bottom species like red snapper, you'll be fishing with circle hooks and natural baits, letting your offering settle right into the strike zone. The key is staying connected to the bottom and feeling for those subtle taps that signal a quality fish picking up your bait.
Blackfin Tuna are the bread and butter of wreck fishing here, and they're absolute blast on tackle. These fish typically run 10-25 pounds and fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They're most active during the cooler months from November through April, though you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes blackfins so popular is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - sashimi-grade meat that rivals any restaurant.
Atlantic Bonito show up in good numbers during their fall and spring migrations, usually weighing 3-8 pounds but making up for size with pure speed. These smaller tunas are perfect for light tackle and will test your drag system with their powerful runs. They're also one of the best baits you can use for the larger predators lurking around the wrecks.
Bigeye Tuna are the trophy fish of the wreck scene, with fish over 100 pounds possible on the deeper structures. These powerful fish feed at night and early morning, making the 8:30 AM trip your best shot at a true giant. Bigeyes are known for their incredible strength and endurance - once hooked, you're in for a battle that can last over an hour.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail for many wreck anglers, with fish ranging from schoolies to giants over 200 pounds. Peak season runs from December through March when the fish move through following bait schools. Landing a bluefin is a career-defining moment for most anglers - these fish are incredibly smart, unbelievably strong, and represent the pinnacle of offshore angling.
Red Snapper are the bottom dwellers that make wreck fishing so productive year-round. These fish live in the structure itself and provide consistent action when the pelagics aren't cooperative. A 10-pound red snapper is a quality fish, and anything over 15 pounds is trophy territory. They're excellent eating and always willing to bite if you get your presentation right.
This world-class wreck fishing experience gives you everything you need for a successful day on the water. With all tackle provided, flexible departure times, and exclusive access for your group, it's become a customer favorite for good reason. The combination of diverse species, productive fishing grounds, and expert local knowledge makes this trip a smart choice whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler or chase that fish of a lifetime. Three hours gives you plenty of time to work different techniques and target multiple species without the commitment of a full day. Book your private charter now and get ready to experience some of the best wreck fishing the coast has to offer.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the classic bottom fish that turn bright red as they mature from their younger pink coloration. Most fish we catch run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, though they can hit 35+ pounds around deep structure. You'll find them in 30-620 feet of water near reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 50-70 degree temps. Peak season runs May through October during spawning, but they bite year-round. What guests love is the solid fight and incredible table fare - mild, nutty flavor that's restaurant quality. These fish are smart fighters that'll head straight for cover to cut your line. Best baits are live pinfish or cigar minnows, but fresh squid works great too. Pro tip: get your bait right to the bottom where they live, and be ready to horse them up and away from structure once you hook up.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are speed demons that'll hit 40 mph when chasing baitfish. These silver torpedoes with dark stripes average 8-12 pounds but can reach 18. They're mackerel-like fighters that travel in large schools, often swimming with dorsal fins visible like small sharks. You'll spot them in coastal Atlantic waters, usually mid-column rather than deep, preferring temps in the 60s. Look for diving birds - that's your sign they're feeding on the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when water warms up. While they're not great table fare here in the States, they're pure adrenaline on the rod. Once you find a feeding school, they'll hit almost anything you throw. Pro tip: when it's windy, go with metal lures to cut through the chop, but on calm days, soft plastics work better in the strike zone.
Thunnus ObesusBigeye Tuna are built for deep water hunting with those huge eyes and streamlined bodies. These powerhouses can reach 400+ pounds and grow up to 8 feet, making them serious gamefish. They dive deeper than other tunas, often down to 800 feet, chasing squid and deep-water fish in low-oxygen zones. Summer months bring the best fishing when they spawn and feed more actively. What sets them apart is their premium sashimi-grade meat - some of the most valuable tuna on the market. They're tough fighters with long runs and deep dives. Best bite times are dawn and dusk when their sensitive eyes handle the dim light better. Here's what works: try short, stocky lures in dark colors around 8-10 inches. Many of us troll right into the night since they often bite well after sunset.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest in the tuna family, usually running 20-30 pounds and up to 39 inches. These fast-growing fish live short lives but put up fierce fights that anglers love. You'll find them in warm waters over 68°F, typically around continental shelves and nearshore areas. They school up with skipjack and migrate to cooler waters during summer months. Peak seasons are fall through spring when they're most active. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - the meat is top-notch for sushi or grilling. Here's a tip: scale down your tackle with fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyesight. Use live pilchards for chum to draw them to the boat, and try vertical jigging or chunking once you locate a school.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin Tuna are the kings of the tuna world - massive, fast, and built like torpedoes. These giants average 550 pounds and 6 feet, but can double that size. They're warm-blooded fish that handle both cold northern waters and warm Gulf streams. Peak season runs spring through fall, especially during their Gulf of Mexico spawning from April to June. What makes them legendary is the fight - expect blazing surface runs and bone-deep dives that'll test your heaviest tackle. The meat is world-class sashimi, prized by top restaurants globally. They hunt around offshore structure, reefs, and deep feeding areas. Morning and evening hours produce the best bites. Here's the key: troll to locate schools first, then switch to live herring or chunking. Use outriggers and snap swivels so you can change rigs quickly when the action heats up.
Fort Walton Beach, FL