5 HR Offshore Fishing (AM) with Twisted Palms
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fivehour offshore trip targeting snapper, amberjack, and kingfishFishing grounds located 59 miles off coast at reefsAll gear, bait, and licenses included with guide assistance
Looking for a solid half-day offshore adventure that gets you into some serious fish without burning your whole day? This 5-hour morning trip with Twisted Palms Salty Adventures hits that sweet spot perfectly. We're talking about heading 5 to 9 miles out to work the artificial reefs and wrecks where the real action happens. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines and battle some quality fish. The morning bite is often the best bite, and this trip times it just right to put you on the water when the fish are most active.
Once we clear the inlet, it's about a 20-30 minute run to reach our fishing grounds depending on conditions and where the fish are holding. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust the game plan based on what's biting and where. Some days we'll start by dropping baits on structure for snapper and amberjack, other days we might begin with a trolling spread to cover water and search for kings or mahi. The beauty of this trip is the variety – you're not locked into just one style of fishing. We'll work both bottom structure and open water, giving you shots at everything from hard-fighting reef fish to fast pelagics. All your tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The crew will have you rigged up and fishing within minutes of reaching the first spot.
This trip combines the best of both worlds – bottom fishing the structure and trolling the blue water. When we're working the reefs and wrecks, we'll drop live bait or heavy jigs down to target snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish holding tight to the bottom. The key is getting your bait down fast before the current sweeps it away from the structure. For the trolling portions, we'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, spoons, and diving plugs at different depths to cover the water column. King mackerel love a fast-moving bait, while mahi will often hit anything that looks alive. The tackle is sized right for the target species – heavy enough to handle a big amberjack trying to wrap you up in the wreck, but sporting enough that a nice king will give you a real fight. Your guide will coach you through the techniques and make sure you're fishing effectively whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of this fishery, and these waters consistently produce quality fish. Kings here average 15-30 pounds, with bigger fish always possible. They're most active in the cooler months but can be caught year-round. What makes them so exciting is their blistering initial run – when a king hits your trolled bait, you'll know it instantly. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make every hookup an adventure. Red snapper are the bread and butter of the bottom fishing action. These ruby-red fighters are smart, tasty, and always put up a solid scrap. They'll test your patience with their structure-hugging tendencies, trying to cut you off on every piece of metal or rock they can find. Lane snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for it in numbers and attitude. They're aggressive biters that hit hard and fight well above their weight class. Spanish mackerel round out the target list as willing biters that hit both trolled baits and vertical presentations. They're perfect for when the bite gets tough, often saving the day with consistent action. Cobia are the wild card – when one shows up, everything else gets forgotten. These bronze bulldogs can push 40+ pounds and will give you a workout you won't soon forget.
This 5-hour offshore trip delivers exactly what most anglers are looking for – quality fishing time without the full-day commitment. You'll be back at the dock with time to spare for lunch and whatever else your day holds. The morning departure means you're fishing during prime time when the fish are most active and feeding heavily. With all gear and licenses included, plus a crew that knows how to put you on fish, this is a top-rated choice for anyone wanting to experience what offshore fishing is all about. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. But trust me, once you experience the rush of that first king mackerel screaming drag off your reel with nothing but blue water below, you'll be planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Hit the water aboard our 27-foot Tidewater center console, rigged with twin 200HP Yamaha engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. This boat's built for serious angling with 360-degree fishing access, so everyone can spread out and work their lines without getting tangled up. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight fish, while top-shelf Garmin electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help us locate the best spots and navigate safely. Whether you're bottom fishing for snapper and amberjack around the reefs or trolling for kings and mahi in open water, this rig handles it all. The center console design keeps things simple and functional - easy to move around when you've got a fish on. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 5-hour trip. Perfect setup for families or groups of anglers looking to target Gulf species without the full-day commitment.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target - these brown, shark-looking fish cruise solo near the surface around our reefs and wrecks. They average 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them serious tackle-busters with aggressive attitudes to match. We spot them in 30-70 feet during spring migration and spawning season, then target deeper structure through summer. What guests love is the visual excitement of seeing one before you cast, plus their incredible table quality - firm, white meat that's restaurant-grade. They're strong predators that'll crush bucktail jigs, and here's the key: color doesn't matter as much as presentation, so focus on getting that 4-8 oz jig right in front of their face.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are prized for their blazing speed and hard fights - they're basically underwater rockets that average 30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds. We find them trolling our artificial reefs and wrecks in 40-150 feet, where they hunt schools of baitfish. These olive-backed speedsters love water temps between 68-84°F, making spring through fall our prime season. What makes them special? That screaming run when hooked, plus they're excellent table fare with their rich, flaky meat. Kings have razor-sharp teeth, so we always use wire leaders and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind, since they love hitting the tail end of live bait.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are the perfect "bonus fish" - these pink beauties with yellow-striped sides typically run 10-14 inches and make great action while targeting bigger species. We find them around coral reefs and sandy bottoms with good vegetation in 69-230 feet, though they can show up shallower. They're aggressive little fighters that aren't shy about hooks, making them great for keeping kids and new anglers busy. Best fishing runs March through September during their spawning season, especially at night when they feed most actively. They're excellent eating despite their smaller size, and here's a tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or cut squid - they'll often out-compete bigger fish for your bait.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the gold standard of bottom fishing - these crimson beauties average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but can reach 35+ pounds around our deeper wrecks and reefs. We target them in 30-200+ feet using heavy tackle and multiple hook rigs loaded with cigar minnows, fresh squid, or live pinfish for the big ones. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during their May-October spawning season. Guests love the solid fight they put up and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the Gulf - mild, nutty flavor that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when you hook one, get them up fast because they'll head straight for cover and cut your line on the structure.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that travel in massive schools, making for fast-paced action when we find them. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, swimming at incredible speeds near the surface. We catch them trolling spoons and jigs around our reefs, or casting to feeding schools during warmer months when they move closer to shore. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and put on acrobatic shows when hooked. What guests love is the nonstop action when schools are feeding, plus they're outstanding table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Key tip: use light wire leaders and keep your lures moving fast - these fish respond to speed and flash more than anything else.
Pensacola, FL