Deep Water Mahi, Wahoo & Tuna Charter
Private Trip
18-hour charter targets Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Tuna offshorePrivate trips accommodate up to 6 guests with professional captainGear, fuel, and licensing included for deep-water fishing experience
Ready to push past the nearshore crowds and target some serious gamefish? This 18-hour marathon fishing trip takes you way offshore to the deep blue waters where the big pelagics roam. We're talking about a legitimate offshore adventure that starts before sunrise and keeps you on the water until the sun sets again. Pelican Pontoon Company runs these extended charters Friday through Sunday, giving up to 6 anglers the chance to battle mahi mahi, wahoo, and multiple tuna species around Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that concentrate baitfish and attract the predators we're after. Your captain handles all the licensing, fuel, and gear, so you just need to show up ready for a long day of serious fishing.
This isn't your typical half-day bay trip - we're heading to the deep water FADs where the water turns that brilliant cobalt blue and the bottom drops to thousands of feet. The 18-hour timeframe lets us reach prime offshore grounds that shorter trips simply can't access. You'll be trolling spread patterns around these fish-holding structures, working depths where pelagic species cruise for schools of flying fish, ballyhoo, and other baitfish. The extended time on the water means multiple opportunities to find active fish, whether that's a weed line loaded with mahi or a temperature break holding yellowfin tuna. Fort Walton Beach's position on the Emerald Coast puts us within range of some exceptional offshore fishing grounds, and the extra hours let us make the most of that access. Bring layers since you'll experience everything from pre-dawn chill to midday heat, plus sunscreen and plenty of water.
We'll be running a full spread of trolling lures designed specifically for these pelagic species. Think cedar plugs, skirted ballyhoo, and high-speed wahoo lures that can handle the speeds needed to trigger strikes from these fast-moving fish. The boat comes rigged with heavy-duty tackle capable of handling wahoo screaming line at 40+ mph or a big yellowfin making deep runs. When we mark fish or find floating structure, we'll often switch to live bait or chunk baits to capitalize on feeding schools. The FADs we target are artificial reefs designed to concentrate baitfish, which in turn attract the gamefish we're after. Your captain knows how to read the electronics to locate fish around these structures and adjust techniques based on what species are active. The extended trip duration means we can work multiple FAD locations and adapt our approach as conditions change throughout the day.
Vermilion rockfish are bottom-dwellers that we'll encounter when working deeper structure around the FADs. These bright red fish typically run 1-3 pounds and are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're most active during cooler months and tend to school up around hard bottom and artificial structure. What makes vermillion rockfish exciting is their aggressive bite once you locate a school - you can often fill the cooler quickly when you find them stacked up. Scup, also known as porgy, are another bottom species that provides consistent action around offshore structure. These silver-sided fish fight harder than their size suggests and are prized for their sweet, flaky meat. Yellowfin tuna are the crown jewel of this offshore fishery, with fish ranging from 20-pound "footballs" to potential giants over 100 pounds. These powerful fish are most active during summer months and early fall, often feeding in schools around bait concentrations near FADs. The fight from a yellowfin is legendary - they'll make blistering runs and test every component of your tackle. Lane snapper add numbers to the catch, especially around structure where they feed on smaller baitfish and crustaceans. These colorful snappers rarely exceed 2 pounds but are fantastic eating and provide steady action when the bigger pelagics aren't cooperating. Grey snapper, or mangrove snapper, are the most challenging species on this list due to their wariness and sharp teeth. They're structure-oriented fish that require finesse presentations, but their excellent table quality makes them worth the effort.
This top-rated 18-hour offshore charter represents serious value for dedicated anglers looking to target premier gamefish in Fort Walton Beach waters. The extended duration, professional captain, and included gear package make this a world-class fishing opportunity that's suitable for all skill levels while still delivering the kind of action that keeps experienced anglers coming back. Weekend availability fills up quickly, especially during peak offshore seasons, so check the online calendar and secure your date early. Whether you're a local angler looking to step up to serious offshore fishing or a visiting angler wanting to experience the best the Emerald Coast has to offer, this charter delivers the kind of deep water fishing adventure that creates lasting memories and full coolers.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey snapper, or mangrove snapper as most folks call them, are some of the smartest fish we target in these Gulf waters. They average 1-3 pounds inshore but can push 20 pounds in deeper water. You'll find them around any structure - reefs, wrecks, pilings - where they ambush prey as opportunistic feeders. They're most active at night and during low-light conditions. What makes them challenging is they're extremely line-shy and hook-smart. Many guests get frustrated, but that wariness makes landing one more rewarding. They're also top-shelf eating with white, flaky meat. My trick: use the lightest leader you can get away with and let live shrimp sit still on bottom - don't jig or move it around. Patience beats technique with these guys every time.
Lutjanus SynagrisThese colorful little snappers are great bonus fish on our Gulf trips. They average 10-14 inches with pink and yellow striped bodies that look like candy canes - you'll know them when you see them. Lane snappers hang around coral reefs and sandy bottom structure in 70-230 feet, though we catch them anywhere from shallow to pretty deep water. Spring through early fall gives you the best action, especially March through September during spawn. What guests love is how aggressive they are - they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, or small jigs without much coaxing. They're scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare. Pro tip: when you find one lane snapper, there's usually a school nearby, so keep working that same spot with multiple rigs.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup aren't native to our Gulf waters - they're Atlantic coast fish found from Maine to North Carolina. These silver-scaled porgies with rainbow-like reflections prefer cooler northern waters, migrating inshore during May through October when temperatures warm up. They typically run 12-18 inches and make great table fare, which is why they're popular with commercial guys who export tons to Japan each year. Up north, anglers catch them bottom fishing around rocks and pilings using light tackle with squid, worms, or clams. They're easy to hook but can be finicky. While we don't see scup on our Fort Walton Beach charters, we target plenty of similar bottom species that offer the same steady action and excellent eating.
Sebastes MiniatusThese bright red beauties with black mottling are Pacific natives that don't naturally occur in our Gulf waters off Fort Walton Beach. True vermilion rockfish live around rocky bottoms and reefs at 100-500 feet deep along the West Coast from California to Alaska. They average 14-22 inches and can live up to 100 years. Known for staying territorial around the same home spots for years, they feed on small fish, squid, and krill. When targeting rockfish out west, light tackle with small hooks works best, often just needing a strip of squid for bait. While we don't encounter these specific rockfish on our Gulf charters, we do target similar bottom species around structure that fight just as hard.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the bread and butter of our offshore game here in the Gulf. These torpedo-shaped speedsters can hit 50 mph and average 60 pounds, though we've seen them over 200. Look for that bright yellow on the fins and that classic tuna build - dark blue back fading to silver belly. They cruise the top 300 feet of open water around our FADs year-round, with prime fishing from May through August during spawn. What makes yellowfin special is the fight - they pull hard and stay strong deep into the battle. Plus, they're sushi-grade table fare, second only to bluefin. My go-to tip: when trolling ballyhoo isn't working, switch to vertical jigging. Sometimes they're feeding deeper than you think, and a good jig presentation can turn the day around.
Fort Walton Beach, FL