Skirtchaser Charters
8 Hour Offshore Fishing Trip
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8 Hour Offshore Fishing Trip

40-60 miles offshore. Full day, deeper water, trophy targets.

Bluewater

About this trip

8 hours of serious offshore fishing 40-60 miles into the Gulf. Deep ledges and prime structure for big grouper, snapper, kingfish, and pelagics. Live bait onboard, fuel included, custom bean bag chairs for the ride.

What's included

  • Fuel
  • Bait & tackle
  • Florida fishing license
  • Ice & coolers
  • Fish cleaning

What a day looks like

8 hours

A rough flow of the day. The captain adjusts based on weather, tide, and what's biting.

  1. Meet

    Pre-dawn check-in

    Early departure. Safety brief, fuel topped off, ice loaded.

  2. +2h

    Run to bluewater

    40+ mile run to the deep ledges and floating debris lines.

  3. Fish

    Trolling spread

    Trolling skirted ballyhoo and live baits for pelagics.

  4. Mid-day

    Deep drop & jig

    Drop on deep structure for grouper, snowy, and AJs.

  5. Late

    Pull lines & run home

    Long ride back. Watch for diving birds and weed lines.

  6. End

    Fish cleaning

    Full cleaning station at the dock. Bring big coolers.

Where we fish

True bluewater fishing. Big-game targets and the chance at a fish of a lifetime.

Distance out
40+ miles from the marina
Water depth
200–800 ft
Bottom type
Deep ledges, open ocean, debris lines

Gear & techniques

We supply everything. Here's a peek at the rods, bait, and methods we run on this trip.

Tackle & bait

  • Shimano Talica 25–50 II
    Heavy trolling reels matched with bent-butt rods.
  • 80–130 lb class stand-ups
    For tuna, marlin shots, and big AJs from the deep.
  • Skirted ballyhoo & live blue runners
    The pelagic spread that gets bites on the troll.
  • Daiwa Tanacom electric reels
    For deep drops in 600+ ft for snowy grouper and tilefish.

How we fish

  • High-speed trolling
    Wahoo and tuna spreads run at 12–15 knots over deep ledges.
  • Deep dropping
    Electric reels with multi-hook rigs in 400–800 ft.
  • Run-and-gun pelagic
    Hunt birds, weed lines, and rips for mahi and tuna.

Available species

8 in season

What we can target on this trip, based on the water we'll fish and current FWC regulations.

Offshore

30–60 miles out — bottom fishing & pelagics.

2 species
Gag Grouper
Closed
Gag Grouper
Mycteroperca microlepis

A larger, harder-fighting grouper that requires specific gear and offshore travel.

Season: Open Sept 1 - Dec 31 in Gulf state waters.

Bag limit
2 / angler
Min size
24"
Status
Closed
FWC regulations
Hogfish
In season
Hogfish
Lachnolaimus maximus

A unique-looking reef fish with a long snout, considered excellent table fare.

Season: Open May 1 - Oct 31 in Gulf state waters.

Bag limit
1 / angler
Min size
14"
Status
Open
FWC regulations

Bluewater

Deep drop & trolling for big-game fish.

6 species
Swordfish
In season
Swordfish
Xiphias gladius

A large pelagic predator, requiring specialized deep-drop tactics.

Bag limit
1 / angler
Min size
47"
Status
Open
FWC regulations
Mahi Mahi
In season
Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus

Also known as Dolphinfish, a beautiful and acrobatic offshore species.

Bag limit
5 / angler
Min size
20"
Status
Open
FWC regulations
Wahoo
In season
Wahoo
Acanthocybium solandri

One of the fastest fish in the ocean, prized for its speed and meat.

Bag limit
2 / angler
Min size
—
Status
Open
FWC regulations
Yellowfin Tuna
In season
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares

A large pelagic tuna found in deep, blue offshore waters.

Bag limit
3 / angler
Min size
27"
Status
Open
FWC regulations
Blue Marlin
In season
Blue Marlin
Makaira nigricans

The ultimate offshore trophy — a massive, powerful billfish.

Bag limit
1 / angler
Min size
99"
Status
Open
FWC regulations
Golden Tilefish
In season
Golden Tilefish
Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

A deep-water bottom dweller found in 600+ feet of water.

Bag limit
1 / angler
Min size
—
Status
Open
FWC regulations

Bag limits & seasons reflect current FWC regulations and can change. The captain confirms the day-of plan based on weather, water, and what's biting.

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