Tampa Offshore Fishing charters Deep sea fishing charter

Your Tampa Offshore Fishing experience is defined by the distance we cover, the depth we fish, and the quality of the vessel that gets us there. A high-performance center console like our 33-foot Contender is perfectly suited for maximizing your fishing time, whether we’re hitting a nearshore wreck or making the run to the legendary Middle Grounds.

Our Offshore Advantage: The 33′ Contender

We run one of the fastest and most capable boats in the Tampa fishing charter fleet: a 33 Contender. This vessel is built for the rigors of the Gulf of America, offering:

Speed and Range: The Contender’s twin outboards allow us to reach distant spots like the **Middle Grounds** quickly, giving you more fishing time and less ride time.
Comfort: Its deep-V hull provides a smoother, drier ride, essential for long trips targeting Grouper and Snapper far from shore.
Fishability: Plenty of deck space, large fish boxes, and a serious livewell system ensure we can manage the tackle, bait, and trophy catches from a successful day of Tampa deep sea fishing.

Tampa Offshore Trip Options

We offer tailored trips that explore the fertile waters of the Gulf, ranging from quick half-days to multi-hour expeditions to the deepest structures.

Nearshore Trips (Inside 9 Miles)

Perfect for those looking for a taste of Tampa offshore fishing without the long commitment or extreme conditions of the deep water.

Target Species: We focus on structure that is easily accessible. This includes King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, small Gag Grouper, and various Snapper species like Mangrove Snapper and Lane Snapper.
Duration: Typically 4 to 6 hours.
The Experience: These trips target nearshore reefs, rock piles, and artificial structures that lie just outside the mouth of Tampa Bay (inside the 9-mile state water boundary). They are excellent for fast action and are often a great way to introduce newer anglers to the deep-water techniques.
Price $1500.00

Full Day Offshore Trips (8 to 10 Hours)

This is the classic Tampa Offshore Fishing experience, allowing us to venture well into Federal Waters (beyond 9 miles).

Target Species: This range opens up access to the most desirable bottom fish. Our primary targets are large Gag Grouper, deep-dwelling Scamp Grouper, schooling **Amberjack** (the “Reef Donkeys”), and seasonal opportunities for trophy Red Snapper. We also deploy trolling lines for Pelagic species like King Mackerel and Mahi-Mahi.
Duration: 8, 9, or 10 hours.
The Experience: We run 30 to 60 miles offshore to fish deeper ledges, wrecks, and natural hard bottom that hold less pressured fish. This trip requires heavy tackle and dedication but provides the highest likelihood of boxing a limit of prized reef fish.
Price $2,400 plus fuel

Middle Grounds Extended Offshore Expeditions

For the ultimate challenge in Tampa deep sea fishing, we head to the legendary *Florida Middle Grounds*—a massive area of live bottom and rocky structure 80 to 100 miles offshore.

Target Species: This is a bucket-list trip for serious anglers, offering the chance at colossal Gag Grouper, Snowy and Yellowedge Grouper, Red Snapper, and vast schools of **Amberjack**. We also target surface fish like Wahoo and Tunas during the long run.
Duration: 12 to 14+ hours.
The Experience: The long run is made manageable by the speed of the **33 Contender**. Once there, you’re fishing untouched grounds that hold some of the largest fish in the Gulf of America. These trips are physically demanding but offer unparalleled rewards and fishing memories.
Price $3,000 plus fuel

All trips are for up to 4 anglers. Additional anglers after 4 are $200.00 additional per person. up to 6 total.

Key Offshore Species Guide: Diet and Season

Species	Diet	Optimal Season
Red Snapper	Small fish, squid, crustaceans.	Short Federal Season (Check FWC/NOAA).
Gag Grouper	Fish (Pinfish, Grunts), octopus.	Varies Annually (Often late Summer/Fall).
Wahoo	Tuna, mackerel, squid, pelagic baitfish.	Transition Months & Summer (April–October).
Mahi-Mahi	Flying fish, squid, crabs.	Spring and Summer (April–October).
Hogfish	Crustaceans are essential! Shrimp, crabs, mollusks.	Year-Round (Peak Winter/Spring).
Mangrove Snapper	Crustaceans, squid, small fish.	Year-Round (Peak late Spring–Fall).
Scamp Grouper	Small reef fish, shrimp, and squid.	Spring and Summer (March–October).
Yellowtail Snapper	Small crustaceans and tiny baitfish.	Late Spring through Fall (May–September).
Key West Grunts	Small shrimp, tiny crabs, worms.	Year-Round (Peak May–October).
Permit	Small crabs (sand fleas are key), shrimp.	Spring and Early Summer (March–July).
Goliath Grouper	Large fish, crabs, stingrays.	Year-Round (Peak May–September).
King Mackerel	Herring, sardines, blue runners, squid.	Spring and Fall (March–May & September–November).