Florida offshore fishing offers a world of variety

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Florida offshore fishing offers perhaps the most spectacular and varied fishing experience of any place in the world. Fishing aboard Rummrunner we use that variety to our advantage to ensure you have a great fishing experience. Because of the mild winters here on the central west coast of Florida, there really is no off season, which means no matter what month of the year it is in Florida, it's a fishing month. The west coast of Florida north of Tampa Bay are our primary fishing grounds and here the depth the of the Gulf of Mexico drops slowly as we head west. That means fishing trips here generally require a longer run than on the east coast, where the Atlantic Ocean drops to great depths relatively close to shore. Because our boats are large enough and fast enough, we can travel the required ranges in comfort and safety, adding to the quality of your fishing experience and improving your odds of getting to sample the bounty that is Florida fishing.

 

GROUPER Our year-around most popular fish is the grouper. We have three main species of grouper: The gag, the black and the red grouper.
The most abundant is the gag. Ranging up to about 20 pounds and sometimes 25 pounds, this fish is a fierce fighter who will test the strength of any angler. When fished on the bottom with natural baits, hooked fish use their powerful tails to dive for rocks and holes where they can stubbornly hold out until the angler gives up of breaks the line trying to dislodge him. In addition to bottom fishing with natural baits, we often troll for these fish, using large artificial minnow plugs fished near the bottom.
The second most abundant species is the red grouper. Stout in body compared to the the gag, red grouper are more prone to gather over smaller rocks and even flat hard bottom areas and are not nearly as likely to seek refuge in the limestone formations. They typically reach weights of 12 to 15 pounds and being as they are thicker bodied, they do not reach the length of the gag.
The other main grouper in our area is the black grouper. While these fish are caught within 30 miles of shore at times, generally this close cousin of the gag is found 50 miles or more off the coast in much deeper water. They are a favorite in what is known as the Middlegrounds, a fish haven of high rock long known for it's fantastic fishing opportunities. Check our rates for special Middleground trips. Fish art by Diane Rome Peebles courtesy Florida Department of Natural Resources

Grouper, Black & Gag
gag grouper
Red Grouper
red grouper Florida specimen

 

KINGFISH Another species here is the kingfish. A large member of the mackerel family, they are a palegic species and school in mass during the spring as they head north and in the fall on their way south. Trolling is the main way these fish are caught and they are apt to take a spoon, plug, or enticing plastic skirtted bait. They also take rigged ballyhoo and live baits. These fish run to as much as 40 pounds here but are more common between 8 30 pounds. A toothy fish and a very fast swimmer, they pull with tremendous force until they tire. They gather over rocky bottom areas but only because these areas also attract the schools of baitfish they feed upon.
Kingfish
kingfish Florida specimen

 

BILLFISH are special and require fishing excursions well offshore. As such, we have special rates for these trips so inquire and we can fill you in on the details. Sailfish and blue marlin are the primary targets but these trips also yield dolphin (the fish, not flipper). The blue marlin is one of the most spectacular fish in the world and widely sought by sport anglers. We have taken fish up to 509 pounds trolling the blue waters well offshore. Sailfish are another species we pursue. Often times taken much closer to shore than marlin, these fish are more abundant on the west coast than many realize. Like the marlin, they leap through the air when hooked and make spectacular runs. Dolphin, called mahi mahi, share the same water with sails and often are found around floating debris and grass. They are great fighters and very good on the table.
Blue marlin
Sailfish
Dolphin

 

AMBERJACK are another hard fighter. A schooling fish, where there is one amberjack, there are more. They prefer living around wrecks, artificial reefs and areas of high rock relief or anywhere there is large structure coming off the bottom. They are common between 10 and 20 pounds but deepwater fishing for these heavy hitters can produce fish up to 75 pounds. They are prone to take artificial and live natural baits like pinfish.
Amberjack

 

COBIA are another common catch. These fish grow up to 60 pounds or better here and are hard pulling to the end. They are an excellent eating fish and often are taken while bottom fishing for grouper in the warmer months. They resemble a shark when in the water and often travel in pairs. A curious fish, they often rise to the surface and swim circles around a boat. If hungry, they will pounce on about whatever you throw at them.
Cobia

 

MANGROVE SNAPPER are a common bottom species. Much like the grouper, they live in rocky areas and are taken on natural baits fished on the bottom. They range between less than a pound to upwards of 8 pounds. A very intelligent fish with sharp eyesight, often times they can only be taken when tackle is downsized and lighter line is used. They are especially skilled at stripping a bait off a hook before the angler can react. It has been said that the only way to catch a mangrove snapper is to set the hook just before he bites, and sometimes that's more truth than humor. They are an excellent fish on the table, with delicate and mild white meat.
Mangrove snapper

 

SHARKS are a common catch during the warmer months and there is rarely a trip during the summer when one or two is not hooked. Atlantic sharpnosed, blacktips, nurse, tiger and sandbar are common species. While most caught are under 5 feet in length, nurse sharks to more than 6 feet and weighing upwards of 350 pounds are not unusual and big tigers, while rare, have been regular visitors aboard the Rumrunner. Although some sharks are good to eat, most of these fish are released unharmed after being photographed and suitably admired.
Sandbar shark

 

LESSER species we catch are the very scrappy and very tasty black sea bass and white grunt. A sort of panfish of the sea, these fish are in abundance
and are taken while bottom fishing for grouper or snapper. They normally range between a pound and two pounds and are hard fighting considering their size. Another common catch is the trigger fish, a schooling species that is very good to eat, and the flounder, which while not often caught offshore, nevertheless is a local resident than is hooked from time to time. Hog snapper, yellow-tail or lane snapper are rare but are caught at times, as are American red snaper.		 
Black sea bass
Flounder
Lane snapper