Bradenton Florida Offshore Fishing Charter – Amberjack, Mahi Mahi & Red Snapper 50 Miles Out

If you’re searching for Bradenton Florida offshore fishing charters or planning a deep sea trip along the SW Florida Gulf Coast, this report from the water will give you a clear picture of what a full-day adventure can look like out of Bradenton, FL. On this trip with Scorpion King Charters we ran 50–60 miles offshore, fished 140–150 feet of water, and loaded the cooler with hard-fighting Gulf of Mexico species.

Launching from Bradenton & Running the Manatee River

Our day started at Warner’s Boat Ramp in Bradenton, Florida. This ramp offers quick access to the Palma Sola area and a straight shot out the Manatee River toward the Gulf. If you’re visiting the Bradenton or Anna Maria Island area, this is a common launch point for local offshore charters and private boats.

We idled away from the ramp, then ran up the Manatee River toward the mouth of Tampa Bay. The plan was to stop near the Fort Desoto Gulf Pier area to catch live bait before heading offshore. Having good bait is critical for consistent action on any Florida offshore fishing trip.

Catching Live Bait Near Fort Desoto Pier

Before we ever pointed the bow to the open Gulf, Captain Al put us on a massive school of bait near Fort Desoto Pier. With a few well-placed throws of the cast net, the livewell lit up with healthy Greenback Shiners. These hardy baits are a staple on the Florida Gulf Coast and work for a wide range of species from snapper and grouper to pelagics cruising higher in the water column.

Once the bait tank was loaded, we cleared the pier area, ran past the beaches, and headed offshore toward our deep-water numbers.

50 Miles Offshore – Amberjack Mayhem in 140 Feet

Our first stop was roughly 50 miles offshore in about 140 feet of water. As soon as Captain Al started chumming, the Gulf of Mexico came to life. Within about five minutes, giant Amberjack (AJ) were stacked up behind the boat.

I had never landed an AJ before this trip, but I’d heard all the stories about their power. Those stories are true. Several of us hooked up almost instantly, with drag screaming runs and rod-bending pressure that had me thinking my rod might actually break. The Amberjack we were tangling with were in the 50-pound class.

Because Amberjack were not in season, all of these fish were released. After enjoying the fights and getting the footage, we decided to move so we could focus on legal keeper fish to bring home.

Mahi Mahi in Crystal Clear SW Florida Water

Our next stop brought a completely different kind of action. Captain Al deployed more chum and almost immediately a school of Mahi Mahi (Dolphin) slid up behind the boat. The Gulf was flat calm and the water was crystal clear, letting us watch these bright yellow, green, and blue fish flashing beneath the surface.

We freelined live Greenback Shiners back into the school and quickly put about six keeper Mahi in the cooler. In my opinion, they might be the prettiest fish in the Gulf, and seeing them up close in that clear water is something every offshore angler should experience at least once.

Red Snapper, Grouper & More in 150 Feet

When the Mahi bite tapered off, it was time to drop baits to the bottom. On this particular weekend, Florida’s Gulf Red Snapper season was open on a limited basis thanks to a decision by Governor Ron DeSantis, so any legal snapper we caught could go straight into the cooler.

We moved out to roughly 60 miles offshore in around 150 feet of water. As soon as our baits hit bottom, the rods doubled over. In a matter of minutes the boat lit up with:

• American Red Snapper (ARS) up to around 15 pounds
• Red Grouper
• Gag Grouper
• Lane Snapper
• Vermillion Snapper
• Big Triggerfish (one in the 15-pound class)
• Sailor’s Choice Grunts

Within about half an hour, the fish box was nearly full. It was exactly what most people are looking for when they book a Bradenton offshore fishing charter — hard fights, a variety of Gulf species, and plenty of fresh fish to take home.

Heading Back to Warner’s Boat Ramp in Bradenton

Even on the ride back in, we stopped on a couple more spots and picked up additional keeper snapper and grouper. Eventually we pointed the bow back towards the beach, ran in through the Manatee River, and ended the day where we started — at Warner’s Boat Ramp in Bradenton.

It was one of those classic SW Florida offshore fishing days: light winds, sunny skies, a cool breeze, and a cooler overflowing with fish. At the ramp we wrapped up the trip with a quick recap from everyone on board — Trent, Captain Al from Scorpion King Charters, and Von from the Clearwater Boating YouTube channel — and then I signed off with my usual message: “Everybody get out there and go fishing — life is fun, live it.”

Watch the Full Bradenton Offshore Charter Video

If you want to see the full fight sequences, how the chum brought the fish up, and exactly how the day unfolded from bait catching to the final snapper, watch the complete video below:

Planning Your Own Bradenton or SW Florida Offshore Trip

Whether you’re staying in Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, or anywhere along the Florida Gulf Coast, this style of trip is a perfect example of what’s possible when the weather cooperates and you’re willing to run 50–60 miles offshore. The combination of live Greenback Shiners, smart chumming, and productive structure can lead to Amberjack, Mahi, Red Snapper, Grouper and more in a single day.

If you love Florida offshore fishing, save or share this report. It’s a real-world look at what a full charter can produce out of Bradenton and the Manatee River area when conditions line up.