On every trip, you can expect to find a highly knowledgeable and accommodating crew to make your journey aboard the American Hunter an enjoyable and memorable one. They know when it’s time to relax and take a load off, and when it’s time to fish hard. You can expect to have a relaxing and exhilarating trip of a lifetime that is sure to exceed all of your expectations.
Upon Departure:
1/2 Day, 3/4 & Full Day Trips
1/2 Day
Our 1/2 day fishing trips are slightly different the the competition. We offer a true 1/2 day which is 6 hrs that includes bait , tackle , rod and reel, fishing license, and a hot breakfast and lunch with 4 complimentary sodas, 2 snacks , unlimited bottled water. This style trip allows us to get about 10-15 miles offshore fishing for;
Lane snapper , mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper , Porgies , jacks , Cobia, red grouper, gag grouper, Spanish and king mackerel.
We depart promptly at 8:30 am and arrive back at 2:30 pm. You can expect about 4 hours of solid fishing time on this trip. Upon departure you will go through the safety and fishing orientation so you are comfortable with safety equipment and use of the fishing equipment. After orientation you will have the option of ordering your complimentary
Hot breakfast with your choice of…
Bacon egg and cheese sandwich,
BLT, bacon and eggs with toast or English muffin. Once we reach the fishing grounds you can expect to be fishing from 50 -70 feet of water.
After fishing wraps up for the day and we begin our ride back to the dock you will have the option of a complimentary hot lunch with your choice of… Hamburger, Hot dog , or BLT. Upon returning to the dock we will off load our catch and distribute everyone’s fish and Complimentary fish cleaning is available as well .
Please remember our crew works for Tips. 20% of the amount paid is customary but if you feel they deserve more they greatly appreciate it.
3/4 DAY
Our 3/4 day fishing trips are slightly different the the competition. We offer a true 3/4 day which is 8 hrs that includes bait , tackle , rod and reel, fishing license, and a hot breakfast and lunch with 4 complimentary sodas, 2 snacks , unlimited bottled water. This style trip allows us to get about 15-20 miles offshore fishing for;
Lane snapper , mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper , Porgies , jacks , Cobia, red grouper, gag grouper, Spanish and king mackerel.
We depart promptly at 8:30 am and arrive back at 4:30 pm. You can expect about 6 hours of solid fishing time on this trip. Upon departure you will go through the safety and fishing orientation so you are comfortable with safety equipment and use of the fishing equipment. After orientation you will have the option of ordering your complimentary
Full Day Fishing
Our Full Day fishing trips are slightly different the the competition as well. We offer a true full day which is 12 hrs that includes bait , tackle , rod and reel , fishing license, and a hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner with 6 complimentary sodas , 4 snacks , unlimited bottled water. This style trip allows us to get
about 20-30 miles offshore fishing for
Lane snapper , mangrove snapper, yellowtail snapper , Porgies , jacks , Cobia, red grouper ,gag grouper, Spanish and king mackerel.
We depart promptly at 7am and arrive back at 7pm. You can expect about 6-7 hours of solid fishing time on this trip. Upon departure you will go through the safety and fishing orientation so you are comfortable with safety equipment and use of the fishing equipment. After orientation you will have the option of ordering your complimentary Hot breakfast with your choice of…Bacon egg and cheese sandwich,
BLT, bacon and eggs with toast or English muffin. Once we reach the fishing grounds you can expect to be fishing from 60-90 feet of water. From 12pm-2 pm you will have the option of a complimentary hot lunch with your choice of… Hamburger, Hot dog , or BLT. After fishing Wraps up and we begin our ride back to the dock you will have the option of a hot home made dinner with a salad.
Upon returning to the dock we will off load our catch and distribute everyone’s fish and Complimentary fish cleaning is available as well.
Please remember our crew works for Tips. 20% of the amount paid is customary but if you feel they deserve more they greatly appreciate it.
Slow Pitch/Vertical Jigging
We allow slow pitch & vertical jigging on all our trips. Torpedo & flat back style jigs work the best, shop our list of preferred vendors below with their favorite colors. Check out some of our favorite SPJ combos and links to purchase each.
Dry Tortugas & Pulley Ridge
On the day of your departure, please arrive at the dock one hour early. This will allow you time to check in, board the vessel, and get settled in. As the boat leaves the port, the Captain and crew will have an orientation to introduce everyone, go over safety equipment and outline what to expect for the duration of your trip. Depending on the length of the trip, the first 8-12 hours may be spent traveling to your destination, trolling along the way. Once you reach your destination, expect to have world-class fishing!
Meals:
American Hunter customers can expect three delicious meals daily, professionally prepared by our expert chef. Before dinner, relax and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and expect fresh fruit, snacks, soft serve ice cream & beverages to be available in the lounge at all times. It is our number one goal to make you feel at home and as comfortable as possible, so please do not hesitate to ask the crew for anything you might need.
Mother Nature:
Keep in mind that you are traveling through Mother Natures’ unpredictable forces, so expect changes in the weather and sea conditions. While the American Hunter is equipped with a wide beam and stable platform, we recommend that you take the necessary precautions and come prepared with the seasick remedy of your choice. The American Hunter is equipped with all of the luxuries of home, however, we want everyone to have an enjoyable fishing experience, and so we ask you to please check the weather forecast for your time frame and pack accordingly. Also, see What to Bring.
What to Bring
Beyond the fantastic fishing, customers aboard our vessel can relax in the most comfortable and spacious lounge ever to be enjoyed by anglers of all types. For its comforts and conveniences, the American Hunter is unsurpassed.
Fishermen aboard our boat will find ample room along the rails, more space for tackle storage, and more bait-carrying capacity than other boats. Rental tackle is available or bring your own gear aboard to battle the grouper, snapper, Mahi, wahoo, and other big game species. If you are a avid angler who demands the best from a single day trip to multi-day fishing excursion, the American Hunter is for you!
New to fishing? We’ve got you covered!
For the first-time fisherman or the out-of-town visitor to Southern Florida, we offer rental packages of tackle and gear specifically suited for long-range fishing. All gear is in excellent condition and reasonably priced. We also carry terminal tackle appropriate to the trip length on board the American Patriot at a discounted price.
While the American Hunter has all of the modern-day amenities of home, we have compiled lists of suggested gear and tackle to bring along. When deciding what to bring aboard the American Patriot, please refer to our suggestions.
Suggested Gear
What to Bring:
- Duffle Bags– Considered best for storage and for dirty laundry.
- Pillow & Blanket– Bunk is cold so make sure to bring a pillow or sleeping bag.
- Foot Wear– Short boots are best. They will keep your feet dry. Tennis shoes or other comfortable shoes for the travel days. If you choose to fish in tennis shoes, please bring a couple of pair.
- Sun Glasses– Polarized to cut the glare. A neck strap is recommended to keep from losing over board.
- Toiletries– Bath towels, shampoo, soap, razor, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc.
- Sun Protection– Sunscreen: Water proof and broad spectrum type, Hat(s) preferably any wide brim hat or foreign legion/sunbuster style. Some prefer baseball caps.
- Fishing and Deck Items– Cross cutting pliers (dykes), needle nose pliers and or duck bill pliers. Rubber gloves and a hay hook. These will help you at the dock in handling your catch.
- Rod Belts and Harness– Personal choice depending on what is most comfortable to you.
- Camera & Film– Make sure you have a supply of film or memory cards and batteries or chargers. Cordless video recorders are also welcome. The voltage in the galley is 110 volts, so you can recharge your items.
- Entertainment– Travel time is the perfect opportunity to catch up on that favorite book you’ve been waiting to read. Board games and cards can be a great way to spend the evenings. There is DIRECTV in the lounge area.
- Sea Sick Remedies and Personal Medications– Check with your physician or local pharmacist for preferred methods of seasickness prevention. There are several over-the-counter products that are very effective (Transderm patches are back and they appear to be very successful!) Cough & Cold medicine is also a good thing to bring just in case. And don’t forget a full supply of personal medications you are currently taking.
- Clothing:
- Shorts– Bring a change for each day. Light material is best.
- Shirts– You may need 1 or 2 each day. If you are sun sensitive, long sleeves are recommended. Light fabric for quick drying and coolness in warm weather. Sweatshirts are handy for nights and cool weather.
- Socks– The more the better. At least 1 pair per day.
- Pants– For staying warm in the bunk room. Remember, we keep the bunk room at 68 degrees.
- Underwear – Dont forget them!
- Outerwear- Even though the days are warm, the evenings can be cool and breezy. At least 1 jacket and 1 sweatshirt are recommended for those cool fishing nights and cooler weather. A light rain suit should be packed. You will probably not need it, but nice to have just in case you do.
- Rain Gear
- Cooler– For your catch after the trip
Dry Tortugas
7 – 8 ft. 50 lb. Conventional rod with a Diawa Saltiga 50 or equivalent with 50 lb mono or braid
7 – 8 ft 30 lb. Conventional rod with a Diawa Saltiga 40 with 30 lb mono or braid
7ft or equivalent with ft. 20 lb. Spinning rod
Small cooler for any specialty items you want. (Adult beverages) Two small coolers per person no larger than 19H x 35L
Circle Hooks: 5/0, 7/0
Egg sinkers: 4, 6, 8 & 10 oz
Fluro carbon leader 50, 80 & 100LB
Beads & Swviels
Personal cooler for your catch after the trip (Please keep this cooler in your car until we return)
Slow Pitch/Vertical Jigging
We allow slow pitch & vertical jigging on all our long-range trips. Torpedo & flat back style jigs work the best, shop our list of preferred vendors below with their favorite colors. Check out some of our favorite SPJ combos and links to purchase each.
Pulley Ridge Daytime/Deep Drops Recommended Tackle
Reels-
If you are going to utilize electric/power assist reels for daytime deep dropping in 600-1000 ft. of water (highly recommended) nothing beats the handheld Daiwa Seborg 800 / 1200 or the Shimano Beastmaster, loaded with 50 lb test braid (NO BRAID HEAVIER THAN 65LB will be allowed to be fished. We have Tanacom 1000 rentals through Reel Play Fishing Rentals at an additional cost.
Two-speed reels are a solid option as they provide both speed and torque. If you would like to fish with a hand crank reel then we can recommend-
– Accurate BV 500 or 600
-Shimano Talica 16 or 20
Manual conventional reels should be loaded with 50 lb. test braid with a 50 lb. test monofilament top shot.
Stay away from heavy braided lines like 80 lb. – 200 lb. test. This is way too heavy and will require you to fish too much lead to hold the bottom.
While (1) fully charged deep cycle 12 V group 27 marine battery is likely enough. Also, if possible bring an extra power cord and/or make sure your current power cord works seamlessly with your battery in regards to alligator clips or plugs. Please be able to disconnect quickly. Alligator clips are best. You need to be mobile!
If you have a Diawa Tanacom please purchase an extra power cord. These cords are very fragile and fail all the time and yours will too. Please be prepared.
Rods Recommendation:
8’0″ rated for nothing less than 30-60 lb. line. yes, we recommend 8 feet because of the platform you fishing off of. You want something with enough backbone to handle three pounds of lead and a big fish, yet still, be light/comfortable enough to hold all day long and have a soft enough tip to detect strikes. Straight butt rods & bent butt rods are welcome. You need to be mobile!
Bait-
Daytime-
We will be using whole white California squid for bait during the day. This is included in the price but you are welcome to bring your own bait if you choose.
Hooks-
We highly recommend you tie your rigs instead of crimps. It is much easier with tangles.
You will need the following:
– 7/0 circle hooks Owner SSW
– 9/0 circle hooks Owner SSW
–NO MORE THAN TWO HOOK CHICKEN RIGS
Lead-
Count on fishing 2 lbs of lead (32 oz), sometimes 3 or 4 lb. sash weights are required depending on conditions, but 2 lbs. is typically what we will be using.
– Two Pound Leads
– Three Pound Leads
– Four Pound Leads
We recommend atleast 4 of each size lead!
Pulley Ridge - Night Fishing
Reels-
This part of a trip focus on depths from 400-600 feet. We are chasing snappers, tuna, and grouper. Make sure to include a 30 foot top shot of 50 lb. test mono between the braid and the rig. The mono top shot also helps the crew when it comes to tangles.
Reel Suggestions
-Shimano Talica II 16
-Diawa Saltiga 40/50
Rods-
7 or 8 foot rod rated for 30-50 lb. line. You want something with enough backbone to handle a big fish yet still be light/comfortable enough to hold all day long and have a sensitive enough tip to feel the bite.
Hooks-
We will be fishing in the Gulf of Mexico so circle hooks will be required while bottom fishing. Any inline circle hook will work however we suggest you get straight eye hooks unless you are very proficient at snelling hooks.
Owner SSW Circle hooks
-7/0 or 9/0
Lead-
Count on fishing 1-3LB of lead