American Patriot | Marco Island Long Range Fishing Trips
The American Patriot offers Marco Island long range fishing aboard a custom 135-foot by 29-foot head boat that sails from Rose Marina on Marco Island. Multi-day open-boat and private trips head for the Dry Tortugas and Pulley Ridge, some of the most productive deep-water bottom fishing grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. Captain Ralph and his crew run trips year-round.
The Boat
The Patriot is built for long hauls offshore. Triple Caterpillar C-18 diesels push her to the grounds, and she carries 5,000 gallons of fuel, makes her own fresh water and produces more than a ton of saltwater ice a day, with room for four tons of fish in the hold. The wheelhouse has Furuno radar, plotters and sonar plus satellite phone and AIS. For anglers there’s plenty of rail space, rod storage and two live wells.
Life On Board
There are 32 bunks in an air-conditioned bunk room, two heads with hot showers below and two more heads on the main deck. The lounge seats up to 48 with flat-screen TVs, and the galley has a soft-serve machine, a snack buffet and a drink station. A full-time chef cooks buffet-style meals, and meals are included in every trip price.
Trips
- 3-day Pulley Ridge Shallow: departs 3 pm, fishing 200 to 400 feet with drift baits and slow-pitch jigs for grouper, mutton and blackfin snapper, plus blackfin tuna at night.
- 3-day Pulley Ridge Max: one full day on the deep-drop grounds for snowy and yellowedge grouper and queen snapper.
- 4- and 5-day Pulley Ridge and Beyond: departs 6 pm with two to three full fishing days, including Rankin Ridge and Howell’s Hook.
- 3- and 4-day Gag Grouper Hunt: ledges and hard bottom in 80 to 200 feet for gag grouper and mangrove snapper.
- 3-day Dry Tortugas and private charters for groups.
Check the online schedule for dates and current fares. Boarding starts two hours before departure.
Tackle and Extras
You can bring your own gear or rent rod-and-reel combos starting at $85. Electric reel rentals for deep dropping run around $100 per day through Reel Play Fishing Rentals. Live bait isn’t included. Fish cleaning is available for $45 on 3-day trips, $65 on 4-day trips and $85 on 5-day trips. Coolers must fit under the bench (19 by 35 inches). Individual bookings need at least 90 days’ notice for a full refund, and private charters need 180 days.
Book Marco Island Long Range Fishing
Call (239) 235-9044 (office hours Monday to Friday, 9 am to 2 pm) or book through the American Patriot website. Looking for a smaller boat? See its sister ship, American Hunter, or browse our long-range fishing directory.