Full Day Gulf Grouper & Mackerel Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting grouper and king mackerelPrivate charter accommodates up to 30 guests on spacious vesselAll equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning services included
Captain Joe Genovese knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on the fish. This 7-hour offshore adventure takes you 12 to 17 miles into the productive depths where the big grouper hang out and king mackerel cruise the blue water. With room for up to 30 anglers aboard his roomy 56' Duffy, this is the perfect setup for families, corporate groups, or serious fishing clubs looking to load the coolers. Everything's included – tackle, bait, licenses, ice, and we'll even clean your catch at the dock. Just bring your crew, some snacks, and get ready for some world-class Gulf fishing.
You'll meet Captain Joe bright and early at the marina, where his well-maintained 56' Duffy waits fully rigged and ready to fish. The spacious deck gives everyone plenty of room to work, whether you're dropping bottom rigs for grouper or pulling kings on the troll. The ride out to the fishing grounds takes about 45 minutes, giving you time to rig up and watch the sunrise paint the Gulf. Once we hit the productive structure 12-plus miles offshore, it's game time. The deeper waters hold bigger fish, and Joe's GPS is loaded with proven spots that consistently produce. Between the bottom fishing and trolling runs, you'll stay busy all day. The boat's equipped with modern electronics, plenty of rod holders, and a solid fish box to keep your catch fresh.
Captain Joe runs a mixed bag of techniques to maximize your chances at different species. For the grouper action, we'll drop heavy bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh bait right to the structure. These fish live in 60 to 120 feet of water around rocky ledges and artificial reefs, so you need stout tackle and know-how to pull them up before they duck into their holes. When the kings are running, we'll switch gears and pull spreads of live bait, spoons, and diving plugs through the blue water. The 56' Duffy handles both styles perfectly – stable enough for bottom fishing and fast enough to cover water when trolling. All the tackle is top-quality and perfectly matched to the target species. Circle hooks are standard for grouper to ensure solid hooksets and easy releases when needed.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These chunky fighters average 5 to 15 pounds and put up a bulldogging fight that'll test your arms. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, hanging tight to structure in 60 to 100 feet of water. What makes gags special is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch several before they wise up. The meat is firm, white, and perfect for the grill or fryer.
Red grouper might not fight as hard as their gag cousins, but they make up for it in size and eating quality. These bottom dwellers prefer sandy areas near structure and can reach impressive weights of 20 pounds or more. Reds are year-round residents, though they bite best during spring and fall transitions. They're curious fish that often investigate baits thoroughly before committing, so patience pays off. Their sweet, flaky meat makes them a customer favorite for fish dinners.
Goliath grouper encounters are pure adrenaline, even though these giants must be released. Weighing anywhere from 100 to 400 pounds, hooking into a Goliath is like being connected to a Volkswagen with fins. Summer months offer the best shots at these prehistoric-looking beasts around bridges, wrecks, and deep ledges. The fight is more of a tug-of-war than a battle, but the photos and bragging rights last forever. Seeing one of these massive fish surface next to the boat never gets old.
King mackerel bring speed and aerial acrobatics to the mix. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the blue water looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find your trolled bait, the reel starts screaming. Kings average 10 to 30 pounds in these waters, with bigger fish showing up during their spring and fall migrations. They're notorious for their blistering runs and spectacular jumps, making them a favorite among anglers who love heart-pounding action. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking or blackening.
Grey triggerfish might be the scrappiest fighters pound-for-pound on this trip. These leather-skinned warriors use every trick in the book – diving for structure, turning sideways to maximize drag, and never giving up until they're in the boat. They're most abundant during summer months around hard bottom and structure in 80 to 150 feet of water. Triggers have human-like teeth for crushing shellfish, so wire leaders are essential. Despite their small size, they're prized for their firm, sweet meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and snapper.
This full-day Gulf adventure delivers everything serious anglers want – proven fishing grounds, quality equipment, expert guidance, and species variety that keeps everyone engaged. Captain Joe's track record speaks for itself, and his spacious boat handles large groups without feeling crowded. With all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you just show up ready to fish. The 12 to 17-mile run puts you in prime territory where the fish are bigger and the action stays consistent throughout the day. Whether you're planning a family reunion, corporate event, or just want to treat your fishing buddies to a top-rated charter experience, this trip delivers the goods. The Gulf's best grouper and mackerel fishing is waiting – grab your spot before the prime dates fill up.
Set out on the Gulf waters aboard this impressive 56-foot Duffy motorboat, your fishing platform for targeting grouper and mackerel in St. Petersburg's productive offshore waters. Twin 450hp Cummins engines power you 12-17 miles out to the prime fishing grounds where gag grouper, red grouper, and king mackerel wait. The boat handles up to 30 anglers comfortably with fighting chairs for battling those bigger fish, live bait tanks to keep your offerings fresh, and outriggers for trolling runs. When the Florida sun gets intense, retreat to the air-conditioned cabin between bites. GPS and fish finder technology help locate the hotspots, while the onboard toilet and icebox keep everyone comfortable during the full 7-hour day. Captain Joe Genovese knows these Gulf waters and will put you on fish in depths that produce consistent action. All gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that'll test your gear when we hit the 12-17 mile offshore spots. They average 20 inches but can push 4+ feet and 50+ pounds. These fish love hanging around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in our deeper Gulf waters. What makes them tricky is their habit of diving straight back to structure once hooked - they're strong and know exactly where to go to break you off. The meat is excellent, with a clean white flesh that's perfect for the grill. Here's the key: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any line to run with. The moment you feel that thump, start cranking hard to pull them away from the rocks before they can wedge themselves in.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the giants of our Gulf waters - these monsters can hit 400+ pounds and stretch over 6 feet. We find them around shallow reefs and structures in 30-150 feet, often lurking near ledges and wrecks. They're protected, so it's strictly catch and release, but what a rush when you hook one. The first run will test every muscle you have and can literally pull you overboard if you're not ready. They're ambush predators that'll inhale just about any big bait - crabs, big live fish, or cut bait work great. My tip: use the heaviest tackle we've got and anchor far enough from structure to give yourself a fighting chance. These fish have no fear and will come right out to investigate.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are scrappy little fighters that pack more punch than their size suggests. They average 12-17 inches and 2-5 pounds, but don't let that fool you - these guys will bend your rod and test your patience. We find them around hard bottom, reefs, and ledges in 50-180 feet of water. They're year-round residents but fish best in warmer months when they're most active. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature and how they'll hit just about any bait, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm white meat. They're notorious bait stealers with sharp teeth and small mouths. My advice: use small chunks of squid on a smaller hook and reel fast when you feel that tap - they'll pick your bait clean if you give them time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. These silver missiles typically run 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ during peak season. We find them cruising the 40-150 foot depths, often following bait schools along temperature breaks. Spring through fall are prime times when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they're built for speed and will test your drag system. The meat is rich and flavorful, though a bit oily. Best technique is trolling with live bait rigged on a wire leader since their razor teeth will cut through mono instantly. Key tip: use a stinger hook setup because kings love to bite the tail section of live bait first.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our Gulf trips - they're aggressive biters and some of the best eating fish out here. Most run 5-15 pounds, though we see some pushing 30+. They hang out on rocky and muddy bottoms anywhere from 30-200 feet, making them perfect for our offshore runs. The reddish color with white spots makes them easy to identify. What guests love is how hard they fight for their size and that sweet, flaky meat with a slight shellfish taste from their crab and shrimp diet. Spring through fall are prime times when they're most active. Pro tip: use fresh shrimp or crab on a circle hook and be ready for a scrappy fight - they're tough customers that won't give up easy once hooked.
St. Pete Beach, FL