Full Day King Mackerel & Grouper Nearshore
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday nearshore fishing targeting king mackerel and grouperCaptain Seth Hale guides trips up to 9 miles offshoreFourperson capacity boat explores Gulf waters near St Petersburg
Captain Seth Hale knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This full-day charter takes you up to 9 miles offshore from St. Petersburg, where the real action happens. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf's most prized catches – King Mackerel, Grouper, Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, and even sharks. With just 4 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish without bumping elbows. Captain Seth's been running these waters for years, and his local knowledge puts you right where the fish are biting.
This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a full day of serious fishing that gives you time to really work the water. You'll launch from St. Pete and head out to the nearshore reefs and structure where the big fish hang out. The Gulf waters here are loaded with variety, so you never know what's going to hit your line next. One minute you might be battling a screaming King Mackerel, the next you could be pulling up a nice Grouper from the bottom. Captain Seth reads the conditions and adjusts throughout the day – if the Kings are running, we'll chase them. If the bottom bite is hot, we'll work the structure. The boat's equipped with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. Just remember to pack sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water since meals aren't included on this trip.
We run a mix of fishing styles depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. For the Kings and Spanish Mackerel, we'll troll with live bait or pull spoons and plugs at different speeds until we locate the schools. Once we mark fish, we'll often switch to live bait fishing – nothing beats a frisky sardine or threadfin herring for getting Kings fired up. For the bottom fish like Grouper and Mangrove Snapper, we'll anchor up on the structure and drop down with live or cut bait. Captain Seth's got the GPS numbers for all the productive spots – ledges, artificial reefs, and natural bottom that holds fish year-round. The tackle's sized right for the target species, with enough backbone to pull Grouper off the bottom but sensitive enough to feel those Snapper bites. Wire leaders are a must when the Kings are around – those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Redfish are absolute bruisers in these waters, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches and put up one heck of a battle, especially in shallow water. Fall and winter are prime time for big Bull Reds, and they'll test your drag system for sure. What makes Redfish so special is their aggressive strike and the way they use their broad shoulders to fight – pure muscle from head to tail.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the Gulf. These yellowish bulldogs will absolutely smoke your drag and fight dirty, diving for structure and making blistering runs. They show up year-round but are most active during warmer months. Jack are perfect for anglers who want to feel their tackle get tested – a 15-pound Jack fights like a 30-pound fish of most other species.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect combo of fun and food value. These smaller cousins of the King Mackerel are incredibly fast and acrobatic, often jumping clear of the water when hooked. They're most abundant from spring through fall, and they make excellent table fare when prepared fresh. Their speed and aggressive nature make them a blast on lighter tackle, and they often show up in big schools that provide non-stop action.
Gag Grouper are the prize of the bottom fishing world around St. Pete. These powerful fish live around structure and ledges, and they'll head straight for the rocks when hooked. Gag average 15-25 pounds but can grow much larger, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. The key is getting them up and away from the structure quickly – once they get their head down and dive for cover, the battle gets a lot tougher. Peak season runs from fall through early spring.
Grey Snapper, also called Mangrove Snapper, are incredibly popular because they're abundant, fight well for their size, and make outstanding table fare. These smart fish can be finicky, often requiring lighter leaders and smaller baits to get them to bite. They're available year-round around structure, with the bigger fish typically found in deeper water. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – you might catch a dozen small ones, then hook into a 5-pounder that reminds you why Snapper fishing is so addictive.
This full-day nearshore charter gives you the best shot at variety and size that St. Petersburg fishing has to offer. Captain Seth's local knowledge and years of experience mean you're not just fishing – you're fishing the right spots at the right time with the right techniques. Whether you're after a trophy King Mackerel for the wall or a cooler full of Grouper and Snapper for the table, this trip delivers the goods. The 4-person max keeps things comfortable and gives everyone plenty of chances at the fish. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot.
Our 2017 Canyon Bay 24-footer puts you right where the action is in the Gulf waters off St. Pete. With a Suzuki 300HP pushing this center console, you'll cover serious ground chasing king mackerel and grouper up to 9 miles offshore. The boat's fish finder keeps you on top of structure where those tasty grouper hang out, while the radar helps navigate when morning fog rolls in. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with kingfish. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Seth position you quietly over productive spots without spooking the fish. GPS navigation gets you back to those honey holes where the cobia were biting last week. Perfect size for up to 4 anglers who want room to fight fish without bumping elbows.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the ocean's bullies and they'll give you an arm-burning workout every time. These brassy, torpedo-shaped fish typically weigh 3-8 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign. Jacks school up and push baitfish to the surface while birds attack from above. You'll find them around structure both inshore and out to deeper reefs, especially during warmer months when the action heats up. What guests love is the raw power - these fish just don't quit. They're built for speed and endurance. The meat is decent but most folks target them purely for the sport. Here's the key: cast silver spoons or fast-moving lures past the school and retrieve aggressively. Jacks can't resist something moving fast - it triggers their predator instincts every time.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - once they grab your bait, it's a straight power fight to the bottom. These mottled gray fighters typically run 5-15 pounds around our nearshore structure, though we see some 20+ pounders on the better reefs. They hang around rocky bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 30-80 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time before they head offshore to spawn. What guests love is that initial slam and the way they try to bury you in the rocks - it's pure muscle. Plus, gag grouper are outstanding table fare with firm, sweet white meat. The trick is keeping your drag locked tight and not giving them an inch once hooked. Use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and the moment you feel that thump, start cranking. Let them run and they'll find a hole every time.
Lutjanus GriseusMangrove snapper are some of the smartest fish we target, which makes landing them extra satisfying. These reddish-gray fish typically run 12-16 inches inshore but can push 5+ pounds around deeper structure. They love docks, bridges, mangrove shorelines, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. Night fishing during summer months is when they really turn on, though we catch them year-round. What makes them special is they're excellent eating - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also cunning fighters that use structure to their advantage. The challenge is their finicky nature and sharp eyesight. My go-to technique: use light tackle with live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink naturally to the bottom, then lift it just off the rocks. Keep it subtle - too much movement spooks these wary fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of the most exciting fish to target in our shallow waters around St. Pete. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging in 2-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the way they dig hard toward structure once hooked. The meat is excellent too - mild and flaky. My tip: when you see that telltale bronze back in skinny water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily but once committed, they'll put up a memorable fight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes with lightning-fast strikes. These sleek, spotted fish average 1-3 pounds and rarely exceed 5 pounds in our Gulf waters. They school up near the surface around structure, bait pods, and temperature breaks, especially active during spring through fall. What makes them fun is that aggressive bite and blistering runs - they're built for speed. The bonus is excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or blackened. They move constantly, so trolling small spoons or casting jigs near schools works best. My local trick: watch for nervous water or small bait getting pushed around. Spanish macs often feed just under the surface. Use light tackle with 20-pound braid and keep your lures moving fast - they love the chase.
Clearwater