Full Day King Mackerel & Grouper Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day nearshore fishing up to 9 miles offshore St. PeteTarget king mackerel, grouper, cobia, and sharks with Captain SethSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests per charter
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 nearshore structure holds some of Florida's most sought-after species. You'll target king mackerel, grouper, cobia, Spanish mackerel, mangrove snapper, and even tangle with sharks when they're around. With room for up to 4 anglers, this isn't your typical crowded boat experience – you'll have plenty of space to work your lines and land that fish of a lifetime.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Seth at the dock as the sun begins to paint the Gulf horizon. The boat is rigged and ready with quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need for a productive day. As you head out through the passes, you'll notice the water color changing from the greenish inshore shallows to that beautiful blue-green offshore water where the big fish live. The first few miles take you over grass flats and sandy bottom, but once you hit that 20-30 foot range, the game changes completely. Structure becomes king out here – ledges, artificial reefs, and hard bottom areas that hold baitfish and attract the predators you're after. Captain Seth reads the water conditions, checks the wind direction, and positions the boat where the fish are most likely to be feeding based on tide, temperature, and recent activity.
This style of fishing requires versatility, and Captain Seth comes prepared for multiple scenarios. For king mackerel, you'll be trolling spoons, pulling planers, and working with wire leaders to handle those razor-sharp teeth. When the bite is hot, nothing beats the rush of a screaming reel as a smoker king takes off on its initial run. Grouper fishing is a different beast entirely – you're dropping heavy jigs, live baits, and cut baits down to structure where these bottom dwellers hang out. The key is getting your bait down quickly before the current pushes you off the spot, then working it right along the bottom where grouper like to ambush their prey. Spanish mackerel and cobia often show up as bonus fish, with Spanish macks hitting smaller spoons and jigs, while cobia might cruise up to check out the boat. Shark fishing happens with heavier tackle and chunk baits, especially when you're cleaning fish and the scent brings in some toothy visitors.
Redfish are absolute bulldogs when hooked, and while they're more common in the shallows, nearshore redfish grow bigger and fight harder. These copper-colored bruisers can push 30+ inches in deeper water, and they'll test your drag system with powerful runs along the bottom. Fall through spring offers the best action, when schools of big reds patrol the nearshore waters looking for easy meals. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back – pure power and determination.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the Gulf. These silver torpedoes hit baits with reckless abandon and immediately head for the bottom or the nearest structure. A 15-pound jack will fight like a fish twice its size, making multiple runs and refusing to give up easily. They're year-round residents, but summer months see the biggest concentrations when they school up and feed aggressively.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons with beautiful yellow spots and a taste for small, fast-moving baits. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, hitting spoons, jigs, and live bait with lightning-quick strikes. These fish rarely exceed 3-4 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and acrobatics. Spring and fall migrations bring massive schools through St. Pete waters, creating some of the most action-packed fishing you'll find.
Gag Grouper are the prize of the nearshore waters, with their mottled brown coloration and powerful build. These bottom dwellers can reach 20-30 pounds in deeper nearshore waters, and they're notorious for immediately heading back to their holes when hooked. The fight is a tug-of-war where the angler needs to turn the fish's head and get it up off the bottom quickly. Gag season typically runs through spring, and they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Grey Snapper, often called mangrove snapper in these waters, are some of the smartest fish you'll encounter. They're extremely structure-oriented and can be finicky about baits, often requiring lighter leaders and smaller hooks than you'd expect. But when you find a good school, the action can be non-stop. These fish are excellent eating and provide steady action throughout the warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they feed most actively.
Fish The Burg Charters has built a solid reputation in St. Petersburg's fishing community, and Captain Seth's knowledge of these nearshore waters shows in the results. This full-day trip gives you the time needed to work different areas, adjust techniques as conditions change, and maximize your chances of connecting with multiple species. The 4-angler limit means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting in line to land your fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Gulf Coast species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class nearshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Book early, especially during peak seasons, because the best captains fill up fast when the fishing is hot.
Hit the Gulf waters in style aboard our 2017 Canyon Bay 24-footer, rigged and ready for serious fishing action. This center console beauty packs a Suzuki 300HP punch, giving you the speed and reliability to reach those productive nearshore spots where king mackerel and grouper are waiting. Built for up to 4 anglers, she's got everything you need - an icebox to keep your catch fresh, fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches. The multimedia system keeps spirits high between bites. With her shallow draft and nimble handling, this boat gets you to the fish fast and brings you back with a cooler full of Gulf Coast prizes.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the muscle cars of the Gulf - built for speed and power. These brassy-colored fighters average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, and they'll test every inch of your tackle with their bulldog runs. Look for diving birds marking schools of baitfish; that's where you'll find jacks pushing prey to the surface. They roam both shallow flats and deeper nearshore waters around structure. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're aggressively feeding. Guests love the nonstop fight - these fish simply don't quit. They're not great table fare, but the battle makes up for it. My go-to trick: cast a silver spoon past the school and reel it back fast. Jacks can't resist that flash and will crush it on the retrieve.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bulldogs of the bottom - stocky fighters that'll try to drag you straight into the rocks. These mottled gray predators average 20 inches but can reach 30+ pounds, and they know how to use structure to their advantage. You'll find them around hard bottom, ledges, and wrecks in 40-100 feet of water. Summer brings the best action during grouper season when they're feeding aggressively. What makes them special is that initial run straight for cover, followed by some serious table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. The fight is all about the first few seconds after hookup. My advice: keep your drag locked down tight and lift hard right away. Give them an inch and they'll find a hole to sulk in.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as locals call them, are the thinking angler's fish. These copper-red beauties typically run 1-3 pounds inshore but can hit 10+ in deeper water. They're structure lovers - docks, bridges, mangroves, and rocky bottom in 10-50 feet. Year-round fishing is good, but summer nights during new moons are magic when they feed most actively. What guests enjoy is the challenge - these fish are smart and spooky, making every hookup earned. Plus they're premium table fare with sweet, white meat. The trick is keeping your bait natural and still. I use live shrimp hooked lightly through the tail, let it sink to bottom, then barely lift it off. Too much movement spooks them every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - these copper-backed beauties with their signature black spots near the tail average 20-30 inches and put up a serious fight in shallow water. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and around docks in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that explosive strike followed by a bulldogging run that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent too - mild and flaky, perfect on the grill. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your live shrimp or gold spoon well ahead and let it settle. They spook easily, so patience pays off big time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll keep your rod bent all day. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 pounds but pack serious fight for their size. They school up near the surface around structure, bridges, and over nearshore reefs in 15-40 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when cooler water brings them closer to shore. What guests love is the non-stop action - where there's one, there's usually a dozen more. Plus they're fantastic eating - mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker. The key is finding the schools, then working fast with small spoons or live shrimp. Once you hook up, keep your bait moving through the school for multiple hookups.
Clearwater