Full Day Offshore Fishing in St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target tuna, grouper, and mahi 30-40 miles offshoreFull day deep water fishing for experienced anglersAll equipment and licensing included with Gulf Goats Charters
When you're ready to leave the nearshore crowds behind and chase the big boys in deep water, this full-day offshore trip with Gulf Goats Charters is exactly what you're looking for. We're talking about heading 30 to 40 miles out into the Gulf where the water turns that deep blue color and the fish get serious. This isn't a half-day tourist trip – it's a commitment to spending the day where the tuna run, the grouper stack up on structure, and mahi come crashing baits with authority. Only taking two anglers means you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting for rod time when the bite gets hot.
Your day starts early because the run offshore takes time, and the best fishing often happens at first light. We'll be targeting whatever's biting best based on the season – could be blackfin tuna busting bait in the morning, gag grouper holding tight to bottom structure, or a school of mahi working under floating debris. The beauty of fishing this far out is the variety. One minute you're dropping for grouper in 120 feet, the next you're casting to a school of kings that just lit up the fish finder. Bring plenty of food and water because once we're out there, we're committed to maximizing your time on productive water. All your gear and licenses are covered, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat.
Offshore fishing means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. We'll be trolling for pelagics like tuna, mahi, and kings using a spread of lures and ballyhoo rigs that cover different depths and speeds. When we find structure or marks on the bottom machine, we switch to bottom fishing with heavy tackle – think 6 to 8-ounce sinkers and circle hooks loaded with cut bait or live pinfish. The gear is set up to handle anything from 10-pound blackfins to 40-pound gag grouper that want to drag you back to their hole. Depending on conditions, we might also break out spinning gear for sight fishing to mahi schools or casting to breaking fish. The key is staying flexible and reading what the water's telling us.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of offshore bottom fishing around St. Pete. These guys love hard bottom, ledges, and structure in 80 to 150 feet of water. They hit hard and fight dirty, trying to get back to their holes before you can stop them. Best fishing is typically fall through early spring when they're feeding heavy before spawning season. What makes gags special is they're smart – you might get one or two off a spot before they wise up and shut down.
Blackfin tuna are pure adrenaline on the right tackle. These fish school up offshore and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They average 10 to 20 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. Blackfins are most active during cooler months and often show up around dawn and dusk. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf when handled right – bleed them immediately and keep them cold.
King mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world. These toothy predators cruise the edges looking for schools of baitfish and will absolutely destroy a trolled bait. Kings can range from schoolie-sized fish around 10 pounds up to monsters pushing 40 or 50 pounds. They're most active during warmer months and love structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools. The fight is fast and furious with lots of jumps and long runs.
Mahi mahi are probably the most exciting fish to catch out there. They travel in schools, hit baits aggressively, and put on an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. These fish are opportunistic feeders that follow floating debris, weed lines, and temperature changes. Most mahi in our waters run 5 to 15 pounds, but bulls can push 30-plus. They're also beautiful fish with those electric colors that light up when they're fighting.
Great barracuda are the ambush predators of the offshore world. These fish have serious teeth and attitude to match. They're lightning fast and will often follow other hooked fish before deciding to eat your bait. Barracuda can reach impressive sizes offshore – 20 to 30 pounders aren't uncommon. They're year-round residents but seem more aggressive during warmer months when baitfish are abundant.
This full-day offshore experience represents serious fishing for anglers who want to target quality species in deep water. With only two spots available, you're getting a personalized trip focused on putting you on fish, not packing the boat. The seasonal variety means every trip is different – spring might bring big kings and early mahi, summer could be all about structure fishing for grouper and snapper, while fall often produces some of the year's best fishing as everything feeds up before winter. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so commit when you're ready to fish. The offshore bite waits for no one, and these premium spots with Gulf Goats Charters fill up fast among local anglers who know quality when they see it.
This restored 2005 Dorado center console is your ticket to the deep waters 30-40 miles offshore where the big fish roam. Powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki 4-stroke that'll cruise at 33 knots, she'll get you out to the prime fishing grounds efficiently. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus VHF radio for safety. When you're grinding it out for hours chasing tuna and grouper, you'll appreciate the onboard toilet and bed for comfort during those long offshore sessions. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on finicky fish. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the lines and battle those deep water heavyweights like mahi, kingfish, and snapper. The multimedia system keeps things entertaining during the longer runs between spots. Perfect setup for experienced fishermen ready to put in the work for quality saltwater catches.
Thunnus AtlanticusThe smallest member of the tuna family, blackfin typically run 15-25 pounds with some reaching close to 40. They're gorgeous fish - dark backs with that distinctive yellow stripe that lights up when they're fighting. You'll find them in open water, usually traveling in schools with skipjack tuna around temperature breaks and current edges. Fall through spring gives us the best action here in the Gulf. These fish are absolute rockets once hooked - they'll make blistering runs and have stamina to burn. The meat is excellent, milder than yellowfin but still great for sashimi. Key tip: scale down your tackle. Use 30-pound fluoro leaders and smaller circle hooks - their eyesight is sharp and they'll shy away from heavy hardware.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese chunky bottom-dwellers average around 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds when you find the big ones. Gag grouper love structure - think offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms in 40-150 feet of water. Males are darker with distinctive reticulated dorsal fins, while females show more of that marbled gray pattern. They're ambush predators that'll crush crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. What makes them fun is the initial strike - they hit hard then immediately try to drag you back into their hole. The trick is locking down your drag tight from the start and keeping your rod tip low to muscle them up and away from cover before they can wrap you up in the structure.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's missiles - sleek, silver torpedoes that can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most run 2-4 feet long, but the big ones push 5-6 feet and can top 50 pounds. They patrol shallow reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs, often cruising just under the surface. You'll spot them year-round, but spring brings the biggest fish during spawning season. Anglers love the explosive strikes and their habit of jumping clear out of the water when hooked. They fight dirty too - lots of head shaking and sudden direction changes. The meat's decent but many folks release them. Watch those teeth when landing one - use a net and keep your fingers clear. Best advice: use wire leaders and fast-moving lures that trigger their predatory instincts.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll average 15-30 pounds, though we see plenty in the 40-50 range during peak season. They cruise in 40-150 feet, often near temperature breaks and current lines where baitfish concentrate. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action here - they're following the bait north in spring and south in fall. What makes them special is pure speed - they're one of the fastest fish in the Gulf and will absolutely scream line off your reel. The fight is all about that initial run. Fresh kings are great eating too, though larger ones can have higher mercury levels. Pro tip: rig with two hooks on a wire leader - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings often bite the tail end of live bait.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch - brilliant gold and green that shifts like a light show when they're fighting. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in deep water. They're surface dwellers that love structure, even if it's just a piece of driftwood. Spring through fall gives us steady action. What guests love most is watching them jump repeatedly when hooked - they're acrobats that'll tail-walk across the surface. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish out here. The key is finding the floaters - any debris or sargassum weed in blue water can hold a school of hungry mahi underneath.
Anna Maria Island