Full Day Offshore Fishing Adventure in St. Pete
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting tuna, grouper, and seasonal speciesDeep water fishing 3040 miles from St. Petersburg coastlineAll equipment and licensing provided for experienced anglers
Ready to test your skills against some of the Gulf's most sought-after game fish? This full-day charter takes you 30-40 miles offshore into the deep blue waters where the real monsters live. We're talking about serious fishing here – the kind where you'll be battling blackfin tuna one minute and wrestling with a hefty gag grouper the next. This isn't a leisurely bay trip; it's designed for anglers who want to get after it and aren't afraid to put in the work for quality catches. Pack your cooler with plenty of food and drinks because we'll be out there grinding from sunrise to sunset, chasing whatever's biting best that season.
When we head out from St. Petersburg, we're making a serious run to the productive offshore waters where the continental shelf drops off and the big fish cruise. This is blue water fishing at its finest – crystal clear Gulf waters that hold everything from screaming kingfish to plate-sized mahi. The trip length gives us flexibility to move around and find the bite, whether that means trolling the edges for pelagics or dropping down on structure for bottom dwellers. You'll be working with top-shelf tackle and electronics, but don't expect to just sit back and watch – we'll have you rotating rods, managing lines, and staying busy. The 2-angler limit means you won't be fighting for rod time, and you'll get personalized attention to help you boat fish of a lifetime. Weather plays a big role out here, so come prepared for sun, spray, and the occasional bumpy ride back when the afternoon breeze kicks up.
We run a mix of trolling and bottom fishing depending on what's happening that day. For the pelagic species like tuna and mahi, we'll pull a spread of lures at different speeds and depths – anything from surface poppers to deep-diving plugs and rigged ballyhoo. When we're targeting grouper and snapper on the bottom, we switch to heavy conventional reels with braided line and circle hooks, dropping down with live or cut bait. All your gear, tackle, and licenses are covered, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your A-game. We keep the boat stocked with a variety of rods from medium-heavy spinning setups for the smaller stuff up to 50-pound class conventional gear for when the big boys show up. The electronics package includes high-end fishfinders and GPS to locate structure, bait schools, and temperature breaks where fish congregate. Live bait is often the key to success out here, so we'll typically make a stop at productive spots to fill the wells with pilchards, goggle-eyes, or whatever's around.
Gag grouper are the bread and butter of deep water fishing around St. Pete, and these bruisers know how to fight dirty. They'll hit hard on the drop and immediately try to get back to their rocky hideouts, so you need to horse them up fast. Most gags we see run 15-30 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a real toad pushing 40-plus. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, and they love structure like ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs in 60-120 feet of water. What makes gag grouper so popular with serious anglers is their combination of fight and table fare – they'll test your drag system and reward you with some of the best-eating fish in the Gulf.
Blackfin tuna are speed demons that'll make your reel sing, and when they're around, the action can be absolutely electric. These fish typically run 10-25 pounds in our waters and they're built for speed, with dark torpedo-shaped bodies and sickle-shaped fins. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when we locate temperature breaks or weed lines where baitfish concentrate. Blackfins often travel in schools, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch. They'll hit trolled lures, live bait, and even jigs if you can get them fired up. The fight is all about long runs and head shakes, and they've got incredible stamina for their size.
King mackerel are the ultimate crowd-pleaser – they hit lures like freight trains and put on aerial shows that'll get your heart pumping. These toothy predators can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 20-40 pounds in our offshore waters. They're most active during warmer months and love to cruise along structure and temperature changes. Kings are notorious for their blistering initial runs, often stripping 100+ yards of line before you can blink. Slow trolling with live bait or pulling spoons and diving plugs are proven techniques. Just remember to use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Mahi mahi are pure eye candy – those electric gold and green colors are something every angler needs to see in person. Also called dolphinfish, these acrobatic fighters love floating debris, weed lines, and structure in blue water. They typically run 5-20 pounds in our area, though bulls can push 30-plus. Mahi are most common during summer months when water temperatures climb, and they're suckers for both live bait and artificials. When you hook one, expect multiple jumps and blistering runs. The bonus is they often travel in small schools, so keep working the area after you boat the first one.
Great barracuda are the wolves of the flats and offshore waters – long, lean, and always looking for trouble. These aggressive predators can exceed 4 feet and 15 pounds, with mouths full of needle-sharp teeth that can shred anything in their path. Barracuda are year-round residents but become more active during warmer months. They'll slam trolled lures, live bait, and even shiny spoons retrieved at high speed. The fight is explosive
Meet the completely rebuilt 2005 Dorado center console that'll get you to the deep water fishing grounds 30-40 miles offshore where the big fish live. This restored beauty runs on a powerful 300HP Suzuki 4-stroke from 2021, cruising at 33 knots to cut your travel time and maximize fishing hours. The boat's loaded with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation in open water, plus VHF radio for marine communication. A wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure for grouper and snapper. Onboard amenities include a multimedia system, bed for those long offshore days, and toilet for comfort during extended trips. Perfect for 2 experienced anglers targeting tuna, mahi, kingfish, and whatever's biting based on seasonal patterns. Captain handles all gear and licensing so you focus on landing quality catches in St. Pete's productive offshore waters.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the smallest of the tuna family, typically running 20-35 inches and up to 30 pounds in our Gulf waters. They school up in open water 30-50 miles out, often mixed with skipjacks and following baitfish. These fish are absolute rockets once hooked - they'll make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The meat is outstanding, with that rich red flesh perfect for sashimi or searing. Peak season here is fall through spring when water temps hit that 68-75 degree sweet spot. Vertical jigging and chunking with pilchards works best. Here's the key: scale down your tackle - use 30-pound fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks since these fish have sharp eyes and will spook from heavy gear.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisThese groupers run 20-40 inches and love hanging around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms in 40-150 feet of water. They're ambush predators that'll grab whatever bait hits their neighborhood - mullet, pinfish, or cut crab work great. What makes them fun is the initial fight when they try to drag your line straight back to their hole. Once hooked, keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any slack, or they'll dive into structure and cut you off. The meat is excellent eating with firm white flesh. Pro tip: look for stone crab traps since gags love hanging around them for easy meals. They change from female to male as they age, so the bigger ones are usually males with that darker coloration.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the silver bullets of the flats and offshore waters, reaching 3-5 feet and capable of 35 mph bursts. They hang around reefs, wrecks, and structure from shallow water out to 100+ feet, often near the surface. These fish are pure predators with razor teeth and an attitude to match. The fight is explosive but short - they'll make a few screaming runs then tire quickly. Most anglers release them since the meat can be risky. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring spawning. Wire leaders are mandatory with those teeth. Pro tip: use a big landing net and gloves when bringing them aboard - even a tired cuda can snap at anything that moves, and those teeth will go right through your hand.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that average 20-40 pounds but can push 70+ pounds in our deeper waters. They cruise 40-150 feet deep along drop-offs and around structure, hitting anything that moves fast. What makes them special is their blistering runs - they're built like torpedoes and fight like it. The meat's decent but most folks release the big breeders. Peak action runs spring through fall when bait schools move through. Trolling live bait or spoons works best, but here's the trick: rig two hooks on a wire leader - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind. Kings typically grab the tail end of their prey, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of short strikes and cut-offs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the Gulf, with that golden color and crazy light show when they come out of the water. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. Look for them under floating debris, weed lines, or around structure in blue water. They're surface feeders that go nuts for trolled baits - ballyhoo skipping on top drives them wild. The fight is pure fun with jumps and long runs, plus the meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Peak season runs spring through fall when water temps warm up. Best tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water while you get more lines out - mahi travel in schools and that hooked fish will often hold the others nearby for doubles and triples.
Anna Maria Island