Premium Grouper and Mackerel Fishing in St. Petersburg
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target grouper, snapper, kingfish and barracuda offshoreCaptain Mark provides all gear and local expertiseHalf or full day options available for two guests
Captain Mark knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – we're talking about heading 5 to 45 miles offshore where the big boys live. Whether you book a half-day or commit to the full-day adventure, you'll be targeting some of the Gulf's most sought-after species including Grouper, King Mackerel, Barracuda, and if we're lucky, some beautiful Mahi Mahi. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Captain Mark provides all the tackle and expertise – you just need to bring your fishing license and be ready to battle some powerful fish.
Your day starts early at the dock in St. Petersburg, where Captain Mark will have the boat rigged and ready to roll. After a quick safety briefing and introductions, we'll head out through the passes toward the deeper Gulf waters. The ride out gives you time to wake up with some coffee and watch the shoreline fade behind us. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might stop at structure in 60 feet of water for some Grouper action, or push out to the blue water where the pelagics roam. The boat is equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle – everything from heavy bottom rigs for Grouper to wire leaders for toothy Kingfish. Captain Mark reads the water conditions, bait activity, and seasonal patterns to put you where the fish are most likely to be feeding.
Offshore fishing around St. Petersburg means adapting to what Mother Nature gives you on any particular day. For bottom fishing, we'll be dropping heavy jigs, live bait, and cut bait down to Grouper holes and artificial reefs. The captain uses GPS and fish finder technology to locate productive structure where these fish like to hang out. When we're targeting pelagics like King Mackerel and Mahi, we'll troll with diving plugs, spoons, and rigged ballyhoo at varying speeds and depths. Wire leaders are essential when Kingfish are around – these guys will slice through mono in a heartbeat. The tackle is matched to the target species, from 30-pound class gear for smaller fish up to heavy conventional reels when we're after big Amberjack or Grouper that want to head straight back to the rocks.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore scene here in St. Petersburg waters. These silver bullets can stretch anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 50-plus. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, and they'll absolutely smoke your drag when they hit a trolled bait. What makes Kings so popular with anglers is their aggressive strike and the way they jump and run when hooked. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly on ice.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish as the old-timers call them, are probably the most beautiful fish you'll encounter out here. Their brilliant yellow and green colors are absolutely stunning when they come to the boat. These fish love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in the blue water. Mahi are fantastic fighters – they jump, dive, and put on a real show. Most of the ones we catch range from 5 to 20 pounds, though bull dolphins can push 30 pounds or more. They're considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling.
Great Barracuda are the wolves of the reef, and they'll test your nerves with their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes. These predators can grow over 4 feet long and are found around structure and in open water. They're ambush hunters that will hit a bait with tremendous force, often jumping clear out of the water. While they're not typically kept for eating due to potential ciguatoxin, they're an absolute blast to catch and release. The adrenaline rush of a big Barracuda taking your bait never gets old.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of offshore bottom fishing around St. Petersburg. These powerful fish live around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs, typically in 40 to 100 feet of water. Gags can weigh anywhere from 5 to 25 pounds, with larger specimens occasionally showing up. They're notorious for heading straight back to their holes when hooked, so you need to muscle them up quickly. Grouper are prized for their excellent eating qualities – the meat is firm, flaky, and mild-flavored, making them a favorite target for both recreational and commercial fishermen.
Permit are considered one of the holy grails of saltwater fishing, and while they're more commonly associated with flats fishing, we occasionally encounter them around offshore structure. These silvular, disc-shaped fish are incredibly spooky and difficult to hook, making them a challenge even for experienced anglers. When you do connect with a Permit, they're powerful fighters that will test your tackle and skills. Most anglers who catch a Permit remember it as a career highlight due to their reputation as one of the most difficult fish to consistently catch.
Gulf Goats Charters offers something special for serious anglers who want to experience world-class offshore fishing without the crowds. With Captain Mark's local knowledge and years of experience reading these waters, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're getting a fishing education. The intimate 2-person capacity means you'll have plenty of opportunities to fight fish and learn techniques that will make you a better angler. Whether you choose the half-day option for a taste of offshore action or commit to the full-day adventure for maximum fishing time, you'll come back with stories, experience
Captain Mark's restored Dorado center console is built for serious offshore fishing in St. Petersburg waters. This 2005 boat got a complete makeover in 2018 and runs on a reliable 300HP Suzuki engine that'll cruise at 33 knots to get you out to the fishing grounds fast. Whether you're targeting grouper 5 miles out or chasing mahi mahi 45 miles into the Gulf, this boat handles it all. The fish finder helps locate schools while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. When the weather gets rough, the radar keeps you safe. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. Between the onboard head, comfortable bed, and multimedia system, you'll stay comfortable during those long full-day trips chasing amberjack and kingfish. Perfect for 2 anglers who want to fish the deeper waters where the big snapper and barracuda live.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing - stocky, gray fish that average 20 inches but can reach 50+ and 80 pounds. They love rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 50-200 feet, always looking for something to hide behind or under. Winter through spring is prime time when they're feeding heavy before spawning season. What guests love is the solid fight and fantastic table fare - grouper makes some of the best fish sandwiches around. They're ambush predators that slam your bait hard then try to drag it back to the rocks. My advice: once you hook one, keep that reel locked tight and don't give them any slack. The second you let them run, they'll dive straight into a hole and you'll lose them every time.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's missiles - sleek, silver torpedoes that can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most run 2-4 feet long, though we see some monsters pushing 6 feet and 100 pounds. They patrol reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs from shallow water out to 100+ feet, hunting anything that moves. Year-round fishing here, but warmer months bring more aggressive feeding. What makes cuda fishing fun is their vicious strike and crazy jumps - they'll come flying out of the water like a rocket. Fair eating if prepared right, though many folks release them. Watch those teeth! Here's my trick: use shiny spoons or tube lures trolled fast near structure. Cuda are curious and aggressive, so anything flashy moving quickly usually triggers a strike. Just be ready for that initial run.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fish we target out here, averaging around 30 pounds with some reaching 90+. These silver speedsters cruise the 40-150 foot depths, especially around structure and drop-offs. We find them year-round in our Gulf waters, but spring through fall gives you the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes kings so popular is that explosive first run - they'll peel line like crazy and jump all over the place. The meat's great too, though it's got some oil content. My go-to tip: use a wire leader and double up your hooks on live bait. Kings love to hit the tail section of a baitfish, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of cutoffs and missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are absolute beauties - golden sides with electric blues and greens that change colors like a light show when you boat them. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we've seen some pushing 50. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks anywhere from 20-45 miles out. Spring through fall is prime time when they're cruising our warm Gulf waters. What guests love most is their aerial show - these fish go completely nuts when hooked, jumping and tail-walking all over the place. Plus, mahi are some of the best eating fish out there with firm, mild white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, look around for floating debris or keep your other lines in. Mahi often travel in small schools, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Trachinotus FalcatusPermit are the holy grail for many anglers - these silver, disc-shaped fish are notorious for being extremely difficult to fool. They average 10-20 pounds but can reach 60, with those massive golf-ball eyes that see everything. While adults hang around offshore wrecks and reefs in 30-100 feet, we also find them cruising shallow flats and structure. Spring through summer is your best shot when they're more active and feeding. What makes permit special is the challenge - they're incredibly spooky and picky eaters. Most anglers consider landing one a major achievement. They're decent table fare but most get released. Here's the key: use live blue crabs when possible, and approach them quietly. These fish will spook at the slightest disturbance, so stealth and patience are everything.
Anna Maria Island