Nearshore Fishing Trip in St Petersburg
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Kingfish, and Tarpon nearshoreFourhour guided trip within nine miles of coastlineAll tackle and bait provided with experienced Captain Garrett
Looking for some serious fishing action without burning a full tank of gas? Captain Garrett McFall's got you covered with his top-rated 4-hour nearshore trips that'll have you hooked up just minutes from the dock. This isn't your typical inshore grind – we're talking prime fishing grounds within 9 miles of shore where the big boys hang out. St. Pete's nearshore waters are absolutely loaded with snapper, grouper, and kings, plus you've got a real shot at tangling with some silver kings that'll test every ounce of drag on your reel. With all tackle and bait included, you just need to bring yourself and maybe a cooler for all the fillets you'll be taking home.
Captain Garrett knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. You'll launch from one of St. Pete's premier marinas and make a quick run to the productive ledges and structure that hold fish year-round. The beauty of nearshore fishing here is you get the best of both worlds – you're close enough to shore to stay comfortable, but far enough out to target species that don't show up in the shallows. The boat's rigged with quality gear, from conventional reels loaded with fresh line to circle hooks that'll keep those snappers pinned. Expect to work depths anywhere from 30 to 80 feet, depending on what's biting and where the bait's stacked up. This is hands-on fishing where you'll feel every head shake and run.
Captain Garrett runs a well-equipped operation with everything you need to tangle with whatever swims up from the depths. We're talking medium-heavy conventional setups spooled with 30-40 pound test – perfect for muscling grouper off the bottom or handling a screaming king mackerel run. The standard rig is a simple but effective bottom setup with enough weight to hold in the current and circle hooks that dramatically improve your hookup ratio. When the kings are around, we'll switch things up with some live bait fishing or even troll some spoons and plugs along the ledges. The key to success out here is reading the electronics – those fish-finder marks don't lie, and Captain Garrett's got the experience to put you right on top of the action. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing; he'll walk you through everything from setting the drag to proper fighting techniques.
Grey Snapper are the bread and butter of nearshore fishing in St. Pete, and these red-eyed beauties know how to fight. Most of what you'll catch ranges from keeper-sized 12-inchers up to hefty 5-pound slabs that'll put a serious bend in your rod. They're year-round residents on the rocky bottom and artificial reefs, with summer and fall being absolutely lights-out for numbers and size. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is their aggressive bite – when you find a school, you can load the boat fast. Plus, there's nothing better than fresh snapper on the dinner table.
Tarpon are the silver kings of these waters, and even a 50-pound fish will give you a workout you won't forget. St. Pete's nearshore waters see tarpon from spring through fall, with the peak action happening during the warmer months when baitfish are thick. These prehistoric giants are pure adrenaline – expect multiple jumps, screaming runs, and a fight that can last 20 minutes or more. Landing one is a real achievement, and most anglers practice catch and release with these magnificent fish. When Captain Garrett spots rolling tarpon on the surface, get ready for some of the most exciting fishing Florida has to offer.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll strip line faster than you can blink, making them a customer favorite for anglers who love that initial run. These toothy predators cruise the nearshore waters year-round, but spring and fall migrations bring the biggest fish within easy reach. A typical St. Pete king runs 15-30 pounds, though the occasional smoker over 40 pounds shows up to test your skills. They're incredible table fare when handled properly, and Captain Garrett knows all the tricks for keeping them fresh. Kings are also notorious for their acrobatic fights – watching one tail-walk across the surface is something you'll remember long after the trip.
Hogfish might not look like much, but these odd-shaped bottom dwellers are considered one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. They're year-round residents on the hard bottom areas within our fishing zone, using their pig-like snouts to root around for crustaceans and small fish. Most hogfish you'll encounter range from 2-8 pounds, with the bigger ones putting up a surprisingly good fight for their size. They're also masters of camouflage, changing colors to match their surroundings. What really sets hogfish apart is their incredible taste – sweet, flaky meat that rivals any high-end restaurant fish.
Captain Garrett's nearshore trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red-hot. This world-class fishing experience gives you maximum action in minimum time, perfect for anglers who want to get out there and get on fish without spending all day on the water. You're looking at 4 solid hours of fishing the most productive nearshore spots around St. Pete, with an experienced captain who knows exactly where to find them. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or that photo-worthy trophy fish, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait – the fish are biting, and your spot on the boat is just a phone call away.
Captain Garrett's 24' Avenger is a fully customized fishing machine built for serious anglers targeting snapper, grouper, and kingfish in Tampa Bay's nearshore waters. This boat's got everything you need for a productive day on the water - a massive 50-gallon livewell keeps your catch fresh, while dual 10' Power-Poles anchor you silently over structure without spooking fish. The Minn Kota trolling motor lets you work shallow spots quietly, and the Garmin fish finder helps locate schools holding near ledges and reefs. High gunnels keep you dry when crossing choppy water but won't interfere when fighting fish. The custom tower provides shade and gives your captain a perfect vantage point for spotting tarpon rolling or bait schools moving through. JL audio keeps the mood light between bites, while the icebox keeps drinks cold and catches fresh. With VHF radio for safety and GPS for precise navigation to productive spots, this rig handles everything from shallow grass flats to deeper structure 9 miles offshore where the big fish live.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these copper-red fish are some of the smartest you'll encounter on our nearshore trips. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, but we occasionally hook into 5-pounders around structure. You'll find them hanging around docks, rock piles, and ledges in 20-60 feet of water. They're opportunistic feeders that hunt mainly at night, so dawn and dusk trips produce the best action. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also notorious for testing your patience with their cautious bites. Here's the key: once you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them run with it for a second or two, then lift firmly. These fish have excellent eyesight and will drop your bait if they sense any pressure too early.
Lachnolaimus MaximusHogfish are the unicorns of our reef fishing - beautifully colored wrasse with pig-like snouts that root through sand for crabs and shrimp. They average 2-8 pounds and can reach 20+ inches, living around hard bottom areas and coral patches in 20-80 feet of water. These curious fish often swim right up to the boat, but don't let that fool you - they're quick to bite and even quicker to spit out anything suspicious. What makes them prized is their sweet, lobster-like meat that many consider the best-tasting fish in our waters. Their unique feeding behavior makes them fun to target too, as you'll watch them dig through the bottom like underwater pigs. The trick is using small hooks with live or fresh dead shrimp, and keeping a tight line. Hogfish have sharp teeth and will cut through your bait quickly, so be ready to set the hook fast when you feel that distinctive tap-tap bite.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are the speed demons of our nearshore waters, capable of smoking line off your reel at 35 mph. These silver missiles typically weigh 15-40 pounds in our area, with occasional 50+ pounders showing up during peak season. They cruise the 40-100 foot depths along temperature breaks and current edges, especially March through November when baitfish are thick. What makes them popular is their blistering runs and excellent eating quality - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. They're aggressive feeders that hunt in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. The secret to consistent hookups is using a slow-trolled live sardine on a wire leader with a stinger hook. Kings love to hit the tail end of baitfish, so that trailing treble hook near the sardine's tail will nail them when they make their move.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what fishing dreams are made of. These prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds around Tampa Bay, but we've seen 200+ pounders roll near our boats. They migrate through our waters May through September, feeding in 15-40 feet around bridges, channels, and grass flats. What draws anglers from worldwide isn't the meat (they're catch and release only) - it's watching a 6-foot fish launch itself 10 feet out of the water when hooked. Their acrobatic fights can last an hour, testing both tackle and angler endurance. The key to hooking up is live bait presentation. We use large pinfish or mullet on circle hooks, but here's the trick: keep that bait moving slowly along the bottom structure. Tarpon are lazy hunters - they want an easy meal that looks wounded or confused.
Clearwater