5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip In St. Petersburg
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore trip targets large sharks and trophy fishCapacity limited to three guests for personalized fishing experienceExpert guides navigate to prime spots for dinner catches
When you're ready to get serious about fishing the Gulf waters off St. Pete, this 6-hour extended half day trip with Playin' Hooky Charters is exactly what you need. Captain Adam knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish that'll have you talking for years. We're talking big sharks, massive goliath grouper, and some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we head offshore where the real action happens, and with just 3 anglers max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic day on the water.
This trip is built for anglers who want to experience what Gulf fishing is really about. We'll head out to deeper waters where the big boys live – those 6 to 8-foot sharks that'll test your drag and 250-pound goliath grouper that look like underwater dinosaurs. The extra time gives us flexibility to move around and find where the fish are biting. Some days we're working structure for grouper and snapper, other days we're trolling for kings and bonito. Captain Adam reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly. You might find yourself battling a blackfin tuna one minute and staring down a massive barracuda the next. The small group size means everyone gets plenty of rod time and individual coaching – no fighting crowds or waiting your turn like on those packed party boats.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For the big pelagics like king mackerel and bonito, we'll troll with live bait and artificial lures at different depths to cover the water column. When we're after grouper, we're dropping heavy tackle with circle hooks and fresh bait right to the bottom around structure. Shark fishing means setting up with wire leaders and chunk bait – these Gulf sharks don't mess around. All tackle is provided, from heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-pound test down to lighter spinning gear for the smaller species. Captain Adam will match your tackle to the target species and show you the techniques that work best in these waters. If you've got your own gear and want to bring it, that's fine too – just make sure it's Gulf-ready because these fish will find any weak spots in your setup.
"Had a great experience with capt adam. Even on the off season he got us on fish…. Definitely will be calling him every time I am down in st Pete!!" - Bobby
Goliath Grouper are the true giants of these waters, and hooking into one is like being connected to a freight train. These prehistoric-looking fish can weigh over 250 pounds and will test every ounce of your strength and tackle. They're most active during the warmer months from May through October, hanging around structure in 20 to 60 feet of water. What makes them special is their sheer power – they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off on the structure. It's a tug-of-war that gets your heart pumping, and seeing one of these monsters come up from the depths is something you'll never forget. Just remember, they're protected, so it's catch, photo, and release – but that photo is worth its weight in gold.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, and they'll make screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. These fish are most active from spring through fall, with the best action typically from April through November. They average 15 to 30 pounds, but the big females can push 40 pounds or more. Kings are pure adrenaline – they hit hard, jump, and make long runs that'll take you into your backing. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. We typically find them around bait schools in 30 to 100 feet of water, and they're suckers for a well-presented live bait or fast-moving lure.
Atlantic Bonito are the little rockets that pack a big punch for their size. These 3 to 8-pound speedsters are related to tuna and fight way above their weight class. They show up in good numbers during the cooler months, typically from October through March, when the water temperatures drop into the 70s. Bonito travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're fantastic on light tackle and make blistering runs that'll remind you why you love fishing. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared right – think sashimi-grade meat that rivals any high-end restaurant.
Blacktip Sharks are the acrobats of the shark world, and they put on a show that's pure entertainment. These athletic sharks typically run 3 to 6 feet and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. They're year-round residents in these Gulf waters, but they're most active during the warmer months. Blacktips are aggressive feeders and will hit both live and cut bait with authority. What makes them special is their aerial displays – they'll jump multiple times, spinning and thrashing in ways that'll have you reaching for your camera. They're also relatively easy to handle for photos before release.
Great Barracuda are the wolves of the reef, and their intimidating appearance matches their aggressive nature. These toothy predators can reach 4 to 5 feet and are built for speed and power. They're ambush predators that hang around structure and will absolutely crush a bait or lure. Barracuda are year-round residents, but they're most active during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. What makes them exciting is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights – they don't jump much, but they'll pull hard and steady. Their razor-sharp teeth and prehistoric look make
Sarda SardaBonito are built for speed, reaching up to 40 mph with their torpedo-shaped bodies and distinctive black stripes. They typically run 3-8 pounds and school up in huge numbers during cooler months. You'll find them in open water chasing bait schools, and seabirds diving are your best indicator of where they're feeding. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when water temps are in the 60s-70s. Guests love bonito because they're aggressive biters - once you find a school, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. They're not great table fare here, but they make excellent bait for bigger fish. The key is fishing fast - troll small spoons or jigs at 6-8 knots. When you hook up, don't slow down - keep trolling because the school will follow and you can catch multiple fish on different rods.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, known for those spectacular jumps when hooked. They average 4-6 feet but can reach up to 9 feet and 200+ pounds. These sharks patrol shallow waters year-round here, especially around artificial reefs, sandbars, and muddy bays in 30-100 feet. Summer brings the best action when they're most active and feeding heavily on mackerel, sardines, and croakers. What makes them popular is their fighting style - they're aggressive, jump repeatedly, and put on a real show. They're also relatively safe to handle compared to bigger sharks. The trick is using circle hooks with 20-50 pound braided line and a good chum slick. Oily baits like mackerel or sardines work best. Once you hook one, keep steady pressure - they can throw the hook easily during those jumps.
Epinephelus ItajaraThese massive groupers can reach up to 8 feet and 800 pounds, making them true giants of our Gulf waters. They hang around artificial reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 40-150 feet of water, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. What makes them special is that first hit - it's like hooking into a freight train that'll test every piece of your gear. Important to know: these fish are completely protected, so it's strictly catch and release. They're slow to reproduce and were overfished for decades. The fight is short but intense - they'll try to get back to structure fast. My tip: use 80-wide reels with 600-pound mono and anchor just far enough from the reef to pull them away from cover. That first run will remind you why we call them goliaths.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the missiles of the reef, reaching 35 mph in short bursts with their streamlined bodies. They typically run 10-30 pounds and up to 4-5 feet long around here. You'll find them near reefs, grass flats, and structure in 10-40 feet of water, especially during warmer months. They hunt by sight and are naturally curious, often following the boat before striking. What makes them exciting is that explosive hit and the aerial show they put on when hooked - though their stamina is limited. They're decent eating if prepared right, but most guests are after the fight. The key is using shiny lures or live bait on wire leaders - their teeth will cut through mono instantly. Troll fast or cast to structure. Pro tip: when you see one following your lure, speed up rather than slow down - that sudden acceleration triggers their strike instinct.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see some 40-50 pounders during peak season. They cruise offshore in 40-150 feet of water, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Fall through spring are prime time here in the Gulf when water temps hit that sweet spot in the 70s. What guests love about kings is the blistering initial run - they'll strip line like nothing else and make several hard fights before coming to the boat. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat that grills perfectly. These fish hunt by sight, so trolling with spoons, diving plugs, or live bait works best. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and dual hook rigs - kings have razor teeth and often grab bait from behind. When one hits, clear the other lines fast.
5.0 out of 5.0Had a great experience with capt adam. Even on the off season he got us on fish…. Definitely will be calling him every time I...
St. Petersburg