5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Afternoon Fishing in St. Pete Waters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Familyfriendly halfday offshore fishing charter for all agesTarget 3070 smaller reef fish including snapper and grouperMaximum 4 guests with Playin' Hooky Charters in St. Petersburg
Looking for a fishing charter that'll keep the whole family hooked? Captain Adam's afternoon trips out of St. Petersburg deliver exactly what you're after - consistent action, loads of fish, and enough dinner to make your neighbors jealous. This isn't your typical "maybe we'll get lucky" fishing trip. We're talking 30 to 70 fish per outing on the regular, with plenty of variety to keep everyone from grandpa to the little ones engaged and excited. The best part? You don't need any experience to have a blast out here.
This customer favorite afternoon charter is designed around one simple goal: non-stop action. We're not chasing trophy fish or spending hours waiting for that one big bite. Instead, we head to productive reef areas where the fish are hungry and ready to cooperate. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for families or small groups who want personalized attention from the captain. Kids absolutely love these trips because something's always happening - whether it's reeling in a feisty grunt or watching a puffer fish inflate like a balloon. The afternoon timing works great for families too, since you can sleep in and still be back at the dock with dinner in the cooler before sunset. Captain Adam knows these St. Pete waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while sharing stories and tips that'll make you a better angler.
We focus on bottom fishing over productive reef structure where smaller fish congregate in large numbers. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, including lighter rods that are perfect for kids and beginners. We'll be using small hooks with cut bait, shrimp, and other natural baits that these reef species can't resist. The technique is straightforward - drop your line to the bottom, feel for that telltale tap-tap of a fish, and set the hook. What makes this style of fishing so effective is the sheer number of fish living on these reefs. While you might catch 2 or 3 fish on a typical inshore trip, reef fishing can produce dozens. The captain will handle all the rigging, re-baiting, and fish handling, so you can focus on having fun. During certain seasons, we might also troll a bit for Spanish mackerel or other pelagic species that cruise these areas. Don't be surprised if a shark or even a massive Goliath grouper shows up to investigate the commotion - that's just part of the magic of fishing St. Petersburg's diverse waters.
"Had a great trip with Captain Adam! 100% worth every penny and minute of your time. Caught a variety of fish and a shark. If you want a amazing near-shore or off shore experience then take this charter." - Brandon
King Mackerel are the speed demons of St. Pete's offshore waters, and while they're not the main target on this reef-focused trip, they do show up during cooler months when they move closer to shore. These silver rockets can stretch 3 feet long and will test your drag system with blistering runs. When one hits, you'll know it immediately - they don't mess around. Kings are most active from October through March in our area, and they're drawn to the same areas where we fish for bottom species. What makes them special is their fight and their fantastic table fare when prepared fresh.
White Grunt, also called grey snapper locally, are the bread and butter of St. Petersburg reef fishing. These hardy fighters might only run 8 to 12 inches, but they're scrappy and extremely common. You'll hear them grunting in the fish box - that's how they got their name. They school up thick around reef structure and are always hungry. Kids love catching grunts because they bite aggressively and don't require perfect technique. They're also fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a traditional fish fry.
Sand Perch are the unsung heroes of the reef fishing world. These colorful little fighters rarely get bigger than 10 inches, but they make up for size with attitude. They'll hit just about any bait and fight harder than fish twice their size. Sand perch are year-round residents in our area and often school with other bottom species. What anglers love about them is their reliability - when other species are finicky, sand perch are usually willing to cooperate.
Lane Snapper are some of the prettiest fish you'll catch on these trips, with their distinctive yellow and pink stripes and bright red fins. They typically run 6 to 10 inches and are abundant around St. Pete's reef areas. Lane snapper are curious fish that often come up to check out the boat, making for great photo opportunities. They're most active during warmer months and are prized for their sweet, delicate flavor. Many anglers consider them the best eating fish in the snapper family.
Spanish Mackerel bring excitement to any fishing trip with their acrobatic jumps and lightning-fast strikes. These streamlined predators average 12 to 16 inches in our waters and are most common from April through October. They'll often hit small jigs or live bait intended for other species, providing a welcome surprise. Spanish mackerel are known for their distinctive spotted pattern and razor-sharp teeth. They're excellent smoked or grilled, and their high oil content makes them perfect for the blackening technique that's so popular in Florida cuisine.
This top-rated afternoon fishing charter offers everything families and novice anglers dream about - consistent action, variety, and the chance to take home a serious fish dinner. Captain Adam's local knowledge and family-friendly approach have made this trip a must-do experience for visitors and locals alike. The combination of productive fishing grounds, expert guidance, and that perfect afternoon timing creates the ideal recipe for fishing memories that'll last
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the big bruisers you might hook during our afternoon trips, though we don't specifically target them. These silver torpedoes average around 30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds. They cruise our waters from 40-150 feet deep, often moving closer to shore during cooler months. When one hits, you'll know it - they make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The meat is rich and flaky, though high in mercury so kids should avoid it. Kings hunt in schools and love live bait like blue runners or Spanish sardines. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - their soft mouths tear easily. Let them run, then work them back slowly. During summer and fall, we see them more often around structure and baitfish schools.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are beautiful little fighters that show up regularly on our reef trips. These pink and silver fish with candy-cane stripes typically run 10-14 inches and love shallow coral reefs and sandy areas with good cover. They're most active during their spawn from March through September when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them fun is they're not shy about hitting baits, but once hooked they put up a solid fight for their size. The meat is excellent - sweet and firm like their bigger snapper cousins. They'll hit live or dead shrimp, squid, and small cut baits. Since they feed heavily at night, late afternoon trips often produce the best action. Here's my trick: use lighter tackle with small hooks and fish near the bottom around structure. They're often caught as a bonus when targeting other snappers.
Diplectrum FormosumSand perch are scrappy little fighters that make our trips fun for the whole family. These colorful fish typically run 5-9 inches with brown tops, white bellies, and distinctive blue lines along their sides. You'll find them over sandy bottoms mixed with rock or shell, usually in 20-80 feet of water. They're territorial loners, not schooling fish, but once you locate good bottom you'll pick them up consistently. They bite year-round but are most active during warmer months. What guests love is how aggressive they are - they'll slam a small jig or shrimp bait without hesitation. The meat is excellent eating despite their size. Watch out for their sharp gill plates when handling them. My local tip: use small hooks and fish right on the bottom with fresh dead shrimp - they can't resist it.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, fun fighters that show up regularly during our afternoon trips. These sleek silver fish with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-5 pounds. They school up near the surface around structure and baitfish, especially during spring and fall migrations. What makes them exciting is their speed - when one hits a spoon or jig, it's game on with screaming runs and acrobatic jumps. The meat is rich and flaky, great grilled or smoked. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit fast-moving lures, live shrimp, or small baitfish. You'll often see them busting bait on the surface during feeding frenzies. My local tip: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get a small silver spoon in there fast. Retrieve it quickly just under the surface - they can't resist that flash and movement.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite grunts are the backbone of our family-friendly trips and perfect for kids learning to fish. These silvery fish with yellow stripes run 6-12 inches and are found around reefs, docks, and rocky areas from the surface down to about 100 feet. They school up heavy during warmer months, making for fast action when you find them. What makes them special is that distinctive grunting sound they make when you bring them up - kids love hearing it. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for fish tacos. They're not picky eaters and will hit shrimp, squid, or small jigs readily. My go-to trick is to use small hooks with fresh shrimp and fish right on the bottom near structure. Once you catch one, there's usually more in the same spot.
5.0 out of 5.0Had a great trip with Captain Adam! 100% worth every penny and minute of your time. Caught a variety of fish and a shark. If you w...
St. Petersburg