5.0(2 Reviews)St Petersburg Deep Sea Fishing | Reef & Wreck
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target snapper, grouper, mackerel, and sharks on reef structuresFall and winter seasons offer cooler weather and active fishSmall group charter accommodates maximum two guests per trip
When cooler water temperatures roll in during fall and winter, something magical happens around St Petersburg's reefs and wrecks. Fish that spent the hot months in deeper water start moving closer to shore, turning these underwater structures into absolute hotspots. Captain Joe DePhillips with Reel Lucky Fishing Charters knows these productive waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Whether you're after a mixed bag of snapper and grouper or hoping to tangle with a king mackerel that'll test your drag, this is prime time fishing at its finest.
This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – we're heading to where the big boys live. The reefs and artificial wrecks scattered around St Petersburg create perfect ambush points for predators and safe havens for baitfish. Captain Joe runs a clean operation with space for two anglers, so you're getting personalized attention without feeling crowded. The cooler months mean comfortable conditions on deck while the fish are actively feeding. You'll be targeting everything from hard-fighting cobia to delicious mangrove snapper, plus the occasional shark that'll give you a workout you won't forget. Each trip is customized based on what's biting, current conditions, and what species get your heart pumping. Don't worry about bringing lunch – you'll be too busy reeling in dinner to think about eating.
Reef and wreck fishing requires specific tactics to be successful around these structure-rich environments. Captain Joe comes equipped with medium to heavy spinning and conventional gear that can handle both finesse presentations and brute force battles. You'll be dropping baits right to the bottom around concrete structures, steel hulls, and rocky ledges where fish congregate. Live bait like pilchards and threadfin herring work magic here, but don't count out cut bait for the bigger predators. The key is getting your offering down quickly before the current sweeps it away from the strike zone. When a big grouper grabs your bait and heads straight back to its hole, you'll understand why we use heavy tackle with locked drags. Trolling around the outer edges of these spots with spoons and diving plugs also produces explosive strikes from kings and Spanish mackerel.
"Great day fishing. Caught a crazy amount of fish. The boat was clean and crew performed great." - Tom
"Hands down! The crew you need to book with! Worth every penny and minute. Great atmosphere, good music, cute little dog! You could feel the pride he puts into his boat and keeping his clients safe. Plus he helped me achieve catching a shark as big as me! Gave us great restaurants options on where to get our fresh catches cooked up, even the best ways to have it prepared. Great knowledge about the area around here, and is very friendly to talk too! His co crew man, Chris was just as great as the Captain Joe. They did not make me like a tourist one bit. I will definitely be booking again, and it will be the 8 hours one, not the 4 hours. 4 hour was the right amount of time for new people like us fishing in the ocean. But I'm coming back prepared and ready to take on the whole day fishing with the men next time! 🌊🎣 Sorry, Chris for the google blast of your face, but it's the best picture of the fish! 🐠 🤗🫣" - Tiffany
Northern Kingfish are year-round residents around St Petersburg's nearshore reefs and provide steady action when other species are being finicky. These silver torpedoes typically run 12 to 20 inches and hit both live bait and small jigs with authority. They're perfect for keeping kids and novice anglers engaged while waiting for larger predators to show up. The cooler months actually improve the bite as these fish become more aggressive feeders, and they make excellent table fare when prepared as fish cakes or fried whole.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the reef, capable of blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. Fall and winter months bring larger fish closer to the reefs as they follow massive schools of baitfish. These toothy predators average 15 to 30 pounds around the wrecks, with trophy fish pushing 40 pounds or more. They'll absolutely demolish a slow-trolled live bait or slam a flashy spoon without hesitation. The fight is what legends are made of – long runs, acrobatic jumps, and enough power to test both your tackle and your stamina.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the reef system, using their broad tails and muscular bodies to wage epic battles in open water. These bronze beauties show up around wrecks and reefs throughout the cooler months, often following rays and sharks looking for an easy meal. A 30-pound cobia will give you a workout that'll have your arms burning, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you a shot at sight fishing when conditions are right.
Tripletail are one of the most unique catches you'll encounter around floating debris and structure edges near the reefs. These oddball fish look like floating leaves until they explode on your bait with surprising power. They typically run 5 to 15 pounds and provide spectacular table fare with firm, white meat that rivals grouper. Finding them requires a keen eye and precise casting, making each hookup feel like a real achievement.
Lane Snapper are the bread and butter of reef fishing, providing consistent action when the bite is on. These colorful fish rarely exceed 14 inches but make up for size with attitude and numbers. During the cooler months, they stack up around structure in impressive schools, creating fast-paced action that keeps your rod bent. They're also some
Meet your ride to the best reef and wreck fishing spots around St Petersburg! This restored 1995 Jefferson Yachts Marlago center console cuts through the water like a dream, thanks to twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll have you cruising at 45 knots to reach those productive offshore grounds fast. Captain Joe completely rebuilt this beauty in 2019, so you're getting classic bones with modern reliability. The boat's rigged perfectly for serious fishing – a top-notch fish finder helps locate schools around the wrecks, while the GPS and radar keep you on target even when visibility drops. VHF radio keeps you connected, and the multimedia system adds some tunes between bites. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh for the ride back to the dock. With fall and winter bringing cooler temps, the fish are moving closer to shore and stacking up around these reef and wreck structures. You'll be targeting snapper, grouper, mackerel, kingfish, triple tail, cobia, and sharks – basically whatever's biting based on the season and your preferences. This center console design gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around the boat comfortably.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bullies of the reef, and they fight like it. These dark brown bruisers average 30-50 pounds but can push well over 100. You'll spot them cruising solo around our wrecks, buoys, and reef structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their spawning runs when they're more aggressive. What makes cobia special is they're usually sight-fished - you'll see them just under the surface looking like small sharks. They hit hard and make powerful runs, plus the meat is firm and delicious, similar to grouper. Being solitary fish, they're harder to target commercially, making each one caught on rod and reel more rewarding. Pro tip: use bucktail jigs in 4-8 ounce range and work them near structure. Color doesn't matter much - these fish aren't picky when they're hungry.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are pure speed demons that'll test your drag system and your nerves. These silver bullets typically run 20-40 pounds around our reefs and wrecks, though we see them pushing 60+ pounds during peak season. You'll find them cruising 40-150 feet deep, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Fall and winter months are prime time here in St. Pete as cooler water temperatures bring them closer to shore. What anglers love most is that initial run - kings can strip 200 yards of line before you blink. The meat is rich and flaky, though it's got higher mercury content. They're aggressive predators that'll hit live bait, spoons, and trolled lures. Here's the key: always use a wire leader and keep two hooks on your live bait - one through the nose, one near the back. Kings typically bite the tail end first.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are the perfect starter fish for reef fishing - aggressive biters with beautiful pink and yellow stripes that taste great in the cooler. They typically run 10-14 inches and average around 3-7 pounds, making them ideal for light tackle fun. You'll find them over coral reefs and sandy bottoms with good structure, usually in 70-230 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, particularly March through September during spawning season. What guests love is how willing they are to bite compared to other snappers, but don't let that fool you - they still put up a good scrap once hooked. The white, flaky meat makes excellent table fare. These fish often show up as bonus catches when targeting bigger snappers or grouper. Here's my tip: fish at night when they feed most actively, and use fresh shrimp or cut squid on small hooks. They're less line-shy than their bigger cousins.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern Kingfish are scrappy bottom feeders that pack a surprising fight for their size. Most run 10-14 inches and weigh under two pounds, but they'll bend your rod with their stubborn runs. You'll find them working sandy bottoms and around rocky structure in shallow coastal waters, especially during late summer when they move closer to shore. These bronze-backed fish use that little barbel under their chin to hunt crabs, shrimp, and worms along the bottom. What makes them popular is the combination of decent action on light tackle and excellent white meat that's worth keeping. They're not the biggest fish out there, but they're reliable biters. My tip: use small hooks with fresh clams or bloodworms, and fish right on the bottom - these guys rarely come up to chase bait.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are the oddballs of our offshore trips - they literally float on their sides like debris, then surprise you with an acrobatic fight. Most run 2-13 pounds and about 18 inches, but their bulky bodies pack more punch than you'd expect. These guys hang near the surface around weed lines, buoys, and floating structure, making them perfect for sight fishing. Summer months bring the best action, especially July and August during spawning season. What anglers love is the challenge - they spook easily, so you need stealth and accuracy. The payoff is excellent table fare that rivals red snapper. They can change color from mottled brown to black or white instantly, which helps them blend with floating debris. My advice: cast past them and slowly work your bait back. Use live shrimp or small crabs, and be careful of those razor-sharp gill plates when handling.
5.0 out of 5.0Great day fishing. Caught a crazy amount of fish. The boat was clean and crew performed great.
Hands down! The crew you need to book with! Worth every penny and minute. Great atmosphere, good music, cute little dog! You could...
St. Petersburg, FL