5.0(2 Reviews)St Petersburg Deep Sea Fishing Adventures
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Target snapper, grouper, mackerel, and sharks near reefsFall and winter offer cooler weather and better fishingSmall group experience with only 2 guests maximum
When the water temps start dropping in fall and winter, something magical happens around St Pete's reef and wreck sites. Fish that spent the summer in deeper water start moving closer to shore, turning these underwater structures into absolute fishing gold mines. Captain Joe DePhillips at Reel Lucky Fishing Charters knows exactly where to find them, and he's ready to put you on some serious action. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about targeting quality fish around structure where they stack up thick during the cooler months.
This top-rated deep sea fishing experience takes you to St Petersburg's most productive reef and wreck sites, where cooler water temperatures create perfect conditions for bottom fishing. You'll be fishing in a small group of just 2 anglers, which means personalized attention and more fish per person. Captain Joe's been working these waters for years and knows exactly which wrecks are holding fish on any given day. The boat's equipped with quality tackle and all the gear you need, plus fish cleaning services so you can focus on what matters – getting your line tight. Weather permitting, you'll spend your time working different structures, adjusting techniques based on what's biting and what species are most active.
Wreck and reef fishing requires specific approaches to be successful around structure. We'll be using medium to heavy tackle with circle hooks and enough weight to get your bait down in the current. Live bait works best – pilchards, pinfish, and grunt keep in the live well and fished on the bottom or suspended in the water column. When targeting pelagic species like kingfish and cobia, we'll switch to trolling techniques with spoons, planers, and live bait. The key is reading the fish finder and adjusting your presentation based on where fish are marking. Captain Joe provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, but feel free to bring your own gear if you have favorites. We'll anchor up on productive spots and also drift fish when conditions allow, giving you the best shot at multiple species throughout the trip.
"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 one of the most reliable catches around St Pete's wrecks during cooler months. These silver beauties typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They school up thick around structure and hit live shrimp, cut bait, or small jigs worked near the bottom. What makes them special is their willingness to bite when other fish are finicky – they're often your first fish of the day and help build confidence for bigger targets. The meat is white, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the deep sea fishing world, and St Petersburg's reefs hold some quality fish from fall through spring. These torpedo-shaped fighters average 10-25 pounds locally, with occasional monsters pushing 40+. They patrol the edges of reefs and wrecks looking for baitfish, making them perfect targets for slow-trolling live sardines or pulling spoons. When a king hits, you'll know it – they make blistering runs that test your drag system and fighting skills. The key is using wire leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono instantly.
Cobia are the bruisers that every angler dreams about hooking around structure. These brown sharks lookalikes cruise wrecks and reefs looking for crabs and small fish, often following rays or sharks. They average 20-40 pounds in local waters and fight like freight trains once hooked. Sight fishing for cobia is world-class here – watching one slowly swim up from the depths to investigate your bait gets your heart pumping. They're curious fish that respond well to live pinfish or large jigs, but once hooked, they'll test every knot and connection on your rig.
Tripletail are the oddball species that make reef fishing so interesting around St Pete. These pancake-shaped fish float around structure mimicking debris, then ambush unsuspecting prey. They're masters of camouflage and incredibly smart, often following your bait up without committing. When they do eat, the fight is spectacular – lots of head shaking and powerful runs back toward structure. Most local tripletail run 3-8 pounds, and they're considered one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Finding one is always exciting since they're less common than other reef species.
Lane Snapper might be the most underrated fish on St Petersburg's reefs and wrecks. These colorful bottom dwellers are abundant during cooler months and provide consistent action when larger species are being picky. They average 10-14 inches and are perfect for light tackle fishing. Lane snapper have a distinct
Jump aboard Captain Joe's restored 1995 Jefferson Yachts Marlago and get ready to hit some serious fishing grounds around St Petersburg's best reefs and wrecks. This center console beauty got a full makeover in 2019 and packs twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll rocket you offshore at 45 knots – no wasting time getting to where the fish are biting. The boat's rigged with everything serious anglers need: fish finder to locate those honey holes, GPS and radar to navigate safely, plus VHF radio for marine chatter. There's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, even a multimedia system for the ride out. Fall and winter fishing here is phenomenal – cooler temps push snapper, grouper, mackerel, and kingfish right into these structures. You might hook into triple tail, cobia, or even sharks prowling the wrecks. Captain Joe knows these waters inside out and will customize your trip based on what's running and what you want to target. Perfect setup for two anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the Gulf - powerful, curious fish that'll follow you right up to the boat. These brown, shark-looking fish average 30-50 pounds but can push 80+ pounds when you find a good one. They cruise around structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best shots, especially during their spawn when they're more aggressive. What makes them special is their fight - they'll dive deep, circle the boat, and never give up until they're in the box. Plus, cobia meat is some of the finest eating in the Gulf, with firm white fillets that taste like a cross between grouper and mahi. My go-to trick is sight fishing with a bucktail jig. When you spot one, cast past them and work the jig back - they're naturally curious and will usually follow it right to the boat.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are pure speed demons that'll test your drag system and make your reel scream. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 20-40 pounds around our waters, though we see plenty that push 50-60 pounds during peak season. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, especially around our reef and wreck structure where baitfish concentrate. Fall and winter months are prime time as they move closer to shore with the cooler temps. What guests love most is the initial run - kings will peel off 200 yards of line in seconds and jump clear out of the water. Plus, their firm, flaky meat is excellent on the grill. Here's a local trick: when trolling, always rig with a wire leader and use a stinger hook setup. Kings have razor-sharp teeth and tend to bite baits in half, so that second hook near the tail often makes the difference.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are colorful little reef fish with bright pink bodies and yellow racing stripes that make them easy to spot in the fish box. They typically run 10-14 inches and 1-3 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them around our reefs and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water, especially where there's good structure and coral growth. They're active year-round but really shine during their spring and summer spawn when they school up tight. What guests love is how aggressive they are - lanes will hit almost any bait and fight way above their weight class. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local secret: when you find one lane snapper, there's usually a school nearby. Keep your baits small - pieces of cut shrimp work great - and fish right on the bottom where they feed.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern Kingfish are scrappy little fighters that hang around our sandy bottoms and shallow coastal waters. These drum family members typically run 10-14 inches and weigh about a pound, but don't let their size fool you - they'll give you a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them feeding along the bottom using that single barbel under their chin to hunt for crabs, shrimp, and worms. Fall and winter are prime time when they move closer to shore with the cooler water temps. What makes them special is their excellent white meat that rivals any table fare, plus they're a great species for kids to target. Pro tip: use small pieces of cut shrimp on a light rig and fish right on the bottom - they're not shy about taking bait, but keep your hooks small since their mouths aren't huge.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the Gulf's most unique fish - they float sideways on the surface mimicking dead leaves or debris. These chunky, round-bodied fish average 3-8 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds when you find a big one. They hang around floating structure, weed lines, and channel markers from spring through fall, usually in 20-100 feet of water. What makes them exciting is they're pure sight-fishing - you literally see them lying sideways at the surface before you cast. They're also surprisingly acrobatic for such a bulky fish, jumping and tail-walking once hooked. The meat is phenomenal, often compared to snapper or grouper with firm, sweet white fillets. Here's the key to catching them: approach quietly and cast well beyond the fish, then work your bait or jig past them. They spook easily, so if you cast too close, they'll disappear like magic.
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