St. Petersburg's Premier Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing adventure targeting grouper, snapper, and amberjack speciesCaptain Matt Rogers guides guests to premier fishing locationsSmall group experience with maximum seven guests per trip
When you're ready to ditch the inshore crowds and chase some serious fish, Captain Matt Rogers and Triple Threat Outfitters have got your ticket to the best offshore action St. Petersburg has to offer. We're talking about those untapped hotspots where the big fish hang out – the kind of places that separate the weekend warriors from the serious anglers. With room for up to 7 guests, this isn't some cattle boat operation. You'll get the personal attention and local knowledge that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with a cooler full of quality fish.
Captain Matt knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to run to where the fish are biting. We're heading to productive offshore structure where the bottom contours and current breaks create perfect ambush points for grouper, snapper, and amberjack. The boat's equipped with quality gear, but if you've got your favorite rods and reels, bring them along. Most days we'll be fishing anywhere from 40 to 100 feet of water, depending on what's hot and what the weather's doing. The trip price doesn't include fuel, which keeps things fair since we're not cutting corners on where we fish – if the bite's better 20 miles out, that's where we're going. Plan on tipping your mate 15% minimum; these guys work hard baiting hooks, gaffing fish, and keeping the boat running smooth so you can focus on fishing. No meals are included, so pack a cooler with drinks and snacks to keep your energy up during the action.
Out here, we're fishing vertical most of the day – dropping baits to structure where these reef fish live and feed. We'll be using everything from live pinfish and grunts to cut bait, depending on what's working. The GPS is loaded with productive spots: artificial reefs, natural ledges, and hard bottom that holds fish year-round. When we mark fish on the electronics, we'll anchor up and put multiple lines down at different depths. Sometimes the grouper are hugging bottom, other times they're suspended mid-water. The key is reading the fish finder and adjusting your presentation. We'll also do some drift fishing when conditions are right – letting the current carry our baits along structure while covering more water. Don't be surprised if we make several moves during the day; that's just smart fishing when you know the area like Captain Matt does.
The Red Snapper fishing has been lights-out good, especially during their season when everything aligns. These fish are aggressive feeders and put up a solid fight on medium-heavy tackle. Most of our keepers are running 18-24 inches, perfect table fare that'll have you planning your next trip before you're back at the dock. They love live bait but won't turn down a well-presented piece of cut sardine or cigar minnow. The best action usually happens during moving tides when these fish are actively feeding along the structure.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of our offshore trips, and for good reason. These bruisers average 5-10 pounds but don't let that fool you – they'll test your drag and try every trick to get back to their rocky hideouts. Gags are ambush predators that hang around structure waiting for an easy meal. They're most active during cooler months but we catch them year-round. The key is getting your bait to the bottom quickly before the triggerfish and other bait stealers find it. When you hook a good gag, keep steady pressure and don't give them an inch or they'll cut you off in the rocks.
Red Grouper might not fight as hard as their gag cousins, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. These fish are more willing to come up off the bottom to feed, which makes them easier targets when they're schooled up. We typically find them in 60-80 feet of water around scattered hard bottom and shell. They're curious fish that will often follow hooked fish toward the surface, giving you shots at multiple hookups. The bigger females can push 8-10 pounds and are some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Greater Amberjack are the wildcards that can make your day when they show up. These fish are pure muscle and will take you for a ride on heavy tackle. They're most common during warmer months and love to hang around tall structures and wrecks. When the amberjacks are biting, it's non-stop action – they travel in schools and are super aggressive. A 20-30 pound AJ will remind you why you need good drag and strong arms. They're also excellent on the table when prepared right, despite what some people say.
Goliath Grouper encounters are always memorable, even though these giants are catch-and-release only. These prehistoric-looking fish can weigh hundreds of pounds and will absolutely humble your tackle. When you hook one, don't expect to win – just enjoy the experience and get some photos before releasing this protected species. They're curious fish that often follow other hooked fish to the surface, giving everyone on the boat a chance to see these impressive creatures up close.
St. Petersburg's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and trips like this fill up fast during peak season. Captain Matt Rogers has built his reputation on consistently putting clients on fish while providing top-notch service. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water or someone ready to step up from inshore fishing, this offshore adventure delivers the goods. The combination of productive fishing grounds, quality equipment, and local expertise makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Don't wait until prime fishing season to book – the best dates go to the anglers who plan ahead. Give Triple Threat Outfitters a call and secure your spot for some of the best offshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Captain Matt Rogers' 2022 323 Calcutta is your ticket to St. Petersburg's best offshore fishing grounds. This sleek 33-foot catamaran packs serious power with twin 300 HP Mercury engines that'll cruise at 60 knots, getting you to the fish fast and keeping you comfortable on the ride back. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to work their lines without bumping elbows, while the GPS navigation and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating productive spots. Whether you're targeting gag grouper in deeper structure or chasing red snapper around the reefs, this cat handles Gulf swells like a champ. Captain Matt knows where the amberjack stack up and when the hogfish are biting, making every trip productive. The stable platform means you can focus on fighting fish instead of fighting seasickness, and there's enough seating for everyone to stay comfortable during the longer runs offshore.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the sneaky fighters that'll surprise you every time. Most run 2-4 pounds around here, but don't let that fool you - they punch way above their weight class. Look for them around ledges, rocks, and wrecks in 40-120 feet of water. The cooler months from fall through spring are prime time when they're feeding heavy before spawning season. What guests love most is that first bulldogging run straight for the bottom - they're stubborn as mules and won't give up easy. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Here's the key: once you feel that thump, lock down your drag immediately and horse them up fast. Give them half a second to think about it, and they'll wrap you around the nearest piece of structure.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath Grouper are the stuff of legends - massive fish that can stretch 6+ feet and weigh several hundred pounds. These gentle giants hang around shallow structure, wrecks, and ledges in 20-100 feet, making them surprisingly accessible. Summer months bring the best encounters when they're most active. What makes them special isn't just the size - it's that heart-stopping moment when something the size of a small car decides to eat your bait. Remember, these are strictly catch-and-release fish, but the photo opportunities are priceless. Bring your heaviest gear - 80+ pound tackle minimum. My advice: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough that you can muscle them away from cover when they bite. That first pull will test everything you've got.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the speed demons of our offshore trips. These silver bullets average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ when we find the big ones. They cruise around wrecks, reefs, and deep structure in 60-200+ feet of water. Spring and summer are peak season when they're schooled up and feeding aggressively. What makes AJ fishing so addictive is that blistering first run - they'll peel line like nothing else and test your drag system to its limits. The fight stays strong all the way up too. Look for them around any vertical structure where baitfish gather. My go-to method: drop a large live bait or heavy jig down to the structure and hold on tight. When they hit, it's game on - just make sure your drag is set properly because they'll either stop your reel or break you off.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are the bread and butter of our grouper fishing, and for good reason. These rusty-red fighters typically run 5-15 pounds and are some of the most reliable biters we encounter. They love muddy and rocky bottoms from 30-200 feet deep, especially around ledges and structure. Fall through early spring is prime time before their spawning closure kicks in. What guests appreciate most is their aggressive nature - they'll usually eat whatever you put in front of them, and they fight hard all the way to the boat. The meat quality is outstanding too, with a sweet, shellfish-like flavor that's tough to beat. Pro tip: fresh shrimp or crab will get you bit every time. When you hook up, keep steady pressure and work them up quick before they can dig into the rocks.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the gold standard of Gulf fishing. These bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 20+ pounds. They live around rocky bottom and structure in 30-200 feet of water, making our offshore reefs perfect habitat. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're most active. What makes them special? That initial run when hooked is pure power, and the meat is absolutely top-notch - sweet, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. My tip: use fresh cigar minnows or pinfish on a heavy weight. Once you hook up, keep that drag locked tight and don't give them an inch toward the rocks, or they'll cut you off every time.
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