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Florida's Premier 10-Hour Offshore Grouper Adventure

  • Published Date: July 18, 2025
  • Fishing
  • St. Petersburg
  • $500 - $1,150 price range
  • Updated Date: September 6, 2025

Summary

Get ready for an epic day of fishing off the coast of St. Petersburg, FL with Playin' Hooky Charters. This extended 10-12 hour trip takes you 40-50 miles offshore, where the real action happens. You'll be targeting red grouper and red snapper (when in season), but the ocean often has surprises in store. Past trips have landed kingfish, sailfish, blackfin tuna, and more. It's a full day of bottom fishing that's best suited for folks with some offshore experience under their belt. The captain's flexible approach means you might stay out longer if the fish are biting and conditions are good. With room for up to 4 guests, you'll have plenty of space to reel in the big ones. Just remember, offshore fishing can be demanding, so come prepared for a full day on the water. The potential payoff? A cooler full of fish and stories to last a lifetime.
Florida's Premier 10-Hour Offshore Grouper Adventure

Offshore Hauls

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4 small fish caught while fishing in St. Petersburg

Big catch near St. Pete Pier

4 Blackfin Tuna fish caught while fishing in FL

Gulf waters, local trophy fish

Red Grouper fish caught in FL

Hooked near the Sunshine Skyway

A lone angler fishing in Florida

St. Pete coastal fishing fun

3 anglers fishing in Florida

Grouper trophy catch from St. Pete waters.

Large catch of 6 fish in St. Petersburg

Grouper and Snapper season is on!

5 people fishing in St. Petersburg

Big catches today on St. Petersburg waters.

7 fishing in FL

St. Petersburg never disappoints on FISH!

3 big fish caught while fishing in St. Petersburg

A table full of fish for all sorts of dish.

5 caught fish in FL

St. Pete fishing at sunrise

4 small fish caught while fishing in St. Petersburg

Big catch near St. Pete Pier

4 Blackfin Tuna fish caught while fishing in FL

Gulf waters, local trophy fish

Red Grouper fish caught in FL

Hooked near the Sunshine Skyway

A lone angler fishing in Florida

St. Pete coastal fishing fun

3 anglers fishing in Florida

Grouper trophy catch from St. Pete waters.

Large catch of 6 fish in St. Petersburg

Grouper and Snapper season is on!

5 people fishing in St. Petersburg

Big catches today on St. Petersburg waters.

7 fishing in FL

St. Petersburg never disappoints on FISH!

3 big fish caught while fishing in St. Petersburg

A table full of fish for all sorts of dish.

5 caught fish in FL

St. Pete fishing at sunrise

4 small fish caught while fishing in St. Petersburg

Big catch near St. Pete Pier

4 Blackfin Tuna fish caught while fishing in FL

Gulf waters, local trophy fish

Red Grouper fish caught in FL

Hooked near the Sunshine Skyway

A lone angler fishing in Florida

St. Pete coastal fishing fun

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Epic Offshore Adventure: Snapper & Grouper Bonanza

Get ready for the fishing trip of a lifetime in the Gulf waters off St. Petersburg, FL. This extended full-day adventure takes you 40-50 miles offshore where the big boys play. We're talking monster red grouper, tasty red snapper, and a whole crew of other hard-fighting fish just waiting to bend your rod. With 10-12 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to load the cooler and make memories that'll last way longer than your catch.

What to Expect on the Water

This ain't your average day trip, folks. We're going the distance to where the real action is. You'll be dropping lines in 100+ feet of water, feeling the thump of grouper and the zippy runs of snapper. But here's the kicker - out here, anything can happen. We've had days where kingfish crash the party, sailfish go airborne, and even blackfin tuna decide to join the fun. It's like fishing roulette, and every drop could be the jackpot.

Fair warning: this trip isn't for total newbies. We recommend you've got some offshore experience under your belt and know your way around a bottom rig. The Gulf can get sporty out there, and we want you comfortable so you can focus on the fish, not your sea legs.

Techniques & Gear Breakdown

We'll be using a mix of live bait and cut bait, depending on what's working best that day. Heavy-duty conventional reels spooled with 50-80 lb braid are the name of the game. We'll rig up with circle hooks to give those grouper a fighting chance (trust me, they need it) and help with catch-and-release if we hook into something out of season.

Bottom fishing is our bread and butter, but we'll keep rods ready for any surface action too. If the kings are running or we spot some birds working, we might switch it up and do some trolling. Versatility is key out here, and we're always ready to change tactics to put you on the fish.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Red Grouper: These bruisers are the main event. They fight like tanks, pulling hard for the bottom and testing your arms and your gear. Most keeper reds run 5-15 pounds, but 20+ pounders aren't unheard of. They're ambush predators, so we'll be dropping baits right into their living rooms on rocky bottom and reef structures.

Red Snapper: When they're in season, red snapper are worth their weight in gold. These gorgeous fish put up a great fight and taste even better. They typically run 2-10 pounds out here, but bigger ones love to show off. Snapper have great eyesight, so sometimes we'll need to finesse them with lighter leaders.

Kingfish: These speedsters can show up any time, especially when we're anchored up chumming. They'll smoke a live bait and go on blistering runs that'll have your drag singing. Fall and spring are prime time for kings, but we see them year-round.

Amberjack: AJs are the bulldogs of the Gulf. When you hook one, hold on tight! These powerful fish often hang around wrecks and deep structure. They're a blast to catch and put up a fight you won't soon forget.

Blackfin Tuna: It's always a treat when these guys show up. Blackfin are like mini torpedoes, and they'll test your stamina on lighter tackle. They often travel in schools, so when we find them, it can be non-stop action.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Listen, I've been running these trips for years, and there's a reason folks book again before we even hit the dock. It's not just about filling the cooler (though we do plenty of that). It's about that moment when a big grouper tries to break your arms, or a kingfish screams off 100 yards of line in seconds. It's watching the sunrise over the open Gulf, miles from the worries of shore. And yeah, it's about coming home with enough fresh fillets to make you real popular at the next neighborhood cookout.

Every trip is different out here. Some days we're in a red snapper frenzy, other days we're tangling with sailfish we never expected to see. That's the beauty of it - you never know what the Gulf's gonna serve up, but it's always a good time.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching for a real offshore adventure, this is your ticket. We've got the boat, the know-how, and the hot spots to put you on fish that'll make your arms sore and your fishing stories true. Remember, we're limited to 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention. Bring your game face, some snacks, and maybe a camera - you're gonna want proof of what you catch out here.

Don't wait around watching fishing shows, wishing you were out there. Give us a call, lock in your date, and get ready for a day on the water you'll be talking about for years. The Gulf is calling, and the fish are waiting. Let's go play hooky and make some memories!

Playin' Hooky Charters

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Ready to escape the stress of daily life? Book now with Playin' Hooky Charters, where Captain Adam Homan will take you on a relaxing fishing adventure in the beautiful waters of St. Petersburg, FL. Don't wait - treat yourself to some well-deserved downtime and book your trip today!

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