World-Class St. Pete Offshore Charter: 6-Hour Trip

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

St. Petersburg
$500 - $1,150 price range
Updated Date: September 6, 2025

Summary

Looking for a fishing trip that's perfect for families or anglers aiming to catch both dinner and a trophy? This 6-hour adventure in St. Petersburg, FL is just the ticket. We'll head out a bit further to find the best fishing spots, giving you a real shot at landing some impressive catches. You might reel in a massive 6-8 foot shark or a 250-pound goliath grouper. King mackerel and bonito are common catches too, and if luck's on your side, you could even hook a blackfin tuna or cobia. Our expert guides know exactly where to go for the best action. With a 3-person capacity, it's an ideal setup for a small group or family outing. Whether you're after a delicious fresh-caught dinner or hoping to snag that fish of a lifetime, this trip offers a great mix of both. Don't let this chance slip away – book now and get ready for some serious offshore action in the beautiful waters off St. Petersburg.

World-Class St. Pete Offshore Charter: 6-Hour Trip

Big Catches, Big Smiles

Grouper trophy catch from St. Pete waters.

Grouper and Snapper season is on!

Big catches today on St. Petersburg waters.

St. Petersburg never disappoints on FISH!

Reel in Trophy Fish on Extended Half Day Trip

Get ready for an action-packed 6 hours on the water with Playin' Hooky Charters! We're talking serious fishing that'll have you hooked from start to finish. This extended half-day trip out of St. Petersburg, FL is perfect for families and seasoned anglers alike who want to land both dinner and a wall-hanger. We'll run a bit further offshore to where the big boys play, giving you a real shot at some monster catches. From massive sharks to hard-fighting bonito, this trip's got it all. So grab your hat and sunscreen – it's time to make some fishing memories!

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we clear the harbor, it's game on. We'll be targeting a mix of reef dwellers and pelagics, so be ready for anything. Your expert guide will have their finger on the pulse of where the fish are biting. One minute you might be battling a 250-pound goliath grouper, the next you could be hooked up with a speedster like a king mackerel. And let's not forget about those adrenaline-pumping shark fights – nothing gets the heart racing like seeing a 6-8 footer break the surface! If we're lucky, we might even tangle with some blackfin tuna or cobia. This trip's all about variety, so come ready to switch tactics on the fly.

Fishing Techniques & Gear

We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures to cover all our bases. For the reef fishing, expect to drop some hefty live baits down deep – that's how you tempt those bucket-list goliath grouper. When we're chasing pelagics like kings and bonito, we'll likely troll with a spread of lures or live baits. Shark fishing's a whole different ballgame – we'll set out some serious chum and then hold on tight! The boat's decked out with top-notch gear, but if you've got a favorite rod you want to bring along, that's cool too. Just remember, these fish fight hard, so make sure you're ready for a workout!

What Anglers Are Saying

"Had a great experience with capt adam. Even on the off season he got us on fish.... Definitely will be calling him every time I am down in st Pete!!" - Bobby

Species You'll Want to Hook

Goliath Grouper: These behemoths are the stuff of fishing legends. Growing up to 800 pounds, they're like trying to reel in a Volkswagen. Goliaths hang around wrecks and reefs, and when they hit, you'd better hold on tight! They're catch-and-release only, but the photo op is worth its weight in gold. Spring and summer are prime time for these giants.

King Mackerel: Also known as kingfish, these sleek predators are built for speed. They'll smoke your reel with blistering runs and often go airborne when hooked. Kings show up in big numbers during their spring and fall migrations, but you can find some year-round. Nothing beats the taste of fresh-grilled king mackerel steaks after a day on the water.

Atlantic Bonito: Don't let their smaller size fool you – bonito fight like fish twice their size. These relatives of tuna are speed demons that'll have your drag singing. They travel in schools, so when you find them, it's often non-stop action. Bonito are most common in the cooler months and make for great cut bait if you're after something bigger.

Blacktip Shark: These acrobatic sharks are a favorite among anglers for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. Blacktips typically range from 4-6 feet long and put up one heck of a fight. They're abundant in the warmer months and often seen busting bait schools near the surface. Landing one of these toothy critters is sure to get your heart racing!

Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast strikes, 'cudas are the gangsters of the reef. They're ambush predators that'll hit topwater lures with explosive force. Barracudas are here year-round but are especially active in the warmer months. While not the best for eating, they're a blast to catch and make for some wicked photos.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen up, folks – this isn't your average half-day charter. We're talking about a solid 6 hours of prime fishing time, giving you the best shot at landing that fish of a lifetime. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with tasty fillets or just want the thrill of tangling with some serious apex predators, this trip's got you covered. Our experienced guides know these waters like the back of their hand and are itching to put you on the fish. So what are you waiting for? Spots fill up fast, especially during peak season. Don't let that monster catch slip away – book your Extended Half Day Fishing Trip with Playin' Hooky Charters today and get ready for some reel action in St. Petersburg!

Customer Review

Capt Adam Fish Whiz

Had a great experience with capt adam. Even on the off season he got us on fish.... Definitely will be calling him every time I am down in st Pete!!

Bobby Haddad

September 1, 2024

Learn more about the species

Atlantic Bonito

Bonito are like miniature tuna, packing a punch in a smaller package. These torpedo-shaped fish usually run 5-12 pounds and love to school up, chasing bait on the surface. We find them in coastal waters, often spotted by diving birds. Spring and fall are prime bonito seasons here. They're lightning-fast and will hit just about any lure you throw their way. Light tackle is the most fun - these little powerhouses will give you a good fight on the right gear. Trolling fast-moving lures or live bait like mackerel works well. Keep an eye out for birds diving - that's often a dead giveaway for feeding bonito. They're not prized for eating, but the action they provide makes for a great day on the water. Pro tip: metal lures work best on windy days when it's hard to cast lighter stuff.

Blacktip Shark

Blacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, known for their spectacular leaps when chasing prey. These streamlined predators typically run 4-5 feet long but can reach up to 9 feet. We find them in shallow coastal waters, often cruising near the surface. Summer's the prime time, as they follow bait schools inshore. Blacktips put up an intense, fast-paced fight with long runs and aerial displays. It's an adrenaline rush when one of these toothy critters takes your bait. We use heavy tackle with wire leaders - their teeth will make short work of anything less. Chumming helps draw them in, then we'll float out a live bait or oily fish like mackerel. Be ready for that initial run - it's explosive. While we catch and release sharks, the thrill of battling one of these apex predators is unforgettable.

Goliath Grouper

These massive fish are a sight to behold, often weighing over 200 pounds. You'll find them lurking around reefs and shipwrecks in the shallow waters off St. Pete. They're slow-moving but incredibly strong - hooking one feels like trying to reel in a Volkswagen. We catch and release these gentle giants year-round, but summer's when they really congregate. Goliaths will eat just about anything, so we use heavy tackle and big live baits like blue runners. The key is getting them away from structure fast before they can break you off. It's an arm-wrestling match, but landing one of these prehistoric-looking beasts is an unforgettable thrill. Just be ready for that initial pull - it'll try to yank you right off the boat if you're not careful!

Great Barracuda

Barracuda are the toothy terrors of the reef, with a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth and a bad attitude to match. These ambush predators can hit 5-6 feet long and pack serious speed, able to burst up to 35 mph. We find them year-round near reefs and wrecks in 20-100 foot depths. Cudas are curious and often follow boats, making them easy to spot. They're known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Light tackle adds to the excitement, but be ready for a fast, hard fight. We usually troll with lures or float out live bait. Silver spoons work great - cudas can't resist that flash. Watch your fingers when landing one - those teeth are no joke. While not the best eating, the sport they provide makes barracuda a blast to catch.

King Mackerel

Kings are the speed demons of our local waters, capable of hitting 40 mph when chasing prey. These sleek, silver missiles average 15-30 pounds but can top 90. We find them in 40-150 foot depths, often near structures like reefs or wrecks. Kings are here year-round, but the big ones show up in spring and fall. Trolling with live bait or lures is the way to go - when they hit, it's like hooking a rocket. The initial run will smoke your reel, making them a favorite for sports fishing. Their fighting stamina isn't great, but that first run is a rush. For the best results, use a wire leader - their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono like butter. Kings make good eating too, so they're the total package for an exciting day on the water.

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