Heavy Tackle Fishing Charters In St. Petersburg

FEDERAL ARS - American Red Snapper LIMITED Season Gulf of Mexico begins June 1st - August & Federally Regulated! We are FULLY FEDERAL CREDENTIALIZED including the limited & required NOAA Pelagic Species & Reef Permits. Don't mess around with a nearshore amateur trip to catch state water fish, instead head offshore to the deep blue waters where the big boys live with one of the most elite outfits in the St. Pete/Clearwater/Tampa Bay area. Equipped with all the possible NOAA Issued Permits, FULL Federal Credentials, and several years of on the water experience, Captain Brian & 1st Mate both Master Licensed can take you well past the state water line (+10mi from shore) to hit the more secluded deepwater honey holes where big ARS - American Red Snapper & select Grouper Species hang out. If you're looking for that next level fishing trip, you've come to the right spot. Our 35' Contender Pro Tournament Series vessel is operated under the direction of the exorbitantly credentialed Pelagic Expert Captain Brian and 1st Mate. On this trip you will go further out to visit some of the secret honey holes this 35' contender has marked into its GPS. Your Captain will not only help you limit out on seasonal ARS - American Red Snapper and Grouper species but limit you out on Monster Snapper and Grouper specimens! This means if you catch a smaller Lane Snapper or Red Grouper (or other species that is in season) Your Captain will encourage you to return that one to the water and wait for another big boy! After you've limited out on the bottom fish, your Captain will take you to troll some nearby offshore grass lines or reef structures to solicit a Tuna or Cobia bite as well. No expense is sparred, or corner cut when you fish with Fish Hawk Charters. These trips obviously will be targeting limits on this delicious species, but Captain Brian and 1st Mate will help you keep the biggest ones for your limit at that! Depending on the day and how hot the honey holes, you could come back to the dock with a limit for of doormat sized snapper! Now fishing isn't catching, but the TEAM is here to go above and beyond to do whatever it takes to ensure you have an incredible experience and are dam near the closest thing to a guarantee you can get! These trips involve a quick haul offshore to get to one of Captain's marked locations on his GPS. The fishing grounds are usually offshore structure like reefs and other live bottoms. ARS - American Red snapper like to hang near the bottom at these structures and usually congregate in high numbers! You will most likely be using a bottom rig including a heavier weight rod and a hefty weight tied on beneath. Captain Brian & 1st Mate will take care of all the set up for you here and will leave you to monitor the rod for bites. With a small twitch or a slight movement of the line, Captain Brian or 1st Mate will tell you to start reeling. There is no hook set involved but you can bet your bottom dollar, you'll know soon enough that the fight is on! Nothing makes our TEAM more than happy delivering on your goals for the day! You'll be riding out aboard a beautifully maintained Contender 35ft Tournament boat equipped with triple 300 horsepower Yamahas and a deep-V that get you to and from the fishing grounds quickly and safely. This vessel’s ride has a reputation in the fishing community as being one of the smoothest and driest on the water. And can get you out to the fishing grounds in the shortest amount of time to maximize the amount of time spent fishing. You will depart from the beautiful Tierra Verde Marina Resort in St. Pete. Alongside mega yachts and classy sportfishing vessels, Captain and his crew will help load your gear aboard the boat and ensure you are comfortable and properly briefed for your day before you depart. Captain suggests that you arrive 30 mins prior to departure time for all trips aboard his boats to ensure your captain has enough time to get all your gear onboard and properly orient you for the day ahead! All fishing essentials are provided along with a cooler with ice and water. Bring your own lunch and beverages, and a small personal cooler is fine as well. SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE ARE PARAMOUNT! We Deliver The Results & Exceed Expectations! Read More

Join Captain Jimmy for the Tarpon fishing experience of a lifetime. Tarpon are one of the top gamefish in Florida, and these "silver kings" really congregate around Holmes Beach in the spring and summer. These large, powerful fish can grow up to eight feet long and weigh over two hundred pounds, making for an extremely exciting and challenging fishing experience, whether you're a lifelong angler or still learning your knots. Tides, weather, and the phases of the moon play essential roles in Tarpon behavior, but in the right season, these kings of the inshore are always hungry, biting on both live and artificial bait. Get out there and test yourself against these prime gamefish! You'll be fishing from Captain Jimmy's 26' Donzi center console. It was built in 2001 and it has a Mercury engine with 225 horsepower. The boat also has a fighting chair, GPS, fishfinder, flybridge, snorkeling equipment, live bait well, outriggers, and an icebox. Captain Jimmy will provide all the necessary equipment and bait. All you need to bring is sunscreen, a hat, and some sunglasses! Read More

Get ready for an exciting day of shark fishing in Tampa Bay, Florida! Join Captain Phil aboard his 24' Dorado bay boat and prepare to battle some of the most fearsome predators in the ocean. You'll be targeting Blacktip Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Bonnetheads, all known for their aggressive nature and powerful fighting ability. As you cast your line into the waters of Tampa Bay, you'll feel the adrenaline build as you wait for one of these sharks to strike. When it does, hold on tight and brace yourself for a thrilling battle! Sharks have terrific endurance and can fight for 30 minutes or more. Book your fishing charter with Captain Phil today and experience the thrill of shark fishing in Tampa Bay! Read More

The Gulf of Mexico has some of the best snapper and grouper fishing along the coastline of Sarasota, Florida. Aboard his 29' Regulator center console, Captain Dustin offers you the opportunity to go miles offshore and experience what it's like to haul in these hard-fighting fish. Along with snapper and grouper, you can also target amberjacks, kingfish, cobia, and occasionally some pelagic fish on the 8-hour adventures! Your charter will go anywhere from 10 to 30 offshore; the distance is based on the type of fish you'll be chasing and to make sure you hit the best fishing grounds. The charter can take up to 6 people. Captain Dustin will provide all the rods, reels, bait & tackle, along with a cooler with ice and water, all necessary fishing licenses, and will clean your catch for you at the end of the day! Read More

Get ready for an epic day fishing with one of the most elite outfits in the St. Pete-Clearwater Tampa Bay area! Equipped with all the possible federal permits, credentials, and years of on the water experience, Master Licensed Captain Brian & 1st Mates are here to go above and beyond to do whatever it takes to ensure you have an incredible experience! If you're looking for that next level fishing trip, you've come to the right spot. On these trips, your Captain & 1st Mate will help you attempt to limit out on species that are in season species that call the Gulf of Mexico's inshore/nearshore waters home. You'll be riding out aboard a beautifully maintained Contender 35' Tournament boat that's equipped with triple 300 horsepower Yamahas and a deep-V hull that get you to and from the fishing grounds quickly and safely. This vessel’s ride has a reputation in the fishing community as being one of the smoothest and driest on the water. These inshore trips benefit from the Contender’s ability to minimize the amount of time cruising and maximize the amount of time spent fishing. You will depart from the beautiful Tierra Verde Marina Resort in St. Pete, right alongside mega-yachts and classy sportfishing vessels. The Captain & 1st Mate will help load your gear aboard the boat and ensure you are comfortable and properly briefed for your day before you depart. We suggest that you arrive 30 mins prior to departure time for all trips aboard his boats to ensure your Captain has enough time to get all your gear onboard and properly orient you on the day ahead! His boat is docked at the Tierra Verde Resort Marina but if you are looking to get picked up from a nearby location, Captains are often more than happy to accommodate! All fishing essentials are provided along with a cooler with ice and water. Bring your own lunch and beverages, and a small personal cooler is fine as well. Read More

Get out there and experience some hardcore nighttime fishing with Captain Taylor on this trip! This is a rare opportunity to hunt sharks in the dark, when their behavior changes and they become more aggressive. On this trip, you'll use a few different techniques to hook up Blacktip sharks, which are common in this area. Captain Taylor knows exactly where to go to find the big ones, and he'll put you right on 'em! You'll really practice your fish-fighting skills on this trip, and with some luck you'll come back with some great pictures, a personal best, and maybe dinner too! Because you're getting out over reefs and structure, be prepared to steam offshore for a while before you start hooking up. Once you get on the fish, Captain Taylor will have everything you need for a perfect night of fishing, including rods, reels, bait, and trolling gear. To maximize your time on the water, bring along weather-appropriate clothing, a hat, and a camera! No need for sunscreen on a night trip. Read More

On this 6 hour trip with Captain Scott, you'll have plenty of time to try trolling the deeper waters, as well as bottom fishing the shallows. Feel free to ask the captain to bring some fly fishing gear as well, and get the most out of your Sarasota Bay fishing excursion. Go after Snappers, Groupers, Cobia, and more along the reefs. While inshore, you'll do battle with Sheepshead, Trout, Redfish, and Sharks. Please, have in mind that 735-pound is the weight limit combined for guests, which is usually equal to 3 adults or 2 adults with 2 kids. Everything is provided on Captain Scott's trips including licenses, fishing gear, bait, and ice. So all you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and Captain Scott will make sure you have a great time out on the water! Read More

The 48 Silverton Convertible’s sleek 51-foot, 6-inch hull has a 16-foot, 3-inch beam, providing abundant space for three staterooms, two heads, a spacious saloon with a galley on the same level, a large fishing-ready cockpit and arguably the largest flybridge in its class. The 48 Convertible combines the best of cruising and fishing in one great package. Read More

Climb aboard with Joseph and enjoy a memorable day of fishing outside of St. Petersburg, Florida! You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Joseph’s 35-foot Marlago, which is federally permitted. She provides a quick and comfortable ride to the offshore fishing grounds and is equipped with a toilet. You’ll be targeting the Gag Grouper, Goliath Grouper, Hogfish, King Mackerel / Kingfish, and Red Snapper that inhabit these waters. Don’t forget to bring a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch, sunscreen, and a hat. Feel free to bring food and beverages of your choice as well. Captain Joseph will provide all rods, reels, tackle, lures, licenses, and live bait (free of charge). A first mate will also be on board. He’ll be assisting you throughout your trip. Come on down to St. Petersburg, Florida, and make some memories with Captain Joseph! Read More

Looking to catch some big offshore species without spending the entire day out on the water? Then get out there with Captain Taylor, a true local expert, who will get you on the fish, whether you're going for a trophy, hoping to fill your cooler, or both. On this trip, you'll target close offshore species like Amberjack, Black Grouper, Gag Grouper, and Snappers on the reefs, plus Barracuda, False Albacore, Cobia, and Spanish Mackerel closer to the surface. You'll go after these fish using a variety of techniques including trolling, bottom fishing, drifting, and jigging. Some of these species, especially the Snappers and Groupers, can get seriously big, so bring your A-game! When a lunker hits your line, you're gonna feel it. You'll be fishing from the deck of Captain Taylor's 24' Century center console—a perfect boat for tackling the nearshore waters around Holmes Beach and Anna Maria Island! She sports a 250 HP Yamaha outboard, so you'll be on the hot fishing spots in a hurry. She's also kitted out with all the standard electronics for a safe and productive trip. Captain Taylor will bring everything you need for a great trip! All you need to remember is proper clothing, sun protection, a hat, a pair of polarized glasses, and you'll be good to go! Read More

Join Captain Matt and enjoy a beautiful morning and early afternoon of fishing in Tampa Bay, Florida! No matter your age or skill level, there’s a fish out there with your name on it. Captain Matt knows just where the fish bite, so be sure to listen to his advice. For these 6-hour trips, you’ll be testing your casting accuracy as you target Cobia, Gag Grouper, Goliath Grouper, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Tripletail, and many more species of fish. You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Matt’s 23-foot bay boat powered by a 200 HP Yamaha engine. This boat is equipped with a GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, Wireless Trolling Motor, and Ice Box. It can accommodate 4 anglers. Don’t forget to bring food for the day (Captain Matt will have bottled waters on board) as well as a cooler with ice to take home your day’s catch. Captain Matt will provide all rods, reels, and tackle, but feel free to bring your own. Captain Matt catches live bait before the start of each day, as it’s most effective in these waters, so don’t worry about bait! Captain Matt will also clean and fillet your fish at the end of each trip. Get ready for an eventful day on the water with Captain Matt! Read More

Head out for an awesome fishing adventure around Sarasota, FL with Captain Cody! Though he loves running further from shore to bottom fish the reefs for grouper, snapper, and pelagic species, the weather conditions have to be pretty stellar to allow this kind of trip. Thus, aboard his 23' Parker, he spends a lot of time hammering the inshore with his clients, and there are no shortage of fish (and big ones at that!) to catch! Lush grass flats abound in this area. These shallow grass flats are full of crabs, shrimp, and baitfish which in turn attract the game fish. Snook, Speckled Trout, and Redfish are the most sought after species, but you can also expect to hook into Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Flounder, Bluefish, Ladyfish, and others! Fishing the shallow flats requires patience and attention to detail. Fish are spooky in water that is only a couple of feet deep. The beauty of Captain Cody's 23' Parker is that it has a shallow enough draft to get you good shots up on the flats and in the back bays and inlets, while also having enough room and stability to haul it further offshore on a nice day! All of Captain Cody's trips include ice, bottled water, fishing gear, live bait, licenses, and fish cleaning at end of the trip. There is plenty of room in the cooler as well for your favorite snacks and drinks if you'd like to bring them along as well. Captain Cody's main pick-up location is the 10th Street Boat ramp (Dan Roehr Boat Ramp), but depending on where you are staying he can also accommodate launching anywhere from north of Tampa to the south side of Venice. Read More