Where boats run from John’s Pass
Greater amberjack fishing out of Madeira Beach is wreck and high-relief fishing, and how far you run depends on which tier you fish. Madeira Beach and John’s Pass boats split into full-day runs and long-range trips. Got One’s full-day trip runs 25 to 40 miles offshore to about 100 to 140 ft. Hubbard’s 39-hour trip targets giant amberjack on 120 to 250 ft grounds, 100 to 150 miles out. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
The published local season statements differ, so check current rules before you go. For how the species behaves everywhere, see our greater amberjack guide.
The figures below come from the operators themselves. The two tiers differ in distance by roughly a factor of four.
| Tier | Distance offshore | Depth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day | 25 to 40 miles | About 100 to 140 ft | Got One |
| Long-range | 100 to 150 miles | 120 to 250 ft (trip range) | Hubbard’s 39-hour trip |
Full-day runs, 25 to 40 miles
Got One’s full-day trip targets wrecks and high-relief structure in about 100 to 140 ft. Most private boats consider this distance first. It is well past the nearshore reefs and inside the first tier of the offshore grounds.
Long-range runs, 100 to 150 miles
Hubbard’s 39-hour trip targets giant amberjack on grounds in the 120 to 250 ft range. That depth figure covers the whole trip and is not a sounding for any one spot.
Grounds and structure off Madeira Beach
The water here falls into three depth bands: nearshore reefs at 25 to 33 ft, offshore wrecks at about 100 to 140 ft, and far grounds in the 120 to 250 ft range. Greater amberjack fishing off this port happens mostly in the last two.
- Nearshore reefs: 25 to 33 ft, listed by FWC.
- Offshore wrecks: about 100 to 140 ft, 25 to 40 miles out.
- Far grounds: 120 to 250 ft, 100 to 150 miles out.
Offshore wrecks and high relief
Wrecks and high-relief structure in about 100 to 140 ft are the full-day target, 25 to 40 miles offshore per Got One. Amberjack off Madeira Beach are fished on this structure rather than on the shallow reef tier. Plot it ahead of time so the run is spent on bottom you chose.
The Elbow and the Middle Grounds
Both are named far grounds on Hubbard’s 39-hour trip, 100 to 150 miles offshore. The 120 to 250 ft figure is the trip’s range, not a measured depth for either ground.
Nearshore artificial reefs
FWC lists these reefs close to the pass, at depths of 25 to 33 ft. They make up the nearshore tier and are shown here by depth for comparison with the offshore wrecks.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Coordinates (FWC) | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira Reef (Madeira Beach Reef) | 29 to 32 | 27 46.3 N, 82 54.9 W | concrete culverts |
| Treasure Island Reef | 29 to 33 | 27 44.5 N, 82 52.9 W | concrete culverts |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 25 | 27 40.6 N, 82 51.8 W | – |
| Clearwater Reef | 27 to 32 | – | – |
Plot the FWC coordinates before you leave the dock. Chart layers are not for navigation.
John’s Pass jetty and bridge
The jetty and bridge are structure at the pass.
How amberjack are fished here
Three methods are used out of this port, and greater amberjack fishing from Madeira Beach leans on live bait and jigs. For general live-bait wreck and jigging technique, see the regional reef fish fishing pages.
- Live bait chummed to the stern
- Live bait or artificial jigs
- Slow pitch jigging
Live bait chummed to the stern
Boats here fish spinning rods with plenty of live bait, chummed up to the stern.
Jigs
Got One fishes live bait or artificial jigs.
Slow pitch jigging
Hubbard’s runs slow pitch jigging trips, which ties the method to the long-range tier.
Who fishes for them out of this port
These operators show how the port fishes:
- Hubbard’s Marina offshore trips, Capt. Dylan Hubbard. Runs the 39-hour trip and slow pitch jigging trips.
- Got One Sportfishing charters, Capt. Brian Simmons. Runs the full-day trip, 25 to 40 miles out.
- Fintastic Fishing Charters amberjack page, Capt. Steve Papen. Lists greater amberjack.
- Bent Charters Fishing fleet. Lists greater amberjack.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of Madeira Beach
How far do boats run for amberjack from Madeira Beach?
Got One’s full-day trip runs 25 to 40 miles. Hubbard’s 39-hour trip runs 100 to 150 miles.
What depth holds them?
About 100 to 140 ft on wrecks and high-relief structure, per Got One. Hubbard’s long-range trip covers 120 to 250 ft.
Do the nearshore reefs hold amberjack?
FWC lists the nearshore reefs at 25 to 33 ft. The local amberjack runs target wrecks at about 100 to 140 ft.
What methods are used here?
Spinning rods with plenty of live bait chummed up to the stern, live bait or artificial jigs per Got One, and slow pitch jigging on Hubbard’s trips.
When is the season?
The published local statements differ, so check current state and federal rules before fishing. The Regulations section above points to where.
