When greater amberjack are around Tarpon Springs
Greater amberjack fishing out of Tarpon Springs is season-limited, so the open window decides the trip before the weather or the grounds do. Channel, ramp and conditions information for Tarpon Springs is on the port page, and the general biology and season picture is in the greater amberjack fishing guide. Open and closed dates are set by the agencies; the Regulations section below links to them. This page covers where boats run from here and what structure holds the fish. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
Where boats run from Tarpon Springs
Boats run to big offshore structure, so plan the trip around that structure rather than the first reef you cross.
- Anclote Keys and North Keys: landmarks you pass on the way out
- Artificial reef sites: Pinellas and Pasco County reef areas
- Specific structure: the army tank reef area and the Hellcat airplane waypoint
Past Anclote Keys and North Keys
Anclote Keys and North Keys are landmarks on the way out and are not amberjack grounds. Boats from the Anclote River pass them on the run offshore.
To big offshore structure
Amberjack effort from this port goes to the artificial reef sites, the army tank reef area and the Hellcat airplane waypoint, all named below. Check the official marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before the run.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
These are the named grounds and structure near Tarpon Springs.
Tarpon Springs Reef
Tarpon Springs Reef is a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0. Use the coordinate for planning only; chart layers in the app are not for navigation.
Pasco 1 and Pasco 2
Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 are reef areas off Pasco County.
Pasco County Site 1
Pasco County Site 1 is a Pasco County reef area.
Pasco County Site 2, the army tank reef
Pasco County Site 2 is the army tank reef area off Pasco County.
Hellcat (PS-19)
Hellcat is a WWII Hellcat airplane, listed as Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19.
Devils Rock Yard
Devils Rock Yard is a ground near Tarpon Springs.
Honeymoon Island is a tarpon area, not an amberjack ground.
How amberjack are fished here
The local method is bottom structure fishing on the structure described above.
Bottom structure fishing
Greater amberjack from this port are fished with bottom structure fishing over the reefs and wrecks named above. The general bottom-fishing picture is in the reef fish guides.
Who fishes for them: Miss Virginia
Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing runs the Miss Virginia, a 58-foot party boat owned by the Zuban family. Its specialty page lists amberjack, and it fishes the same kind of big offshore structure covered here.
FAQ: Greater amberjack out of Tarpon Springs
When can you fish for greater amberjack out of Tarpon Springs?
Greater amberjack fishing out of Tarpon Springs is season-limited. Check FWC and NOAA Fisheries for the open dates before fishing.
Where do boats run for amberjack from Tarpon Springs?
Boats run to big offshore structure such as the Pasco reef areas, the army tank reef and Hellcat. They pass Anclote Keys and North Keys on the way.
What are the Tarpon Springs Reef coordinates?
The coordinate is N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0, and it marks a Pinellas County artificial reef. Coordinates are for planning, and chart layers are not for navigation.
What is the Hellcat reef?
Hellcat is a WWII Hellcat airplane, listed as Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19.
Is there a party boat that fishes for amberjack from Tarpon Springs?
Yes. The Miss Virginia is a 58-foot party boat owned by the Zuban family, and its specialty page lists amberjack.
