Red snapper fishing out of St. Pete Beach means a run west of Pass-a-Grille to ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet. Private recreational anglers follow a separate Florida season. The wider picture of red snapper in the Gulf is covered in the species guide. The same fishery along the rest of the coast is in the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide.
Where boats run out of St. Pete Beach
Boats leave from the St. Pete Beach port guide area, where ramps and marinas are covered, and head west from Pass-a-Grille. There are few landmarks on the way and a lot of bottom to fish. Chart layers are not for navigation.
West from the Pass-a-Grille tri-pod
The Pass-a-Grille tri-pod sits a couple of miles offshore from Pass-a-Grille. From the tri-pod, head west.
The 60 to 120 foot band
The Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles lie west of Pass-a-Grille in 60 to 120 feet. Nohab (South Jack Wreck) is a named wreck inside that band, in 66 feet about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key. Reel Coquina runs its offshore trips to reefs, wrecks and hard bottom.
Reading the water at NDBC 42098
NDBC station 42098, Egmont Channel Entrance, FL, is a waverider buoy at 27.590 N, 82.931 W. It reports wave height and period, which are the numbers to check before committing to the run. Because it sits at the channel entrance and not on the 60 to 120 foot grounds, treat it as the nearest reading rather than a reading of the grounds themselves. For the forecast, use the official NWS marine forecast.
Grounds and structure near St. Pete Beach
Plot these before leaving the dock. Blank cells mean no position or depth is printed for that spot.
| Name | Type | Depth (ft) | Position note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles | ledges and rockpiles | 60 to 120 | From the tri-pod, head west |
| Nohab (South Jack Wreck) | wreck | 66 | About 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key |
| South County Reef | reef | 45 | |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | reef | 35 | |
| Egmont Key Reef (Egmont Reef on ReefsNwrecks) | reef | 18 | Just inside Tampa Bay, east of Egmont Key |
| Pass-a-Grille tri-pod | reference structure | A couple miles offshore from Pass-a-Grille | |
| Pass-a-Grille Jetty | jetty | Southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille | |
| Merry Pier pilings | pilings |
Offshore ledges, rockpiles and wrecks
The Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet are the red snapper water. Nohab adds a named wreck at 66 feet. Reel Coquina’s offshore trips run to the same kind of bottom: reefs, wrecks and hard bottom.
Nearshore reefs and structure
St. Pete Beach Reef (35 feet), South County Reef (45 feet) and Egmont Key Reef (18 feet, just inside Tampa Bay, east of Egmont Key) are named structure near the port. The Pass-a-Grille Jetty at the southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille and the Merry Pier pilings are also named structure.
How red snapper are fished here
Local fishing is bottom fishing, set up around structure. For rigging and general reef fish technique, see the reef fish guides.
Bottom fishing with live or cut bait
Live or cut bait goes near structure, where the fish hold, rather than on open sand.
Deep dropping when the current runs
Anglers deep drop with heavier tackle when current requires it. Reel Coquina fishes this way, using the heavier weight to handle the current.
Who fishes red snapper out of St. Pete Beach
Charter fishing is one way red snapper are fished from this port.
Reel Coquina Fishing Charters
The Reel Coquina Fishing Charters site lists red snapper. Captain Pablo Koch-Schick runs an Orion 29 and a 37 ft Sea Vee on 8 and 10 hour offshore trips from O’Neill’s Marina to reefs, wrecks and hard bottom. Methods are bottom fishing with live or cut bait and deep dropping when current requires it.
FAQ: red snapper fishing out of St. Pete Beach
How far offshore do boats run for red snapper from St. Pete Beach?
Boats head west from the Pass-a-Grille tri-pod, a couple of miles offshore, to ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet. Nohab sits about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key.
What depth holds red snapper off Pass-a-Grille?
Ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet west of Pass-a-Grille. Reefs, wrecks and hard bottom offshore are the other structure boats run to.
Where is the Nohab wreck?
Nohab (South Jack Wreck) rests in 66 feet, about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key.
When do anglers deep drop here?
When current requires it, with heavier tackle. Reel Coquina uses this method.
Which buoy covers the run out of Pass-a-Grille?
NDBC station 42098, Egmont Channel Entrance, a waverider at 27.590 N, 82.931 W that reports wave height and period. It sits at the channel entrance, not on the grounds. Check the NWS marine forecast as well.
When can private boats keep red snapper here?
Private boats follow a separate Florida season. Check FWC rules before fishing.
