Madeira Beach to the Wahoo Grounds
Wahoo fishing out of Madeira Beach starts at the John’s Pass jetty and bridge and ends in 150 ft or more of water, as far as 150 miles offshore. The culvert reefs near the pass sit in 25 to 33 ft. They are landmarks on the way out, not wahoo water. This page covers how far boats run, how deep they troll, how the spread is set, and who makes the run from this port.
How Far and How Deep Madeira Beach Boats Run
The run from this Gulf port is measured in triple-digit miles, and the target water starts well past the reefs.
Timing
When wahoo show up, and why, is covered in our wahoo species guide. This page covers where Madeira Beach boats go once they decide to run.
Distance
Fintastic runs long-range wahoo trips up to 150 miles offshore. Hubbard’s 39-hour trip runs 100 to 150 miles offshore.
The Gulf wahoo guide (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide) covers the shelf and the seasonal water that shape those runs. Before committing to a long run, check wind, wave height and period in the NWS Tampa Bay coastal forecast and decide from the numbers.
Depth
The target is about 150+ ft. Capt. Steve Papen trolls at 150 ft or more, and the long trips fish a 120 to 250 ft range. For anglers who already work grouper and snapper bottom in this part of the Gulf, the wahoo run starts where that water ends and continues deeper.
Grounds and Structure
The named grounds fall into two groups: offshore destinations for the long trips, and nearshore reefs and the pass that mark the way out.
Offshore: The Elbow and Middle Grounds
The Elbow and the Middle Grounds are the named destinations for the long trips from this port. Hubbard’s 39-hour trip runs 100 to 150 miles offshore, and the long trips fish 120 to 250 ft.
Chart layers and coordinates on this page are not for navigation.
Nearshore FWC reefs and the pass
These culvert reefs sit in 25 to 33 ft. They mark the way out, and wahoo are trolled much deeper.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Position (FWC) |
|---|---|---|
| Madeira Reef (Madeira Beach Reef) | 29-32 | 27 46.3 N, 82 54.9 W |
| Treasure Island Reef | 29-33 | 27 44.5 N, 82 52.9 W |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 25 | 27 40.6 N, 82 51.8 W |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 |
Pinellas County Madeira Beach Reef documents the concrete culverts on Madeira Reef. Treasure Island Reef is also concrete culverts. The John’s Pass jetty and bridge sit at the pass.
How Wahoo Are Fished Here
Locals set the spread by distance from the transom and look for water that changes.
The spread
Locals set the spread by position from the transom:
- Tight to the transom: the largest deep-diving plugs, right behind the boat.
- Short: Islanders with ballyhoo.
The same long run also covers other offshore gamefish.
Reading the water
Locals look for rips, eddies, and color or temperature changes. Temperature edges and color changes show on the OBS SST and Chlorophyll layers in Breakpoint. Cloud can block a satellite pass, so a blank patch on those layers means no data, not no edge.
Who Fishes for Wahoo From This Port
Two operators here list wahoo on long-range trips:
- Hubbard’s Marina in John’s Pass (Capt. Dylan Hubbard): its 39-hour trip runs 100 to 150 miles offshore.
- Fintastic Fishing Charters long-range trips (Capt. Steve Papen): long-range wahoo runs up to 150 miles offshore. Papen trolls at 150 ft or more.
FAQ: Wahoo Fishing Out of Madeira Beach
How far do boats run for wahoo fishing out of Madeira Beach?
Fintastic’s long-range runs go up to 150 miles offshore. Hubbard’s 39-hour trip runs 100 to 150 miles offshore.
What depth do Madeira Beach boats troll for wahoo?
About 150 ft or more. Papen trolls at 150 ft or more, and the long trips fish 120 to 250 ft.
How is the wahoo spread set locally?
The largest deep-diving plugs go right behind the boat. Islanders with ballyhoo run short.
Are the nearshore FWC reefs wahoo spots?
No. Madeira, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach and Clearwater reefs sit in 25 to 33 ft, while wahoo are trolled in 150+ ft.
Which local charters list wahoo?
Hubbard’s Marina, with Capt. Dylan Hubbard, and Fintastic Fishing Charters, with Capt. Steve Papen.
