Gag grouper out of Tarpon Springs
Gag grouper fishing out of Tarpon Springs is mostly an offshore bottom game, and local trip listings show where it starts. If you are new to the port, the Tarpon Springs page covers the river, the channel and the ramps. Life history and seasonal movement are in our gag grouper guide. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
What local trip listings show
Bottoms Up lists gag on its 6-hour and longer trips, and Due West lists gag on its 12-hour and longer trips. Gag are therefore within reach of a 6-hour run, with the long-range boats going deeper for them.
| Operator | Gag on trips of | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bottoms Up | 6 hours and longer | Operator listing |
| Due West | 12 hours and longer | Operator listing |
How far boats run
Run distances here come from operator listings. They fall into three offshore tiers: a mid-range run, a longer run, and the long-range boats that go deeper.
- Mid-range: the 6-hour trip
- Longer: the 10-hour trip
- Long-range: 12 to 36 hours
- Party boat: Miss Virginia lists grouper trips
6-hour runs: up to 25 miles
Bottoms Up runs up to 25 miles on its 6-hour trip. This is the shortest trip on which gag appear in the Bottoms Up listings. A listing is not a guarantee of a catch.
10-hour runs: up to 50 miles
Bottoms Up runs up to 50 miles on its 10-hour trip.
Long-range trips: 12 to 36 hours
Due West runs long-range trips farther out, from 12 to 36 hours. Miss Virginia and Anclote Adventures list grouper trips without a run distance.
Grounds and structure off Tarpon Springs
These are the named grounds near the port, with the artificial reefs and wrecks first and the nearshore names after. Chart layers and waypoints are not for navigation.
- Artificial reefs and wrecks: Tarpon Springs Reef, Pasco 1 and 2, Pasco County Site 1 and Site 2, Hellcat (PS-19)
- Nearshore names: Anclote Keys and North Keys, Devils Rock Yard, Honeymoon Island
Tarpon Springs Reef
Tarpon Springs Reef is a Pinellas County artificial reef.
N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0
Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 reefs
Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 are reef areas. One angler fished both and caught groupers.
Pasco County Site 1 and the Site 2 army tank reef
Pasco County Site 1 is a reef area. Pasco County Site 2 is the army tank reef area.
Hellcat reef PS-19
The Hellcat is a WWII Hellcat airplane, listed as Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19.
Anclote Keys and North Keys
Anclote Keys and North Keys are the nearshore grounds next to the port, much closer than the 25-mile and 50-mile runs.
Devils Rock Yard and Honeymoon Island
Devils Rock Yard is a named local ground. Honeymoon Island is a local tarpon area.
How gag are fished locally
Rigs and general technique are in our reef fish guides. The notes below cover what is specific to this port.
Bottom fishing
Bottom fishing is the local method.
Trolling Rapala Magnum plugs over the Pasco reefs
One angler trolled Rapala Magnum plugs over the Pasco reefs and also bottom fished.
Shallow water grouper trips
Anclote Adventures sells a "Shallow Water Grouper Adventure" of 4 or 6 hours. It is the nearshore option on the local menu.
Who fishes for gag out of Tarpon Springs
Four operators list grouper or gag trips out of the port.
| Operator | Trip length | Listed distance | Gag or grouper listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottoms Up | 6-hour / 10-hour | up to 25 mi / up to 50 mi | gag on 6-hour and longer |
| Due West | 12 to 36 hours | not listed | gag on 12-hour and longer |
| Miss Virginia | not listed | not listed | grouper trips |
| Anclote Adventures | 4 or 6 hours | not listed | Shallow Water Grouper Adventure |
Due West Fishing Charters
Due West runs the long-range, deeper trips. Due West’s trips and rates lists what each trip targets.
Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing
Miss Virginia is a 58-foot party boat owned by the Zuban family. It lists grouper trips.
Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions (Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters)
Bottoms Up trades as Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters and lists gag from its 6-hour trips. Distances and trip lengths are on the Bottoms Up rate listings.
Anclote Adventures
Anclote Adventures is the shallow-water option, covered above.
FAQ: gag grouper out of Tarpon Springs
How far do boats run for gag from Tarpon Springs?
Bottoms Up runs up to 25 miles on its 6-hour trip and up to 50 miles on its 10-hour trip. Due West runs long-range trips farther out, from 12 to 36 hours.
Which local boats list gag?
Bottoms Up lists gag on its 6-hour and longer trips. Due West lists gag on its 12-hour and longer trips. Miss Virginia and Anclote Adventures list grouper trips.
What are the Tarpon Springs Reef coordinates?
Tarpon Springs Reef is a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0. Chart layers and waypoints are not for navigation.
Can you troll for gag here?
One angler trolled Rapala Magnum plugs over the Pasco reefs and also bottom fished. Bottom fishing is the local method.
Where are the rules?
FWC publishes the state rules, and the federal Gulf reef fish rules apply to runs past state waters. Check both before you fish.
