Boats from this port run to the tri-pod, a couple miles offshore of Pass-a-Grille, then head west to ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet. This guide to red grouper fishing out of St. Pete Beach covers when the fish are around, how far you run, which structure holds them, how it is fished locally, and who fishes it. The wider picture is in the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
When red grouper are around St. Pete Beach
Grouper fishing out of St. Pete Beach follows a spring and summer pattern. The red grouper species guide has its own page; this one covers only this port.
Spring and summer
According to Angler’s Dream, grouper and snapper are most active in spring and summer around St. Pete Beach. That applies to the whole area rather than one ground. Snapper often share the same structure, so expect both on the same drops.
Reading the water
NDBC station 42098, Egmont Channel Entrance, FL, is a waverider buoy at 27.590 N, 82.931 W. Check its wave height and period before you run, and compare them with the Tampa Bay marine zone forecasts.
How far boats run from Pass-a-Grille
The route goes by landmark, direction, and depth: find the tri-pod, point west, and fish the ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet.
The tri-pod
The tri-pod sits a couple miles offshore of Pass-a-Grille and serves as the reference point for the run. Pass-a-Grille’s own fishing page describes it and the ledges and rockpiles beyond it.
West to 60 to 120 feet
From the tri-pod, head west. The ledges and rockpiles sit in 60 to 120 feet of water, which is the red grouper zone for this port.
Running from south St. Petersburg
Reel Coquina trips run offshore from O’Neill’s Marina in south St. Petersburg, a second departure point for boats leaving from the bay side.
Grounds and structure off St. Pete Beach
The table runs from shallow to deep. Only the Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles fall in the 60 to 120 foot band for red grouper. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Name | Depth | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Egmont Reef (Egmont Key Reef) | 18 ft | Just inside Tampa Bay, east of Egmont Key |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 35 ft | |
| South County Reef | 45 ft | |
| Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles | 60 to 120 ft | From the tri-pod, head west |
| Nohab (South Jack Wreck) | 66 ft | About 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key |
| Pass-a-Grille tri-pod | A couple miles offshore from Pass-a-Grille | |
| Pass-a-Grille Jetty | Southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille | |
| Merry Pier pilings |
Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles
These are the red grouper grounds, in 60 to 120 feet west of the tri-pod.
Artificial reefs and the Nohab
The near reefs sit in 35 to 45 feet: St. Pete Beach Reef at 35 and South County Reef at 45. The ledges start at 60 feet. The Nohab is the deeper wreck option at 66 feet, about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key. The Pinellas County artificial reef guide lists reef positions.
Inside structure
Egmont Reef sits at 18 feet, just inside Tampa Bay. The Pass-a-Grille Jetty is at the southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille, and the Merry Pier pilings are the third named piece of inside structure. All three are nearshore marks, separate from the offshore ledges.
How red grouper are fished here, and who fishes them
Local red grouper fishing involves one method and two charter operations.
Bottom fishing ledges and rockpiles
The local method is bottom fishing on ledges and rockpiles. The reef fish guides cover the broader technique picture.
Miss Pass-A-Grille
Miss Pass-A-Grille Deep Sea Fishing lists red grouper as a target on its 51 ft twin diesel, which has an A/C cabin.
Reel Coquina
Reel Coquina Fishing Charters runs an Orion 29 and a 37 ft Sea Vee, with Captain Pablo Koch-Schick, out of O’Neill’s Marina. See Reel Coquina’s grouper charters for the trips they run.
FAQ
When are grouper most active off St. Pete Beach?
Grouper and snapper are most active in spring and summer across the St. Pete Beach area.
How deep are the red grouper grounds?
The ledges and rockpiles sit in 60 to 120 feet, west of the tri-pod.
What is the Pass-a-Grille tri-pod?
It is a reference point a couple miles offshore of Pass-a-Grille. Boats head west from it to reach the ledges and rockpiles.
How far off is the Nohab?
The Nohab, also called the South Jack Wreck, rests in 66 feet, about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key.
Which buoy covers the Egmont Channel entrance?
NDBC station 42098 is a waverider buoy at 27.590 N, 82.931 W. Check its wave height and period before you run.
Which local charters target red grouper?
Miss Pass-A-Grille Deep Sea Fishing runs a 51 ft twin diesel. Reel Coquina Fishing Charters runs an Orion 29 and a 37 ft Sea Vee with Captain Pablo Koch-Schick out of O’Neill’s Marina.
