Where red grouper are off Tarpon Springs
Red grouper off Tarpon Springs hold on hard bottom at around 80 feet and deeper, and the local fleet runs 25 to 45-plus miles to reach it. This page covers depth, run distances, named waypoints and the operators who fish them. The Tarpon Springs port page covers ramps, the Anclote River channel and the wider port. The wider picture is in the red grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
Depth
The shop report puts fish around 80 feet and deeper.
How far boats run
The local fleet falls into two run tiers:
- Up to 25 miles: Bottoms Up runs up to 25 miles on its 6-hour trip.
- 45 miles and beyond: Due West’s 10-hour red snapper trips carry a 45-mile minimum and also target red grouper.
These distances show where these operators go, and fish are not limited to those areas. Before a 25- or 45-mile run, check wind, wave height and period on the official NWS marine forecast.
When they are around
The local fleet lists red grouper on its offshore trips. For timing, see the red grouper species guide.
Grounds and structure
Most of the named structure here comes from two county programs: Pinellas County and Pasco County artificial reefs. Check each waypoint against your own chart.
| Ground | Program or type | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Tarpon Springs Reef | Pinellas County artificial reef | N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0 |
| Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 | Pasco County reef areas | Named reef areas |
| Pasco County Site 1 | Pasco County reef area | Named reef area |
| Pasco County Site 2 | Pasco County army tank reef area | Army tank reef |
| Hellcat | Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19 | WWII Hellcat airplane |
| Devils Rock Yard | Local ground | Named ground |
Tarpon Springs Reef
Tarpon Springs Reef is a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0. Enter it as a waypoint and check it against your own chart.
Pasco Site 1 and Site 2
The Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 reef areas are part of the Pasco County program, as is Pasco County Site 1. Site 2 is the army tank reef area. Treat each as a separate waypoint.
The Hellcat (PS-19)
The Hellcat is a WWII Hellcat airplane, logged as Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19.
Devils Rock Yard
Devils Rock Yard is a named local ground.
Anclote Keys and North Keys
Anclote Keys and North Keys serve as the departure reference for runs out of Tarpon Springs. For the passages around the keys, read the U.S. Coast Pilot 5 chapter. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How red grouper are fished here
Local charters describe bottom fishing on hard bottom and coral bottom, and the named reefs and natural bottom above are where that method gets used. For rigs, baits and regional technique, see the reef fish fishing guides.
Who fishes for them out of Tarpon Springs
Three local operators list red grouper.
| Operator | Boat or trip | Run distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters (Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions) | 6-hour trip | Up to 25 miles |
| Due West Fishing Charters | 10-hour red snapper trips | 45-mile minimum |
| Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing | 58-foot party boat Miss Virginia | Not specified |
Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions
Bottoms Up is also listed as Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters. Its 6-hour trip runs up to 25 miles.
Due West Fishing Charters
Due West Fishing Charters runs 10-hour red snapper trips with a 45-mile minimum and also targets red grouper. See Due West trips and rates.
Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing
Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing runs the 58-foot party boat Miss Virginia, owned by the Zuban family. It lists red grouper.
FAQ about red grouper fishing out of Tarpon Springs
How far do boats run for red grouper out of Tarpon Springs?
Up to 25 miles on Bottoms Up’s 6-hour trip. Due West’s 10-hour red snapper trips carry a 45-mile minimum and also target red grouper.
What depth holds red grouper off Tarpon Springs?
The shop report puts fish around 80 feet and deeper. Local charters describe the bottom as hard bottom and coral bottom.
Where is Tarpon Springs Reef?
It is a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0. Check it against your own chart, because chart layers are not for navigation.
Which charters target red grouper from Tarpon Springs?
Due West Fishing Charters, Miss Virginia Deep Sea Fishing (the 58-foot party boat) and Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions.
What is the Hellcat?
A WWII Hellcat airplane on the Pasco County artificial reefs, at waypoint PS-19.
