Red snapper fishing out of Madeira Beach divides at Clearwater. This guide collects the depths, grounds and local method that captains from John’s Pass publish, so you can pick a place to drop before you leave the dock. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
When red snapper are here
Red snapper are seasonal off this port. The agencies set the open season and it changes, so check the Regulations section below before you plan a trip. Hubbard’s and the other charter operations here list red snapper on their trips.
Where boats run from Madeira Beach
Boats leaving Madeira Beach through John’s Pass work two depth lines, split at Clearwater. Capt. Steve Papen of Fintastic Fishing Charters puts the start at about 80 ft north of Clearwater and about 120 ft south of it, and his working range is 80-120 ft. Got One Sportfishing fishes about 120-150 ft, which overlaps his southern line and extends it deeper.
North of Clearwater
The start is about 80 ft, on rock piles and ledges, per Papen.
South of Clearwater
The start is about 120 ft, per Papen. Got One fishes about 120-150 ft.
The long-range run
Hubbard’s 39-hour trip lists red snapper. It fishes the Elbow and Middle Grounds, 100 to 150 miles offshore, and covers 120-250 ft overall. That figure is the range for the whole trip, not a depth for either ground.
| Line | Start depth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| North of Clearwater | About 80 ft | Papen |
| South of Clearwater | About 120 ft | Papen |
| Got One range | About 120-150 ft | Got One |
| Hubbard’s 39-hour trip | 120-250 ft (trip range) | Hubbard’s |
Grounds and structure
Offshore snapper structure here is rock piles and ledges. The named nearshore reefs below are FWC sites, with coordinates per FWC. If you work other reef fish on the same trip, the same structure logic applies.
Chart layers and coordinates are not for navigation.
Rock piles and ledges
Papen names this structure at the start of the 80 ft line north of Clearwater.
Nearshore reefs
The reefs below sit in 25-33 ft. Madeira Reef is documented on the Pinellas County Madeira Reef sheet.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Coordinates (FWC) | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira Reef (Madeira Beach Reef) | 29-32 | 27 46.3 N, 82 54.9 W | Concrete culverts |
| Treasure Island Reef | 29-33 | 27 44.5 N, 82 52.9 W | Concrete culverts |
| St. Pete Beach Reef | 25 | 27 40.6 N, 82 51.8 W | |
| Clearwater Reef | 27-32 |
The Elbow and Middle Grounds
Hubbard’s 39-hour trip fishes both grounds, 100 to 150 miles offshore. The 120-250 ft figure is the trip’s overall range, not a depth for either ground.
John’s Pass jetty and bridge
This is structure at the pass.
How it is fished locally
Local boats drop on big marks, give each one about 30 seconds on bottom, and move if nothing hits.
Baits
Local boats use small baits: sardines, pilchards or squid.
Drop on big marks, move fast
Drop on large shows on the bottom machine. If nothing hits within about 30 seconds of reaching bottom, move on.
Who fishes for red snapper out of Madeira Beach
These operations list red snapper out of the pass:
- Hubbard’s Marina in John’s Pass: Capt. Dylan Hubbard is named. The 39-hour trip lists red snapper and fishes the Elbow and Middle Grounds.
- Got One Sportfishing red snapper trips: Capt. Brian Simmons. Fishes about 120-150 ft.
- Fintastic Fishing Charters red snapper: Capt. Steve Papen. Source of the Clearwater split: about 80 ft north and about 120 ft south.
- Bent Charters Fishing: Lists red snapper.
FAQ: red snapper fishing out of Madeira Beach
How deep do red snapper sit off Madeira Beach?
Papen gives 80-120 ft. Got One gives about 120-150 ft.
How does the depth change north and south of Clearwater?
North of Clearwater, the start is about 80 ft on rock piles and ledges. South, it is about 120 ft, per Papen.
What bait is used locally?
Small baits: sardines, pilchards or squid.
How long should you wait before moving?
About 30 seconds after reaching bottom. Drop on large bottom-machine shows.
How far are the Middle Grounds from Madeira Beach?
100 to 150 miles offshore on Hubbard’s 39-hour trip, which covers 120-250 ft overall.
Do the nearshore reefs hold red snapper?
The named reefs sit at 25-33 ft. The snapper lines start at about 80 ft north of Clearwater and about 120 ft south of it.
