Red snapper fishing out of Tarpon Springs is a summer trip, fished during the open season, and the local charter fleet’s published runs are 35 to 50 miles one way. The method is bottom fishing on structure. This page covers timing, distance, named structure, method and the charters, in that order. The Tarpon Springs port guide covers the channel, the ramps and the run past the Anclote Keys. Region-wide coverage is in the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
When red snapper are around Tarpon Springs
Red snapper here are a summer fishery, fished during the open season, and the local charters describe it the same way.
- Due West calls its red snapper run "the trip of the summer."
- Bottoms Up lists red snapper on its 8-hour trip "when in season."
- The season sets the window, so plan the trip around it rather than the calendar.
Season dates are on the pages linked in the Regulations section below and are not printed here.
How far boats run for red snapper
The charter fleet publishes its run distances, which gives a private boat a useful yardstick. The table shows how far the boats that do this for a living go.
Charter run distances
| Charter | Trip length | Run distance | Red snapper note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Due West | 10 hr | 45-mile minimum | "the trip of the summer" |
| Bottoms Up | 8 hr | up to 35 mi | "when in season" |
| Bottoms Up | 10 hr | up to 50 mi | up to 25 lb |
| Anclote Charters | Specialty trip | Not listed | separate red snapper or long-range specialty trip |
| Miss Virginia | Specialty trip | Not listed | separate red snapper or long-range specialty trip |
What that means for your boat
Due West sets a 45-mile minimum on a 10-hour day. Bottoms Up caps an 8-hour day at 35 miles and a 10-hour day at 50. Budget for a 35 to 50 mile run one way, a full day on the water and fuel to match, and check the official marine forecast before committing to the run.
Grounds and structure near Tarpon Springs
These are the named grounds and waypoints for the area:
- Tarpon Springs Reef
- Pasco 1 and Pasco 2
- Pasco County Site 1
- Pasco County Site 2 (army tank reef)
- Hellcat (PS-19)
- Anclote Keys and North Keys
- Devils Rock Yard
Most of these are artificial reef areas and waypoints. Treat the published positions as a starting point and verify them on your own electronics. Other bottom species use the same artificial reefs, and the reef fish guides cover them.
You can plot the published Tarpon Springs Reef coordinates and the Pasco County waypoints against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Tarpon Springs Reef
Tarpon Springs Reef is a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0.
Pasco County reef sites
- Pasco 1 and Pasco 2 reef areas
- Pasco County Site 1, a reef area
- Pasco County Site 2, an army tank reef area
- Hellcat, a WWII Hellcat airplane, listed as Pasco County reef waypoint PS-19
Anclote Keys, North Keys and Devils Rock Yard
The Anclote Keys and North Keys are the departure landmarks for the offshore run. Devils Rock Yard is a named local ground.
How red snapper are fished locally
The local method is bottom fishing on structure. Due West describes its red snapper trip as "a box filler" for big fish, and Bottoms Up lists red snapper up to 25 lb on its 10-hour trip.
The red snapper guide for the Gulf covers rigs, depth and general tactics.
Who fishes for them out of Tarpon Springs
These Tarpon Springs charters list red snapper, and they show what the fishery looks like on a working day.
Due West
Due West runs a 10-hour trip with a 45-mile minimum. It calls the run "the trip of the summer" and "a box filler." See Due West’s red snapper trip for the details.
Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters (Bottoms Up)
Bottoms Up runs an 8-hour trip up to 35 miles, with red snapper "when in season." Its 10-hour trip goes up to 50 miles and lists red snapper up to 25 lb. See Bottoms Up offshore trip rates.
Anclote Charters
Anclote Charters is run by Captain Brandon (Capt B). It runs a separate red snapper or long-range specialty trip. See the Anclote Charters trip list.
Miss Virginia
Miss Virginia is a 58-foot party boat owned by the Zuban family. It runs separate red snapper or long-range specialty trips. See Miss Virginia all-day trips.
FAQ for red snapper fishing out of Tarpon Springs
How far offshore do you run for red snapper from Tarpon Springs?
Plan for 35 to 50 miles one way. Due West sets a 45-mile minimum on a 10-hour trip. Bottoms Up runs up to 35 miles on 8 hours and up to 50 on 10.
When can you fish red snapper out of Tarpon Springs?
Summer, during the open season. Season dates are on the state and federal rules pages in the Regulations section.
What structure holds red snapper near Tarpon Springs?
The named structure includes Tarpon Springs Reef, a Pinellas County artificial reef at N 28 8 15.0, W 82 55 51.0. It also includes the Pasco reef areas, among them the Site 2 army tank reef, and the Hellcat at PS-19.
How do local boats fish for red snapper?
Bottom fishing on structure. Due West describes the trip as "a box filler" for big fish.
Which Tarpon Springs charters run red snapper trips?
- Due West runs a 10-hour trip with a 45-mile minimum.
- Bottoms Up (Tarpon Springs Fishing Charters) runs 8-hour trips up to 35 miles and 10-hour trips up to 50 miles.
- Anclote Charters, with Capt. Brandon, runs a separate red snapper or long-range specialty trip.
- Miss Virginia is a 58-foot party boat that runs specialty trips.
