Spanish Mackerel Fishing Out of St. Pete Beach: The Grounds

When Spanish mackerel are off St. Pete Beach

Spanish mackerel fishing out of St. Pete Beach follows the migrating season, according to South County Reef’s description. The closest named structure is the Pass-a-Grille Jetty at the southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille, which Pass-a-Grille’s page says usually holds Spanish mackerel.

Coast-wide timing and the migration picture are covered in the Gulf of Mexico Spanish mackerel guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide). Biology is covered in the Spanish mackerel guide.

How far boats run from Pass-a-Grille

Runs start at the Pass-a-Grille channel. The St. Pete Beach port page has ramps and conditions. From the channel, the water opens to the Gulf, with Tampa Bay and Egmont Key to the south.

Inside the pass

The Pass-a-Grille Jetty sits at the southwest tip of Pass-a-Grille and usually holds Spanish mackerel, per Pass-a-Grille’s page.

The tri-pod

The Pass-a-Grille tri-pod sits a couple of miles offshore and serves as the waypoint for the ledges. From the tri-pod, head west.

South County Reef run

South County Reef is about 13 miles from the Pass-a-Grille channel, in 45 ft.

Reading NDBC 42098

The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station 42098, Egmont Channel Entrance, FL, a waverider buoy at 27.590 N, 82.931 W. Read its wave height and wave period, and pair them with the official marine forecast. The buoy reports conditions at its own position at the Egmont Channel Entrance, so readings won’t match each ground exactly.

Grounds and structure that hold them

These are the named grounds near St. Pete Beach, listed with the depths and locations on record.

Breakpoint chart layers such as Chart Contours help locate this structure. They are not for navigation.

Pass-a-Grille Jetty

Pass-a-Grille’s page describes the jetty as structure that usually holds Spanish mackerel. It is the closest named option to the pass.

Egmont Key Reef

Egmont Key Reef sits in 18 ft, just inside Tampa Bay and east of Egmont Key. ReefsNwrecks lists it as Egmont Reef. It is the shallowest of the named grounds.

Nohab (South Jack Wreck)

Nohab rests in 66 ft, about 15 nautical miles off Egmont Key. Egmont Key is the landmark for finding it.

Ledges and rockpiles

The Pass-a-Grille ledges and rockpiles lie offshore in 60 to 120 ft. From the tri-pod, head west.

How they are fished here and who fishes them

Two local charters list Spanish mackerel.

Inshore and offshore

Reel Coquina lists Spanish mackerel among its inshore and offshore targets. Methods beyond this local listing are in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.

Reel Coquina Fishing Charters

Captain Pablo Koch-Schick runs an Orion 29 and a 37 ft Sea Vee. Reel Coquina’s St. Pete Beach page lists Spanish mackerel among the charter’s targets.

White Pearl Fishing Charters

Captain Zack Arnold runs a 24 ft Nauticstar. White Pearl’s Spanish mackerel page lists the species.

FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of St. Pete Beach