ST. PETERSBURG BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Gulf Lines and Silver Hooks: Fishing Aboard The Southern Grin out of St. Petersburg
Four- and six-hour charters aboard a 32' Topaz Express with Captain Kenny, a 100-ton Master Captain, offering year‑round bottom fishing and seasonal trolling and shark excursions.
Gulf Lines and Silver Hooks: Fishing Aboard The Southern Grin out of St. Petersburg.
Board The Southern Grin in the sheltered slips off St. Petersburg and head into the Gulf for a day spent chasing mangrove and gray snapper, hogfish and an occasional grouper, with seasonal runs for mackerel and even nearshore shark trips. The operation centers on comfort and competence: a diesel-powered 32' Topaz Express outfitted for extended days on the water and run by a Master Captain with decades of commercial and charter experience.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Comfort aboard a 32' Topaz Express
The Southern Grin is a diesel-powered 32' Topaz Express Sportfisher designed for a smooth, stable ride and extended comfort: a full galley, a stand-up head and a generator to keep the A/C running on warm days provide space to cool off and regroup between catches.
Captain Kenny — a master of the Gulf
Captain Kenny holds a 100-ton Coast Guard license and brings decades of experience running both commercial and charter trips; his background as a seasoned waterman is the backbone of a safe, steady day on the water.
Year-round bottom fishing with seasonal variety
Trips focus on bottom species nearly year round — Mangrove Snapper, Gray Snapper and Hogfish with the occasional Grouper — while spring through fall can include trolling for Spanish and King Mackerel, Bonito and Barracuda; late spring into summer offers nearshore shark outings.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
A typical charter is brisk and purposeful: meet at the marina, settle into the express sportfisher, and run out to the chosen grounds where the day alternates between steady trolling or setting up for bottom rigs and moments of rapid, concentrated action when a bite comes. The emphasis is on a comfortable, reliable platform and an experienced captain managing both safety and the practical work of catching fish.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this charter — and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Charters run as either four- or six-hour trips. Bottom fishing is available nearly year round; trolling for mackerel and related species is most common in spring, summer and fall; nearshore shark trips occur late spring through summer.
Sunscreen and a hat, a rain jacket and layers (it’s usually a few degrees cooler on the water), a cooler with food and non-glass beverages, and a camera.
Meet at PORT 32 Marinas Tierra Verde: 200 Madonna Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33715; the boat is a 32' Topaz Express Sportfisher equipped for comfort.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long are the charters?
Charters are offered as either four- or six-hour trips.
Where do we meet for the trip?
Meet at PORT 32 Marinas Tierra Verde, 200 Madonna Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33715.
What species will we fish for?
Expect bottom fishing for Mangrove Snapper, Gray Snapper and Hogfish with occasional Grouper; spring through fall trips can include trolling for Spanish and King Mackerel, Bonito and Barracuda, and nearshore shark trips run in late spring through summer.
What should I bring on board?
Bring sunscreen and a hat, layers or a rain jacket because it’s usually a few degrees cooler on the water, a cooler with food and non-glass beverages, and a camera.
Who runs the trip?
Captain Kenny, a Master Captain with a 100-ton Coast Guard license and decades of commercial and charter experience, operates the boat.
Is the boat outfitted for comfort?
Yes — The Southern Grin is a diesel-powered 32' Topaz Express Sportfisher with a full galley, a stand-up head and a generator to keep the A/C running on warm days.