Double Time Offshore is the deep sea boat in the St Petersburg field built for the run out to the Gulf, a fast 39 foot SeaVee called the Long Game that Captain Kevin, a Tampa Bay native with 20 years guiding this water, runs himself. It carries the best rating in the port across a solid review base, posts its prices plainly, and reaches the offshore reefs quickly. It sits at the top of the ranking on the boat and the record, with one honest trade: it docks in Gulfport, a few minutes off the St Pete Beach strip, so it is less of a walk-from-the-hotel trip than the beach boats.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.1 Double Time is a strong choice and the first ranked boat in St Petersburg. It earns the spot on boat and equipment and a consistent, well rated record: a modern, fast offshore hull, a veteran owner-operator captain, and pricing posted on its own site and its booking listing. The one trade is location, not quality. Gulfport sits on Boca Ciega Bay rather than on the open Gulf, so there is a run out through the pass before the fishing starts, and the full day rates climb. Book it for a private offshore day with a captain who knows the grounds and a boat that gets you there fast. You can weigh it against the field on the St Petersburg ranking.
The boat
The headline boat, the Long Game, is a 39 foot SeaVee center console restored in 2023 and powered by triple 350 horsepower Suzuki outboards that push it to around 60 knots, which is what turns a long Gulf run into a short one. It carries navigation electronics, trolling gear, a live bait tank, a cooler, and a private toilet, and it is licensed for up to 6 anglers. A second, smaller boat, the 26 foot Calcutta Short Game, handles nearshore trips for smaller groups. The Long Game is the most capable offshore platform among the St Petersburg boats we rank, open and fast rather than a cabin sportfisher, which suits the day runs it is built for.
The fishing and what you target
Double Time fishes the Gulf bottom and the bluewater off the St Petersburg passes. The nearshore trips target cobia, king mackerel, mangrove snapper, and grouper, while the longer offshore runs reach amberjack, mahi mahi, tuna, and sailfish. Red grouper is the year round mainstay on the ledges, red snapper is the summer headliner on the longer trips when the federal season is open, and gag grouper is tightly limited in 2026. Captain Kevin matches the trip length to the target and the season. Confirm the current reef seasons and limits with Florida FWC and NOAA before a season specific trip, since the Gulf dates shift year to year.
Trips and prices
Double Time sells by the whole boat for up to 6 anglers, private only, and posts its rates: $1,350 for a 5 hour express half day, $1,550 for a 6 hour express, $1,950 for a 7 hour offshore trip, $2,225 for a 9 hour full day, and $2,799 for a 12 hour run, with a seasonal 10 hour red snapper trip at $2,400. All fishing equipment and the license are included, and the captain cleans and fillets the catch at no charge. The posted, all inclusive pricing is a real strength. Our cost guide sets these private boat numbers against a shared head boat seat, which in this port means the Angler’s Dream.
The crew
Captain Kevin runs the boat himself, and the sentiment across FishingBooker, Google, and TripAdvisor is strong and steady: a 4.9 rating across 130 reviews, with the recurring themes a knowledgeable captain who works to put the group on fish and a clean, well kept boat. The record is among the deepest of the private boats in the port. The honest limit is the usual one for a single boat operation: on a day the owner is booked or off, you may draw another captain, so confirm who is running your trip when you book a specific date.
Booking and what to know
Book through the operator’s site or its FishingBooker listing, which lists free cancellation up to 7 days before the trip. The boat leaves from Gulfport on Boca Ciega Bay, so factor in the drive and the run out to the Gulf. Because it is an open center console, dress for sun and spray and bring water, and take motion sickness medication if you are unsure of your stomach on the longer runs. No license is needed, since the boat covers it, and the captain cleans your catch at the dock.
How we scored it
Double Time scores 8.1: the most capable offshore boat in St Petersburg and a veteran captain with the best rating in the port, on clear posted pricing, with the only real trade a Gulfport dock that adds a run to the Gulf. Boat and equipment is its strongest factor, with captain and crew, value, and track record all close behind. See how we scored this boat, and compare it against the rest of the St Petersburg boats.