Queen Fleet | Clearwater Deep Sea Fishing Party Boats
Queen Fleet is one of the longest-running names in Clearwater deep sea fishing. The family operation dates to the early 1970s, when Capt. Dave Spaulding bought his first party fishing boat — and his father, Capt. Gene Spaulding, had already been running fishing boats out of Clearwater Marina since the mid-1950s. Today a third generation of the family is at the helm, and the fleet sails from Slip 52 at the Clearwater Beach Marina with two of the largest head boats on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Between the two boats, Queen Fleet can carry up to 150 anglers on a single trip.
The Queen Fleet Boats
Super Queen — 90 feet long and 32 feet wide, licensed for 150 passengers, with a sun deck and lounge chairs. She runs the half-day trips and is one of the biggest party fishing boats in the Tampa Bay area.
Gulf Queen — 75 feet long and 22 feet wide, licensed for 75 passengers. Built for speed, she runs the all-day trips farther offshore so anglers spend more of the day fishing. She also has an air-conditioned bunk room used on extended private trips.
Clearwater Deep Sea Fishing Trips and Prices
Half-day trips (4 hours, aboard the Super Queen)
Two departures daily: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:30–5:30 PM. The boat fishes up to about 10 miles offshore, with a 45-minute to one-hour run to the grounds and roughly two hours of fishing over one to four stops. When conditions allow, the captain drifts for even more fishing time.
- Adults: $72
- Children (12 and under): $47
- Rod rental: $8
All-day trips (8 hours, aboard the Gulf Queen)
Departs 8:30 AM and returns 4:30 PM, fishing as far as about 30 miles offshore. Expect four to five hours of actual fishing time.
- Adults: $102
- Children (12 and under): $72
- Rod rental: $15
Prices are as published by Queen Fleet; check their site for current rates when booking.
Private Charters for Groups
Both boats can be chartered for company outings, reunions, parties and evening cruises. The Super Queen takes up to 100 guests for a private 4-hour or 9-hour trip, and the Gulf Queen takes up to 50 for a 9-hour trip. The Gulf Queen can also run extended 12-, 24- or 36-plus-hour offshore trips. Private charter rates start at $2,500 for an off-peak half day, with higher pricing on weekends, holidays, the late-December holiday period and March through August.
What You’ll Catch Deep Sea Fishing off Clearwater
Half-day trips mostly produce white grunts and black sea bass, with the occasional grouper or kingfish and some sharks during warmer months. All-day trips reach deeper hard bottom, where grunts, sea bass and triggerfish are joined by grouper — the fish most anglers come for — plus the chance at kingfish, cobia, mahi-mahi, amberjack and shark. The boats bottom fish with frozen squid and herring; some all-day anglers bring live bait, which can be bought or caught right at the dock.
What’s Included and What to Bring
Your ticket covers bait, tackle and your Florida fishing license, so there’s no need to bring any fishing gear. The deckhand keeps your catch iced on a numbered stringer and will clean it at the dock for a small fee. Food and drinks are sold on board, and the crew includes a cook, but you’re welcome to bring a small cooler.
- Bring: sunscreen, a hat, a camera, a small towel and a cooler if you plan to take fish home
- Leave at home: glass containers, your own chair, navigation equipment, cigars, weapons and illegal drugs
Deep Sea Fishing in Clearwater for Beginners and Families
Bottom fishing from a big, stable party boat is easy to learn, and the captain, deckhands and cook all pitch in to show newcomers how to bait up and reel in. If you’ve never fished saltwater before, ask the deckhand for pointers on the ride out to make the most of your time on the water. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Clearwater Beach for visiting families and groups.
Book Clearwater Deep Sea Fishing with Queen Fleet
- Dock: 25 Causeway Blvd, Slip 52, Clearwater, FL 33767 (Clearwater Beach Marina)
- Phone: (727) 446-7666
- Parking: ask at check-in about the marina parking discount
- Note: trips need a minimum number of passengers, and the boats sometimes stay in for maintenance during slow seasons, so call ahead if you’re unsure
Book tickets, private charters or gift certificates online at the Queen Fleet website. Looking at other options for Clearwater deep sea fishing? Compare more boats in our Florida party & head boat directory or browse all Florida fishing charters.