You walk onto the boardwalk at Johns Pass and the smell hits you first. It's that thick, salty mix of diesel, old bait, and fried grouper. If you've spent any time in Madeira Beach, you know exactly where the heart of that noise is coming from. It’s Hubbard’s Marina. This isn't just some tourist trap with shiny boats and overpriced hats. It's actually a piece of Florida history that has somehow survived the massive commercialization of the Gulf Coast.
Most people think of fishing charters as a "rich guy" hobby or a once-a-year vacation splurge. Hubbard's Marina Johns Pass flips that script. They’ve been running boats since 1928. Think about that for a second. That is nearly a century of navigating the same currents, through hurricanes and economic crashes. It’s a family business that started with Capt. Wilson Hubbard and has stayed in the family for four generations. That kind of longevity is basically unheard of in the modern tourism industry where every dock seems to be owned by a private equity firm these days.
The Real Deal on the Fishing Trips
Let’s be honest. Fishing is hit or miss.
You can head out on a 5-hour half-day trip, and sometimes you’re pulling up grey snapper faster than you can bait the hook. Other days? You're basically paying for a very expensive boat ride and a tan. That is the reality of the Gulf of Mexico. But the reason Hubbard’s stays packed is because of their diversity of trips. They aren't just doing the "tourist loop" three miles offshore.
They run everything from those quick five-hour jolts to the legendary 39-hour or 44-hour overnight trips to the Middle Grounds. If you haven't heard of the Florida Middle Grounds, it’s a massive underwater plateau about 80 to 100 miles out. It is the holy grail for bottom fishing. We are talking about monster Red Snapper, Gag Grouper, and Mangrove Snapper that actually put up a fight. These long-range trips are grueling. You’re sleeping on a bunk in a vibrating hull, waking up to the sound of the captain screaming "lines in" at 3:00 AM. It’s not for everyone. Honestly, if you get seasick looking at a bathtub, stay on the boardwalk. But for the hardcore anglers, Hubbard’s is one of the few places that makes these remote spots accessible without owning a $200,000 offshore center console.
Beyond Just Catching Fish
It isn't just about the blood and scales. Hubbard's Marina Johns Pass basically anchors the entire economy of the boardwalk. They run the Egmont Key ferry, which is a totally different vibe.
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Egmont Key is this weird, beautiful island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. You can only get there by boat. It’s got a lighthouse from the 1850s and ruins of Fort Dade, which was a Spanish-American War era fort. If you go on the ferry, you’re likely to see gopher tortoises just wandering around the brick paths. It’s ghostly and cool. They also do dolphin watching and sunset cruises. It sounds cliché. It sounds like something every beach town has. But because they operate out of the Pass, you’re almost guaranteed to see dolphins playing in the wake of the boats. The narrow channel creates a bottleneck that dolphins love.
Why the Location at Johns Pass is a Headache (and a Perk)
Johns Pass itself is a geographical anomaly. It was created by a hurricane in 1848. A guy named George King actually found it after the storm settled. Today, it’s the #1 tourist attraction in Pinellas County.
That brings some problems.
Parking is a nightmare. If you’re heading to Hubbard’s for a 7:00 AM charter, you better be there by 6:00 AM just to find a spot in the garage. The traffic on Gulf Boulevard during spring break is enough to make you want to walk into the ocean. But once you’re on the dock, all that noise fades. There is something specifically "Old Florida" about the way the marina operates. They have their own bait shop, their own fish cleaning station where the pelicans wait like vultures for scraps, and a staff that has seen every type of tourist mistake imaginable.
Common Misconceptions About the Experience
- It’s just for experts: No. The deckhands spend half their day untangling line for kids and tourists who have never held a rod. They are surprisingly patient, though they definitely appreciate a tip at the end of the day.
- The fish are guaranteed: This is the big one. Florida law is strict. If you catch a gag grouper out of season, it goes back. If it’s half an inch too short, it goes back. Hubbard's follows the rules to the letter because the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife) is always watching.
- It's too expensive: If you compare a $70 half-day ticket to a $1,200 private charter, it’s a steal. You're sharing a boat with 40 people, sure, but you're getting the same fish for a fraction of the cost.
The Conservation Side of Things
Dylan Hubbard, who currently runs the show, is surprisingly vocal about fisheries management. You’ll often see him at council meetings or posting long updates about federal fishing seasons. This is important because the Gulf is under a lot of pressure. Red Snapper seasons are a constant point of contention between commercial fishermen, charter boats, and the government.
Hubbard’s pushes for "descender devices." When you pull a fish up from 100 feet of water, their swim bladder expands. If you just throw them back, they float on the surface and die. Using a descender device gets them back down to the bottom safely. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a sustainable fishery and a dead one. Most casual tourists don't see this side of the business, but it's why the marina is respected by locals and not just seen as a "party boat" operation.
What to Actually Expect on a Trip
If you book a trip at Hubbard's Marina Johns Pass, here is the raw truth of how it goes down.
You show up early. You check in at the little window. You wait on the wooden benches while the gulls scream overhead. When you board, you find a spot along the rail. Pro tip: The back of the boat (the stern) is usually the "money spot" for fishing, but it's also where the exhaust is. If you have a weak stomach, stay towards the middle where the boat pivots less.
The ride out can be rough. The Gulf isn't always a lake. Sometimes it’s a washing machine. The deckhands will start rigging lines. They use heavy-duty Penn or Shimano reels because people break things. You’ll probably be using frozen squid or sardines. It’s messy. Your hands will smell like fish for two days. That’s the point.
When the boat stops, it’s chaos. Forty people dropping lead weights at the same time. Tangles happen. Someone catches a shark and everyone freaks out. The deckhands are running around with gaffs and buckets. It’s high energy, loud, and honestly, a lot of fun if you embrace the madness. If you want a quiet, Zen-like fly fishing experience in the mangroves, this is not your place. This is "combat fishing" for the masses.
The "Secret" Menu of Services
Most people don't realize they do "private" charters too. If you have a group and enough cash, you can rent out a smaller boat like the Hubbard's 2 and have the whole thing to yourself.
They also do a "Friendly Fisherman" seafood cook-up. Basically, you catch the fish, they clean it, and you take it to a local restaurant in the Pass and they cook it for you. There is nothing—and I mean nothing—that tastes better than a grouper sandwich made from a fish that was swimming in the Gulf two hours ago. It ruins grocery store fish for you forever.
How to Not Look Like a Total Rookie
First, don't bring a massive cooler. Space is tight. Bring a small one for your drinks and snacks, and leave a big one in your car for the fillets. Second, wear polarized sunglasses. Not only does it help you see the fish, but it protects your eyes from the glare off the water, which is brutal in Florida.
Third, listen to the captain. If he says the bite is at the bottom, don't try to fish the surface. These guys spend 300 days a year on the water. They know where the fish are hiding. The current in the Gulf can be tricky; sometimes you need a 4-ounce lead, sometimes you need an 8-ounce lead just to keep your bait from drifting into your neighbor's line.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head down to Hubbard's Marina Johns Pass, do these three things to make sure you don't waste your time or money:
- Check the Weather and the Moon: Fishing is often better around the new or full moon when the tides are moving more water. Also, check the "Windy" app. If the wind is blowing over 15 knots from the West, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
- Book Online in Advance: This isn't 1995. The boats fill up, especially the 10-hour and specialty trips. Don't just show up at the dock expecting a spot on the Florida Fisherman II.
- Prepare for the Sun: The reflection off the white deck and the water is like a microwave. Even on a cloudy day, you will fry. Wear a long-sleeve performance shirt (UPF 50) and a hat that won't blow off when the boat is doing 20 knots.
Hubbard’s is a survivor. In a world of sanitized, corporate vacation experiences, it’s still a place where you can get some fish scales on your boots and see the Gulf for what it really is: a wild, unpredictable, and incredibly productive ecosystem. Whether you're there to fill a cooler or just to see a dolphin jump in the sunset, it’s the most authentic slice of Madeira Beach you’re going to find.