The area flats and bridge approaches have good trout. On the pelagic side, there’s some tuna, kingfish and the occasional wahoo, reports Capt. Before the storm, kingfish and Spanish mackerel were off the beach. 5 Around the Sunshine Skyway and lower Tampa Bay, the mangrove snapper bite remains excellent. Hogtown Bayou. More:Freshwater fishing: Cooling water keeps the bass bite hot in Polk, More:Fishing News: Going solo, Corey Ash wins Thursday Night Open with 14 pounds, More:Tides and solunars: Know when to hit the outdoors (Sept. 11, 2020). Get the best fishy photos, videos, and stories … Deeper offshore, the red grouper bite is good from 80 to 100 feet deep. In the north end of Tampa Bay, the redfish bite is good at Weedon Island and along the west shore all the way to the far upper bay. At John's Pass, redfish action is your best bet around the pass. Shawn Crawford of Florida Sport Fishing Outfitters. A community first approach to fishing. A 20-pound redfish was caught in the inlet along with some jacks. • At Fort Pierce, the offshore bottom bite for mutton snapper is good, but the mangroves have slowed. Inshore Fishing Spots Near St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Big mangroves, gags and red grouper are in the mix. There are two miles of fishing pier (the St. Petersburg side is a half-mile long, and the Palmetto side is 1½ miles long) that offer opportunities to catch species such as snook, tarpon, grouper, Spanish mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, and pompano. Tampa Bay Fishing Club. What We Catch on our Tampa Bay & St. Petersburg Inshore Fishing Charters The abundant nearshore and inshore waters surrounding St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa Bay are home to many of the most sought after inshore game species. Redfish continue to be a good target species for Tampa Bay area anglers. Spots around the bay as well as elsewhere are reporting a good bite. Glow color D.O.A. There are good numbers of Spanish mackerel up in the bay. Seasonally we target tarpon and sharks, while we have a year-round variety of snook, redfish, seatrout and many more! Dylan Hubbard of Hubbard’s Marina (727-393-1947). This is giant snook and redfish fishing inshore in Tampa Bay, Florida. A lot of sheepshead and a … Low season is January to February, May to August and December. In the north end of Tampa Bay, redfish are all over the upper bay, especially the oyster beds around Rocky Creek and Double Branch. Trout action is good on the deep grass flats, and the area around Pinellas Point has been good. With unparalleled stamina and a reel-smoking tenacity, Redfish is certainly the king of the Tampa Bay flats. Mangrove snapper are on most structure, and some sheepshead are staring to move in. Most Reds caught in the Tampa Bay area measure around 15–35 inches (the legal size limit varies) and the season is open year-round. Schools of kingfish and Spanish mackerel start showing at about 50 feet. Want more stuff like this? Snook are staging near the river mouths, passes and creeks. Take one of the fishing charters through Fort DeSota Bridge and into Boca Ciega Bay. (941-705-3160). On Saturday, limits of Spanish mackerel started coming in and anglers were “pulling them in left and right.” On Sunday, a huge, bull redfish that was too big for a pier net, was caught. Large schools of redfish can be found during September and October along the shallow flats of Tampa Bay. A juvenile scalloped hammerhead shark was caught on Tuesday, reports Big Pier 60 Bait & Tackle (727-462-6466). The water is cooling, and the fish have moved to shallower water at 50 to 60 feet. William Toney of Homosassa Inshore Fishing Charters (352-621-9284). Tampa Bay Pinellas - Florida. 7 At St. Petersburg, redfish action is good along the north shore from Weedon Island to the St. Pete airport. If you are interested in a kayaking excursion, check out one of these top five Tampa Bay hot spots reviewed by my friends at Globo Surf Water Product Reviews. The flats inside the sound adjacent to the pass are producing trout over areas with good grass. Sign in. Since Monday, the mackerel are biting along with speckled trout. The lane snapper bite has been “insane” beginning at 70 feet. If redfish are in the vicinity, they are likely to be traveling with the mullet. I can think of no better description for them other than, “BEAUTIFUL BRUISERS”! Redfish … In the north end of Tampa Bay, redfish are all over the upper bay, especially the oyster beds around Rocky Creek and Double Branch. Redfish can also be found around the docks at the mouth of the Manatee River. Specifically, Mullet Key and Bunces Pass offer fine fishing areas for redfish. This is thw Hogtown Bayou. Florida’s first cold front of the year was forecast to come through during our fishing trip. Claude Hinson of Tierra Verde Bait and Tackle (727-864-2108). Snook are starting to transition to the mouth of the Manatee River. Subscribe to continue reading. The Bunces Pass bridge is producing minimum keeper size gag grouper on pinfish. The little bridge has been good for sheepshead. What People Are Saying About Redfish Fishing in Tampa Bay "Half day trip" Jennifer Beam fished with Flats Monster on March 8, 2020 . 4 At Fort DeSoto Park, mangrove snapper and pompano are biting at the bridge. Tampa Bay anglers love to reel in a snook. 1. All rights reserved. Keeper mutton snapper are biting from the jetty. More: Freshwater fishing: Cooler weather has specks and bass biting like crazy around Polk, More: Florida tides and solunar tables beginning Nov. 20, 2020, More: Fishing News: 25-pound stringer wins Kissimmee Bass Series senior tournament. Trout and redfish are biting in the river north of the inlet, reports Clint Walker at the Fishing Center of St. Lucie (772-465-7637). Good numbers of fish 18 to 20 inches have been caught along the shipping channel and on structure in the bay. 4. One of the largest parks in the Pinellas County Park System, For Desoto Park can be found along the southern tip of the county. Tampa Bay Inshore Fishing. Share; Tweet; Email; West coast anglers revive an old trick for attracting redfish. Around the Sunshine Skyway and lower Tampa Bay, cooler water temps have the snook in their fall feeding patterns. The bay serves as a habitat and breeding ground for some of Florida's most sought-after game fish, including snook, tarpon and redfish. Redfish action remains steady for Tampa Bay area anglers. (941-705-3160). At the pier, there’s Spanish mackerel, jacks and sheepshead on the pilings, reports Capt. Trout are biting on the area flats. Fort Desoto Park . The Redfish are taken very seriously in Tampa Bay, and the state recognizes the importance of maintaining such a great fishery stocking over a million and a half into the Bay each year. by Captain David M Rieumont 12.4k Views. The four of us launched our kayaks near Tampa Bay in a small creek and we paddled through mangroves and some beautiful woodland full of wood storks, egrets, ibis, and a variety of other shore and sea birds that were just waking up. Redfish schools are becoming more numerous around Anna Maria Sound and Miguel Bay. Dylan Hubbard of Hubbard’s Marina (727-393-1947). How-To Catch Articles and Videos, Where's the Bite, Regulations, and more! We run a 23’ custom built flats fishing boat made by Shoalwater boats out of Texas. Deeper channels between the islands just outside of Skyway Bridge near the south shore of lower Tampa Bay are also good fishing spots. At the inlet, whiting and some pompano are biting in the surf. Black drum, sheepshead and sand perch are biting around the bridges. Black drum are biting at the bridges. 3. Bob from Maryland, who had never been in a kayak and never caught a redfish, joined us as we set out to a new hotspot here in Tampa Bay. Redfish are active from Weedon Island south along the shore to Fort DeSoto. The gag grouper bite inside the bay is good while trolling the shipping channel edges and bottom fishing on structure, reports Capt. Thanks for reading TheOnlineFisherman.com. 1 At Big Pier 60 in Clearwater, mangrove snapper, speckled trout, whiting and jack crevalle have been the most consistent catches this week. Tampa Bay is the third largest city in Florida and the only major city not dependent on tourism. They’re also in their normal springtime spots and all the way into Palma Sola Bay. The residential canals and oyster bars along the south shore to Pinellas Point have redfish. I had a fun lure testing trip our on Tampa Bay fishing for redfish and snook, and thoughts I'd make this Fishing Report video showing the action. The waters around Tampa Bay, on the west central section of Florida's gulf coast, offer numerous opportunities for year-round redfish fishing. 3 talking about this. Fishing tournament circuit held in the Tampa Bay region targeting redfish using artificial lures The rocks around the new pier have been producing some decent snapper, reports Larry Mastry at Mastry’s Tackle (727-896-8889). Shawn Crawford of Florida Sport Fishing Outfitters. Fish Tampa Flats features two amazing fishing boats built specifically for fishing the flats and bays of Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. Cockroach Bay and Bishop's Harbor are both good fishing spots, located in the middle of Tampa Bay. Pompano are biting in the river to the south, reports Clint Walker at the Fishing Center of St. Lucie (772-465-7637). 3 At John's Pass, the redfish bite is picking up around the docks, the sandy north side of the bridge and on the inside flats. Already a subscriber? Tarpon are still feeding on baits around the docks at night and at first light, reports Hubbard. The jetties and the docks are producing on live shrimp and cut bait on the bottom. It boasts nearly 1,200 acres and five interconnected islands. High season is March to April and September to November. Log In. Redfish fishing in Tampa Bay varies slightly throughout the year. It becomes the biggest open-water estuary in all areas of Sunshine State with some special things. 8 In the north end of Tampa Bay, there’s a good redfish bite in the upper bay, especially the west side from Weedon Island to the Courtney Campbell. Here you will also find a number of deep spots where Redfish and even some Gag Groupers like to hide. Tampa Bay is a particularly nice spot to cast a line, especially if you’re planning on doing some other activities around town as well. When you head east from the Mid-Bay Bridge, you’ll come across a network of grassy patches and flats with shallow water and a lot of fish. Redfish are good on live shrimp or pinfish on the incoming tide. 6. It doesn’t get surprised by you in which fishing in Tampa Bay is awesome. Sorry this content is for subscribers only . Deeper offshore, past 120 feet, black fin tuna are starting to show, reports Capt. Most of the flats are producing a good bite early and in the evening. At Big Pier 60 in Clearwater, the first couple of days after the storm, it was nothing but catfish. Redfish and trout are holding in the same areas and there are good numbers in Terra Ceia and Miguel Bay. • At Homosassa, cooling water has brought back a few species of fish we haven’t seen since late spring. © 2020 www.theledger.com. Claude Hinson of Tierra Verde Bait and Tackle (727-864-2108). 2. 8 In the north end of Tampa Bay, there’s a good redfish bite in the upper bay, especially the west side from Weedon Island to the Courtney Campbell. 2 At Madeira Beach, nearshore there’s some Spanish mackerel on the bait schools. Fishing tournament circuit held in the Tampa Bay region targeting redfish using artificial lures The marina is producing flounder along the seawall and plenty of snook around the docks. Mangrove snapper are still thick around the docks and the south side of the pass. Snook and redfish have been around the docks along with potholes on the flats on the higher tides. In this episode I talk about how I use my sonar to find new grouper and snapper spots inside of Tampa Bay. There is no closed season. A few additional tips that wil help anglers catch redfish in the Tampa Bay Area are the following. 1K+ catches; 2K+ followers; 84 spots; First explored by Spaniard Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528, modern day Tampa Bay is surrounded by Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Sarasota. Frank Sargeant More From Frank Sargeant . Redfish and sea trout are popular with fishing fans as well. I knew that if the wind and rain wasn’t too bad that we may be in for a banner day. As the winds lie down, their numbers should increase again, reports Capt. Sheepshead, black drum and a few mangrove snapper are biting around the bridges. There’s good snook action on the east and south side of the Frankland. Redfish The “Gold Standard” of the Sea Sciaenops Ocellatus, or you may know them by other names; the Red Drum, Redfish, or Channel Bass. Mangrove snapper have been picky, but big fish are biting about 70 to 100 feet. One of the best times to fish is during an approaching front, last Saturday was no different. Login. A lot of trout and redfish are being caught on the flats around Conception Key, the Soldier’s Hole and the maintenance area. The flounder and sheepshead bite is good and there are snook in the pass. The canals have sheepshead around the docks and some snook, reports Capt. CAL Shad Tails on a jig are producing, reports Capt. Whether you prefer to fish by boat or from shore, you'll find that Tampa Bay is home to some of the best fishing spots in the state. Freshwater fishing: Cooling water keeps the bass bite hot in Polk, Fishing News: Going solo, Corey Ash wins Thursday Night Open with 14 pounds, Tides and solunars: Know when to hit the outdoors (Sept. 11, 2020), Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 6 At Anna Maria, Longboat Pass is holding snook and there are some fish out on the beach. The tripletail bite is picking up on the markers and buoys, reports Gandy Bait & Tackle (813-839-5551). Huge numbers of large fish are taken from the Port Manatee channel in Tampa Bay. The Melody Lane Pier and the “wall” are also producing sand perch. The area flats and bridge approaches have good trout. The best bite has been on the outside keys. 8. Customized shiner-slinger makes it … Snook are starting to thin out, but a few are still being caught around the docks and bridge on live shrimp or pigfish. Tampa bay is loaded with Redfish and has a great year round abundant supply. Whether it’s blazing hot in August or a chilly 50 degrees in January, the Redfish are out there in the Bay and biting. Join Us! • At Fort Pierce, offshore a few kingfish have been caught on the troll at a depth of 80 feet. If you’re looking for the best fishing spots in the Tampa Bay area, it can help to do a little bit of research ahead of time to assist in narrowing your options, especially if you plan on having lots of other things to do while you’re there as well. Trout are active at night around the bridge lights. If you are looking for good fishing spots in Tampa Bay, head to the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier. Florida Sportsman's 50 Favorite Sportfish of Florida: Redfish. Tampa Bay is the right spot for fishing in Florida. Tampa Bay/Orlando Redfish Fishing Report. A live shrimp under a cork is a great bait, reports Capt. Double Branch and Rocky Point have been productive. These include Spanish mackerel, cobia and bluefish. Chuck Rogers of Finsanity Charters (813-918-8356). There are snook on the beach and around the jetty rocks, reports Capt. Freshwater fishing: Cooler weather has specks and bass biting like crazy around Polk, Florida tides and solunar tables beginning Nov. 20, 2020, Fishing News: 25-pound stringer wins Kissimmee Bass Series senior tournament, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Mangrove and mutton snapper are biting on the bottom at the same depth. John Gunter of Palmetto (863-838-5096). Capt Blair Wiggins goes inshore fishing Tampa Bay Florida for snook and redfish with Capt Chad Manning. Better numbers of sheepshead, whiting and a flounder are showing up around the bridges. Tripletail can be found on crab trap buoys, markers, floating trash and grass piles. Spanish mackerel and mangrove snapper are biting around the bay. All three have been more numerous this week. A couple of pompano were also caught one day this week, reports Big Pier 60 Bait & Tackle (727-462-6466). That was nice! Mangrove snapper are still on most structure and around the bridges, reports Capt. 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Is cooling, and some pompano are biting on the pelagic side, ’... Bite inside the Bay is the right spot for fishing the flats are producing a good early! Decent snapper, reports Capt good from 80 to 90 feet side, there ’ s first cold of. And Videos, Where 's the bite, Regulations, and more Point have redfish feeding.. Center of St. Lucie ( 772-465-7637 ) the Melody lane Pier and the south with. To hide and snapper spots inside of Tampa Bay to 100 feet biting at the Pier, are! Nearly 1,200 acres and five interconnected islands reports Hubbard Bay are also good fishing spots, in... You are looking for good fishing spots I can think of no better description for them than! Fishing from the Port Manatee channel in Tampa Bay flats, black tuna. At John 's Pass, redfish action remains steady for Tampa Bay, Florida area.! Kingfish and the Soldier ’ s Marina ( 727-393-1947 ) Big mangroves, gags and red grouper bite inside Bay! Biting on the east and south side of the year Mastry ’ s Hole the Big gag grouper in... With sheepshead and sand perch, mullet Key and Bunces Pass bridge is minimum... On tourism incoming tide and Palma Sola Bay are holding snook and redfish fishing Tampa...