Tampa Bay Fishing: 8 Things to Know

Tampa Bay fishing can be an incredibly enjoyable experience with many sites, species, and conditions to choose from. From offshore fishing to bay fishing to inshore fishing, there are plenty of opportunities to catch fish in Tampa Bay, but it’s important to know exactly what you’re doing if you want to reel in the big ones.

How to Fish in Tampa Bay

Here are some things you should know about fishing in Tampa Bay before you cast your line into the water.

Tampa Bay Fishing Hot Spots

Are you wondering where to fish in Tampa? Whether you’re just getting started or have been at it for years, there are certain spots around Tampa Bay that all anglers need to know. They might not always be where fish are plentiful, but if you can figure out where they hang out and when, then you’ll have a much better chance of catching your limit.

The I-275 is, without doubt, a favorite fishing spot for many anglers on warm summer days along the I-275 Bridge leading into St. Petersburg, which has plenty of deep water close enough to shore where redfish, mangrove snapper, and king mackerel love to stack up on bait during high tide.

The best part? You don’t even need a boat! It’s easy to wade from shore and cast off of piers or rock jetties with live shrimp or artificial lures like poppers. When it comes to shore fishing, Tampa Bay has many options to choose from.

The best time to go is in June through August, as these fish will bite almost any time of day once it gets past noon. But remember: It’s important to check local regulations before heading out (it’s illegal to use natural bait in Pinellas County).

Another Tampa Bay fishing hot spot is Boca Ciega Bay. This shallow bay west of Clearwater Beach may be small, but it’s home to some big catches including sheepshead, speckled trout, and black drum. Other popular Tampa fishing spots include Fort De Soto Park and Gasparilla Island.

Start Early in the Morning

Fishing trips are a great way to spend a day with family and friends. If you’re an avid fisherman, then you probably enjoy fishing as much as we do.

So why not make your Tampa fishing excursion an all-day affair? In Florida, where most fish will bite in any season, there’s no bad time for fishing but early morning is best.

It gets hot fast down in Florida; it’s best to get out on your boat before the sun gets too high and spooks your fish away from biting. Not only that, but local bait shops open early – so there’s nowhere better than Tampa Bay for a fresh bait trip first thing in the morning!

Let Your Pole Do the Work

After being out on Tampa Bay for some time, you’ll learn that relying solely on your bait to catch fish doesn’t always work. When fish stop biting your line (which they will do), it’s best not to fight them.

Let your pole do its job and hold steady. It might be feeling lighter than you’d like, but if a fish is tugging hard enough on your line it’s going to feel pretty light no matter what. Fishing isn’t a battle of man vs. nature. It’s a compromise between two organisms trying to meet in the middle.

Sometimes that takes patience, so be ready for that moment when you see another fisherman sitting quietly with his line bouncing in front of him. It might be boring, but at least he’s catching fish.

Use Fresh Bait

Bait doesn’t come much fresher than right out of your refrigerator or freezer. You’ll find that frozen and fresh squid, shrimp, octopus, mackerel, sardines, and even small pieces of fish work best for fishing in Tampa Bay.

Buy your bait as close to the time you plan on using it as possible so it doesn’t go bad before you get a chance to use it.

Put some thought into which baits might be most effective for catching different types of fish and keeping them in your boat until you need them. Keep your bait cold as freshly caught fish can be kept alive for quite a while in a cooler filled with ice water.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

When you go fishing, it’s important to wear comfortable fishing shoes. Wear something that provides good traction so you don’t fall into Tampa Bay.

While fishing in Tampa Bay is relatively safe, accidents happen and can lead to serious injury or death if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Make sure you bring a first aid kit too, in case of a severe injury. If your parents are with you on your trip and they don’t know how to fish, be sure they have sunscreen and at least one life jacket for any kids who go out with them in a boat.

Parents should always make sure children wear life jackets when going boating or fishing. And finally, most importantly, use common sense!

Bring Drinking Water

Fishing guides recommend bringing a water bottle so you can stay hydrated. Tampa Bay is consistently ranked among some of Florida’s hottest areas during peak months and spending hours on a boat or in direct sunlight can lead to dehydration.

Bay fishing requires full attention and keeping a close eye on your line when reeling in your catch so make sure you have plenty of water available before you hit the water.

Listen to Local Knowledge

If you’re not from Florida, then it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with local fishing and marine laws.

For example, during specific times of year – like after a storm or before an approaching hurricane – local fishing laws can be suspended in an effort to preserve what little fish remain and ensure they don’t get caught up in nets.

Some areas have special fishing licenses that are only available locally; if you catch anything illegal (or beyond limit), you could get fined.

Other areas don’t have limits on species such as snapper or grouper but do have rules regarding minimum size limits, legal equipment, and/or seasonal bans on all non-exempt vessels entering protected waters.

Fish at Dusk or Dawn

Many species of fish feed heavily in these quiet, early morning hours. However, it’s critical that you know what fish are in a given body of water before heading out on a late afternoon or evening fishing trip.

If you don’t, then it’s likely that many of your baits will be ignored and lost at sea. Remember: it may seem difficult at first to get up as early as sunrise on fishing days—but once you do it for a few weeks, getting out at dawn becomes second nature.

Once there, enjoy one of nature’s most peaceful settings; just be sure not to make noise or use any lights that might scare away local marine life.

Conclusion

The water in Tampa Bay is some of the cleanest and most pristine in Florida. If you want to come on vacation but don’t want any downtime, bring your fishing gear along – there’s always something biting!

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, there are plenty of options for reeling in a catch in Tampa Bay.