Last Updated on February 28, 2025 by Eric
The new year’s here, and that means it’s time to get serious about fishing in Tampa Bay. If you’ve been itching for an excuse to hit the water, consider this your sign. Spring’s just around the corner, the weather’s warming up, and the fishing’s only getting better. Now’s the perfect time to start planning your trips so you don’t miss out on all the incredible fishing the Tampa Bay Area has to offer.
Check out a quick breakdown of seasonal fishing highlights below
Spring
Fishing expectations are, understandably, high during this time of year. With warmer weather comes increased activity on the water as anglers head out to take advantage of better fishing conditions and warmer water.
Snook, redfish, and trout are three key species to target during the spring season of fishing in Tampa Bay. Ladyfish and jack are also popular targets during the spring months. Some of the best areas to find fish are along mangrove lines, shallow flats, and in cuts throughout inshore bay areas.
As spring winds down and summer heats up, fishing for most species turns on even more, but one, in particular, turns red hot.
Summer
Summer in the bay area is synonymous with fishing. Although most species stay very active, tarpon fishing is at the forefront of everyone’s mind during the summer months. Tarpon fishing in the Tampa Bay area is world-renowned and should not be missed.
Anglers are still well-advised to target snook, redfish, and trout as they are plentiful and eager to bite. In deeper water, snapper, cobia, sharks, and permit are out and about and are popular targets for fishermen during the summer months.
Fall
As the weather begins to change in west Florida, mild conditions set in, allowing anglers to enjoy the beautiful waters that Tampa Bay has to offer.
Cooler water temperatures may mean that snook, redfish, and trout begin to transition from summer homes to backwater winter hiding spots but, rest assured that fishing remains hot here in Florida thanks to our subtropical climate. Anglers can often find flounder, ladyfish, pompano, and jack in and around grass flats during this time of year.
Final Word
Whether you’re planning a getaway with the guys, a ladies retreat, a family vacation, or just some time to bond with friends or family, Tampa offers the perfect spot to get out on the water and enjoy fishing for a wide variety of saltwater sport fish. There’s just something about this time of year that makes getting out on the water feel even better. Maybe it’s the cooler mornings that still have a bite to them before the sun burns off the chill, or maybe it’s just knowing that the fish are starting to shake off their winter sluggishness and get a little more active. Either way, if you’ve been putting off a fishing trip, this is the time to start making moves.
Tampa has no shortage of options, whether you’re looking to chase after snook creeping back into the flats, redfish schooling up in the shallows, or even the first signs of tarpon making an early appearance. And if you’re more into laid-back fishing, there’s plenty of action near the bridges and deeper channels where sheepshead and mangrove snapper are hanging around structure.
The best part? You don’t need to overcomplicate things to have a great time fishing here. You can always get deep into water temperatures, tide charts, moon phases—heck, you can go helicopter fishing, if that’s your speed—but remember that plenty of great days on the water have also started with nothing more than a good stretch, a cup of coffee, and a last-minute decision to grab a rod and go. So whether you’re just tossing a few lines from the dock after work or planning a big charter trip, now’s the time to get out there. Before you know it, the heat of summer will be creeping in—and you’ll wish you had taken advantage of these cooler days while they lasted!
Book your spot now for one of our great trips. Spots are filling up fast. So lock in your preferred dates to get in on some of the world’s best fishing and make memories that will last a lifetime.
