The flats and back-country waters in and around Tampa Bay provide some of the best light tackle fishing grounds in the world for Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon and Cobia. These areas of shallow flats and miles of unspoiled mangrove estuaries provide optimal breeding grounds for most of the gamefish that live in the Tampa Bay inshore waters. The inshore fishing is year round in Tampa Bay and it is not uncommon to catch an “inshore slam” which includes a Redfish, Snook and a Trout all in one day. Snook fishing is best during mid spring to early summer and can be found around the beautiful beaches or along the miles of unspoiled mangrove shorelines and estuaries. Redfish in Tampa Bay peaks in mid to late spring and again in late fall. These species can be found tailing on the shallow inshore flats and provide some excellent rod bending action. Trout can be caught year around but are very active in the cooler months of winter as well as early fall and late spring. One of the most prized gamefish in the Tampa Bay area is the Tarpon, aka “Silver King.” Tarpon fishing really heats up in May and runs through early Fall. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Egmont Key and Anna Maria Island will be loaded with these Giants. Tarpon provide some of the best acrobatic shows and long runs that will give you the fight of your life! There is also fantastic reef and wreck fishing in and around Tampa Bay where you will find Grouper, Kingfish, Mangrove Snapper, Sharks and many other species that will make for a great day of fishing. To top off the amazing inshore fishery we have here in Tampa, the wildlife that you will see on a daily basis is incredible including birds, manatees and dolphins. It’s all waiting for you here in Tampa Bay!
