Bartow Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Bartow

Phil Pegley
Phil P.
Ruskin, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Hot summer means hot fishing
The water temps in Tampa Bay have soared into the upper 80s this brings extreme fishing to our doorstep . tarpon, Goliath, grouper and sharks are in the mix. Inshore. Fishing is still readily available. The trout have really rebounded nicely. After the big toxic dump, we had here three marches ago. Still lots of them on the flats. The snook have moved to areas near deeper water, and we're still getting some great redfish in the back country . The mangrove snapper spawn is driven by the moons in the summer and we will...
Phil Pegley
Phil P. Ruskin, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Hot summer means hot fishing
The water temps in Tampa Bay have soared into the upper 80s this brings extreme fishing to our doorstep . tarpon, Goliath, grouper and sharks are in the mix. Inshore. Fishing is still readily available. The trout have really rebounded nicely. After the big toxic dump, we had here three marches ago. Still lots of them on the flats. The snook have moved to areas near deeper water, and we're still getting some great redfish in the back country . The mangrove snapper spawn is driven by the moons in the summer and we will
get the biggest of the year
Late summer means to Key West time for us we will be in Key West from July 23 until the end of August with the dates available for lobstering offshore, reef deep, dropping and back country hit us up through Captains experiences to book your trip today . tight lines until next time Captain Phil
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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John Rivers
John R.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
It's officially Spring in Tampa Bay Area. Snook are all over the place and are feeding well. Water temp's are right where they should be which puts the fish in a good mood, which means bent rods and screaming drags.
Live bait is the best choice, but if you like tossing artificials, no worries, you'll catch your fair share as well. Here are a few lures that I like when targeting snook, redfish and trout. Headon's Spookis my go to for top-water. For redfish, and trout, I like tossing a 4"paddle tail ( colors: white and clear with red metal-flake...
John Rivers
John R. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
It's officially Spring in Tampa Bay Area. Snook are all over the place and are feeding well. Water temp's are right where they should be which puts the fish in a good mood, which means bent rods and screaming drags.
Live bait is the best choice, but if you like tossing artificials, no worries, you'll catch your fair share as well. Here are a few lures that I like when targeting snook, redfish and trout. Headon's Spookis my go to for top-water. For redfish, and trout, I like tossing a 4"paddle tail ( colors: white and clear with red metal-flake
). Snook in Tampa Bay are live bait feeders, but you can still get them to eat artificials. I like a 1/8oz snake-lock jig head with a ZMan Paddlerz. Schools of redfish are also showing up on the flats in a few areas. These fish are very boat shy, so be quiet and patient and you'll hook a few. Once again, live or cut bait has been the best way to hook these skittish bronze beauties.
Some of the redfish schools have been beat up by some fishermen, but that’s just how it goes with the amount of boaters on the water these days, so again, be patient and you'll hook a few. They are mostly oversized fish, which means your drag is gonna scream. The sheepshead bite is still going strong in Tampa Bay, and the rock piles, jetties and bridges have been producing some nice catches. Live shrimp, fiddler and mud crabs have been the baits of choice.
Bonnethead Shark Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Bonnethead Shark Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Bonnethead Shark Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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John Rivers
John R.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Fishing report for the last two weeks in the Tampa bay area.
The trout bite has been exceptional on the flats from 3 to 6 foot of water in the morning on an incoming tide, a Pilchard under a under afloat works best. I like using 15 to 20 pound leader with a 1/0 to 2/0 Circle hook.
Next move over at redfish the fish can be very finicky and hard to find sometimes because they are heavily fished, but luckily I have been on a good red fish bite the past two weeks, and again on an incoming tide...
John Rivers
John R. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Fishing report for the last two weeks in the Tampa bay area.
The trout bite has been exceptional on the flats from 3 to 6 foot of water in the morning on an incoming tide, a Pilchard under a under afloat works best. I like using 15 to 20 pound leader with a 1/0 to 2/0 Circle hook.
Next move over at redfish the fish can be very finicky and hard to find sometimes because they are heavily fished, but luckily I have been on a good red fish bite the past two weeks, and again on an incoming tide
has been the ticket, cut bait on the bottom, like threadfin or cut mullet Has been working well. I like to use 20 to 30 pound leader with a 2/0 circle hook.
And let’s not forget our favorite fish in the area and what makes Tampa Bay world renowned: the hard fighting beautiful Snook. These fish can get upwards of 40+ inches. The average fish caught on fishing trips are between 18 and 27 inches, but you never know when you’re going to hook into that 30” to 35” or even 40” fish and you better be ready because when they hit, you’re definitely gonna know it.
Over the next couple weeks, the snook are going to start to make their way out to the beaches and then start their spawn. So for the next three weeks the odds of hooking into a 30 inch plus or even 40 inch fish is pretty good that’s why I love May so much here in the Tampa Bay area.
Tarpon Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Phil Pegley
Phil P.
Ruskin, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Spring into summer by fishing in Tampa Bay!
Charter fishing in the last month in Tampa Bay is about as good as it gets as far as plenty of action plenty of great fish to catch and plenty of options for our local fish and we have migrating species invading our local waters. With the warming waters we get large schools of cigar minnows, hard tails, blue runners, and threadfin herring with that brings king fish, sharks, Spanish mackerel, Bonita, and even sailfish and blackfin tuna. Our inshore fishing has been on fire our customers have found redfish and large...
Phil Pegley
Phil P. Ruskin, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Spring into summer by fishing in Tampa Bay!
Charter fishing in the last month in Tampa Bay is about as good as it gets as far as plenty of action plenty of great fish to catch and plenty of options for our local fish and we have migrating species invading our local waters. With the warming waters we get large schools of cigar minnows, hard tails, blue runners, and threadfin herring with that brings king fish, sharks, Spanish mackerel, Bonita, and even sailfish and blackfin tuna. Our inshore fishing has been on fire our customers have found redfish and large
speckled trout with plenty of snook in the last month, and we are seeing more and more tarpon showing up with every passing moon so it's time to grip that rod reel just a little bit tighter and be ready for those silver kings to come a calling. I don't really expect any real changes except for more tarpon and sharks in the weeks to come so tight lines until next time. -Captain Phil
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Kingfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Steve Niemoeller
Steve N.
St. Cloud, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
This past few days has had some great catches here on Toho folks from all over the usa and From England wild shiners and now artificial is also starting to get good !
Steve Niemoeller
Steve N. St. Cloud, Florida Reported 3 years ago
This past few days has had some great catches here on Toho folks from all over the usa and From England wild shiners and now artificial is also starting to get good !
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Largemouth Bass Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
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Cody Beckman
Cody B.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Hey, yeah of course. The inshore bite has been on fire with the weather warming up, upper to over slot redfish and snook are moving into the bay with some big redfish schools starting to form as well. The mangrove snapper and sheepshead bite is still good as well
Cody Beckman
Cody B. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Hey, yeah of course. The inshore bite has been on fire with the weather warming up, upper to over slot redfish and snook are moving into the bay with some big redfish schools starting to form as well. The mangrove snapper and sheepshead bite is still good as well
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Steve Niemoeller
Steve N.
St. Cloud, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
We are still having great catches of bass and crappie here on west lake Toho. Wild shiners are still catching the biggest and most numbers, but a senko or a chatterbait can also produce some nice catches
Steve Niemoeller
Steve N. St. Cloud, Florida Reported 3 years ago
We are still having great catches of bass and crappie here on west lake Toho. Wild shiners are still catching the biggest and most numbers, but a senko or a chatterbait can also produce some nice catches
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
Crappie Fishing in Kissimmee, Florida
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Wade Osborne
Wade O.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
If you are visiting the area and staying in hotels on the beach, you have probably noticed some effects of Red Tide. The first things you may notice are a scratchy throat and coughing. The next thing you may witness are dead fish. Unfortunately, there has been a Red Tide bloom that has continued to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish for over three months now.
The good news is there are no signs of Red Tide in upper Tampa Bay where I’m located and the fishing is excellent. The snook, redfish and seatrout are plentiful and more than...
Wade Osborne
Wade O. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
If you are visiting the area and staying in hotels on the beach, you have probably noticed some effects of Red Tide. The first things you may notice are a scratchy throat and coughing. The next thing you may witness are dead fish. Unfortunately, there has been a Red Tide bloom that has continued to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish for over three months now.
The good news is there are no signs of Red Tide in upper Tampa Bay where I’m located and the fishing is excellent. The snook, redfish and seatrout are plentiful and more than
willing to take a bait.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your adventure now, and let’s go catch some fish!
Redfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Wade Osborne
Wade O.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather, but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s outstanding fishing too.
With water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, the snook, redfish and seatrout fishing is excellent. There have been days lately where I ran two, four-hour charters back-to-back catching fish all day. This is good news for the upcoming Spring Break season, because I only look for the fishing to get better as spring...
Wade Osborne
Wade O. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather, but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s outstanding fishing too.
With water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, the snook, redfish and seatrout fishing is excellent. There have been days lately where I ran two, four-hour charters back-to-back catching fish all day. This is good news for the upcoming Spring Break season, because I only look for the fishing to get better as spring
approaches.
So, if you’re here vacationing or live here through the winter, now’s a good time to plan a fishing trip. Just pick up the phone and give me a call, I’d be happy to show you the adventure of a lifetime.
Redfish, Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Redfish, Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Phil Pegley
Phil P.
Ruskin, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
February fishing has been filled with busy days and bringing fish to the cleaning table.
Mother nature has had the fan turned on, which has been mostly keeping us inshore,
Which is been just fine with us. Our customers have been. Staying busy with a lot of action . I would say the fish of the month has been lots of keeper speckled trout. And once we've gotten our limit, the snook and redfish have also been very cooperative. We've been making a 15 mile run. To catch greenbacks oh yes and 15 miles back but it has been worth...
Phil Pegley
Phil P. Ruskin, Florida Reported 3 years ago
February fishing has been filled with busy days and bringing fish to the cleaning table.
Mother nature has had the fan turned on, which has been mostly keeping us inshore,
Which is been just fine with us. Our customers have been. Staying busy with a lot of action . I would say the fish of the month has been lots of keeper speckled trout. And once we've gotten our limit, the snook and redfish have also been very cooperative. We've been making a 15 mile run. To catch greenbacks oh yes and 15 miles back but it has been worth
it. all three species are responding to live chumming and free lining. Here's a few February photos, tight lines until next time Captain Phil
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Speckled Trout / Spotted Seatrout Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Recent Bartow Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Tommy was great & we had a wonderful time. Very knowledgable of the area, tides, and the best times to fish!

    Brittany T. | July 2, 2026

    Trip: Tampa Bay Flats, Mangroves & Bay

  • ★★★★★
    my half day lake toho charter was awesome; guide patrick had me on fish in no time, was friendly, knowledgeable, and insured a great trip!

    Robert R. | May 7, 2026

    Trip: Lake Toho Largemouth Bass Run

  • ★★★★★
    My experience with Richard was absolutely phenomenal. Had a blast and took down my first ever turkey. Truly good not recommend this guide more. A+++++

    Nolen B. | April 13, 2026

    Trip: Takin' Down Turkeys In FL!

  • ★★★★★
    My wife and I had a great time; we caught maybe a dozen and three five-pounders.

    Rocky R. | February 16, 2026

    Trip: Kissimmee Bass Fishing Charter

  • ★★★★★
    Jackson is a true professional guide who is easy to talk with & though I understand it’s been a struggle/grind with the cold fronts down here, he put me on the fish right away. We caught a total of 12 decent size Largemouth. I have been Bass fishing for over 30yrs in VA & surrounding states, but FL has been on my Bucket list for quite awhile! I certainly appreciated his tips & suggestions & found my experience here w/ Jackson as my guide superb. I would recommend him to all my friends & family looking for a good time fishing FL Bass. I will be back!🤓🎣

    James ". | February 14, 2026

    Trip: Kissimmee Bass Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    I scheduled a trip with Jackson as a gift to a friend - he texted me after saying “Had a killer day - caught several whoppers and Jackson is a super cool dude!” Thanks Jackson 👍

    Denman M. | January 24, 2026

    Trip: Kissimmee Bass Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We had the most amazing day with Captain Brad. We caught fish , seen dolphins, fed wild manatees fresh water, we are blown away with Captain Brads knowledge of both salt and fresh fishing, very informative and was as keen as us to catch, I took my 2 sons and my wife and it’s something we will never forget. If your looking for a captain….THIS IS THE ONE ☝️

    James W. | January 13, 2026

    Trip: Central FL Freshwater Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Took my 13 year old son out with Jackson last week and had a great time. Very personable and knowledgeable. Even explained the equipment to us. Would highly recommend!!

    Ryan O. | December 15, 2025

    Trip: Kissimmee Bass Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Mike was awesome!

    Michael M. | October 20, 2025

    Trip: Pontoon Fishing Charter

  • ★★★★★
    We had such an amazing time bow fishing with John! He was super knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole trip a blast. The setup was great, the boat was comfortable, and he explained everything in a way that made it fun and easy to learn. We caught plenty of fish and made some awesome memories out on the water. Highly recommend booking a trip with John—you won’t be disappointed!

    Courtney T. | September 29, 2025

    Trip: Lake Toho Bowfishing

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