Bradenton Beach Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Bradenton Beach Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Bradenton Beach

Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

El Nino has had a major impact on our weather patterns lately, and I don’t expect it to change anytime soon. The worst part is that it seems to rain mostly on the weekends. This El Nino weather system also causes a huge fluctuation in temperatures. We’ve been getting two to three days of a cold front out of the north and El Nino pushes right back with the same out of the south.
What does this have to do with fishing, everything!
First off, catching baitfish can be difficult to nearly impossible. Cold water temperatures push baitfish into deeper water and around structure, like bridge pilings and range markers. Even on a relatively clam day catching baitfish in the winter can be challenging, add 15-20 knot winds and fuhgeddaboudit. I’ve been stopping at my local bait shop and buying medium-size shrimp lately just in case I can’t catch any baitfish before my charter. So far, that’s only happened once, but fortunately we caught plenty of fish anyway using only shrimp. Everything in Tampa Bay will eat a shrimp. That’s why it’s called the “Sara Lee” of baits.
Sheepshead especially like shrimp and they are very active right now. Most anglers think of sheepshead as living only around dock and bridge pilings, but they also hang out in deep sandy pot poles and around drop offs along mangroves. The latter are the two main areas that I prefer to pursue them. Fishing for sheepshead in the back bays has its advantages. Not only does it give you a better opportunity at catching other species of fish, but it can also give you shelter from the wind.
Just like chumming with baitfish activates fish, so does chumming with shrimp. That’s why at the end of the day, I never throw out my leftover live shrimp. I always bag and freeze it for my next charter. The next day when I’m running a charter and I arrive at my first fishing spot, I pull out a bag and start chumming the area with pieces of shrimp. Doing so draws in redfish. seatrout, ladyfish, jack crevalle and occasionally snook.
One thing that I always tell people is winter fishing can be very inconsistent and rewarding at the same time. No two days are ever the same, but if you keep an open mind and not be hell bent on catching only big fish, you can have a good outing.

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Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Catching a ton of fish in the bay and when it’s nice offshore we’ve been able to get into some nice cobia and plenty of sharks!! Fun times for all ages!

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Catching a ton of fish in the bay and when it’s nice offshore we’ve been able to get into some nice cobia and plenty of sharks!! Fun times for all ages!

Blacktip Shark Fishing in Sarasota, Florida

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Cody Beckman
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Cold weather has the redfish, snook and trout fired up! Water clarity is improving and water temps are dropping in the bay so sight casting big redfish and snook in shallow water is awesome right now. Big tides and prime water temps have our big predatory fish active and eating...

Cody Beckman Tampa, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

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Dustin Lambert
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Lots of amberjacks and cobia!

Dustin Lambert Sarasota, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Lots of amberjacks and cobia!

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Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Docks and canals are where the reds, blacks, and sheep's are!!

Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Docks and canals are where the reds, blacks, and sheep's are!!

Sheepshead Fishing in Clearwater, Florida

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Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Fishing has been productive. We are catching kings and cobia off the beach. Snook and redfish are chewing in the passes.

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Fishing has been productive. We are catching kings and cobia off the beach. Snook and redfish are chewing in the passes.

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James Gibson
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

James Gibson Sarasota, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The holiday season is upon us in Sarasota, Florida and the fish seem to know it. Our fishing charter customers had success targeting Snook, Redfish, Trout and Jacks in the shallow flats of Sarasota bay. As water temperatures dropped we found fish congregated on low tides in deeper mud holes in the buttonwood bay area on the back side of Longboat Key. On higher tides we found fish on top of shallow oyster bars around the bully creek area near the Sarasota airport. The nearshore fishing in Sarasota was also hot on the public reefs in front of Siesta, Lido and Longboat Key. Our customers enjoyed catch and clean fishing charters catching Kingfish, Triple tail, Cobia and Snappers.

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Joe Burruezo
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Micro tarpon bite has been on fire for the 8hr trips

Joe Burruezo Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Micro tarpon bite has been on fire for the 8hr trips

Redfish Fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida

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★★★★★
Had the best fishing experience with Brad and Ben put us right on the fish
Justin V. | December 2, 2025

Trip: Clearwater Offshore Reefs & Wrecks
★★★★★
Fantastic experience with Ethan. Professional operation that got us in to a lot of fish!
Daniel M. | December 1, 2025

Trip: 4-6 Hr Inshore Trip
★★★★★
Had an amazing day on the water with Captain Joe! His deep knowledge of local fishing and boating made the trip so fun. Highly recommend his charter for a great day out!
Dan E. | November 27, 2025

Trip: 4 Hour Trip Inshore
★★★★★
Best trip ever, two of us are around 80 . He work well with us cought lost of fish.
Harry D. | November 26, 2025

Trip: Clearwater Nearshore - 22’ Dusky
★★★★★
Wonderful day on the water!! Very family friendly!!
Donna M. | November 26, 2025

Trip: Redington Shores Nearshore/Offshore
★★★★★
Fantastic day on the water with Captain Alex. I showed up to the dock a little early and everything was already dialed in—the boat was spotless, fully prepared, and stocked with fresh bait he’d caught that morning. Even on a quick half-day trip, we covered multiple areas and switched up tactics, starting with snook along mangroves and docks before moving on to speckled trout and mackerel. Captain Alex struck the perfect balance between being helpful and letting me fish how I wanted. He was always ready to assist, but also encouraged me to bait hooks, handle fish, and stay fully involved. The action stayed steady, and he offered great coaching and insight whenever I had questions. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I’d absolutely book with him again and look forward to getting back out there soon!
Scott S. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
Outstanding experience with Alex and his skills and knowledge. Great day of fishing with everyone in the group catching a ton and we have a great time. Highly recommend!
Mike H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Bradenton Classic Inshore
★★★★★
Booked a trip with Captain Cole and from the start there was good and timely communication. Brought my two younger boys who had a blast! Cole was patient, answered their 100 questions, and took us to nice spots where we pulled out some nice fish and the boys were thrilled! We had a blast!
Morgan H. | November 25, 2025

Trip: Sarasota Inshore/Nearshore
★★★★★
We had a great trip Taylor!! He was a great captain! We caught LOTS of fish. Super knowledgeable and such a pleasure to be around. We will definitely be calling him when we come back to Florida again. Top notch experience! Caught mackerel, trout, groupers, Jack fish, lady fish, lizard fish, catfish and we saw a dolphin. Thank you for a great experience!
Laura Q. | November 24, 2025

Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton
★★★★★
Joey put us on the fish almost instantly once we stopped. First drop all 4 poles hit an it was hard to make time for lunch or drinks with our deck hand Linda keeping us lock an loaded with bait and tackle. Great people an a great time! Deff would recommend these guys for any of your fishing trips!
Keith H. | November 22, 2025

Trip: Offshore Fishing 4-8 Hours

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