Bradenton Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Bradenton Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Bradenton

Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

Even though the sheepshead spawning season doesn’t start until February, the cooler water temperatures have them feeding very aggressively. On a recent charter, my clients specifically requested sheepshead, and the day did not disappoint. On the very first cast of the day, they reeled in a 16-inch keeper. Throughout the charter we must have caught close to 30 sheepshead, along with numerous redfish, seatrout, and snook. At the end of the day, they went home with six nice sized keeper sheepshead. If you enjoy catching redfish, now is the perfect time to catch plenty. Even though most are rats, “under slot-sized redfish” they are still fun to catch. The same can be said for seatrout. Clients have been catching some of the largest seatrout of the year recently. Seatrout schoolup in the winter, so when you hit the right spot numerous fish in the 15 to 19-inch slot range can be landed. Snook are also making their presence known. I’m finding snook mixed in with the redfish and seatrout also. Snook are closed to harvest until March 1st, so it’s strictly catch and release.

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Steven Herich
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

Here's some pics of some beautiful Redfish caught from the beach last weekend.

Steven Herich Sarasota, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

Here's some pics of some beautiful Redfish caught from the beach last weekend.

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Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

The bite has been productive. Inshore and nearshore bite has produced snappers that will reopen Jan 1. The redfish snook and trout are gorging on white bait before the water gets too cold. Good fishing good fun filling coolers

Matt Fueyo with Reel Tight Fishing Charters Sarasota, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

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Matt Karwoski
Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Reported: 11 months ago

One day, two charters.

Matt Karwoski Belleair Bluffs, Florida Reported: 11 months ago

One day, two charters.

Scup Fishing in Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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Alex Kirby
Bradenton, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Happy thanksgiving

Alex Kirby Bradenton, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

Happy thanksgiving

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Cody Beckman
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Inshore fishing and backcountry fishing has been extremely productive, averaging 30 fish days and the cooler water has redfish, trout and big snook fired up. The nearshore wrecks are holding good numbers of mangrove snapper and sheepshead with some spanish mackerel mixed in Weather has been ideal and looks to...

Cody Beckman Tampa, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

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

Nearshore and inshore fishing has been on fire. We have been seeing some big schools of redfish moving through our waters. Snook are cruising the rocks in the jetties. Nearshore fishing has been fun. Gag groupers, lane snappers, mangroves and muttons too! Super fun on light tackle!

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

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Scott Flinn
Bradenton, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

The near shore bite has been really good catching a pile of lain snapper a few mangrove snapper a lot of grouper that are just throwbacks and some really nice hogfish, Inshore is redfish snook and trout The bite has been very good these cold fronts will slow it down...

Scott Flinn Bradenton, Florida Reported: 1 year ago

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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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