Lakewood Ranch Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Lakewood Ranch

Wayne Johnson

Wayne Johnson
Holmes Beach, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

Freshwater fishing report. Me and my partner fished a three day Bass tournament on Saturday. We had a great day on the water catching quality Bass. We took first place in the tournament with a 5 lbs. 6 oz. Bass, a 4 pound bass and a 2 pound bass. Total
Wayne Johnson
Wayne Johnson Holmes Beach, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
Freshwater fishing report. Me and my partner fished a three day Bass tournament on Saturday. We had a great day on the water catching quality Bass. We took first place in the tournament with a 5 lbs. 6 oz. Bass, a 4 pound bass and a 2 pound bass. Total weight over 11 pounds.
Fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
Fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
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James Gibson

James Gibson
Sarasota, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

We are on the end of fall, beginning of winter limbo in Sarasota, Florida. On our Inshore Fishing Charters, we are having success targeting Redfish on the edges of deeper channels, Trout near creeks like Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek and Bowlees Creek, targeting the deeper grass edges and muddy bottom...
James Gibson
James Gibson Sarasota, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
We are on the end of fall, beginning of winter limbo in Sarasota, Florida. On our Inshore Fishing Charters, we are having success targeting Redfish on the edges of deeper channels, Trout near creeks like Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek and Bowlees Creek, targeting the deeper grass edges and muddy bottom holes and Snook around docks, oyster bars and mangrove points near the same creeks.
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Ike Carrasquillo

Ike Carrasquillo
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

With the arrival of these colder weather and water temperatures dropping into our mid-60s. Sheepshead and mullet are our go to fish this time of year on the Shallow Flats around oyster beds and Mangrove lines, sand pockets. Also look for rock piles or structure in clean clear deeper water...
Ike Carrasquillo
Ike Carrasquillo Tampa, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
With the arrival of these colder weather and water temperatures dropping into our mid-60s. Sheepshead and mullet are our go to fish this time of year on the Shallow Flats around oyster beds and Mangrove lines, sand pockets. Also look for rock piles or structure in clean clear deeper water where these Sheepshead are hanging out with Mangrove Snapper. Bridge piling are also holding the big boys.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Wade Osborne

Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

Shrimp For The Win! I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic. After a cold front, even when I take the time...
Wade Osborne
Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
Shrimp For The Win!
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic.

After a cold front, even when I take the time
to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients, the fish barely respond to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day.

At times like these, turning shrimp can make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Shrimp are known as the “Sara Lee” of baits. “Nobody doesn’t like a Sara Lee.” Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like “Bubba” from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. “That’s, that’s about it!”

Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures.

If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold-weather bait.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Ike Carrasquillo

Ike Carrasquillo
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

With Tampa Bay water temperatures dropping in the mid 60s the Sheepshead & Mullet action has been the go-to species as these fish congregate around oyster beds, Mangrove lines and any type of structure that produces food for them.
Ike Carrasquillo
Ike Carrasquillo Tampa, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
With Tampa Bay water temperatures dropping in the mid 60s the Sheepshead & Mullet action has been the go-to species as these fish congregate around oyster beds, Mangrove lines and any type of structure that produces food for them.
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Phil Pegley
Ruskin, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

When we are heading into winter, but we get a nice little taste of fall. It gives us a great opportunity to catch some amazing fish after the days got so much shorter the water temp warmed up back into the 70s, and the fish knew exactly what to do...
Phil Pegley
Phil Pegley Ruskin, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
When we are heading into winter, but we get a nice little taste of fall. It gives us a great opportunity to catch some amazing fish after the days got so much shorter the water temp warmed up back into the 70s, and the fish knew exactly what to do with calm conditions. We were running quite a few nearshore Charters nearshore this time of year.
Big hog fish, mangrove, snapper, plenty of grouper and this year the Kingfish were still here, along with some stud, blackfin tuna, super shallow in water less than 50 feet deep. And inshore. We've been catching cobia, more Snook. Then you can count, and some beautiful red fish know what you're thinking, and yes, it's great to be out there on a daily basis to absorb all of this.
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
Fishing in Ruskin, Florida
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Ike Carrasquillo

Ike Carrasquillo
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 4 months ago

Sheepshead and Mullet are hot right now on our Tampa bay shallow flats. We still have a few huge rays hanging out but no for long as our water temps are dropping
Ike Carrasquillo
Ike Carrasquillo Tampa, Florida Reported: 4 months ago
Sheepshead and Mullet are hot right now on our Tampa bay shallow flats. We still have a few huge rays hanging out but no for long as our water temps are dropping
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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George Hastick

George Hastick
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 6 months ago

With the dropping water temperatures a variety species have become very active and bait is everywhere! From trout and flounder to mackerel and snook all have the feed bags on. Don't miss out on the fall bite!
George Hastick
George Hastick St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 6 months ago
With the dropping water temperatures a variety species have become very active and bait is everywhere! From trout and flounder to mackerel and snook all have the feed bags on. Don't miss out on the fall bite!
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
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Recent Lakewood Ranch Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time!! Very knowledgeable captain in the waters of Tampa Bay! I highly recommend for anyone.

    Joe J. | April 28, 2026

    Trip: Tampa Bay Inshore Rodeo

  • ★★★★★
    Great was Great ! Aiden was also very good! We had a Great time and caught some Nice fish! Great boat too!

    Bryan K. | April 27, 2026

    Trip: St. Pete Offshore Experience

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Phil was great and we all enjoyed the trip. The fish didn't cooperate at first, but Captain Phil moved us to another spot and we got better action. We had a miscommunication with the booking but Trey at Captain Experience was very helpful and we got everything worked out. Thanks Guys! I would book here again.

    Andrew R. | April 24, 2026

    Trip: Tampa Bay Shark Hunt

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Randall is the Reel deal! Put us on the Fish and was a wealth of knowledge of the area !

    David F. | April 24, 2026

    Trip: Anna Maria Inshore And Nearshore

  • ★★★★★
    Marc was a great Captain we had a terrific day on the water, we caught many different species of fish and brought back 6 keepers, Marc also recommended a local restaurant that cooks your catch, it was delicious. We will definitely book with Marc again for our future trips when we get back down to Florida again, thank you Marc

    Michelle R. | April 23, 2026

    Trip: St Pete Inshore/Nearshore

  • ★★★★★
    Capt Andy was great. We had a keeper on board 10 seconds after the first cast!!! Just one of more to come! My son and I had a great time. Capt Andy was very friendly and knowledgeable. Extremely helpful with changing baits, etc.

    Ron | April 21, 2026

    Trip: Inshore Trip Afternoon Action

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Frankie was the best charter I’ve ever been on!! we explained what we wanted to go after and he was able to put us on the fish we were looking for! A great experience for even new fisherman or experienced fisherman! We plan to book another in the future!

    Jeffery A. | April 20, 2026

    Trip: Grouper And Snapper Trips

  • ★★★★★
    My wife, Carolina, and I, had a great time with Captain Steve! He showed us not only the techniques of catching fish on the West Coast, but also a great time and he is a great showman! Captain Steve definitely knows what he’s doing! We will be back!🙌🎣

    Rafael P. | April 19, 2026

    Trip: Beach Fishing: Family-Friendly

  • ★★★★★
    My wife and I recently booked an afternoon fishing trip with Jose. Jose was very personable and immediately set us at ease. He has a great sense of humor and we laughed throughout the afternoon. More importantly, we caught fish from the beginning of the trip to the end. Jose knows these waters and where to find them. We caught many species (spotted sea trout, sheepshead, redfish, snook, pinfish, a shark, and the elusive triple tail). The sea trout were the most plentiful and made an excellent meal. Thanks Jose for a fun afternoon. We will book again the next time we are in the area!!

    Jim L. | April 16, 2026

    Trip: 4 Hour Trip – Fish And Fun

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Josh was fantastic - he took grest care of my family and I, caught a ton a great fish, and enjoyed the amazing boat. He and his assistant were extremely enthusiastic and were great in teaching my kids about fishing in the Gulf. Great times had by all and would greatly recommend him.

    Christopher J. | April 13, 2026

    Trip: Nokomis Offshore/Nearshore

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