Tampa Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Katie and crew!

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Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Katie and crew!

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Cody Beckman
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Water temps in the bay are dropping so the fish are eating like crazy. Starting to have that really good fall time bite! Big predator fish like reds and snook have worked their way in from offshore and the beaches back to the mangroves and flats. The mangrove snapper migration...

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Cody Beckman Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Water temps in the bay are dropping so the fish are eating like crazy. Starting to have that really good fall time bite! Big predator fish like reds and snook have worked their way in from offshore and the beaches back to the mangroves and flats. The mangrove snapper migration is also in full swing and they're everywhere on the shallow water wrecks and reefs in the bay.

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Tyson Wallerstein
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Mid-summer fishing can be spectacular if you pick the right species to target. Big tarpon and even bigger sharks can blister a reel and give many anglers the experience of a lifetime. Tampa Bay is a summertime hot-spot for bull sharks and late season resident tarpon fishing. Deep holes of...

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Tyson Wallerstein Clearwater, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Mid-summer fishing can be spectacular if you pick the right species to target. Big tarpon and even bigger sharks can blister a reel and give many anglers the experience of a lifetime.
Tampa Bay is a summertime hot-spot for bull sharks and late season resident tarpon fishing. Deep holes of 15 to 20 foot or more will often hold bait this time of year and in turn predators.
Fishing with big cut baits such as half a mullet or half a mackerel, will keep the catfish at bay and allow your baits to let the scent out in order to entice the big fish into biting. Tackle is the same for both species, you’ll need a heavy action seven-to-eight-foot rod either spinning or conventional and a reel that can hold a couple hundred yards of sixty-five-pound braid. A heavy monofilament leader of 80-pound test or greater or some heavy piano wire will work for both species as long as you’re using a big enough hook, if you’re using a one-pound bait or better you need to be using a 9/0 or 10/0 wide gap circle hook.
Tarpon are excellent night predators, thet can be found cruising the shadow lines of almost any bridge this time of year. A cautious approach with the trolling motor will allow you to stalk fish along the shadow line without spooking them. Try casting artificial lures like a half ounce buck tail jig with a 4in soft plastic jerk bait tail as a trailer, both in white. This lure closely resembles a shrimp drifting by, which is what the tarpon are looking for

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Steve Hunsucker
Largo, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

It has been a hot summer so right off the bat, if you've fished with us recently, we commend you! We have remained pretty busy getting folks out fishing and producing some great catches! Throughout the month of August on our longer trips we have been happy to still catch...

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Steve Hunsucker Largo, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

It has been a hot summer so right off the bat, if you've fished with us recently, we commend you! We have remained pretty busy getting folks out fishing and producing some great catches!
Throughout the month of August on our longer trips we have been happy to still catch American Red Snapper as our season goes through August 24th. The dates apply to charter-for-hire vessels with federal reef permits only, so if you want to catch red snappers with one of our experienced captains, book a 10-12 hour charter before then!
August we have also enjoyed catching and keeping amberjacks and some gray triggerfish as they are open this month only and will close September 1st. September 1st we will see the opening of gag groupers as well as Captain Steve's birthday! 8+ hours are recommended for gag groupers and they will be open through November 10th.
On our 4, 5, and 6 hour charters we are excited to see that trolling bite pick up as we have been catching spanish mackerel, bonita, and barracudas. Generally the king mackerel will start to migrate down our coast sometime in October.

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Ron Finger with Fish Hawk Charters
Tierra Verde, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

It is going to be American Red Snapper city this weekend and throughout the next thru mid August. Hot temperatures, calm seas and light current all add up to a formula for some tasty snapper throughout the Tampa Bay area along the Gulf Coast. Ideal conditions & Federal NOAA reports...

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Ron Finger with Fish Hawk Charters Tierra Verde, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

It is going to be American Red Snapper city this weekend and throughout the next thru mid August.
Hot temperatures, calm seas and light current all add up to a formula for some tasty snapper throughout the Tampa Bay area along the Gulf Coast.
Ideal conditions & Federal NOAA reports validate the 2023 ARS Season is going to be dynamic - EPIC only for those whom have the required Federal Issued Credentials to legally Target & Keep the coveted Pelagic Species which includes American Red Snapper, Gag Grouper etc

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Scott Flinn
Bradenton, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Plenty of tarpon biting and the snapper bite is good right now but the sharks are definitely getting a few

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Scott Flinn Bradenton, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Plenty of tarpon biting and the snapper bite is good right now but the sharks are definitely getting a few

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Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

July started off with a BANG! Fishing has been outstanding for the most part. The majority of what’s been biting are snook, mangrove snapper, seatrout, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and a few redfish. Sure, there have been a few days where the fish bite has been slow, but that’s...

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Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

July started off with a BANG! Fishing has been outstanding for the most part. The majority of what’s been biting are snook, mangrove snapper, seatrout, silver trout, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and a few redfish. Sure, there have been a few days where the fish bite has been slow, but that’s why it’s called fishing.
If you’re looking to keep some fish for dinner, the only species that’s closed to harvest right now is snook. Other than that, putting fish in the box has been a given.
So, if you’re looking to catch dinner or just catch and release, book your adventure today.

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Ron Finger with Fish Hawk Charters
Tierra Verde, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

The next 2 months thru mid August, with such a diverse range of fishing opportunities and an abundance of species, anglers of all skill levels eagerly embrace the call of the waters. Whether it’s the allure of landing a massive ARS, the excitement of the ongoing spot run, the pursuit...

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Ron Finger with Fish Hawk Charters Tierra Verde, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The next 2 months thru mid August, with such a diverse range of fishing opportunities and an abundance of species, anglers of all skill levels eagerly embrace the call of the waters. Whether it’s the allure of landing a massive ARS, the excitement of the ongoing spot run, the pursuit of elusive Gag Grouper or the challenge of reeling in a Cobia or Wahoo, the Tampa Bay region - Gulf of Mexico offers an unparalleled offshore fishing experience.
As the summer progresses, anglers must stay informed about regulations and restrictions to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Ideal temperatures, calm seas and light current all add up to a formula for some tasty snapper dinners. ARS - American Red Snapper Mangrove snapper, Mutton snapper, Lane snapper and Vermilion snapper are all in the mix for bottom fishers throughout the Tampa Bay area along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Ideal conditions & Federal NOAA reports validate the 2023 ARS Season is going to be dynamic - EPIC only for those whom have the required Federal Issued Credentials to legally Target & Keep the coveted Pelagic Species which includes American Red Snapper, Gag Grouper etc

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