Zephyrhills Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Zephyrhills

Jim Vanderbeck

Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Redfish, sheepshead, trout are on fire inshore, snook are still in the creeks. Red grouper are abundant when you can get out with the crazy winds we've been having!
Jim Vanderbeck
Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 1 year ago
Redfish, sheepshead, trout are on fire inshore, snook are still in the creeks. Red grouper are abundant when you can get out with the crazy winds we've been having!
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Jim Vanderbeck

Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Offshore red grouper and red snapper are everywhere. Amberjack showing up in large numbers on every reef. Inshore or near shore kingfish and Spanish mackerel or abundant back in the Creeks black drum are dominant
Jim Vanderbeck
Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 1 year ago
Offshore red grouper and red snapper are everywhere. Amberjack showing up in large numbers on every reef. Inshore or near shore kingfish and Spanish mackerel or abundant back in the Creeks black drum are dominant
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Phil Pegley
Ruskin, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Fall and early winter fishing fishing here in Tampa Bay is truly a great time to get out there This year was no exception. The redfish bite had been hot all summer, and carried right on into the fall with numbers and big fish as well, transitional fishing for Snook...
Phil Pegley
Phil Pegley Ruskin, Florida Reported: 1 year ago
Fall and early winter fishing fishing here in Tampa Bay is truly a great time to get out there This year was no exception. The redfish bite had been hot all summer, and carried right on into the fall with numbers and big fish as well, transitional fishing for Snook was also strong as the air and water temps fluctuated, dropping with each front, and then warming again. It created some great opportunities for site fishing for Cobia, and brought the speckled trout into their cooler water haunts. The water has been crystal clear and catching bait has still been plentiful setting up for an awesome January hit me up and let's get out there . tight lines until next time
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Wade Osborne

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...
Wade Osborne
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.
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Cody Beckman

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
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 all day. 30-40 fish per trip right now is the norm so inshore fishing is on fire right now.
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
Snook Fishing in Tampa, Florida
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Jim Vanderbeck

Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 1 year ago

Docks and canals are where the reds, blacks, and sheep's are!!
Jim Vanderbeck
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
Sheepshead Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Sheepshead Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Sheepshead Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Sheepshead Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Ron Finger

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

The Best Snapper Species Snappers are a fish family that need no introduction. Anglers from all over the world come to Florida to Target & catch them and love them for a variety of reasons. They’re usually easy to locate, are abundant in population, and provide a tasty treat. Just...
Ron Finger
Ron Finger with Fish Hawk Charters Tierra Verde, Florida Reported: 2 years ago
The Best Snapper Species
Snappers are a fish family that need no introduction. Anglers from all over the world come to Florida to Target & catch them and love them for a variety of reasons. They’re usually easy to locate, are abundant in population, and provide a tasty treat. Just
the names “Mangrove Snapper” and “Red Snapper” get every saltwater fisher’s heart racing.
But before you think about cooking one up for a tasty treat, we will get U locked & loaded to land a boat load full.
We are very fortunate on the West Coast Florida Gulf of Mexico with the Mangrove and the Red Snapper. But other common species include the Cubera Snapper, Lane Snapper, Mutton Snapper, and Yellowtail Snapper. There are actually a total of 125 Snapper species that inhabit the earth’s oceans!
Mangrove Snapper
These guys have a red or pinkish tint that covers their small, rough scales. And don’t be fooled by their little teeth – they’re seriously sharp! To know where to find these fish, take a hint from their name. You’ll find them in mangrove islands but you can also find them hanging around docks, piers, grass flats, and more.
Red Snapper
Next up we have one of the largest and most favorable Snapper species, the Red Snapper. This species puts up a tough fight in offshore waters and can weigh up to 50 pounds! They’re also among the best-tasting fish species, period. Unfortunately, though, they’ve been overfished in many places, so there are strict seasons in place, especially here in Florida.
Cubera Snapper
The Cubera Snapper is another large Snapper species, with the biggest recorded weighing 120 pounds. They can be harder to find and make more of a rare appearance. But that just makes it more exciting when you catch one! These fish are more commonly found in deeper wrecks and reefs.
Lane Snapper
Next up we have Lane Snapper. A step down from Cubera Snapper, these little guys reach maximum lengths of 20 inches. But what they lack in size, they make up in strength. Lane Snapper will try and take any bait you present, even if that means grabbing it before a larger fish can. They have a pretty mix of white, yellow, and pink to create a tropical-looking fish. And, as with most Snappers, their fillets are quite delicious as well.
Mutton Snapper
The Mutton Snapper almost looks like a mix of the Mangrove and Lane Snapper, except they’re quite a bit larger. These guys range in size and you catch smaller ones or large ones out on the reefs.
Yellowtail Snapper
Last on the list, we have Yellowtail Snapper. Another fish on the smaller side, these fish are cute and can be recognized easily by their yellow tails – hence their name. They heavily populate southern Florida, where anglers can constantly rip them up and head home with a small but delicious treat!
Snapper Fishing Rules and Regulations
Now that you’re aware of common Snapper species, let’s talk about rules and regulations. As mentioned, there are tons of Snapper species out there. That means there are different types of rules for different types of fish, including maximum and minimum lengths, bag limits, and more.
It’s very important that you know the difference in regulations for each species. We have You fully covered.
We have the Federal Pelagic Species's Permits & NOAA Reef Permits to legally land any/all these snapper Species including ARS - American Red Snapper during the Federal Regulation Season Gulf of Mexico June - Aug
We are Fully Credentialed to both Target & Deliver the Snapper Species you deserve & desire.
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Cubera Snapper Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Jim Vanderbeck

Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Red snapper have been chewing the bottom out of the boat... Red grouper as well. Mahi are showing up strong in the gulf this year.
Jim Vanderbeck
Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 2 years ago
Red snapper have been chewing the bottom out of the boat... Red grouper as well. Mahi are showing up strong in the gulf this year.
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
False Albacore, Mahi Mahi Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Recent Zephyrhills Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Ben gave us a great day out on the water and I learned a lot too! This was the perfect gift for my Dad!

    Adam J. | November 23, 2025

    Trip: Tarpon Springs Gulf Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Andy was great!! Very knowledgeable and helpful. It was my daughter’s first time and she loved it. Will definitely use him again for our next trip!

    Lillian S. | October 5, 2025

    Trip: St. Petersburg Inshore Slam

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time 12 hour trip Captain Tommy was great very knowledgeable .Alex (sweetie) lol inside joke he did a great job keeping our rods baited and taking off the fish over all could not have asked for for anymore!

    Ronnie H. | September 28, 2025

    Trip: "Offshore Extreme" Middle Grounds

  • ★★★★★
    We had a fantastic day of fishing with some business clients. Captain Wade never stopped working—he had us on fish within minutes and was re-baiting hooks in seconds. The boat was comfortable, well-equipped, and spacious enough for all six of us to fish with ease. While it was a “business entertainment” outing, Captain Wade’s laid-back, humorous personality made the trip feel effortless and fun. Plenty of fish, plenty of laughs—thanks, Captain Wade!

    Robert D. | September 23, 2025

    Trip: Tampa Inshore Adventures

  • ★★★★★
    Awesome is an understatement!!! As a Florida born, Clearwater native, salt water addict, life long fisherman, I can’t say enough about this trip. I’ve always owned boats and I’ve never taken a guided trip, as a native it feels like blasphemy. Captain Tommy is a blast to be around, a wealth of knowledge, and as passionate about fishing as anyone I’ve ever met. He’s driven by his desire to deliver results and be successful as a fisherman, it shows in every aspect of his service. He was as excited to put people on fish, as I think he might be to catch them for himself and that speaks volumes. He shares a lifetime of commitment to his passion, and everyone who’s fishing with Captain Tommy benefits. We caught stud fish all day! Don’t take my word for it. Pay the man and go fishing. Five stars isn’t enough.

    Stephen B. | September 21, 2025

    Trip: 8 Hour Offshore Epic Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Brad was excite with my Grandson’s he made out fishing trip well worth it. Class act and will fish with him again for sure.

    Dan B. | September 6, 2025

    Trip: Central FL Freshwater Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a wonderful time with Captain Andy. He was super friendly and put us on fish right away. This trip was my 9 year daughter's first trip and she was asking to extend the trip the first 30 minutes in. This was truly a family friendly experience. I would and defiantly recommend using Captain Andy again. Thank you Captain Andy for a wonderful time!!!!

    Matthew T. | August 23, 2025

    Trip: St. Petersburg Inshore Slam

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Frankie knows where the fish are and worked tirelessly to get us to them. Very glad I chose his charter. I plan to be a repeat customer.

    James J. | August 4, 2025

    Trip: Grouper And Snapper Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Tommy and Alex were fantastic! Very laid back yet professional the entire trip. They put us on some nice American Reds and a few nice grouper, as well as, a ton of shorties that had to be thrown back. We could have had a lot more if those dang sharks were not everywhere, but we still filled the box. AND to end the day, we caught a diamondback rattler crossing the inlet. It was some kind of crazy and I am sure we will have a lasting memory for the rest of our lives… Thanks Tommy & Alex, we had a fantastic time and I look forward to hopefully booking again with you real soon!

    Edward B. | July 14, 2025

    Trip: 8 Hour Offshore Epic Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    We made a full 8 hr trip with Capt. Tommy and his mate Alex. Fishing started out hot but slowed down later in the day, but fishing on a full moon is never ideal. The boat was great, lots of room for the 6 of us to relax and fish comfortably. Tommy and Alex were very entertaining and were great with the 3 first time fishermen we had in our party. I highly recommend fishing with Capt. Tommy, we certainly will!

    Andrew M. | July 13, 2025

    Trip: 8 Hour Offshore Epic Fishing

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