Old Tampa Bay Fishing Reports (December 2025)

Mike Morse
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

The Bass Fishing is starting to heat up as the post spawn is in full affect and the big'uns are wanting to eat. They are spread out though some are shallow and other are out deep following the bait fish. Look for schools of bait in 8-12ft over submerged grass....

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Mike Morse Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

The Bass Fishing is starting to heat up as the post spawn is in full affect and the big'uns are wanting to eat. They are spread out though some are shallow and other are out deep following the bait fish. Look for schools of bait in 8-12ft over submerged grass. Pitch the Kissimmee grass is a great way to find them as well. It's a little slower trying to find them but once you do, the reward is worth the search.

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Cody Beckman
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Hey, yeah of course. The inshore bite has been on fire with the weather warming up, upper to over slot redfish and snook are moving into the bay with some big redfish schools starting to form as well. The mangrove snapper and sheepshead bite is still good as well

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Cody Beckman Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Hey, yeah of course. The inshore bite has been on fire with the weather warming up, upper to over slot redfish and snook are moving into the bay with some big redfish schools starting to form as well. The mangrove snapper and sheepshead bite is still good as well

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Craig Lahr
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Since the the last month being do warm and wayer temps in the upper 70s final a couple cold front, fishing has picked up. Redfish have started to show up in moe places and better numbers, from the backwaters of Clearwater. We have found them around docks, oysterbars, and points...

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Craig Lahr St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Since the the last month being do warm and wayer temps in the upper 70s final a couple cold front, fishing has picked up. Redfish have started to show up in moe places and better numbers, from the backwaters of Clearwater. We have found them around docks, oysterbars, and points of sand bars that have potholes and sparce grass where it drops off. The best baits have been silverdollar size pinfish and grass grunts with tail cut off fluddering on the bottom. Next tail hooked under a float will get the job done. Artificials such as Top water lures and trusty go to gold spoon have been producing some nice fish, and is a great search bait. The beaches have been absolutely on fire with mackerel. With all the bait around, it's so easy to get a well full of bait. You cant have enough even if it dies. Look for the birds working, and drift or anchor up and start chumming. Our most productive method is using 40lb floro with a #2 to 3 aberdine style hook. The fish have ranged from 4 to 5lb. Kingfish are around, but very few. The next 2 months, fishing is going to get crazy. Cobia, mackerel, shallow snook, trout, reds and even some resident tarpon will start show in the back water So, start booking your trip to experience great lighttackle fishing.

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Patrick Bale
Key Largo, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Sheephead and snapper bite has still been decent.

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Patrick Bale Key Largo, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Sheephead and snapper bite has still been decent.

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Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

If you are visiting the area and staying in hotels on the beach, you have probably noticed some effects of Red Tide. The first things you may notice are a scratchy throat and coughing. The next thing you may witness are dead fish. Unfortunately, there has been a Red Tide...

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Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

If you are visiting the area and staying in hotels on the beach, you have probably noticed some effects of Red Tide. The first things you may notice are a scratchy throat and coughing. The next thing you may witness are dead fish. Unfortunately, there has been a Red Tide bloom that has continued to plague the Pinellas coastline and kill fish for over three months now.
The good news is there are no signs of Red Tide in upper Tampa Bay where I’m located and the fishing is excellent. The snook, redfish and seatrout are plentiful and more than willing to take a bait.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your adventure now, and let’s go catch some fish!

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Craig Lahr
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Now in the 3rd week of February water temps are above normal and temperatures are 10° above normal. It's been so warm that fish are confused and have been hard to find. Red fishing has been the most consistent but has taken a lot to find these bruisers speckled trout...

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Craig Lahr St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Now in the 3rd week of February water temps are above normal and temperatures are 10° above normal. It's been so warm that fish are confused and have been hard to find. Red fishing has been the most consistent but has taken a lot to find these bruisers speckled trout should be all over the back Waters but with temperatures so warm they are constantly moving and making it tough to locate them lots of moving. We've had some Spanish mackerel and Pompano show up which has helped with catching fish but things should get better towards March just through migration of species that will show up and bring in influx of our ensure species such as the redfish, trout, Snook. Weather is beautiful so come enjoy a beautiful day on the water

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Dmitri Stefaniwsky
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Some recent pics for reports, im doing alot of night fishing. Sharks also at night

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Dmitri Stefaniwsky St. Petersburg, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Some recent pics for reports, im doing alot of night fishing. Sharks also at night

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Wade Osborne
Tampa, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather, but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s outstanding fishing too. With water temperatures...

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Wade Osborne Tampa, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

With temperatures in the mid-80s the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to believe it’s still winter. Especially, since it’s snowing in much of the country. Visitors are not only enjoying our spectacular weather, but have the opportunity to experience some of Tampa Bay’s outstanding fishing too.
With water temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, the snook, redfish and seatrout fishing is excellent. There have been days lately where I ran two, four-hour charters back-to-back catching fish all day. This is good news for the upcoming Spring Break season, because I only look for the fishing to get better as spring approaches.
So, if you’re here vacationing or live here through the winter, now’s a good time to plan a fishing trip. Just pick up the phone and give me a call, I’d be happy to show you the adventure of a lifetime.

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