Old Tampa Bay Weather Forecast
Fishing reports straight from our guides in Old Tampa Bay
Fishing has been on fire lately both nearshore and inshore. Nearshore trips have been producing steady action with hogfish, multiple species of grouper, porgies, gray snapper, and mackerel, while inshore fishing has been just as productive with solid grouper, mackerel, trout, redfish, and snook showing up consistently. Conditions have lined up perfectly, the bite has been strong, and it’s been a great mix of variety and quality fish across the board.
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Bowfishing action is slow but still rewarding during the cold weather months in Tampa. My customers are rewarded with some nice fish like big Sheepshead, Mullet and Gar
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Shallow-water fishing has been absolutely on fire lately, especially for redfish and trout, with artificial baits stealing the show. Clean water and consistent tides have these fish pushed up skinny, actively feeding and aggressively reacting to well-presented lures. Early mornings and late afternoons have been prime, but even mid-day bites have been strong when the sun helps warm the flats.
For redfish, sight-casting in ankle-to-knee-deep water has been lights out. Soft plastics, paddle tails, and weedless jerkbaits worked slowly in front of cruising or tailing fish are getting instant reactions. Trout have been stacked along potholes, edges, and deeper pockets...
For redfish, sight-casting in ankle-to-knee-deep water has been lights out. Soft plastics, paddle tails, and weedless jerkbaits worked slowly in front of cruising or tailing fish are getting instant reactions. Trout have been stacked along potholes, edges, and deeper pockets...
For redfish, sight-casting in ankle-to-knee-deep water has been lights out. Soft plastics, paddle tails, and weedless jerkbaits worked slowly in front of cruising or tailing fish are getting instant reactions. Trout have been stacked along potholes, edges, and deeper pockets within the flats, crushing suspending twitch baits and soft plastics worked with a steady retrieve and occasional pause.
The key has been stealth, accurate casts, and matching the retrieve to the fish’s mood. With bait present and water temps just right, artificial anglers are having some of the best action of the season. If you’re looking for explosive strikes, visual eats, and nonstop action, now is the time to get shallow and throw artificials
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Black drum and sheepshead bite is heating up. Lots of small reds, nearshore mangrove snappers and grunts, with occasional hogfish
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Hogfish are biting!
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There has been a good variety of different fish being caught right now. It just depends on the weather and adjusting accordingly to stay on the bite! Snook, redfish, trout, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, Key West grunt, jack crevalle and more!
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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.
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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...
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...
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.
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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.
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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
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Top Fishing Trips in Old Tampa Bay
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Shallow Water Sightfishing
18 ft
1 - 4 People
From $550
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Inshore, River, Flats in St. Petersburg
St Petersburg Inshore Fishing!!!
24 ft
1 - 5 People
From $450
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Inshore, Flats Fishing in Clearwater
Clearwater Florida Flats Fishing
25 ft
1 - 4 People
From $600
