Old Tampa Bay Fishing Reports (December 2025)

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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

We have only been out for scallops in Pasco county but doing really well

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Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

We have only been out for scallops in Pasco county but doing really well

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

The Gulf of Mexico can be a challenge that we as a team welcome the opportunity w/day to day results vary as a shallow warm body water. Ideally, a 10-12 hr offshore fishing 50-70-90 miles out can increase the odds yet .... This approach may also hit or miss. Our...

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

The Gulf of Mexico can be a challenge that we as a team welcome the opportunity w/day to day results vary as a shallow warm body water. Ideally, a 10-12 hr offshore fishing 50-70-90 miles out can increase the odds yet .... This approach may also hit or miss.
Our team's do their best every day to provide guests full efforts, positive attitude & attentive honorable respect to max out and size up the Pelagic Species's.
Since fishing is a lot like dating. It’s all about capitalizing on opportunity of the unknown. One of the first things that every fisherman learns is that fish have their own agenda which causes them to move over time from one place to another. This change can be seasonal, daily, caused by wind, changing water temperature, changing water clarity, the movement of bait they feed on, fishing techniques, or the instinct to spawn. We study these variables, unlike others & apply Master Licensed Angler skills w/technique.

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Ray Culver
Seminole, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Redfish schools have showed up been pretty consistent with larger redfish being caught with snook mixed in on each trip.

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Ray Culver Seminole, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Redfish schools have showed up been pretty consistent with larger redfish being caught with snook mixed in on each trip.

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Phil Pegley
Ruskin, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Our trip to Key West to end the hot Florida summer was as advertised this year's experience was graced with beautiful weather conditions light winds in Clear waters is what Key West dreams are made of .we really had some excellent trips offshore with our main focus being on the...

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Phil Pegley Ruskin, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Our trip to Key West to end the hot Florida summer was as advertised this year's experience was graced with beautiful weather conditions light winds in Clear waters is what Key West dreams are made of .we really had some excellent trips offshore with our main focus being on the mahi mahi. Snapper fishing on the reef was outstanding, especially around the full a new moon. The lobster season in Key West has always been very good and this year was no different. We were able to get limit catches on numerous trips. We love to play with the tarpon while we are down there as well. They have a great tarpon, fish or a year-round. I hope you can join us next year from late July through August, so tight lines until next time Captain Phil

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Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Offshore the gags, mangos, red snapper are chewing. Hogfish are starting to bite. Inshore redfish, trout, and black drum are heating up.

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Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Offshore the gags, mangos, red snapper are chewing. Hogfish are starting to bite. Inshore redfish, trout, and black drum are heating up.

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Jim Vanderbeck
Clearwater, Florida
Reported: 2 years ago

Lots of red snapper and red grouper

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Jim Vanderbeck Clearwater, Florida Reported: 2 years ago

Lots of red snapper and red grouper

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