Tampa Bay Weather Forecast

Fishing reports straight from our guides in Tampa Bay

James Gibson
James G.
Sarasota, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
It is officially fall in Sarasota, Florida and we are enjoying the cooler temperatures. We have experienced our first cold front of the year and our water temperatures got as low as 64 degrees in some places. By the end of October our water temperatures have climbed back up to a comfortable 70 - 78 degrees and the fish are loving it! During the cold front our customers enjoyed targeting Snook in creeks while they were finding the warmer water. Before and after the cold front we targeted schools of Redfish on our shallow grass flats, while water temperatures were...
James Gibson
James G. Sarasota, Florida Reported 3 years ago
It is officially fall in Sarasota, Florida and we are enjoying the cooler temperatures. We have experienced our first cold front of the year and our water temperatures got as low as 64 degrees in some places. By the end of October our water temperatures have climbed back up to a comfortable 70 - 78 degrees and the fish are loving it! During the cold front our customers enjoyed targeting Snook in creeks while they were finding the warmer water. Before and after the cold front we targeted schools of Redfish on our shallow grass flats, while water temperatures were low we had good luck targeting Redfish along structure and dock lines. Once our water temperatures warmed up the Trout, Mackerel and Bluefish fishing in Sarasota Bay really took off! Winter is just around the corner and we are enjoying our fall fishing while it lasts!
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Matt Fueyo
Matt F.
Sarasota, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
The fishing has been productive. We are catching cobia and mackerel on the inshore reefs. Trout, redfish and snook are still feeding in the bay. Sharks and tuna are adding some more fun to the party as well!!
Matt Fueyo
Matt F. Sarasota, Florida Reported 3 years ago
The fishing has been productive. We are catching cobia and mackerel on the inshore reefs. Trout, redfish and snook are still feeding in the bay. Sharks and tuna are adding some more fun to the party as well!!
Speckled Trout Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Matt Fueyo
Matt F.
Sarasota, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Hey David the fishing has been productive. We are catching cobia and mackerel on the inshore reefs. Trout, redfish and snook are still feeding in the bay. Sharks and tuna are adding some more fun to the party as well!!
Matt Fueyo
Matt F. Sarasota, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Hey David the fishing has been productive. We are catching cobia and mackerel on the inshore reefs. Trout, redfish and snook are still feeding in the bay. Sharks and tuna are adding some more fun to the party as well!!
Redfish Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Mike M.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Offshore, Spanish Mackerel and Kingfish are running pretty strong, as are grouper and lane snapper. Inshore, the snook is pretty good and the redfish are starting to move into shallower water
Mike Morse
Mike M. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Offshore, Spanish Mackerel and Kingfish are running pretty strong, as are grouper and lane snapper. Inshore, the snook is pretty good and the redfish are starting to move into shallower water
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Snook Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Hank Valencia
Hank V.
Seminole, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
The weather temps dipped and found lots of bug mackerel and sharks off the beach. There’s Tripletail by the crab bouys but mostly shorts. Hoping the Kings will show up soon and hope to get one tomorrow. The reefs are holding Gags and Cobia.
Hank Valencia
Hank V. Seminole, Florida Reported 3 years ago
The weather temps dipped and found lots of bug mackerel and sharks off the beach. There’s Tripletail by the crab bouys but mostly shorts. Hoping the Kings will show up soon and hope to get one tomorrow. The reefs are holding Gags and Cobia.
Fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida
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Craig Lahr
Craig L.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
The water has cooled down with the recent fronts. Bait has been plentiful, with scaled sardines, threadfin, shad, ladyfish and blue runners. This has started the nearshore to explode with Spanish Mackerel, and their big brother, the King Mackerel.
For the Kingfish there is no bait to big like mackerel, lady fish, or mullet to catch that big smoker
The back water bite has been getting better. Redfish are getting to be in good numbers with the cooler water. For the artificial enthusiast, topwater bite will help you locate these bruisers, as well as Speckled Trout. These fish will often...
Craig Lahr
Craig L. St. Petersburg, Florida Reported 3 years ago
The water has cooled down with the recent fronts. Bait has been plentiful, with scaled sardines, threadfin, shad, ladyfish and blue runners. This has started the nearshore to explode with Spanish Mackerel, and their big brother, the King Mackerel.
For the Kingfish there is no bait to big like mackerel, lady fish, or mullet to catch that big smoker
The back water bite has been getting better. Redfish are getting to be in good numbers with the cooler water. For the artificial enthusiast, topwater bite will help you locate these bruisers, as well as Speckled Trout. These fish will often
be together with the mullet schools. With the extreme lowtides, you can find the Reds tailing on scattered turtle grass or around pot holes. For these conditions, live shrimp, cutbait and soft plastics will be your ideal baits.
With higher tides, concentrate on points, oysterbars and spoil islands. Make sure there are mullet in these areas, because the Redfish and Speckled Trout will be there also. The best bait to use now is whitebait, silver dollar size pinfish and cutbait. Your leader should be 2-3 ft. of 20 to 30lb florocarbon, with a 3-4 o/t light style circle hook. As for the fly enthusiast, all species can be caught.
Redfish Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Redfish Fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Darius Kirschner
Darius K.
Sarasota, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
The fishing in the Sarasota area has been great. Whether you are fishing off the beach or in the bay there has been a consistent bite with multiple different species. Off the beaches right now, you can expect to catch a limit of Spanish mackerel along with cobia and King mackerel. The little Tony a.k.a. Bonita is soon to arrive to the party. All of these fish make great table fare and are a blast to catch. On the inshore side of things, the snook and red fish fishing has been on fire. With with plenty of bait around the...
Darius Kirschner
Darius K. Sarasota, Florida Reported 3 years ago
The fishing in the Sarasota area has been great. Whether you are fishing off the beach or in the bay there has been a consistent bite with multiple different species. Off the beaches right now, you can expect to catch a limit of Spanish mackerel along with cobia and King mackerel. The little Tony a.k.a. Bonita is soon to arrive to the party. All of these fish make great table fare and are a blast to catch. On the inshore side of things, the snook and red fish fishing has been on fire. With with plenty of bait around the fish have been very active. The pompano and sheepshead should be biting in the next few weeks as the water temperatures drop.
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Snook Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Scott Tesinsky
Scott T.
Sarasota, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
October's off to a great start as our pelagic fish are starting to move south. The bait is plentiful inside the passes and around grass flats . We are consistently catching Cobia, bonita, kingfish and Spanish mackerel at the nearshore reefs using live Pilchards . Covering the entire water Column is key , triple tail are starting to be targeted as the stone crab traps are put out. Typically we run full speed by the stone trap bouys looking for triple tail and then we sight cast to them . October and November are prime triple tail months . Also...
Scott Tesinsky
Scott T. Sarasota, Florida Reported 3 years ago
October's off to a great start as our pelagic fish are starting to move south. The bait is plentiful inside the passes and around grass flats . We are consistently catching Cobia, bonita, kingfish and Spanish mackerel at the nearshore reefs using live Pilchards . Covering the entire water Column is key , triple tail are starting to be targeted as the stone crab traps are put out. Typically we run full speed by the stone trap bouys looking for triple tail and then we sight cast to them . October and November are prime triple tail months . Also this is a great time to target blacktip sharks under the schools of mackeral using cut bait on wire leaders . Inside the bay sea trout, snook and redfish are feeding before winter . Using live Pilchards is key. I typically am out an hour before the charter catching hundreds of live Pilchards giving us a great chance for a non stop fishing adventure.
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
Cobia Fishing in Sarasota, Florida
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Joe Burruezo
Joe B.
Tampa, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
Redfish and grouper bite is still going strong
Joe Burruezo
Joe B. Tampa, Florida Reported 3 years ago
Redfish and grouper bite is still going strong
Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
Redfish fishing in Holmes Beach, Florida
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Dale Henderson
Dale H.
Clearwater, Florida
Reported 3 years ago
We have been into a great variety of fish on recent trips. We have gotten into Mahi-mahi, Bonita, Sharks, grouper, snapper, often times on the same trip! Even near-shore has been fun with plenty of Spanish Mackerel and grunts for the kids!
Dale Henderson
Dale H. Clearwater, Florida Reported 3 years ago
We have been into a great variety of fish on recent trips. We have gotten into Mahi-mahi, Bonita, Sharks, grouper, snapper, often times on the same trip! Even near-shore has been fun with plenty of Spanish Mackerel and grunts for the kids!
Great White Shark fishing in Clearwater, Florida
Great White Shark fishing in Clearwater, Florida
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Recent Tampa Bay Reviews

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    My guys had a great time on their fishing trip with Captain Nick! The trip was booked per my 10 year old son’s request, and he was accompanied by his step dad and grandpas. Nick was very pleasant and friendly, experienced, and treated my boy as one of his own. They all had a really great time and learned a lot during their trip. Thanks Captain Nick!

    Aj W. | July 17, 2026

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    Steven F. | July 16, 2026

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Trip

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    We had an amazing time with Dan. We caught plenty of fish and he was great with our kids. Highly recommend using Dan if you’re in the area and want to take the family out.

    Andrew K. | July 16, 2026

    Trip: 3-6 Hour Inshore/Nearshore Trip

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    Eric G. | July 15, 2026

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    We had a rough day on the water. He is an amazing guide does everything and more to get you on fish and on the hook! I would highly recommend Matt as your next fishing guide! Great guy and very experienced when it comes to fishing the clear water area!

    Jason K. | July 15, 2026

    Trip: St Pete Tarpon Fishing

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    Dennis J. | July 14, 2026

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    Danny L. | July 13, 2026

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    Drew T. | July 12, 2026

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    Dave D. | July 10, 2026

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    Captain Brian and Captain Gerry were great! Great conversation and knows their stuff. We booked a 4 hour trip. Safety is priority and a storm was rolling in, so we had to head back after 2 hours. However, it passed after 30-45 minutes and we went back out. They took us to 4-5 different spots and we caught over 10 species of fish! Flounder, grouper, spades, sheeps head, lady fish, trout, silvers, mackerel, jack, pin, mangrove snapper, puffer. Many we had to release because they weren’t in season or were juveniles. However, the ones we did keep, the captains cleaned up for us. Overall, had a wonderful time. 10/10

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