Why Choose Tampa Bay for Your Next Fishing Trip?

Tampa Bay is a beautiful city to visit not only for vacation with the family but for a fun fishing trip! That’s right, other than the delicious eats and smorgasbord of tourist attractions, you can find this easy-going city holding numerous fish species ready for you to reel in.

But wait, you’re probably wondering, why Tampa Bay for your next fishing trip? Aren’t their other destinations worth your time? Read on as we show you reasons why Tampa Bay should be your next destination for your ultimate fishing trip!

 

Why Choose Tampa Bay for Your Next Fishing Trip?

You’ve probably seen anglers around the world heading to Tampa Bay for the inshore fishing action and many great reasons. Here are just some of them!

 

Tampa Bay is an Angler’s Paradise

Did you know that Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open-water estuary? It spans 400 square miles and holds over a whopping 200 species of fish, making the city a world-renowned fishing destination. If this isn’t enough to convince you to choose Tampa Bay, we don’t know what else to tell you!

Tampa Bay also has an active fishery available to visiting and resident anglers year-round.

 

There are So Many Fish to Catch

Because of Tampa Bay’s temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, and freshwater feeds, you’ll find a ton of fish heading toward the city. Expect a diverse ecological system in the waters, hence the many fish you can catch.

Sight fishermen can head towards backcountry mangrove systems or grass flats to catch snook, tarpon, sea trout, mackerel, redfish, flounder, snapper, grouper, and more.

Of course, you can head over to deeper waters, like the Intracoastal waterways. From here, you can catch your “big one,” from sharks to Goliath groupers! You’ll find surface feeders like dolphin fish, permit, or barracuda in summer, while bottom fishermen can reel in cobia, amberjack, and other rock dwellers. The best part is the shark action you can find in Tampa Bay, with species like tiger, hammerhead, and bull sharks dominating the local waterways.

With all those species mentioned, inshore anglers in Tampa Bay target the “Big 3,” which are tarpon, snook, and redfish. Tarpon is king in Tampa Bay, with the city known for its strong summer tarpon fishery. Redfish is a skinny-water favorite that anyone can catch all year long. As for snook, this is Florida’s staple game fish that you can target anywhere, from beaches, docks, jetties, seawalls, and mangroves.

 

Many Fishing Techniques to Use

You aren’t limited to the types of fishing you can do when in Tampa Bay. There are so many ways you can catch fish, with any technique having a chance to land you something.

While Tampa Bay is primarily a light tackle fishery, you can go ahead and explore different fishing styles. Whether you’re a first-timer, beginner, seasoned angler, or with children, there’s always something for you to learn from (and catch) in the area.

 

Fishing from the Shore

If you want to fish from land, there are a ton of opportunities to do that in Tampa Bay! You can head to their bridges, piers, or beaches for some fishing action since the waters are always teeming with fish. Solo fly anglers are in for a treat because of all the fly fishing opportunities in the area as well.

When fishing on land, head to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Bishop Harbor, or Clearwater Beach. If you’re looking for freshwater, head over to Lake Tarpon and Edward Medard Reservoir.

 

Fishing Charters

Booking a fishing charter is a convenient and comfortable option because almost everything is included in the trip! Regardless of the kind of fishing technique and species you’re targeting, an experienced charter captain is around to help you get the trip you want.

Because fishing is so popular in Tampa Bay, you can find professional guides and charter captains ready to plan out your day in the waters. You can choose between half-day to full-day excursions, night fishing trips, and bow fishing escapades, you name it.

Many anglers opt to book a fishing charter for deep-sea fishing trips to catch their next big trophy. You can also book a private trip to target a specific species like amberjack or to have a fun time with family and friends.

You won’t have trouble planning your fishing trip because charters already include the boat, fishing gear, and an experienced captain to help you out. All you need to do is to prepare yourself for a fun trip!

 

Kayak Fishing

Kayak fishing is another popular way to fish in Tampa Bay because how the city is filled with rich backwaters, grassy flats, and calm nearshore waters.

Kayakers will have the advantage of being able to squeeze through mangrove thickets and skinny waters to find inshore fish like speckled trout, redfish, snook, and even tarpon. If the weather is great and you have been kayaking for some time now, you can head out to the bay to catch cobia, snapper, grouper, and king mackerel! As long as you head to areas with public access (and you prioritize safety), you can either bring your own or rent a kayak and start paddling in search of your next catch.

 

Wrapping It Up

Are you still considering where to go for your ultimate fishing trip? Look no further, as Tampa Bay is waiting for you! With its plethora of fish species and fishing spots, you’re likely going to reel in a catch or two every time you’re out on the waters.

We hope our article on why you should choose Tampa Bay for your next fishing trip helped you out! If you plan on booking a fishing charter, contact us now! We can connect you with a reputable charter captain to help plan a memorable trip along Tampa Bay’s waters.