Tampa Fishing Charters & Guides

Tampa Fishing Charters

On Florida’s west coast is the beautiful city of Tampa. Home of the NFL Buccaneers, MLB Rays, NHL Lightning, adventure park Busch Gardens, and over 3 million residents. It’s also a favorite destination for Florida tourists; in 2019 over 15 million guests traveled to Tampa. Anglers fishing from Tampa can travel to Old Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay, or the Gulf of Mexico for their excursion. If you don’t have a boat, Old Tampa Bay has a couple of really great shore fishing spots. Check out the north side of 4th St. Fishing Pier on the west side of the bay. Fish the flats, passes, oyster bars for snook, trout, reds, and sheepshead. A shrimp or jig can catch a ton of fish under the I-275 bridge. A very popular place to fish over Tampa Bay is Skyway Fishing Pier, located off I-275. The pier used to be a bridge between Tampa and Sarasota before the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was built. It’s now the longest pier in the world and gives visitors unparalleled access to the bay. There is a fee to access the pier, but it’s very convenient to drive to your fishing spot and have everything right there. It’s open 24-hours, and many anglers take advantage of this convenience. Depending on the season you can catch snook, tarpon, mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, snapper, and grouper from the pier.

Inshore Fishing Charters in Tampa

Inshore fishing charters in Tampa offer an excellent opportunity to explore the shallow, calm waters of Tampa Bay and its surrounding estuaries. These charters are perfect for anglers of all skill levels, providing a more relaxed and accessible fishing experience. With minimal travel required, anglers looking to target inshore species can book a four hour trip, but may want to book extra time if targeting tarpon. Tampa Bay’s inshore waters are home to a variety of popular game fish, with the most commonly targeted being redfish, snook, and tarpon. 

Tampa Redfish Fishing Charters 

Tampa Bay is renowned for its thriving redfish population, making it a prime destination for anglers seeking the thrill of catching this powerful game fish. Although redfish can be caught year-round, fishing is best during the spawn, from August through October. Redfish in Tampa Bay are typically found in shallow waters, particularly around mangroves, oyster bars, and grass flats. These areas provide an ideal habitat where redfish can hunt for food and find shelter from predators. The bay’s complex network of creeks, estuaries, and shallow flats offers ample opportunities to locate schools of redfish, especially during the warmer months when they are most active.

When it comes to bait and fishing techniques, live bait such as shrimp, pinfish, or crabs are highly effective in attracting redfish. These baits can be free-lined or used with a light-weight jig to mimic the natural movement of prey in the water. Artificial lures like soft plastics, gold spoons, and topwater plugs are also popular choices, particularly when targeting redfish in shallow, clear waters where sight fishing is possible. Many anglers prefer to fish during moving tides, which increase redfish activity as they forage along the tidal flats. With the right combination of location, bait, and timing, a Tampa redfish fishing charter can offer an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers of all levels.

Tampa Snook Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay is a premier destination for snook fishing, offering anglers the chance to target this elusive and hard-fighting species in its ideal habitat. Like redfish, snook can be caught in Tampa year-round, but the best fishing takes place between May and September. Snook are typically found in warm, shallow waters with plenty of structure, such as mangroves, docks, and bridges. These areas provide cover and ambush points for snook to prey on smaller fish. In Tampa Bay, snook thrive in the estuarine environment where saltwater and freshwater mix, creating nutrient-rich waters that support a healthy population of this prized game fish. During the warmer months, snook often migrate to the beaches and passes, where they can be found in large numbers, particularly around the full and new moons when they are most active.

Fishing for snook in Tampa Bay requires a strategic approach, with live bait being one of the most effective methods. Popular baits include live shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish, which can be free-lined or fished under a popping cork near structures where snook are likely to be hiding. Artificial lures such as soft plastics, jerkbaits, and topwater plugs are also highly effective, especially during low-light conditions when snook are more aggressive. Snook are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, making them a challenging and rewarding target for anglers. When fishing for snook, it’s important to handle them carefully, especially during the summer spawning season, to ensure the sustainability of this iconic species.

Tampa Tarpon Fishing Charters

The tarpon is the king of inshore sportfishing, earning its nickname “Silver King.” Tarpon are primarily found in the deeper channels, passes, and nearshore waters of Tampa Bay. Unlike snook and redfish, it is uncommon to catch a tarpon outside of their migration season in the late spring and early summer months, hitting its peak from May to July. These powerful fish are often seen rolling on the surface in large schools, particularly in areas where tidal currents converge, creating ideal feeding conditions. The bay’s warm, nutrient-rich waters provide an excellent habitat for tarpon, offering both resident and migratory populations a rich supply of baitfish and other prey.

When it comes to targeting tarpon, live bait is often the go-to method, with crabs, threadfin herring, and large shrimp all producing fish, but crab likely being the top bait. Anglers typically use heavy tackle to handle the sheer power and size of tarpon, which can easily exceed 100 pounds. Techniques such as drift fishing or anchoring near known tarpon haunts are effective, especially when combined with a well-presented live bait or even artificial lures like swimbaits and large jigs. Timing is crucial, with the best bites often occurring during the early morning hours or late afternoon, particularly around the tides when tarpon are actively feeding. Landing a tarpon requires patience and skill, as these fish are known for their explosive jumps and long, hard runs, making them one of the most exciting and challenging species to target on a Tampa fishing charter.

Family-Friendly Experience

Inshore fishing charters in Tampa are an excellent choice for families, beginners, and those looking for a less intense fishing experience. The calm waters of the bay provide a comfortable environment, and the abundance of fish ensures there’s plenty of action to keep everyone engaged. Whether you’re teaching a child to fish for the first time or enjoying a day out with friends, inshore fishing offers a fun and memorable experience.

Tampa Offshore Fishing Charters

For those looking to venture further out, offshore charters provide the thrill of deep-sea fishing. These trips often target larger species like grouper, snapper, and kingfish, with longer offshore trips targeting mahi, wahoo, and more. To target grouper, snapper, and kingfish, a 6 hour trip is typically sufficient. Anglers looking to target mahi and wahoo will want to book a trip with a duration of 8 hours or more. 

Tampa Grouper Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay is a premier destination for grouper fishing, with gag, red, and black grouper being among the most prized catches. These robust fish are typically found in deeper offshore waters, where they inhabit rocky ledges, reefs, and wrecks. Gag grouper are particularly common in these areas, favoring rocky outcrops and structures in depths ranging from 30 to 100 feet. Red grouper are often found in slightly deeper waters, usually between 60 and 120 feet, preferring hard bottom areas and ledges. Black grouper, though less common, are often targeted in deeper waters beyond 100 feet, where they lurk around reefs and large wrecks. To target these grouper species, fishing charters typically travel 20 to 60 miles offshore, depending on the specific species and the time of year.

When it comes to bait and fishing techniques, live bait such as pinfish, grunts, and large sardines are highly effective for grouper. These baits are often fished on heavy tackle, using bottom rigs with sturdy leaders to withstand the grouper's powerful runs and the abrasive structure they inhabit. Anglers also use cut bait, such as squid or chunks of fish, which can be just as effective, particularly for red grouper. Vertical jigging with heavy jigs is another popular method, especially for black grouper, which are often found in deeper, more rugged terrain. The key to successful grouper fishing is getting the bait close to the structure where these fish are known to hide, and then being prepared for a strong, determined fight as the grouper tries to retreat back into its rocky lair.

Tampa Snapper Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay offers some of the best snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, with red snapper being the top target for anglers on offshore fishing charters. Red snapper are typically found in deeper waters, ranging from 50 to 200 feet, where they congregate around natural and artificial reefs, ledges, and wrecks. These structures provide the ideal habitat for red snapper, offering plenty of cover and an abundant food supply. Tampa’s offshore waters are rich with these types of environments, making it a prime destination for snapper fishing. To reach the areas where red snapper are most plentiful, charter boats often travel 20 to 50 miles offshore, depending on the specific location and time of year.

When it comes to bait and fishing techniques, live bait such as pinfish, cigar minnows, and sardines are particularly effective for red snapper. These baits are often dropped to the bottom using a weighted rig, allowing them to get close to the structures where snapper are hiding. Cut bait, including squid or chunks of fish, is also commonly used and can be very successful in enticing these fish to bite. Another popular technique is bottom fishing with vertical jigs or heavy lead-heads, which mimic the movement of prey and can provoke aggressive strikes from snapper. Given the depth and the size of the fish, anglers need to be prepared for a strong fight, as red snapper are known for their powerful runs and determination to return to the safety of the reef.

Tampa Kingfish Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay is a popular destination for anglers looking to target kingfish, also known as king mackerel. These fast and powerful fish can be classified as a “nearshore” species, typically found in waters ranging from 5 to 20 miles offshore, particularly during their peak migration periods in the spring and fall. Kingfish can also be caught from piers on occasion, but anglers looking to maximize their chances of hooking up on one would want to head out on a boat. 

Kingfish are often attracted to areas with abundant baitfish, such as reefs, wrecks, and artificial structures. These locations provide ideal hunting grounds for kingfish, which are known to school in large numbers when the conditions are right. During the migration, it's not uncommon to find kingfish closer to shore, near passes, inlets, and even along the beaches, where they chase schools of baitfish.

When targeting kingfish, fishing charters in Tampa often use trolling techniques with live bait, such as threadfin herring, blue runners, or large sardines, to entice these aggressive predators. Slow trolling with live bait is particularly effective, allowing the bait to swim naturally and attract the attention of kingfish. Artificial lures, such as spoons, diving plugs, and even rigged ballyhoo, can also be used, especially when covering larger areas to locate schools of fish. The key to successful kingfish fishing is finding the right combination of speed, bait, and location, as kingfish are constantly on the move in search of their next meal. With their powerful runs and acrobatic leaps, kingfish offer an exciting and challenging experience for anglers, making them a top target on Tampa fishing charters.

Tampa Pelagic Species Fishing Charters

Looking for an opportunity to target some of the most exciting and fast-moving game fish in the Gulf of Mexico, including mahi-mahi, wahoo, and blackfin tuna? These species are typically found in the deeper, open waters of the Gulf, requiring charter boats to travel 30 to 60 miles offshore to reach the prime fishing grounds. Mahi-mahi, known for their vibrant colors and acrobatic leaps, are often found near floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where baitfish congregate. Wahoo, renowned for their incredible speed and sharp teeth, are usually targeted in deeper waters, often near underwater structures or drop-offs. Blackfin tuna, though smaller than their yellowfin cousins, offer a hard fight and are commonly found around bait schools in open waters, particularly near temperature breaks and in areas with strong currents.

When it comes to bait and fishing techniques, live bait such as small fish and squid is highly effective for all three species. Trolling is the most common method used on these charters, with a variety of lures and baits deployed at different depths to cover more water and attract these fast-moving fish. For mahi-mahi, trolling near floating debris or weed lines with ballyhoo or brightly colored lures can be particularly successful. Wahoo are often targeted using high-speed trolling with lures that can withstand their aggressive strikes and sharp teeth, such as deep-diving plugs or metal lures. Blackfin tuna can be caught using both trolling and live bait fishing, often with lighter tackle to enhance the fight. These species provide an exhilarating experience for anglers, combining the challenge of locating them in the vast Gulf waters with the reward of landing some of the most prized pelagic fish.

Book A Tampa Fishing Charter

Tampa charters fish twelve months of the year, weather depending. Usually, though, if the water is too rough in the Gulf captains will switch gears and fish the bay. There really isn’t a bad spot for fishing in Tampa. Start your adventure today and get hooked up with the adventure of a lifetime. Find your Tampa fishing charter here.