Tampa Bay is a great place to get a taste of Florida's superb fishing! What's more, there's an incredible number of Tampa Bay fishing charters ready to put you on the hot bite. With no shortage of incredible, hard-fighting, and tasty fish, the question isn't why you should try fishing in Tampa Bay – it's why wouldn't you?
The bay is actually a saltwater estuary, with 400 miles of rich shallow habitat to explore. Impressive-sized Tarpon, Redfish, Snook, and Spotted Seatrout are the most common inshore catches in the area. Want more variety? Add Sheepshead, Black Drum, Flounder, Pompano, and Sharks to the equation.
Fishing the nearshore waters of the bay is an adventure in itself. Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and many other species are swimming around, ready to take your bait. Venture out into the Gulf of Mexico, and chase all the favorite game fish – Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Barracuda, Tuna, and even Sailfish are in the cards.
Inshore trips are perfect for anglers of all levels, as well as family outings. More seasoned fishermen love targeting monster Tarpon and going after the inshore Grand Slam. The offshore fishery is so diverse that both novices and pros are all but guaranteed to have a blast.
Because the choice of fish is fantastic, charters offer a wide array of trips. Some of the best destinations to find a professional guide are St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, and Bradenton. And once you find your captain and hit the bay's prolific waters, you'll always come back for more!
Rules & Regulations
Most Tampa Bay fishing charters provide a fishing license for their customers so you don't have to worry about a thing. Some sought-after species, like Red Snapper and Tarpon, have strict seasonalities, so ask your captain about the details before your trip.