The pumpkin patches are continuing to grow in the bay, flats, and mangroves! Fall is the best time of year to catch the elusive Redfish because as the water temperature starts to drop, they move to shallower areas. Additionally, the Snapper bite is staying strong, which is good news for those of you who are hoping to fill the coolers. Lastly, the Gag Groupers have started showing up, with Sheepshead and Kingfish following soon after.

The pumpkin patches in the flats have continued to shine as we head into the last week of September! Both Redfish and Snook have become more aggressive and hungry as the water temperatures have started to drop. We have also been reeling in some monster Snappers and other great eating fish in Tampa Bay and offshore.

If you’re looking to target some great eating fish this week, the offshore bite has been amazing! Our captains have been successfully filling coolers with Scamp Grouper, Snapper, and Porgey lately. The inshore bite has also been thriving, with our clients hooking onto massive Redfish, Snapper, and Snook. You won’t want to miss Tampa Bay’s Pumpkin Patch season this fall!

The start of this year's fall fishing season has been at an all time high in the flats, with our captains raving about the Snapper and Redfish bite! Have you ever wanted to try flats fishing? Now is the time! Tucked into the crystal clear, shallow, and calm waters of the mangroves, your captain will push-pole you into fishing holes you never dreamed possible. Additionally, the Gag Grouper bite in the bay has been phenomenal, as they are starting to venture inshore with the cooler weather.

While there are hundreds of species of fish that you can catch off the coast of Tampa, Florida, there are a few that you should definitely not miss if you are wanting to really put your muscles to the test! Our top three picks for the fish that put up the biggest fight are the Goliath Grouper, Bull Shark, and Jack Crevalle. #1 Goliath Grouper The Goliath Grouper is by far our captains’ favorite fish to fight! This massive species is the largest in the western hemisphere, reaching lengths of up to 8 feet and weighing in around 800 pounds. It truly feels like you’ve hooked up to a bus when you’re trying to reel them in! They put up a really strong fight, but once you’ve gotten them to the surface, you have officially won. Additionally, despite having teeth, they typically engulf and swallow their prey whole. This means that once they’re hooked, you better hold on tight! #2 Bull Shark The Bull Shark gets its name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their commonly aggressive disposition. Bull sharks have a tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking, so you’ll know when the fight is about to begin! They prefer hunting in shallow water and are not bothered by brackish or freshwater, meaning they can easily venture from the bay into the river. This shark species is the angriest out there and they do not give up. You could be hooked up to one and fight it for an hour to get it to the boat, but as soon as it reaches the surface, they’ll take off again. This fight tactic could go on for hours, but it will be more than worth it when you get one in the boat! #3 Jack Crevalle The Jack Crevalle is a common inshore fish species that puts up one heck of a fight! Pound for pound, it is the best fighting fish inshore and will be sure to challenge even the most experienced angler. A typical adult Jack can grow up to 40 inches in length and weigh as much as 60 pounds. Even though this may seem small compared to the two previously mentioned, we definitely believe that sometimes it’s not about the dog in the fight, it’s about the fight in the dog (or, in this case, in the fish). Just like you, the Jack Crevalle may be grunting as you fight him to the surface!

Ever wondered if the fishing myths you’ve read on the internet are true or false? There are many misconceptions that circle around the web these days, so we decided to debunk five of the most common fishing myths. Myth #1: Will my talking scare the fish away? Absolutely not! Sound doesn’t travel well between air and water, so your talking (and even your kid’s screaming) is barely noticeable to the creatures of the ocean. Myth #2: Don’t bring a banana on the boat… Bananas are said to bring bad luck aboard boats. If you’re superstitious, you may want to beware of this one! However, this claim is 100% a myth. The origins date back to the 1700’s, when many misfortuned large cargo ships were noted to be carrying bananas to their destination. But seriously, please do not bring a banana on your fishing trip... Myth #3: Rain, rain, go away - the fish don’t want to bite today! One of the most common fishing myths is that fish don’t bite when it’s raining. This is simply not true! Rain does not affect a fish’s eating patterns, so you’ll still be able to reel in a big catch without clear skies. Myth #4: Big fish go for big bait. While large bait, such as Bonita and Snapper, can only be eaten by larger fish and sharks, even the big fish won’t pass up an easy, smaller snack. Myth #5: You can’t catch large fish inshore… NOT TRUE! You can catch a variety of larger fish, such as Jack Crevalle’s, Grouper, Cobia, Tarpon, and monster sharks, in the inshore waters of Tampa Bay.