Fresh Tampa Bay Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from Tampa Bay

Shrimp For The Win!
Shrimp For The Win!
December 6, 2025
I always say, “Fish are Fickle.” That’s particularly true this time of year with the advent of a passing cold front every three to four days. One day the fish are active, the next day lethargic. After a cold front, even when I take the time to catch scaled sardines before picking up my charter clients the fish barely responded to them. Fortunately, I always stop on my way to the boat ramp and buy some live shrimp for a backup. Having those shrimp aboard usually saves the day. At times like these, turning shrimp can make all the difference in the world. These hardy baits are appealing to game fish even when bait fish become scarce, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful catch. Shrimp are known as the “Sara Lee” of baits. “Nobody doesn’t like a Sara Lee.” Snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead, and more love them. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Not to sound like “Bubba” from the movie Forrest Gump, but you can catch fish with live shrimp, dead shrimp, frozen shrimp, or pieces of shrimp. “That’s, that’s about it!” Additionally, crustaceans like shrimp are not only versatile but also resilient in colder water conditions, which makes them a reliable choice when other baits fail. Their natural scent and movement attract a wide variety of species, ensuring that anglers have a dependable option throughout fluctuating water temperatures. If you like to fish with artificials or flies, shrimp imitations are the perfect cold weather bait. When making a presentation, the key to success is to work the fake bait slowly. I always remind people, “if you think you’re working it slow enough, slow it down even more.” Also, remember the fish you’re after are most likely in deep water, so let the bait sink before working it back to the boat. For you fly anglers, it’s best to use a sinking tip fly line to help keep the bait down in the water column. Although, the sheepshead spawn doesn’t occur until late winter to early spring, primarily from February through April, they’re becoming more active. Cold water temperatures really turn sheepshead on, and they start to school up. As we move into the latter part of January, you’ll encounter more schools and larger specimens. Key areas to target are rocky structures, bridge pilings, and docks where sheepshead tend to congregate during these colder months. Using shrimp around these areas can yield impressive results, especially as the fish grow more aggressive in anticipation of the spawning season. Patience and persistence are key, as sheepshead can be notorious bait stealers, but the payoff is well worth the effort. As for terminal tackle, the lighter the better. When fishing during colder periods, it’s also beneficial to downsize. Due to the lack of rain, the water clarity is excellent in most of Tampa Bay right now. For that reason, I’ll drop down to 20lb. fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 hook, especially when targeting sheepshead. Lighter lines and smaller hooks can help present crustacean baits more naturally, leading to more strikes from wary fish. Adjust your approach based on water clarity and current conditions for the best results. When fishing structure where additional weight is needed, I’ll add just enough split shot to get the shrimp down to the fish. Afishionado, “Adventures in Fishing.”
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What anglers said about fishing in Tampa Bay

Bring the kids, ask for quantity over quality, pack snacks, and dont be afraid to get a little dirty!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring the kids, ask for quantity over quality, pack snacks, and dont be afraid to get a little dirty!
Fishful Thinkin Charters
Fishful Thinkin Charters
Talk to Chris before deciding the best time to come fish here. He has 35 years of experience fishing these waters from his childhood to now. Inshore fishing is a bit different than party boat fishing but there is always something to learn from a local Captain!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Talk to Chris before deciding the best time to come fish here. He has 35 years of experience fishing these waters from his childhood to now. Inshore fishing is a bit different than party boat fishing but there is always something to learn from a local Captain!
Captain Chris's Fishing Adventures
Captain Chris's Fishing Adventures
All about weather conditions. Given the time of year water temps can fluctuate pretty widely. Target what the temps say and be open to shifting what you target given the conditions.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
All about weather conditions. Given the time of year water temps can fluctuate pretty widely. Target what the temps say and be open to shifting what you target given the conditions.
Down Range Charters
Down Range Charters
November can be rough fishing. temperature of the water dropped 13 degrees in 3 days.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
November can be rough fishing. temperature of the water dropped 13 degrees in 3 days.
Deep Color Fishing
Deep Color Fishing
absolutely use BarracudaVille Fishing Charters with Captain Mark Maloney. He knows his business, knows how to put you on fish regardless of experoence.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
absolutely use BarracudaVille Fishing Charters with Captain Mark Maloney. He knows his business, knows how to put you on fish regardless of experoence.
Barracudaville Charters
Barracudaville Charters
a guy who knows the area and the fish! loved being on this boat with my son
Excellent
5.0 / 5
a guy who knows the area and the fish! loved being on this boat with my son
Palmetto Pat’s Fishing Charter
Palmetto Pat’s Fishing Charter
we caught a lot of Grunts and several Gah groupers that were unfortunately out if season. The weather was great also.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
we caught a lot of Grunts and several Gah groupers that were unfortunately out if season. The weather was great also.
Miss Pass A Grille Deep Sea Fishing
Miss Pass A Grille Deep Sea Fishing
Only reason for not getting 5 stars is the lack of big fish and diversity - pretty one dimensional with mostly pulling in grunts.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Only reason for not getting 5 stars is the lack of big fish and diversity - pretty one dimensional with mostly pulling in grunts.
Deep Color Fishing
Deep Color Fishing
Good for action over species. You will catch more fish and have more fun. Go with no more than 4-5 on the boat. You will lovevit.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Good for action over species. You will catch more fish and have more fun. Go with no more than 4-5 on the boat. You will lovevit.
Capt. Nick’s Fishing Charters
Capt. Nick’s Fishing Charters
call solomon if you want to experience a great fishing time him and his crew was great and well experience and knew exactly what they was doing
Excellent
5.0 / 5
call solomon if you want to experience a great fishing time him and his crew was great and well experience and knew exactly what they was doing
Tampa Bay Shark Fishing
Tampa Bay Shark Fishing
Know what you can keep and size limits so your experience will meet your expectations
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know what you can keep and size limits so your experience will meet your expectations
Glo#1 Fishing Charters Captain Juan Herndon
Glo#1 Fishing Charters Captain Juan Herndon
Absolutely fish in November! Little cooler weather, may not be as much traffic, and water is starting to cool.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely fish in November! Little cooler weather, may not be as much traffic, and water is starting to cool.
Beachside Charters
Beachside Charters
bring a cooler with beverages and food, captain and crew take care if the rest
Excellent
5.0 / 5
bring a cooler with beverages and food, captain and crew take care if the rest
Angler's Dream Fishing
Angler's Dream Fishing
It was very enjoyable and a great experience. I would recommend this charter company
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was very enjoyable and a great experience. I would recommend this charter company
AMI Charter Fishing – Fish Guaranteed!
AMI Charter Fishing – Fish Guaranteed!
Its a rarity to have a company over deliver 2 Shea delivered and then some.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Its a rarity to have a company over deliver 2 Shea delivered and then some.
2 Shea Charters
2 Shea Charters
get out during the week when it's less crowded and go early, 4 hours or less. sun and gnats were starting to get annoying by end of trip
Excellent
5.0 / 5
get out during the week when it's less crowded and go early, 4 hours or less. sun and gnats were starting to get annoying by end of trip
Beyond Fishing Charters – Tampa
Beyond Fishing Charters – Tampa
We had 2 first time fishermen in our group and they both caught more than they could count.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We had 2 first time fishermen in our group and they both caught more than they could count.
Captain Kirby's Fishing Charters
Captain Kirby's Fishing Charters
Definitely highly recommended for any and all fishing trips. We will come back from Texas just for another fishing trip. Great communication and professionalism, we all caught a lot of fish and made wonderful lifelong memories.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Definitely highly recommended for any and all fishing trips. We will come back from Texas just for another fishing trip. Great communication and professionalism, we all caught a lot of fish and made wonderful lifelong memories.
Mother Ocean Charters – A/C Cabin – Deep Sea
Mother Ocean Charters – A/C Cabin – Deep Sea
Look up Rebel Coast Charters. They send videos showing you what to expect and take care of you throughout.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Look up Rebel Coast Charters. They send videos showing you what to expect and take care of you throughout.
Rebel Coast Charters
Rebel Coast Charters
We like inshore fishing because our kids like catching more fish vs spending all day hunting for trophy fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We like inshore fishing because our kids like catching more fish vs spending all day hunting for trophy fish
Capt. Nick’s Fishing Charters
Capt. Nick’s Fishing Charters