Tampa, FL Fishing Seasons – Deep Sea Fishing
Florida is a top spot for fishing because of its mild climate and great weather all year. Many people go to Destin and Miami but Tampa is often overlooked. This city has great fishing opportunities and fishing charters if you know where and when to go. Continue reading to find out what fish are in season in Florida and when you can fish offshore in Tampa based on the months.
Tampa Fishing Seasons For Deep Sea Fishing
So you can get a better idea when the best time to visit Tampa and take that offshore fishing trip you’ve been dreaming of is, we break down the various Tampa fishing seasons by months. Here are what fish are in season in Florida…
January
January is the coldest month of the year in Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay. Although it may seem like fish aren’t biting because it is so cold, it can actually be a wonderful month for fishing.
It is important to pay attention to the water temperature as it can make or break your trip. The water temperature ranges from 52 to 70 degrees F. Once it reaches the mid-60s, there are good chances that you will catch snook or trout. Redfish, black drum and trout can be caught if the water temperature reaches the 50s. You can also go deeper to catch bluefish, amberjacks and false albacore.
February
This year’s winter season can affect February fishing. You will most likely catch redfish or black drum in February. In cooler waters, trout and flounder can also be caught. When offshore fishing, you’ll enjoy catching snappers, amberjacks and groupers.
March
Another great month to catch fish is March, as the water temperature is rising and it is easier to find a consistent pattern. There are also fewer chances for a cold front that could change the fishing conditions.
This month is a great time to catch redfish and snook, as well as amberjacks, and tarpon, if you go deeper, you may find large Cobia. So expect big catches at this time of the year.
April
April will offer you more options as the weather is getting hotter. Offshore fishing is booming this time of year. There are tons of kingfish and groupers. Snappers, false albacores. Dorados. Barracuda. Amberjacks. And Sharks.
May
Tarpon fishing season is the best way to describe May Tampa fishing. Because May 1 is traditionally the beginning of tarpon migration.
There are many other species of fish, including groupers, snapper, and redfish. These large fish are coming and you can expect a lot of them.
June
Although the Tarpon season starts in May, there are plenty of tarpon all over the country! They can be found inshore or in large schools off the coast.
You can target other species, as most anglers will be focusing on tarpon. There are many options for you to hook up monster spawning Snook, bull redfish schools, large snapper and groupers. Offshore fishing also offers many species such as the tunny shark, mackerel and Goliath grouper.
July
This month is the end of Tarpon fishing as the migration slows down. The schools can get huge at this time. You can also target spawning snook at this time, and redfish can be found on flats. Trout can be caught by the hundreds.
Mackerel can be caught more easily in July than red snapper and groupers offshore.
August
August is hot in Tampa. There are lots of bait spawning out. The area has a lot of minnows, which the fish love to eat. It’s also a great month to catch Bull Redfish in shallow water.
Offshore fishing can yield mackerels, sharks and groupers, large snappers, dorados, and large snappers.
September
September is very similar to August. Snook will be in season during the hot summer conditions. There will also be plenty of trout and redfish. Snappers and groupers can enjoy offshore bottom fishing for about 15-30 miles. There are also schools of dorado. This is when Amberjack fishing heats up in the deep.
October
October is a favorite month because of its divine weather, and great fishing opportunities. It is also a transition month, when the water temperature drops and patterns change with the arrival of fall.
November
Surprise, November is a great month to fish in Tampa Bay. The first half of November is similar to October with flats fish moving higher up the backwater in winter. You can catch redfish, trout and snook on flats. When offshore, you can catch kingfish and mackerel as well as false albacore and groupers.
December
Even in winter, it’s still possible to fish! Fish will continue to bite, so there won’t be many people competing for your fish. Redfish, sheepshead and flounder are all common. You’ll also find snapper, grouper action and hot offshore fishing!
Wrapping it Up
Now you know more about what fish are in season in Florida and Tampa’s deep-sea fishing seasons and when it is best to go. It all depends upon factors such as the type of fish that you are looking for, the water temperature and the water current.
Contact us now at Salty Knots Fishing Charters if you are planning to visit Tampa in the near future and want to get some fishing action.
