How I Fish Tampa Bay in Fall
How I fish Tampa Bay in fall: the open snook slot, schooling reds, trout on deeper grass, and the October flounder close, from September through November.
From the bay
Fishing guides & reports
Every guide we’ve published: tarpon, snook, redfish, seasonal calendars, charter recommendations, and the local knowledge you won’t find anywhere else.
All articles
How I Fish Flounder in Tampa Bay
How I fish flounder in Tampa Bay: sandy pass edges, bridge shadows, and potholes, plus the 14-inch, 5-fish rule and the Oct 15 to Nov 30 harvest closure.
Spanish Mackerel Tampa Bay
How I fish Spanish mackerel around Tampa Bay. ID vs kings, FWC size and bag, Skyway and Honeymoon notes, and fall migration without the hype.
Best Fishing Spots in Tampa Bay for Families
Family-friendly Tampa Bay fishing spots with bathrooms, parking, shade, and short walks. Fort De Soto, Picnic Island, Skyway, Weedon, and more from a local.
Honeymoon Island Fishing Guide
How to fish Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin. Surf, Hurricane Pass, grass flats, park fees, Causeway access, and current FWC rules from a Tampa Bay angler.
Tampa Bay Sheepshead: Where to Find Them and How to Catch Them
Sheepshead are Tampa Bay's most underrated fish. They fight hard, taste great, and stack up on structure all winter. Spots, rigs, bait, and timing from a local.
Apollo Beach Fishing Guide
How to fish Apollo Beach and the south shore of Hillsborough Bay. Nature Preserve shoreline, winter warm-water snook, canals, and nearby launches without the Fort De Soto crowds.
Tampa Bay Mullet Run Guide
When the mullet run hits Tampa Bay, the fishing turns on. Timing, where to find the schools, rigs that work, and how to stay on the fish during the fall migration.
Tampa Bay Spotted Seatrout Fishing Guide
Complete guide to catching spotted seatrout in Tampa Bay. Where to find them, what they bite, seasonal patterns, and the new 2026 FWC regulations.
Catch and Release in Tampa Bay. How to Do It Right
Proper catch and release techniques for Tampa Bay's inshore species. How to handle snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon so they swim away healthy and survive.
Best Time to Fish Tampa Bay by Tide and Time of Day
When Tampa Bay fish actually eat. Dawn, dusk, night, and the tide moves I plan around for snook, reds, trout, and tarpon trips.
Summer Fishing in Tampa Bay
How I fish Tampa Bay in summer heat. First light, night bridges, snook catch-and-release, trout and redfish regs, and storm sense from June through August.
Inshore Rod and Reel Combos for Tampa Bay
Inshore rod and reel combos I actually fish in Tampa Bay, with street pricing checked September 29, 2026 and affiliate links where I buy.
Kayaks I Trust for Tampa Bay Fishing
Four sit-on-tops I would still put money on for Tampa Bay flats, passes, and mangroves, with specs and prices checked September 22, 2026.
Egmont Key Fishing Guide
Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay: ferry and boat access, grass flats, beach edges, and ship channel for snook, redfish, trout, and tarpon.
Fort De Soto Fishing Guide
Fort De Soto is one of the best shore and kayak access points in Pinellas County. Here's exactly how to fish it for snook, redfish, trout, and pompano without the crowds figuring it out first.
Best Lures for Tampa Bay Snook, Redfish, and Trout
The lures that actually produce in Tampa Bay for snook, redfish, and trout. No fluff, just what works on the flats, around docks, and in the passes right now.
Tampa Bay Fishing Piers Guide
Which Tampa Bay piers still work in 2026: Skyway access and fees, Fort De Soto, Pier 60, St. Pete deck hours, Safety Harbor reopen, and what is closed.
Best Bait Shops in Tampa Bay for Inshore Fishing
Where to buy live shrimp, pinfish, greenbacks, frozen bait, tackle, ice, and local advice around Tampa, St. Pete, the Skyway, Ruskin, and John's Pass.
How to Catch Live Bait in Tampa Bay
Pilchards, threadfins, pinfish, and mullet — the Tampa Bay guide to catching your own live bait with a cast net or trap. What to use, where to find it, and how to keep it alive.
Places to Fish Tampa Bay Without a Boat (Shore Guide)
No boat? These are the Tampa Bay shore spots I actually fish. Piers, parks, bridges, what shows up on each, and how I fish them.
Tampa Bay Snook Fishing Guide
Snook are the obsession of Tampa Bay inshore anglers. Where to find them, when they bite, what to throw, and the regulations you need to know before you go.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Tampa Bay
The spots Tampa Bay locals actually fish. Snook, redfish, trout, tarpon. Where to find them and when.
How to Read Tides for Tampa Bay Fishing
How I read tides for Tampa Bay fishing: stations, moving water, slack, and the bookmarks I actually use before I leave the dock.
Kayak Fishing Tampa Bay: Spots, Access Points, and What You Need to Know
Tampa Bay from a kayak puts you in places a motorboat can never reach. The best launch spots, species, and gear for kayak fishing the bay.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Fishing: Spots, Bait, and Timing
Real Sunshine Skyway Bridge fishing from shore. Where I stand, what I throw, parking and access notes, and when the pass actually turns on for me.
2026 Tampa Bay Fishing Regs: Snook, Reds, Trout Limits
Check 2026 Tampa Bay slot limits, bag limits, and license rules before you keep a fish. Written for local saltwater trips, not dense legalese.
Tampa Bay Redfish: Where to Find Them and How to Catch Them
Redfish are everywhere in Tampa Bay if you know where to look. Spots, tactics, gear, and the best times of year from a local.
Beginner's Guide to Fishing Tampa Bay
Licenses, one cheap combo, shrimp first, three simple presentations, forgiving fish, and open piers for a first Tampa Bay trip.
Complete 2026 Tampa Bay Tarpon Guide
Where I rotate for Tampa Bay tarpon, when the bite has a pulse, gear I trust, fight-and-release rules, and DIY versus hiring a guide the first time.
Tampa Bay Fishing by Month: A Year-Round Calendar for Anglers
What's biting in Tampa Bay every month of the year — species, tactics, and the right windows for snook, tarpon, redfish, sheepshead, and more.