Tampa Bay
Apollo Beach · Port Manatee
W Florida, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Prime tarpon season is in full swing with resident fish scattered throughout Tampa Bay's flats and channels. Water temps holding steady in the mid-80s with manageable winds through midweek before upticking Friday. Snook are staging for spawning runs at the passes — this is textbook June fishing. Target first light on the main ship channel for tarpon, then shift to pass mouths for snook as the sun climbs. With dry conditions forecast, afternoon storms should hold off until later in the week.
- Tide: Morning low tides expose prime tarpon rolling zones. Target first two hours of incoming for best presentation angles on shallow flats.
- Hatches: Mullet schools thick in the bay — EP Mullet Patterns and Tarpon Toads matching the forage. Snook Deceivers deadly at pass mouths.
- Water Temp: Mid-80s holding steady — perfect for aggressive tarpon feeds and active snook movement into spawning areas.
- Best Window: First light through 9am for tarpon rolling. Snook action peaks at dawn and dusk, with night fishing at passes extraordinary right now.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Coastal Flats
- Best months: Apr–July (tarpon peak); year-round (snook/redfish)
Tampa Bay on Florida's Gulf coast holds one of the most accessible adult-tarpon fisheries in the world. The Sunshine Skyway corridor and the bay's outer beaches support a heavy spring migration of adult tarpon from late April through June, supplemented by resident fish year-round. Sight casting from skiffs in the shallow flats and along the outer beaches produces eats from 80–150 pound fish. Snook, redfish, and sea trout round out the inshore mix.
Tampa Bay's tarpon migration moves through one of the most heavily-populated coastal areas in Florida — adult tarpon hold under the Skyway Bridge in sight of downtown St. Petersburg, an unusual juxtaposition of urban setting and trophy saltwater fishing.
January Outlook
January in Tampa Bay is excellent for snook and redfish despite no tarpon. Cold snaps concentrate snook in the warm-water discharge areas of the TECO power plant on Apollo Beach — one of the most reliable cold-weather fisheries in Florida. Hundreds of snook and tarpon congregate in the discharge channel during cold fronts, creating extraordinary winter fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Snook Streamer (white/chartreuse)
- Redfish Slider
- Shrimp Fly (warm discharge)
- Clouser Minnow
Tips
The Tampa Electric (TECO) Manatee Viewing Area on Apollo Beach — the warm-water discharge attracts hundreds of manatees AND enormous snook in January. Fish the discharge channel on cold fronts. Redfish on the south bay grass flats on mild afternoons.
Water Notes
Water 58-68°F in bay. Discharge area 75-80°F. Cold fronts concentrate snook in warm refuges. Tarpon season is 3 months away.
February Outlook
February continues the winter pattern in Tampa Bay. Snook at the warm-water discharges and in the Manatee River and Little Manatee River. Redfish are schooling on south-facing grass flats. Sheepshead are excellent on the bridge pilings and rock structure throughout the bay. An underrated winter destination.
Productive Patterns
- Sheepshead Crab Fly
- Snook Deceiver (river)
- Redfish Slider
- Clouser Minnow
Tips
February sheepshead on the Howard Frankland and Sunshine Skyway bridge pilings can be exceptional. Snook stacking in the warm tidal rivers. Redfish in large schools on the grass flats of lower Tampa Bay. Tarpon are still weeks away.
Water Notes
Water 60-68°F. Cold fronts modulating. The bay is large enough that protected areas fish well in most conditions.
March Outlook
March brings the first signals of the approaching tarpon season. Snook are transitioning from winter refuges to spawning areas. Redfish schools are large and feeding actively. By month's end, the first tarpon scouts may appear rolling in the main ship channel or near the passes — an exciting sign of what's coming.
Productive Patterns
- Snook Clouser (transition)
- Redfish Slider
- Tarpon Toad (pre-season)
- Sheepshead Crab
Tips
March snook are beginning to move from winter refuges toward the passes. Watch for rolling tarpon near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in late March in warm years. Redfish on the grass flats of Hillsborough Bay are in spring peak form.
Water Notes
Water 66-74°F and warming. Pre-season anticipation building. Snook and redfish excellent. First tarpon possible late in the month.
April Outlook
Tampa Bay's inner bay tarpon season opens in April as fish migrate up from the Gulf. The bay's extensive grass flats and channels concentrate fish in predictable areas. Resident snook and redfish remain active year-round.
Productive Patterns
- Tarpon Toad
- Seaducer (red/white)
- Crab Fly
- Cockroach
Tips
Fish the mouth of Tampa Bay and the grassflat edges on incoming tides. Tarpon roll heavily in the morning. Snook are stacking up on outgoing tides near passes.
Water Notes
Water 72-78°F. Spring weather systems pass quickly. Good fishing between fronts.
May Outlook
May delivers peak tarpon in Tampa Bay with hundreds of fish migrating through. The skyway bridge area is famous for large schools. Snook fishing heats up in the passes.
Productive Patterns
- Tarpon Toad
- Tube Lure
- Seaducer
- Snook Fly (passes)
Tips
Skyway Bridge area at dawn for large tarpon schools. Snook in Boca Ciega Bay and Little Manatee River. Permit can be found on inner bay sand flats.
Water Notes
Water 78-84°F. Excellent conditions through May. Afternoon sea breeze develops by 1pm.
June Outlook
June is strong with resident tarpon now scattered throughout the bay. Snook spawning runs concentrate fish at passes. This is world-class snook fishing as well as excellent tarpon opportunities.
Productive Patterns
- Tarpon Toad
- Snook Deceiver
- Seaducer
- EP Mullet Pattern
Tips
Pass fishing for snook at night during the spawn is extraordinary. Tarpon at first light in the main ship channel. Daytona-style surface lure fishing for snook at dusk.
Water Notes
Water 84-88°F. Daily afternoon storms. Fishing is a morning activity. Night fishing for snook in the passes is excellent.
July Outlook
July is peak summer in Tampa Bay. Resident tarpon remain in the bay, primarily in the main ship channel and around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Snook at their spawning best in the passes and around lights at night. The summer night fishery for snook is one of Tampa Bay's signature experiences.
Productive Patterns
- Snook Deceiver (night lights)
- Tarpon Toad (resident fish)
- Redfish Slider (grass flats, early AM)
- Seaducer
Tips
Night fishing for snook under the Gandy and Howard Frankland Bridge lights is world-class in July and August. The snook spawn at the passes continues through July. Resident tarpon are in the deep main ship channel and roll at first light. Beat the summer heat with dawn tarpon, night snook.
Water Notes
Water 86-89°F. Peak summer. Daily afternoon storms. Morning and night fishing only. Excellent snook opportunities around all illuminated structures.
August Outlook
August in Tampa Bay maintains the summer pattern. Resident tarpon remain near the Skyway Bridge and in the main ship channel. Snook are excellent at night throughout the bay's extensive bridge and dock network. Redfish begin early fall schooling on the grass flats by month's end. The bay never truly shuts down — it just shifts its best hours.
Productive Patterns
- Snook Deceiver (night)
- Tarpon Toad
- Redfish Slider (late month)
- EP Mullet Pattern
Tips
Tampa Bay's infrastructure — bridges, docks, and lights — creates extraordinary summer night fishing. The Courtney Campbell, Howard Frankland, and Gandy bridges all hold snook under their lights in August. First redfish schools of fall often appear on the Hillsborough Bay grass flats by late August.
Water Notes
Water 87-90°F. Peak summer. Hurricane season — monitor forecasts. Night fishing for snook on lit structures is the standout option.
September Outlook
September marks the beginning of fall in Tampa Bay. Summer heat breaks, redfish schools begin building on the grass flats, and tarpon start their southward migration. The bay is transitioning from summer to fall mode. By late September, the daylight fishing window has expanded significantly and the season's best fishing is approaching.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider (forming schools)
- Tarpon Toad (southbound fish)
- Snook Deceiver
- Clouser Minnow
Tips
September is the turning point month in Tampa Bay. Watch for the first cool fronts — when the humidity breaks and the wind shifts northwest, the redfish begin tailing in large schools on the grass flats. Tarpon are passing through southward. The bay is coming back to life.
Water Notes
Water 83-87°F and cooling. Hurricane season continues. Conditions improving significantly by month's end. Fall fishing buildup beginning.
October Outlook
October is one of Tampa Bay's finest months — tarpon migration south, peak redfish on the flats, and excellent snook fishing. Redfish are tailing in large schools on the grass flats.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- EP Crab
- Tarpon Toad
- Snook Deceiver
Tips
Tailing redfish schools are the main attraction in October. Fish creek mouths and sandy pockets in the grass. Large snook aggregating at passes before winter.
Water Notes
Water 80-84°F and cooling. October is the most consistent month of the year. Northeast fronts begin.
November Outlook
November has outstanding redfish and snook fishing. Large red drum (oversized reds) appear. Tarpon are largely gone but occasional fish remain in deeper holes. This is excellent all-around bay fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Redfish Slider
- Gulp Shrimp (wade fishing)
- Snook Fly
- Crab Pattern
Tips
November wade-fishing the shallow grass flats for redfish schools. Schools of 50-100 tailing reds are common in Hillsborough Bay. Look for nervous water.
Water Notes
Water 72-78°F. Fronts every 1-2 weeks. Fish stack up before fronts on the last high tide.
December Outlook
Winter brings trophy snook fishing as fish congregate in warm-water discharge areas during cold snaps. Redfish are on deep grass edges and channel lips.
Productive Patterns
- Snook Streamer
- Redfish Crab
- Jerkbait (snook)
- Shrimp Fly
Tips
Power plant warm-water discharge areas on cold fronts — snook and tarpon concentrate here. Between fronts, fish deep grass edges for redfish.
Water Notes
Water 62-70°F. Cold fronts can cause fish kills in shallow areas. Focus on warm-water refuges during cold spells.
Access & Approach
St. Petersburg, FL is the primary base. Multiple skiff guides operate from St. Pete and Clearwater. Florida saltwater license required.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Florida requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Florida fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
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