The seasonal field guide

What's biting around Tampa Bay (shore fishing)

Explore shore fishing targets, seasonal patterns and places to start.

Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time; check FWC before keeping fish.

Snook

Open

Slot: Not less than 28" or more than 33" total length

Bag: 1 fish per person per day

Tampa Bay snook ambush shrimp and baitfish along mangroves, seawalls and bridge shadows. Pinellas beaches and passes become prime casting water in summer, while sheltered canals and river reaches matter most in cold weather.

Redfish

Open

Slot: Not less than 18" and no more than 27" total length

Bag: 1 fish per person; 2 fish vessel limit (Tampa Bay region)

Redfish root for crabs and shrimp along Tampa Bay oyster edges, mangroves and shallow grass flats. Rising water brings these bottom feeders within casting range of Pinellas and Hillsborough shorelines, especially in fall.

Spotted seatrout

Open

Slot: Not less than 15" or more than 19" total length; fishing from shore, one fish over 19" per person may be kept (counts toward bag)

Bag: 3 fish per person per day (Tampa Bay region)

Spotted seatrout hold over Tampa Bay grass flats, picking off shrimp and small baitfish above the vegetation. Shore anglers can reach them with a popping cork or light jig from causeway banks and piers adjoining flats.

Sheepshead

Open

Slot: Minimum 12" total length

Bag: 8 per person per day (vessel limit 50 per trip in March and April)

Sheepshead pick crabs and other small crustaceans from Tampa Bay pilings, rocks and bridge structure. Their close-in feeding makes a nearly vertical bait presentation from a pier especially useful, with the best seasonal focus in February and March.

Spanish mackerel

Open

Slot: Minimum 12" fork length

Bag: 15 per harvester per day

Spanish mackerel chase small baitfish through Tampa Bay mouth and Gulf pass water during spring and fall migrations. Pinellas pass piers and the Skyway north pier put casting lures within reach of this fast-moving coastal predator.

Florida pompano

Open

Slot: Minimum 11" fork length

Bag: 6 per harvester per day

Florida pompano grub for sand fleas and other small crustaceans over sandy Gulf beaches and pass bottoms. Spring and fall movements give Pinellas shore anglers a reason to fish small baits in the wash or bounce compact jigs over clean sand.

Mangrove snapper

Open

Slot: Minimum 10" total length (state waters)

Bag: 5 per person per day, within the 10-snapper aggregate bag limit (state waters)

Mangrove snapper tuck into Tampa Bay pier pilings, rocks and mangrove cover, darting out to intercept shrimp and small fish. Summer is the main shore-fishing window, when a discreet bait presentation close to cover matters more than a long cast.

Flounder

Closed

Slot: Minimum 14" total length

Bag: 5 per person per day

Flounder lie on sandy or muddy Tampa Bay bottom and ambush prey moving past grass, rocks and pass edges. Slow bottom presentations are practical from shore, with fall into early winter the main window for fish moving toward Gulf passes.

Black drum

Open

Slot: 14" to 24" slot, with one fish over 24" allowed

Bag: 5 per harvester per day (may include one over 24")

Black drum use sensitive chin barbels to find crabs, shrimp and shellfish along Tampa Bay bottom. Pier supports, rocky causeways and oyster shorelines give shore anglers defined places to soak scented baits, especially in cooler months.

Tarpon

Catch & release only

Slot: No minimum size; tarpon over 40" must stay in the water (unless using a tarpon tag for a record attempt)

Bag: Catch-and-release only; one tarpon tag per person per year for a state or world record attempt

Tarpon move through Tampa Bay and nearby Gulf beaches most prominently from May through July, feeding on baitfish and crabs. For shore anglers this is a catch-and-release-only target that requires heavy tackle and a low shoreline where the fish can be released in the water.

Cobia

See FWC

Slot: Minimum 36" fork length

Bag: 1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less

Cobia cruise Gulf beaches, bay-mouth channels and structure, sometimes following rays or other large animals. Shore chances around Pinellas passes are occasional, with March and April the clearest migration window and a ready sight-casting rod more useful than blind soaking all day.

Whiting

Open

Slot: No size limit

Bag: Default limit: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is more

Whiting search sandy Gulf shallows for worms and small crustaceans, often much closer to the beach than anglers expect. Pinellas sand and gentle pass margins suit light bottom tackle, with cooler months particularly useful for this accessible shore target.

Crevalle jack

Open

Slot: No size limit

Bag: Default limit: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is more

Crevalle jacks herd mullet and whitebait along Tampa Bay seawalls, open banks and pier edges, often revealing themselves with sudden surface boils. Shore anglers can cover water with a topwater plug or keep a live bait ready for a passing school.

Ladyfish

Open

Slot: No size limit

Bag: Default limit: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is more

Ladyfish chase shrimp and tiny baitfish over Tampa Bay flats and through coastal passes, striking small lures and jumping repeatedly when hooked. Causeway shores and flats-side piers make them a practical light-tackle target during warm months.

Month-by-month shore fishing guide

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

Swipe or scroll the table to see all months. General guidance: 0 = Rare, 1 = Fair, 2 = Good, 3 = Peak. Current month: Oct. Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time.

Month-by-month shore fishing guide
Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	OctThis month	Nov	Dec	Open/closed today
Snook	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Open
Redfish	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Open
Spotted seatrout	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Open
Sheepshead	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Open
Spanish mackerel	Fair	Fair	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Open
Florida pompano	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Open
Mangrove snapper	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Open
Flounder	Good	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Closed
Black drum	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Open
Tarpon	Rare	Rare	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Rare	Rare	Catch & release only
Cobia	Rare	Fair	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Fair	Rare	See FWC
Whiting	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Open
Crevalle jack	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Open
Ladyfish	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Fair	Open

What's biting around Tampa Bay (shore fishing)

Month-by-month shore fishing guide

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