Know your target
Bluefish fishing around Tampa Bay
Fast-moving schools slash bait around Gulf beaches and pass mouths, especially as the water cools. Watch for bait spraying clear of the water.
Also known as: Blues
Harvest status today: See FWC (as of Oct 26, 2026)
Season: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.comSlot: 12 inches fork length minimumBag: 10 per harvester (Gulf, including Monroe County)
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FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)
| Season | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
|---|---|
| Slot/size limit | 12 inches fork length minimum |
| Bag limit | 10 per harvester (Gulf, including Monroe County) |
| Special rules | Legal gear: hook and line, spears, gigs, seine and cast net. |
Source: FWC: Bluefish · Checked 2026-10-26
“Checked” is the dataset reference date.
Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.
A year on the water
When they're biting
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
JanPeak
FebPeak
MarGood
AprGood
MayFair
JunFair
JulFair
AugFair
SepGood
OctPeakThis month
NovPeak
DecPeak
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.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | OctThis month | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefish | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
- winter
- Cool Gulf surf and pass mouths are good places to look for slashing bait schools.
- spring
- Cast a spoon around moving bait before the water becomes very warm.
- summer
- Treat bluefish as a chance visitor; a visible bait school is a better cue than the calendar.
- fall
- Watch beach troughs and passes for feeding schools as water cools.
Top baits
Bait guide: hook placement, rigs and local seasonal tips →
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
From the tackle bag
How to catch
General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.
- Hook
- 1/0–3/0 inline circle for bait
- Leader
- 30–40 lb leader; short wire bite trace if needed
- Weight
- Free-line or 1/4–1 oz
- Rig
- Free-line bait or cast a spoon on a short leader
- Technique
- Retrieve briskly through the edge of a feeding school.
- Best tide
- Moving water near a sand or structure edge; ease back when current makes bait control difficult.
- Time of day
- Dawn or late afternoon within posted access hours
Find your shoreline
Where to go
Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.
- Pass-a-Grille Fishing Jetty Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Call ahead
Hours not listed — call during business hours
- Honeymoon Island State Park — Beaches and Pass Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Open
- Fort De Soto Gulf Pier Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Open
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