Know your target

Whiting fishing around Tampa Bay

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.

Also known as: Southern kingfish

Harvest status today: Open (as of Oct 26, 2026)

Season: Open year-round (no species-specific season; FWC "unregulated" species)Slot: No size limitBag: Default limit: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is more

Whiting, side view — Photo: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Reference Standard Sequence Library) · Public domain (U.S. government work) · Source

FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)

Season	Open year-round (no species-specific season; FWC "unregulated" species)
Slot/size limit	No size limit
Bag limit	Default limit: 2 fish or 100 lb per person per day, whichever is more
Special rules	Standard recreational gear rules apply; saltwater fishing license required unless exempt.

Source: FWC: Unregulated · Checked Oct 2026

“Checked” is the dataset reference date.

Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.

Fishing license: who needs one

When they're biting

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

JanPeak

FebPeak

MarPeak

AprGood

MayGood

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.

Month-by-month shore fishing guide
Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	OctThis month	Nov	Dec
Whiting	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak

winter: Fish tiny pieces of peeled shrimp in the first Gulf-side trough rather than casting past the nearshore feeding water.
spring: Use small shrimp or sand fleas over sand and shift distances as fish move between troughs with the tide.
summer: Fish the wash at dawn and check slightly deeper sandy water if hot shallows stop producing bites.
fall: As Gulf water cools, return to short casts over beach sand with small two-hook bottom rigs.

Top baits

Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.

live

Small live shrimp
Sand fleas (mole crabs)

cut

Pea-sized peeled shrimp pieces
Thin squid strips

artificial

Small shrimp-scented bait strips

Image credits

How to catch

General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.

Hook: Size 6-2 small long-shank J hooks
Leader: 10-15 lb monofilament
Weight: 1/2-2 oz pyramid sinker
Rig: Double-dropper bottom rig: tie two short droppers with small hooks above a pyramid sinker, keeping both baits near sandy bottom.
Technique: Make short casts first and keep just enough tension to see light taps. Check bait frequently and shift a few yards along the sand instead of simply adding distance.
Best tide: Rising tide into high water over shallow beach troughs; gentle flow at pass margins
Time of day: Morning or late afternoon; winter midday can also suit comfortable beach fishing

Use pea-sized bait so small mouths can take the hook.
Keep rigs over sand to avoid hanging the sinker in rocks.
Hold the rod or watch the tip closely; bites can be very light.

Where to go

Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.

Fort De Soto Gulf Pier Gulf-facing sand suits short bottom casts with tiny shrimp pieces for whiting. Open
Sand Key Park Fishing Piers Gulf water beside Clearwater Pass offers sandy margins to test at several casting distances. Call ahead
Apollo Beach Nature Preserve Shoreline The beach provides a sheltered inside-bay sand option for small bottom baits, clear of the rocky shoreline. Open
Pier 60 Fishing Pier Gulf beach pier where bait schools draw Spanish mackerel and pompano along the swash zone on calm mornings. Call ahead
Fort De Soto Park — North Beach Gulf-facing beach near Pass-a-Grille Channel; pompano and whiting work the first trough, snook cruise the shoreline in summer. Open