Know your target
Stingray fishing around Tampa Bay
Rays pick through sandy shallows and often take bottom baits intended for other fish. Shuffle your feet when wading and give a ray plenty of room.
Also known as: Southern stingray, Atlantic stingray
Harvest status today: See FWC (as of Oct 26, 2026)
Season: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.comSlot: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.comBag: Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more.
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FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)
| Season | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
|---|---|
| Slot/size limit | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
| Bag limit | Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more. |
| Special rules | Standard recreational gear requirements still apply; local gear restrictions can apply. Legal gear listed: hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets. The capture names some stingrays, including southern stingray, but does not cover every ray. Giant manta and spotted eagle ray harvest is prohibited per the supplied sharks capture; yellow stingrays have separate marine-life rules. Identify before keeping. |
Source: FWC: Unregulated · 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.
JanFair
FebFair
MarGood
AprGood
MayPeak
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugPeak
SepPeak
OctGoodThis month
NovGood
DecFair
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stingray | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair |
- winter
- Rays can still take bottom baits in sheltered bay water. Shuffle your feet when wading.
- spring
- Watch sandy edges as shallows warm; avoid stepping toward a visible ray.
- summer
- Shallow beaches and grass edges can hold rays. Keep well clear of the tail.
- fall
- Bottom baits may find rays around sand and mud; have a safe release plan.
Top baits
Bait guide: hook placement, rigs and local seasonal tips →
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
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From the tackle bag
How to catch
General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.
- Hook
- 1/0–3/0 inline circle
- Leader
- 30–50 lb abrasion-resistant leader
- Weight
- 1/2–2 oz
- Rig
- Simple Carolina rig over sand
- Technique
- Avoid dragging hooked rays onto dry sand. Keep clear of the tail and use a long dehooker only if safe.
- 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.
- Fort De Soto Park — East Beach Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Call ahead
Hours not listed — call during business hours
- Dunedin Causeway Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Open
- Fred Howard Park — Causeway and Beach Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Open
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