Hillsborough County, FL · Gulf of Mexico
Tampa Bay
Florida's largest open-water estuary — a premier inshore fishery for redfish, spotted seatrout, and black drum over the grass flats and oyster bars, with snook and tarpon in season around the passes and bridges. Live tide and water temperature from the St. Petersburg station.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout & Black Drum — tied at the top (38/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Tampa Bay.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:54 AM | High | 2.9 ft |
| 8:26 PM | Low | -0.4 ft |
Species at Tampa Bay
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Red Drum Marginal conditions for Red Drum. In season 38/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 90°F water — above red drum's active range (65–85°f) — fish move deep
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 18"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 1
18–27" slot, 1/person/day (vessel limits vary by region; catch-and-release only in the Indian River Lagoon). Harvest prohibited in federal waters.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Marginal conditions for Spotted Seatrout. In season 38/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 90°F water — above spotted seatrout's active range (60–85°f) — fish move deep
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 19"
- Daily creel
- 3
15–19" slot (one fish over 19" per vessel allowed); bag is 2–5/day depending on FWC management zone, with seasonal closures in some zones. Confirm your zone.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Black Drum Marginal conditions for Black Drum. In season 38/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- 90°F water — above black drum's active range (55–85°f) — fish move deep
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Max size
- 24"
- Daily creel
- 5
Florida: 14–24" slot, 5/harvester/day; one over 24" allowed within the bag.
Source: Florida regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Gulf of Mexico
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Florida
Coordinates
Notes
FL Gulf zone: redfish and seatrout slot/bag vary by zone; snook and tarpon (seasonal, stamp/tag required) are the marquee bonus.
Local reports & rules for Tampa Bay: Florida FWC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Tampa Bay?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Tampa Bay you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Tampa Bay?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Tampa Bay against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Tampa Bay have?
Tampa Bay has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. FL Gulf zone: redfish and seatrout slot/bag vary by zone; snook and tarpon (seasonal, stamp/tag required) are the marquee bonus.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Tampa Bay?
state agency regulations apply at Tampa Bay. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Tampa Bay tidal water?
Yes. Tampa Bay sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.