Methods of Fishing in Tampa Bay for Beginners

To begin fishing in Tampa Bay you’ll first need to decide what method of getting out on the water is right for you. Whether a lifelong local of Florida or sun-baked tourist, the waters of Tampa Bay are full of a wide variety of fish waiting to be caught! 

Charter Boat Fishing in Tampa

For beginners, a charter boat is a fantastic option. You'll have an experienced captain on the water with you helping you the entire way. Assistance is given from what types of bait to use, purchasing and providing the bait, telling you where to drop your lines in for the most success, methods of how to move the bait in the water to attract fish, and of course driving the boat for you. Due to the expertise of many captains in the area, chartering a fishing boat allows you to request fishing for a certain type of fish such as shark, grouper, or red snapper, and the captain will curate your experience to give you the best chance of bringing one on board! While in many ways this is the most ideal experience, be prepared that it is also the most expensive. Many boats allow around 5-8 passengers so splitting up the cost makes this experience more accessible for most people.

Bridge, Beach, and Pier Fishing in St. Pete and Tampa

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start fishing in St. Pere, hitting a bridge, beach, or pier is the best choice for you. The beauty of this option is that it doesn’t require any reservations or scheduling. All you need is a little gear, and it's you and the water all day! You will of course need general fishing supplies and hopefully some sunshine as well.

• Bridge Fishing: An important thing to note is that not all bridges allow fishing! Be sure to get on google and research the name of a specific bridge near you if you are hoping to fish it. Bridges create structure for fish to feed off of, hide from predators, and avoid currents. They also often have deeper water to allow boats through meaning a greater variety of fish species can inhabit the area. Keep in mind if there is no way to walk down to the water's edge you will want to use smaller bait and aim for smaller fish as you will have no way to pull up a giant. Any time you have structure to fish it is helpful and bridges are a great example of that.
• Beach Fishing: Beach fishing is one of my favorite ways to go fishing in Tampa! Fishing is a great time on its own, but who said we can’t combine that with another great activity, hanging out at America's best beaches! It is very important to note that this method comes with very specific distinctions such as PLEASE don’t fish where others are swimming and having fun in the water. It’s important to find a safe distance to begin casting your line. Along with this, some beaches allow fishing and some do not. Fishing on beaches is heavily enforced, so make sure you do your research and only fish where it is allowed. On top of this, some websites will claim that fishing is allowed in certain areas when it is not. Keep a keen eye out when you approach the beach for signs that say no fishing. Asking a lifeguard or beach patrol about the fishing rules is always advised. Specific tackle is available to assist in beach fishing (such as the pyramid sinker) so make sure to swing by your local tackle shop to get set up.
• Pier Fishing: Pier fishing in Tampa is a great option for fisherman of any skill level. Fishing off a pier allows you to get into deeper water without the use of a boat and keeps you dry by avoiding the need to wade. Keep in mind, for the major fishing piers in the area there is often a fee of around $10 a person required to access the entire pier. Many of the more popular piers have concession stands with snacks and often sell bait and tackle, making this a one stop shop on your St. Pete fishing excursion. 

Kayak Fishing at Weedon Island

Of course, we would be remiss to not mention kayak fishing! Kayak fishing offers a truly unique way to experience fishing in Tampa Bay. Kayaking provides you with an up-close experience on the water, and allows you to venture into areas otherwise inaccessible by boat or walking. I have found kayaking helpful as you are able to bring a large amount of supplies such as food for yourself, and extra bait which allows for longer amounts of time with your line in the water. Kayaking might be a favorite method for fishing but it requires a certain amount of skill and a rather steep learning curve to feel like you’ve gotten the hang of it. You’ll quickly find there's an art to juggling the paddle, your pole, the line, and net all at once. With the extra effort involved in this method comes really great reward and generally we hear things about fishing by kayak! Weedon Island Preserve offers a unique kayak fishing experience, with some of the best fishing spots in St. Pete!

Which Bait to Choose While Fishing in Tampa

The next big question to answer when fishing in Tampa is what bait to use! Deciding which bait to choose is quite the task, and can quickly develop into a grad school thesis on types of fish, seasons, air pressure, and many more factors that will determine success. This topic will be discussed deeper in a separate post, but for now we will keep it SIMPLE. Many people will tell you that shrimp is the best bait to use as it catches the widest variety of fish. While this is generally true, there are periods where you will have not have a ton of success with shrimp. Thankfully, it’s fairly cheap and you get a good amount of shrimp per purchase. This allows you spend more time fishing. Despite the general lack of success, shrimp still remains a top choice for bait for most anglers, and may set you up for an awesome fight! A personal favorite of St. Pete expert anglers is cut mullet. Your best bet is to find a whole mullet and cut it into bait size chunks. The oils and stench, while very unpleasant above the water, draws in the fish much more than your average bait or lure. You can even hook the bait a certain way to cause it to spin and flash in the water similar to a lure. If you have a specific species in mind make sure to do some googling to find which bait is right for you.

Considering the Environment While Fishing

As we enjoy the beautiful waters of Florida and begin our journey fishing in Tampa, let's remember that as we use this environment we create a responsibility to give back and preserve it. Let's consider a few ways we can minimize our footprint and protect this activity and ecosystem for generations to come.

• A common type of fishing line used is known as monofilament line. This line is very durable and does not readily break down in our environment. It is estimated that this line will remain in the ocean for over 300 years, and has the potential to cause serious damage to sea life such as coral, dolphins, and sea turtles. Thankfully, there is a solution to this serious problem! These days we have biodegradable monofilament line that is just as strong as the line we are used to. This line will work at the same level of proficiency as the original, and after about a year's worth of exposure. will begin to degrade. It is suggested that you should change your line out every year anyways, so this is a win-win!
• Despite common beliefs held in the past, fishing hooks do hurt fish! Opening a new hole in the mouth of a fish also disrupts the suction used by many fish to catch prey. Now there may not be a way around this when choosing to fish but we can certainly minimize the damage. A great way to lessen your impact with hooks is to choose barbless hooks. We have been using barbless hooks for about a year and I have to say I still find them to be very successful at landing a fish. If you don’t want to buy new hooks, no problem! You can easily squeeze the barb down flush with a pair of pliers and you’re all set!

Now you have a few different methods available to you to get fishing! Remember that fishing takes a lot of patience, and the longer your line is in the water the better chance you have. Good luck out there!