Fishing the Tampa Bay Flats through the Seasons

If you’re from a colder climate, you may be snickering about there being seasons in Tampa Bay. While temperatures certainly don’t change like they do in places like Chicago or Buffalo, there is a turning of seasons in Tampa Bay that affects fishing in the flats.

Understanding these seasons and the general movements of redfish, snook, trout and other fish through the flats is key to a successful trip. A guide well experienced with fishing the Tampa Bay flats is a good investment for a novice or anyone visiting the area. They will know the best spots for whatever time of year you’re out on the water.

Knowing how fish move through Tampa Bay as the seasons change is a critical part of knowing where to go.

If you’re fishing with an experienced guide, they will certainly know the right spots to go during any time of year, even during the dead of winter or the heat of summer when the catch is usually limited to veteran anglers.

During these extreme times, fish will move to deeper water where the temperature stays more constant. They will usually come to the flats at certain times of day to feed, but will quickly retreat to the cooler or warmer water.

Just think about it – the middle of summer, or around July 15 to Sept. 1, is just hot as a dog, especially out on the open water in the middle of the day. Fish can better survive water that is north of 90 degrees, but they will tend to go where there’s faster current, some sort of cover, and of course, food. They will usually migrate into the flats during the pre-dawn hours to feed before the surface water heats up too much.

Fishing in mid-summer versus mid-winter is a toss-up and depends on personal preferences and the type of fish you’re trying to catch. Fish like snook and sea trout for example will move into canals and other tributaries of Tampa Bay in the colder months while others will stay on the flats year ‘round.

Winter can be more unpredictable. Conditions can change quickly, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting out on the Tampa Bay flats, especially if you’re fishing with an experienced guide or long-time recreational angler.

The best time is the midday after the sun is able to warm the water a little bit – this of course is one advantage since this allows you to sleep-in a little longer!

Like the summer, fish will spend the bulk of their time in deeper water where the temperature stays a bit more constant, and warmer, during the evening hours. If a cold front is moving into the area, the drop in barometric pressure will trigger the fish to start feeding more. Many experienced anglers say this is the absolute best time to fish during the winter. Timing the front will be the biggest challenge since they can be somewhat unpredictable.

 Spring and fall offer the best opportunities for fishing Tampa Bay since environmental conditions are ideal for bait, spawning and movement on the flats

Whether they’re into fishing or not, Tampa Bay residents and visitors agree that spring and fall are the best times of year for this area. Cold fronts and overcast days are less frequent as the air and water start warming up in the spring. The fall is even better after the surviving the dog days of summer.

Again, which season is better depends on a variety of factors, including your personal preferences. However, many anglers say spring is better, especially if the preceding winter was colder. The fish have been used to a pretty limited diet in the flats and backcountry waters. As the water warms though and the bait starts flowing in larger quantities, the fish will come out of hiding for a wondrous feast (…kind of like Thanksgiving).

Fishing in the fall though can be better if you’re searching for trout. While there are slightly more species flowing through Tampa Bay in the spring, many fish will come out of deeper water once the days start getting noticeably shorter and temperatures let off a bit. In late fall, fish will be somewhat more active as they feed on any remaining shrimp and crabs (bait).

One other important factor to consider is both the preceding and upcoming winter. If it was a warm winter for example, spring fishing may be even better than usual. Conversely, if winter is starting early in the north, fishing in Tampa Bay may be better in the fall since bait will be seeking warmer water earlier.

In the end, an experienced guide and angler will understand all of these nuances of the seasons and know the best spots for finding a good catch regardless of the time of year.

Capt. Steve Betz of Flats and Bay Charters has been fishing the Tampa Bay flats for over 30 years and has seen all kinds of weather come and go. To learn more about the ideal time to go fishing on the Tampa Bay flats or to schedule an outing, contact Capt. Betz by calling (813) 727-8843 or completing this form today!